Weimaraners, which are also known as “The Gray Ghost”, Weimaraner Vorstehhund, and Weim, are a large breed of hunting dogs. One of the things that makes them quite distinctive is their silvery fur and their deep blue eyes.
One of the very first things any prospective pet-owners should do is find out the temperament of the pet they have their eyes on. Weimaraners are no exception.
So, without further ado, what’s a Weimaraner’s temperament like?
About The Weimaraner Breed
Weimaraners make perfect pets for people who wish to have a huge, active but loving dog. They can make an extremely valuable companion for hikes and hunting.
They’re also pretty intelligent creatures and can learn very quickly. However, since they have a very active streak, they need to be always on their feet otherwise their behavior can get intense.
A typical adult male Weimaraner can reach 27 inches tall. Females generally reach between 23 and 25 inches. They have a strong body that’s built for hard activities, and their streamlined shape helps them run fast.
A Weimaraner can reach its fully mature size at 8 months but might need 1 or 2 years to reach full maturity and become suitable to mate.
Their hair is typically smooth to the touch, and short. Weimaraners come in three colors, and they’re all shades of gray. This doesn’t come as a surprise seeing that they’re known as “The Gray Ghost”.
Characteristics
Here’s a breakdown of the characteristics of the Weimaraners dog breed.
Size:
- Weight in males: 75-85 lbs.
- Weight in females: 70-80 lbs.
- Height in males: Up to 27 inches
- Height in females: Up to 25 inches
Coat:
- Length: Short
- Feature: Flat
- Colors: Mouse Gray, Silver, Dark Gray
- Grooming needs: Low
Life-Span
11-14 years
Weimaraner Temperament
If you know someone who has a Weimaraner, then you definitely have an idea of the general temperament of this breed.
The temperament of an animal indicates his behavior around people and other animals. The temperament of an animal also has quite an effect on its trainability.
Besides that, it indicates how much that animal will rely upon and/or is controlled by his natural instinct rather than his training.
In fact, Weimaraners are ranked in the top 15 smartest breeds of dogs.
Famous artwork by William Wegman also painted the general picture of the Weimaraner breed. His famous series of photos on this breed gave us enough indication that these animals are smart, able to handle commands and very loving.
Weimaraners are known for being energetic creatures who need constant stimulation and exercise. They’re intelligent, energetic and quite agile. They’re highly trainable and respond very well to commands and are often recruited to enter dog competitions.
Since they were bred initially for hunting, it’s no secret that their sense of smell is remarkable. They’re the dogs that most people go for when tracking people or missing children.
Since they have a tendency to be hyperactive all the time, these dogs tend to chase any fast-moving object or person such as bikes, cars and even children. This is why it’s important to have a high fence in your garden if you choose to keep them inside your yard.
Also, make sure to use a good, strong leash because they have a stubborn streak and are known to be fast runners.
Personality
Weimaraners are often seen as friendly, outgoing, and fearless dogs. They’re obedient and alert as well.
These traits make them the perfect hunting dogs, which doesn’t come off as a surprise since they were once bred solely for hunting purposes. They also make him the perfect watchdog and you can easily use a Weimaraner’s personality to your advantage if you live on your own.
In contrast, these dogs can be assertive, restless, willful and stubborn. Without proper training, constant exercise, and exposure to outdoor activities, these dogs can easily wreak havoc in your home. They’ll bark around, chew and ignore orders.
While they’re known for their hunting skills, these dogs don’t handle being left in the kennel or yards on their own. Weimaraners are very sensitive dogs and always grow attached to their owners. That’s why it’s better that you keep him within reach.
If kept outside for a long time without stimulation, toys or activities, they can chew through anything, and dig holes all around your yard.
Training a Weimaraner
Weimaraners are easily trained. They’re clever creatures and are easily taught commands, which given their hunting background, isn’t at all surprising. They used to rely on these commands for survival alone once upon a time.
This is a given since disobeying their owners while on a hunt can be detrimental. This is why these dogs rarely ignore orders.
Even though they’re known to be quick learners, it’s advised that you begin training as early as possible. Since bad habits can also be learned quickly.
While it’s pretty easy to teach them new tricks, it’s also worth noting that they get bored quickly. You need to constantly engage your Weimaraner creatively. Try to be as consistent as you can as well.
