Living with a Weimaraner
This page is designed to help you decide if living with a weimaraner is right for you – they are truly not a breed for everyone!
Some experienced weimaraner owners’ might not necessarily agree with everything I say here, but this advice is given based on my many years of learning about dogs:
Lived with dogs of various breed types since I was born and through most of my childhood;
20 + years using the clicker training method to teach my own dogs skills and behaviours;
Former member of IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Training) and PPG (Pet Professionals Guild);
8 years working as a professional pet dog trainer running classes and private one to one behaviour and training consultations;
A life time of living with dogs and being a very vocal dog advocate;
My first own dog was a rescue German Shepherd who we brought home approx age 8 years old in 1097, and lost to DM in 2003;
After extensive research, I brought my first weimaraner puppy home in 2003, I tragically lost a puppy to meningitis in 2011; I have fostered two; and lost my Escher in July 2022 to a sudden illness.
In between dogs I have also fostered dogs of various breeds for independent rescues and taken in and rehomed dogs myself;
I am currently on a waiting list for my next weimaraner pup which I hope we will have in news of the new year.
The good...
Just like us, they all have their unique personalities, but they have for centuries been bred for specific character traits, and so their characteristics are generally quite defining.
While the breed is recognised in both long and short coat varieties, they are single coated and so generally require little more than a quick brush over. They do shed, but not as severely as other breeds.
Compared to ‘undomesticated’ members of the canine genus (wolves, coyotes, foxes, etc.) there are many exaggerations in their physical conformation associated with human selective breeding, but unlike the exaggerated features of some breeds, these tend not to impact on their physical ability to be active.
The most obvious exaggerations are the long ear leathers, deep chest to waist ratio and very distinctive coat and colouring.
While my Dyson generally fills up quite quickly to a similar colour as my dog, on my clothes the hair realIy only shows up if I wear black or white… so I don’t!
Weimaraners are incredibly intelligent: (That’s not always a good thing! – see below) and thrive on having something to do, someone to do it with and they live for achievement. If you’re looking for a team mate to participate in dog sports, to be right there with you in everything you do then this may well be the right dog for you. If you don’t, they most certainly won’t!
They are generally very sociable and like to be close, very close, on you even! …but at the same time, can be, but aren’t always, quite indifferent to strangers. My Cindy loved everyone. My Escher will often look straight through people he doesn’t know.
Weimaraners generally enjoy the company of other dogs and other animals, but they are a breed with strong hunting drive, so introducing them to small and furries, or livestock should be carefully planned and considered. Do not assume this will be easy to overcome.
The bad...
Bred to work a long side humans but often at distance, an ability to think for itself is very much a characteristic of the breed. On the surface, this might sound pretty cool, but in practice if can be quite difficult. My Escher could open every internal door in the house by the time he was just 10 week old. We kept the front door deadlocked just in case!
Many people on the weimaraner forum of old would tell stories of their dogs opening fridges, and even the oven, all of which have obvious safety concerns.
They tend to learn very quickly, but that’s not enough. Once they’ve established what works best, it would seem they then go out on a life’s mission to determine every possible exception. If you’re pushed for time, and not having the best of days, this can really manifest itself as a very big drain on your patience levels, but you cannot blame your dog for simply being what he is.
If you truly believe that you have the patience of angels, then maybe a weimaraner might be the right dog for you. If not, it really isn’t going to work. It’s a sad fact that there are many dogs in rescue at any one time because their owners underestimated how much time and patience their dogs would require.
The ugly...
As with most breeds that have been selectively bred for physical aesthetic characteristics, some health issues have also become more prevalent than they might be in more primitive working breeds. These maybe no more or less than other kennel club associated breeds, but there are certainly some that a new owner ought to be aware of, and a good breeder will be happy and willing to discuss with you.
Weimaraners are a quick thinking breed and really will not tolerate a confrontational approach to discipline or training. If you are having problems with your weimaraner’s behaviour, it’s far better to manage the situation for the short term while you look to find a professional experienced dog trainer, than try to adopt tough-love hands on tactic which could readily result in your being bitten.
Weimaraners can learn to live with other pets and livestock, but they have a great deal of strong hunting instinct. Never allow your weimaraner off lead around livestock and bear in mind that common stock fencing is designed to contain sheep and cattle, not prevent dogs from getting in. It’s certainly no obstacle for a Weimaraner to negotiate. Livestock worrying is a very serious crime and could result in your dog being shot along side large fines, compensation payouts and a custodial sentence.