The Weimaraner is a large dog that was originally bred for hunting in the early 19th century.
It possesses traits such as speed, stamina, great sense of smell, great eyes, courage, and intelligence.
The breed is characterized by an alert, well-balanced stance and is valued as an aggressive hunter, good companion, and watchdog.
The average lifespan of the Weimaraner is 11 to 14 years.
It stands 58 to 68.5 cm (23 to 27 inches) and weighs 32 to 39 kg (70 to 85 pounds).
This breed’s short coat and unusual eyes give it a distinctive regal appearance. The coat is extremely low-maintenance, short, hard, and smooth to the touch, and may range from charcoal-blue to mouse-grey to
silver-grey or even blue-grey.
As puppies, Weimaraners have light blue eyes, but they don’t stay that way for long. As they grow up, the dogs’ eyes turn either amber or a gray-blue color.
The breed is sometimes referred to as the “gray ghost” of the dog world originating from its ghostly coat and eye color along with its stealthy hunting style.
The name “Weimaraner” comes from the the city of Weimar (now in the state of Thuringia in modern-day Germany), enjoyed hunting.
Early Weimaraners were used by royalty for hunting large game such as boar, bear and deer.
As the popularity of large game hunting began to decline, Weimaraners were used for hunting smaller animals like fowl, rabbits and foxes.
While many sporting dogs trace their heritage back several hundred years, the Weimaraner is a more recent addition.
With a certainty, it can be said that the breed originated in Germany sometime in the 1800’s.
Nobility in and around Weir, Germany set out to create the ‘ultimate’ sporting dog and it’s believed that they relied on both French and German sporting dogs to create the silvery sporting dog we know today as the Weimaraner.
Looking at the conformation of this German-bred dog, it’s not a far stretch to believe that early progenitors of the breed relied heavily on the German shorthaired pointer when developing the Weimaraner. In fact, Weimaraners were originally registered in the German shorthaired pointer studbook.
It’s also commonly believed that bloodhounds were introduced for additional tracking and hunting capabilities. The oversized ears and soulful eyes of a Weimaraner puppy certainly seem to resemble characteristic features of bloodhounds. At any rate, the results of this breeding initiative produced an eager and intelligent hunting dog that was originally used for large game, including bears and wolves.
The key figure of the Weimaraner’s early history was Germany’s Grand Duke Karl August, who held court in the town of Weimar. The duke, like so many European nobles of the age, was an avid sportsman. His dream was to develop the perfect hunting dog.
In order to keep the bloodlines pure, the nobles of the Weimar court were very careful in selecting who could have access to the puppies. The Weimaraner club formed in 1897 to help protect the breed’s integrity. Only members of the club could purchase a puppy, but it was difficult to gain access to the exclusive organization.
The Weimaraner was a jealously guarded secret for many years among the German aristocracy, but good specimens began arriving in America by the late 1920s. Its popularity increased in the 1950’s.
The breed became popular due to celebrities like Grace Kelly, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Dick Clark. The famous artist and photographer William Wegman increased the breed’s popularity even more with his world famous Weimaraner portraits and video segments.
Weimaraners are so smart that they’re sometimes referred to as “the dog with the human brain.” Of all the breeds, they are 21st smartest in the dog world. While being smart can make training easier, it’s important to channel that intelligence properly at a young age.
It may tolerate cats but usually does not, tending to follow the urge to hunt—no matter how long it has known a particular cat — and likely to chase and kill any small animal that enters the garden.
A Weimaraner requires frequent exercise and will appreciate games and play. An active owner is more likely to provide the vigorous exercise and games required. A Weimaraner requires appropriate training to learn how to be calm and control its behavior.
Usually, the average price of a Weimaraner puppy from a reputable breeder is between $700 and $1,500, while a top-quality Weimaraner puppy can cost as high as $2,500 and upward.
Today, the Weimaraner is enjoying a renewed popularity. It ranks about 41 in popularity in the United States.