This behavior will help keep your dog interested for a long time.
Care
If you’re planning on getting a Weimaraner, you need to know that he’s a house dog. These dogs don’t do well when placed in kennels or in the backyard. They also don’t make very good apartment dogs.
Weimaraners need a house with a preferably huge yard so they can play around freely. He needs a space to dig, run and generally move freely in. This yard needs to be properly fenced as well because Weimaraners get easily distracted by fast-moving objects.
They also need a devoted family. Weimaraners need constant attention, as well as exercise and mental stimulation.
Patience is required when dealing with Weimaraners. These dogs can easily get chaotic, so it would definitely help if their human companions are patient and loving towards them, even when they act out
If you find your Weimaraner getting fussier than usual, figure out more activities and exercises. Find him a good outlet to release all that pent up energy.
Feeding
Feeding your Weimaraner will differ as he goes through his life stages. Their dietary requirements change as he grows up.
When feeding a Weimaraner puppy, you need to focus on a diet that’s rich in protein so he can grow his muscles. They also need some fats in their diet to help their growth. Since these make a great source of calories.
However, you have to make sure you aren’t pushing him to grow fast. One of the common health problems that are associated with Weimaraners is Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD).
Try looking for a puppy recipe that targets large dog breeds.
You can feed your puppies Canidae All Life Stages since they have a suitable calcium and phosphorus content. Feed your Weimaraner puppies two or three times a day.
When your Weimaraner reaches his adult size, or when he’s about a year old, switch to an adult recipe for large dog breeds. Keep in mind that he’ll constantly need protein for muscle growth.
Try to look for a dog food that has glucosamine and chondroitin. These ingredients will help with muscle support.
It’s recommended that you give your fully mature Weimaraner two meals a day. From 2.5 to 3.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day. For this, we recommend Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food.
Grooming
Grooming Weimaraner is an extremely easy task. Since mud and dirt seem to get scraped off their skin on its own.
To help you with that, look for a bristle brush, and brush your Weimaraner weekly. While they do shed, they don’t do it quite often since they have short hair. Their fur isn’t considered hypoallergenic as well.
You’ll only need to bathe him once every while. However, since they’re very energetic and love to run around, you might find yourself doing it quite often.
Routinely check their ears since they’re prone to ear infections. Also, make sure to regularly trim their nails and brush their teeth. Trimming their nails can be done once or twice a month while brushing their teeth should be done at least twice or thrice a week.
Weimaraner Health Issues
Weimaraners generally have good health if they’re properly cared for. However, some health problems are prominent with this breed..
Gastric Torsion
Gastric Torsion is also known as bloating. This is mainly caused by eating big meals in a short period. Large breeds have a tendency to gulp down food and water pretty fast. This makes their stomach swell.
To avoid this, make sure you’re giving your pet small portions of food. Don’t keep your dog’s food bowl constantly filled with food. This might cause them to over-eat.
You can also invest in a slow-feed bowl or a puzzle feeder. These will help your dog to slow down when eating.
Gastric Torsion is extremely dangerous to your Weimaraner and can have serious consequences. So, if you notice any symptoms of bloating, make sure to take your dog to the vet straight away.
Hip Dysplasia
This joint issue is notable among Weimaraners and can be very painful to them. While genetics are certainly at play here, a good healthy diet, as well as quality exercise, can help with the symptoms.
Supplements that target joints such as Glucosamine are essential for dogs that have a tendency with joint diseases. Another thing that might help with that issue is keeping your Weimaranar’s weight in check.
More weight means more pressure on their joints, and therefore, more difficulty with their hips.
Conclusion
Weimaraners make wonderful, and loyal pets. They’re extremely smart and are easy to train. In short, the Weimaraner is a smart, obedient and loyal dog. They require plenty of attention and need constant exercise and activities.
If ignored, this sensitive pet can become intense and chaotic.
If you think “The Gray Ghost” makes the ideal pet for you, then do your research and take your time figuring out whether he’ll fit in your lifestyle or not.
Owning a pet is a lifetime commitment, especially if it’s a dog as sensitive and as loyal as the Weimaraner.
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Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations… and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.