Weimaraner dog. Description, features, care and price of the Weimaraner

Description of the Weimaraner breed

Popularity 258th place among 263 dog breeds

Lifespan:

11-13 years old

Breed group:

Hounds

Height:

males: 59-70 cm, females: 57-65 cm

Country of origin:

Germany

Average price:

20-30 thousand rubles

Weight:

males: 26-32 kg, females: 23-30 kg
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Key facts

Weimaraners are unique ash-gray animals with amber-colored eyes. This combination makes the dog’s appearance memorable and unusual.

The Weimaraner dog was bred for hunting purposes, so it has proven itself excellent in hunting animals and birds. The German Pointer is also known for its hypersensitive sense of smell.

“Hounds respond well to training, but without proper training they become simply uncontrollable.

Noble dogs serve in the police of a number of European countries; they are also among the “employees” of the Ministry of Emergency Situations in Germany.

The German pointer categorically does not like loneliness, so he prefers to spend as much time as possible with his owner and his family members.

What to feed

Peculiarities in the upbringing, care and activity of the Silver Weimaraner determine some requirements for its food. The most important thing is to give your dog a higher calorie diet that fully provides the energetic animal with enough energy.

Otherwise, the rules are similar to the maintenance of other breeds:

• Give plenty of fluids.
• Prohibit grapes, bones, raisins, chocolate and onions.
• Select high-quality expensive food.
• Limit rice cereals and beets.

The main thing is not to skimp and not to let feeding take its course: prohibit picking up carrion and climbing into latrines.

History of the origin of the Weimaraner breed

Intelligent appearance and excellent hunting qualities have given rise to various legends about the appearance of these noble pets. In literary works and documents there are references to the German cop dating back to the 13th century. However, dogs officially received their recognition only in 1869.

It is known that representatives of this breed were favorite pets of the European nobility. They became favorites after the return of Louis IX from the unsuccessful crusade. In the works of Gaston de Foix it is written that the monarch returned home and brought a pack of more than 10 blue-gray dogs. The animals instantly acquired the noble status of “blue blood” pets.

The name of the breed, specially bred in the suburbs of Weimar in East Germany, was first officially mentioned only in 1850. But German breeders of those years did not want to recognize the ash-gray individuals as a separate breed, positioning them as a hybrid.

Only 30 years later the first Weimaraners began to take part in exhibitions and acquired the status of an independent individual. In 1897, a kennel club dedicated to this breed appeared in Germany. At that time, it was impossible to buy Weimaraner or Weimar Pointer puppies outside the country.

In 1928, Howard Knight, a hunting enthusiast and sportsman from New England, was able to take several representatives to the United States. The first American cops were born almost a decade later. In 1943, the breed received official recognition from local breeders. In a short time, German Weimaraners became very popular in the United States. So, as of 2022, they rank 39th in the ranking of the most popular dogs in America.

Rules for buying a dog

Choosing a puppy wisely means giving money for a healthy, vaccinated and well-groomed pet. The Weimaraner is not very popular in the CIS countries, so the purity of the pedigree among breeders is called into question. It is best to choose a puppy from a kennel with a good reputation. Then the future owner will exclude mixing of blood and the development of hereditary diseases in the pet.

The following list of rules will be useful when choosing:

1. Thoroughbred parents. If possible, you should meet both parents. The appearance of the dogs must meet the standard and indicate good health.
2. The breeder is ready to help. A conscientious, professional breeder is ready to answer any questions. For a professional, not only money is important, but also the well-being of the animals.
3. No external defects. A swollen belly indicates worms. Thinness is about an unbalanced diet. Bald patches in fur indicate unscrupulous care.
4. Puppies activity. The entire litter should be active and cheerful. This indicates good health.
5. Good living conditions. The place where puppies and bitches are kept must be clean.

The choice of a specific puppy depends on the purpose of the purchase. The Weimar Pointer can be incredibly active and restless. For a hunter, these qualities are welcome - you should choose the most active puppy from the litter. The calmest puppy is chosen for the home if you just need a family friend.

Appearance of the Weimaraner

General impression

Noble animals are among the largest representatives. They have an athletic build with powerful muscles. The elegant individual has a sophisticated appearance, which eloquently testifies to the hunting skills of a Weimaraner pointing dog.

Head

The head is of medium size. It is proportional, with a rounded nape, on which there is a small tubercle. The wide forehead has a pronounced dividing groove. When a Weimaraner dog concentrates on something, folds of skin form on its forehead.

Nose, eyes and ears

The eyes are of medium size. They are neat, round in shape, with slightly raised outer corners and dry eyelids of flesh or fur color. Puppies have bright blue irises, while adult dogs have amber irises.

The nose is large, darkly pigmented. The chewing muscles are developed, the eyebrow arches are mobile. The stop is of moderate type, merging into a smooth nose, with a small fold near the lobe.

