Breed Group: Sporting Group
Shoulder Height: 23-27 in.
Weight: 55-82 lb.
Life Span: 11-14 years
Colors: Blue, gray, silver
Interesting Facts
- The Weimaraner came to prominence in Germany during the early 1800s and is thought to have Bloodhound in his ancestry
- The breed features in artwork dated in the early 17th century
- They were initially designed for big-game hunting, but when that fell out of favor, they were equally adept at hunting smaller game such as rabbits
Overview
Famous for their athleticism, loyalty, and courage, the Weimaraner is the quintessential hound: old enough to be recognized the world over, but young enough that the breed continues to evolve. The Weimaraner is one of the more popular international breeds, especially in Europe where they were first developed.
The breed is not perfect by any means, however. Their temperament can be fairly difficult to deal with for inexperienced dog owners. Because of their hunting instincts, they traditionally do not get along well with other animals. The breed has even been known to kill smaller game such as rabbits and birds. They also like to give chase to anything.
Weimaraners are very courageous and loyal, and make a delightful family pet. They enjoy human interaction and so are quite suitable for indoor life. Their need for exercise does not make them the ideal pet for busy or sedentary people. Weimaraners come in short- and long-haired varieties, so the amount of grooming needed is dependent on your dog's coat length.
Health Facts
Weimaraners are very hardy dogs and do not suffer from many illnesses or disorders.
- They are one of the longest-living large breeds with the average lifespan up to 14 years.
- Hip dysplasia is very uncommon in the breed.
- A very serious ailment that can affect the Weimaraner is gastric torsion, when the stomach fills with gas and twists. It can be quickly fatal. Symptoms include a swollen abdomen and general discomfort. While there are a number of factors involved in gastric torsion, including genetics, the risk may be reduced by not exercising the dog within one hour of feeding.
Notable Animals
- Weimaraners have appeared in several movies, including Best in Show, in which the canine protagonist was named Take Me Dancing.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower owned a Weimaraner named Heidi when he was in the White House.
- Many celebrities own/ed Weimaraners, including Brad Pitt, Dick Clark, and Grace Kelly.
- Weimaraners became famous due to the photos of William Wegman, in which they were usually the subjects.
Photo ©iStock.com/GlobalP, ©iStock.com/Bigandt_Photography