The ears are large, triangular, round, located relatively close and high. The cartilages are moderately soft. When the animal is calm, the ears hang freely on the sides of the head. If an individual is alert or focusing on something, they rise slightly and turn forward.

Teeth and bite

The jaw is strong, with a full set of medium-sized white teeth that form a regular scissor bite.

Neck

The neck is of medium length. She is all covered with strong muscles. The neck thickens towards the shoulders, and then flows smoothly into a well-defined withers.

Torso

The body is moderately elongated. The animal's back is straight and wide, turning into a short waist and powerful croup. The chest is deep, not very wide, but with rounded and powerful ribs.

Forelegs

The animal's paws are long, with dry muscles. The forelimbs are located parallel to the body. Shoulders are strong, elbows straight, not turned in or out. The middle finger is longer, so it stands out in appearance. This is not a disadvantage, but removal of the dewclaws is necessary. Their presence is not welcomed by standards.

Hind limbs

The hind legs are strong, long, with powerful muscles. They are directly placed. The thighs are very muscular, with strong stifles and pronounced hocks.

Tail

The tail is slightly thickened at the base, but tapers towards the end. In a calm state it is located low. If the animal is excited, the tail rises to the level of the back or slightly higher. It should not bend, touch the back or lie on the croup.

Movements

Weimars are wonderful hunters, they are agile, fast, and can move almost silently. When moving, individuals place their front and hind limbs parallel to each other. Moving at a gallop, pointers make long jumps.

Wool

German pointers have short, smooth fur. They have no undercoat, which makes them quite easy to care for. Despite the ease of care, short hair and lack of undercoat, this breed sheds. Dogs are not hypoallergenic, which is bad news for allergy sufferers.

Color

Color is the calling card of the breed. Shades from silver to mouse gray are allowed. The dog's head and ears may be somewhat lighter; white spots on the chest and paws are not excluded by the standard.

Size

Among their species, these are the largest animals, the height of males varies from 59 to 70 cm, females - from 57 to 65 cm. The weight of males can be from 30 to 40 kg, females - from 25 to 35 kg.

Disqualifying faults

An experienced breeder can determine from a photo of a Weimaraner dog what deviations from the standard a particular representative of the breed has. First of all, the head of the animal attracts attention. It should not be bulldog type, too short or, conversely, with an excessively narrow and pointed shape.

Other deviations from the standard:

• the back is irregularly shaped - sunken or hunched;
• the stomach is very tucked;
• limbs with turned elbows and flat paws;
• underdeveloped or barrel-shaped chest;
• nose with a concave back;
• fluffy coat in short-haired individuals;
• scorch marks.

A disqualifying fault is a shade that is too intense, which can displace the gray color. A deviation for representatives of this breed will be excessive nervousness and cowardice. If the Weimaraner lacks temperament, this also becomes a serious disqualifying fault.

Varieties, colors

There are 2 breed varieties of Weimar pointers: long-haired and short-haired. The short-haired version of these pets is more common. This dog has thick, smooth fur and a weak undercoat.

Pets with long hair have silky, elongated hair. A slightly curled coat is possible. The undercoat may be strongly or poorly developed. Elongated areas on the ears, lower neck, chest and belly, and lower tail. The limbs have long “pants” made of wool.

Noticeable spots and tan marks in the color of the fur are not allowed by the standard. The shade is strictly monochromatic. Only barely noticeable light areas on the chest and legs are acceptable. There may be a dark stripe along the back.

The standard allows 3 colors:

1. Gray with silver.
2. Light grey.
3. Dark grey.

Light brown, copper tone (not predominant) is allowed. Black and other colors are bred, but are not recognized as a standard. Breeding of blue individuals also occurs. Breeders are seeking recognition of the Blue Weimaraner variety, but so far have been unsuccessful.

Weimaraner character

The character of representatives of this breed depends on upbringing and training; The owner's attitude towards his four-legged friend is also of great importance. With the right approach, a pet with an obedient character grows up. But without education, pets become hyperactive destroyers.

Four-legged animals very quickly become attached to family members. They are overly loyal. With its owner, the pet will go to any place without hesitation for a second.

The four-legged friend endures loneliness hard. But he is wary of strangers. An individual without socialization can show timidity and fearfulness, as well as aggression.

A pet does not immediately accept new people; it takes patience and time to get used to strangers. Representatives of this breed do not have watchdog qualities. But they can notify about the approach of strangers by barking loudly.

The Weimaraner combines the qualities of a hunter and a companion. Most purebreds get along well with children - they love to spend time together, play and run. Children's pranks are forgiven; your four-legged friend will not bite back. But too intrusive attention from children can cause discomfort in the animal.

If there is a small child and a growing puppy in the house, you need to be on guard. An overly active animal can knock over or drop its small owner.

The presence of other animals in the home can cause a number of problems. Socialized Weimaraners will be polite to their relatives, cats, and birds. If there are 2 puppies growing in the house, especially of different sexes, they will quickly get used to each other. However, males will try to dominate. They will not fight to the last drop of blood, but conflicts are inevitable.

These dogs are aggressive towards other animals. They were originally intended for hunting, so dogs will always show the instincts given by nature, regardless of who is chosen as prey - a guinea pig or a deer.

Attitude towards strangers

Balance and complacency are characteristic of this breed, but the appearance of a stranger on the owner’s territory or near him during a walk can cause the dog to be wary, which will not be affectionate to the first person it meets, but will not show unreasonable aggression.

• Guard and protective service has not become the Weimaraner's vocation, but he is able to actively respond by barking to suspicious sounds outside the door or in the owner's garden.
• Distrust of strangers and innate intelligence can prevent strangers from entering the territory protected by the dog.

Education and training

Representatives of this breed have excellent working qualities, and training in this direction presents practically no difficulties. The Weimaraner loves to hunt and obeys all commands with pleasure. However, your pet can easily master the basic skills program.

The main thing is to remember that during training you cannot use physical force or shout. In this case, your four-legged friend may completely refuse to follow commands. But representatives of this breed love praise: they immediately begin to obediently obey and please.

The Weimar is very intelligent, so he can be stubborn and willful. In case of disobedience, the pet may do everything wrong - or even ignore the owner’s request. This will require behavioral adjustments.

The German cop listens only to the person whom he perceives as a leader. But as soon as the owner gives in, the pet immediately begins to dominate, and this is difficult to fight. It is much easier to avoid such moments.

It is not recommended for beginners to have such a dog. If you don't socialize your dog and become an authority figure for him, you can run into a lot of problems.

Wayward pets are active, mobile, tireless - so the owner will have to devote a lot of time to walks, activities and games. The dog can run for a long time, being an ideal companion for lovers of an active lifestyle.

Owner reviews

Olga

When I read about the Weimaraner, for some reason I didn’t imagine that he would grow so huge. When buying a puppy, his parents did not make that impression on me. It is very difficult to live next to an active child in an apartment. In the warm season, we definitely take him to the dacha, where he can lose energy and sleep well, without freaking out.

Valery

I have been taking him hunting since he was 8 months old. He is now four years old. I have never met a better hunter. Quiet as a cat, but strong and fast. He understands everything at once. I learned everything at lightning speed. Sometimes he walks next to me and looks into my eyes and it becomes clear that he already knows what I want. He behaves well in the family. He gets along well with children and goes for walks together.

He barely persuaded his wife to buy a hunting dog, but she was delighted with his appearance. He doesn’t chase the cat, they sleep next to him. An ideal companion for hunting and at home.

Weimaraner health and illness

Possible diseases

The average life expectancy of a German pointer is about 11-13 years. Pets are characterized by hereditary ailments, but not acquired ones. More often dogs suffer from:

• idiopathic osteodystrophy (“skeletal scurvy”);
• hip dysplasia;
• stomach and intestinal torsions;
• dystrophic changes in the cornea;
• tumor formations of various origins (lipoma, fibrosarcoma, melanoma, mastocytoma);
• inflammatory processes in bone tissue;
• demodicosis;
• inflammation of the interdigital skin;
• complete or partial cryptorchidism.
• von Willebrand's disease.

In addition to all of the above, Weimar cops have a high risk of developing autoimmune reactions to a number of immunobiological drugs. To reduce the risk of getting the disease, veterinarians recommend vaccinating your pet at intervals of 2 weeks against parvovirus and canine distemper.

Such an abundance of congenital or acquired pathologies is due to the fact that for a long time breeders worked to improve the aesthetic characteristics of Weimaraners, without caring about the internal state of the hounds. Modern breeders are engaged in improving the health of animals.

Reproductive health and breeding

Mating of a female and a male is possible only after all the reproductive organs of the animals are fully formed. Early mating is contraindicated because it can cause various diseases.

“ More about mating in dogs

The optimal time for reproduction in females is considered to be 20 months and older, in males – 24 months and older. According to veterinarians, the female reaches sexual maturity after her third heat.

Features of feeding and diet

A balanced diet is the key to good physical shape and a beautiful coat for a German pointer. When feeding naturally, the pet should receive the following products:

• lean meat;
• offal;
• small-bone sea fish;
• fermented milk products (kefir, cottage cheese);
• cereals (buckwheat or rice);
• vegetables, greens;
• fruits.

The menu should be balanced, and vitamin-mineral complexes should be added to the diet. To improve intestinal functions, veterinarians recommend adding 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to food.

Another option is to feed your pet ready-made industrial food. The main thing is that the product is premium or super-premium. It is necessary to adhere to the recommended dosage, since it is not worth overfeeding German cops.

It is important to provide your pet with plenty of clean drinking water - these dogs consume a lot of liquid regardless of the type of feeding.

The amount of food and portions is determined by the age of the four-legged friend:

• up to 2 months – 6 feedings per day;
• from 4 months – 4 feedings;
• from six months – 3 feedings;
• from 9 months – 2 feedings per day.

A dog's nutrition is an important component of health, so giving food from your table is strictly prohibited.

Theses

• These are very hardy and energetic dogs, so be prepared to provide them with the highest level of activity.

• These are hunters and are not friendly with small animals.

• Even though they are a hunting breed, they do not like to live outside the home. The Vermaraner should be kept only in the house, providing it with sufficient communication.

• They are suspicious of strangers and can be aggressive. Socialization and training are important.

• They are smart and headstrong, the owner must be firm, consistent and self-confident.

• They learn quickly, but often their minds are directed in the wrong direction. They may do things you don't expect, such as opening the door and running away.

Care and maintenance

Hygiene

Germans are easy to care for. This is a rather unpretentious animal. which, however, is important to keep clean. Mandatory procedures for caring for a four-legged animal are:

1. Combing.

   A short-haired individual should be groomed with a natural bristle brush or a special glove on average 1-2 times a week.

2. Bathing.

   Water treatments should be carried out monthly with a special shampoo for smooth-haired individuals. During the winter months, you can use dry shampoo.

3. Cleansing ears and eyes.

   They should be washed with chamomile decoction or warm boiled water once a week.

   Read also:  Research paper on the topic “Cat Intelligence”
4. Teeth cleaning.

   The procedure must be carried out twice.

5. Nail trimming.

   The procedure must be carried out at least 2 times a month.

6. Cleaning paws.

   Washing should be done immediately upon returning home. This is especially important in winter to prevent the dog from licking its paws and getting poisoned by the reagents. And to avoid cracks, the pads should be lubricated with vegetable oil.

7. Deworming.

   It must be carried out once a quarter.

Weimaraners are prone to developing a number of diseases. Among them there is a dangerous disease - piroplasmosis. The carriers of this disease are ticks and fleas. Immediately after walks, your four-legged friend should be carefully examined for the presence of skin parasites.

From the first days of its arrival in the family, the pet should be provided with separate dishes or toys.

Why do you need clothes?

In the autumn-winter season, the Weimar pointer must be dressed in warm clothes. These individuals do not have an undercoat that can protect them from frost.

Where to keep it: in a house or an enclosure?

Breeders do not recommend locking your pet in an enclosure. He needs freedom and the opportunity to run. A four-legged friend can live in an apartment, but a bored pet that does not receive enough exercise becomes a threat to interior items.

The ideal option for keeping German hounds would be a country house. In this case, the four-legged pet will be able to freely walk around the yard and the surrounding area - if they are safe.

When walking outside, you must keep your pet on a leash - the animal may, upon seeing a cat or other animal, feel agitated and run away.

Briefly about the main thing

1. The Weimaraner is a German hunting gun breed;
2. Has an exceptionally attractive appearance;
3. Developed intelligence, extraordinary devotion;
4. Good health, although there are a number of hereditary diseases;
5. The best housing option is a private house, but not on the street;
6. Puppies cost between $500 and $1,000.

Which of our readers has such a pet? When you bought your little Weimaraner, did you intend to go hunting or did you just fall in love with its appearance? What is your pet's personality? Is it worth having such a strong guy in an apartment? Tell us about your dog, share your knowledge and experience in the comments.

Tips for choosing a puppy

You can’t buy a Weimaraner puppy in Russia everywhere. Today there are nurseries in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Volgograd, Tambov and Novosibirsk. This is where you can buy a purebred Weimaraner puppy. It is not recommended to buy a pet from unverified breeders.

When choosing a Weimaraner puppy, pay attention to:

• neatness of the premises;
• diet of cubs and mother;
• parents' appearance;
• veterinary passport of the baby and mother.

Since this breed is prone to some congenital diseases, it is advisable to obtain test results for joint dysplasia and other pathologies from the breeder.

Mating

1. For help in choosing a pair for your pet, it is better to contact experienced breeders. They will tell you what to look for when casting a future partner. The suitable age for mating an animal is from 1.5-2 years , not earlier. Bringing dogs over 7 years of age is strictly prohibited.
2. Breeding Weimaraners has many pitfalls . For example, great care must be taken when crossing short-haired and long-haired varieties.
3. At a kennel or dog club, professionals will tell you about all the difficulties of mating , pregnancy and childbirth, and will also help you go through these stages as painlessly as possible.
4. It is better to introduce the dogs in advance on a neutral site, but mating takes place exclusively on the territory of the cable 11-14 days after the female starts estrus. After a day or two, a control mating is carried out to guarantee the result.