Long-haired Weimaraner. Weimaraner breed standard Weimaraner breed characteristics

GENERAL FORM: A hunting dog of above average height. Functional, working type, nicely shaped, wiry and very muscular. Sex type is easily determined.

IMPORTANT RELATIONS:

The oblique length of the body to the height at the withers is approximately 12:11.

Proportions of the head: From the tip of the nose to the fracture is slightly longer than from the fracture to the occipital protuberance.

Forequarters: The distance from the elbow to the middle of the pastern and the distance from the elbow to the withers are approximately equal.

BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT: Versatile, easy to train, loyal and passionate hunting dog. Persistent in a systematic, but not too fast search. Remarkable ability to capture scent. Ready to grab game and other prey; In addition, it is capable of working as a service dog, but is not aggressive. A reliable pointing dog even when working on the water. Remarkable tendency to work after the shot.

HEAD

CRANIAL PART: The skull is in balance with the height and facial part. Wider in males than in females, however, in both, the relationship between the width of the skull and the overall length of the head should be in good proportion. Median groove on forehead. The occipital bone protrudes weakly or moderately. The zygomatic arches are easily traced behind the eyes.

Transition from forehead to muzzle: Extremely weak.

FRONT PART:

Nose: The nasal planum is large, protruding above the lower jaw. Dark flesh color, gradually turning gray at the back.

Muzzle: Long and, especially in males, powerful, almost rectangular in appearance. The area of ​​fangs and... teeth are equally strong. The bridge of the nose is straight, often slightly convex, never concave.

Jaws: Moderately deep, flesh-colored just like the gums. There is a slight fold in the corner of the mouth.

Jaws and teeth: Jaws strong; The teeth are complete, correctly positioned and strong. The upper and lower canines touch closely in a scissor bite.

Cheekbones: Muscular, well defined. Definitely a head of clean lines.

EYES: Amber in color, dark to pale, with an intelligent expression. Puppies have azure ones. Rounded, barely oblique. The eyelids fit well.

EARS: Hanging, wide and quite long, exactly reaching the corner of the mouth. Planted high and close together, forming rounded ends. When alert, they are turned slightly forward, with a fold.

NECK: Noble appearance and posture. The top line is convex in profile. Muscular, almost round, not too short, dry. It widens towards the shoulders and blends harmoniously with the topline and chest.

BLOCK:

Topline: From the convex nape, through the well-developed withers, the topline gradually merges with the long, strong back.

Withers: Well defined.

Back (from withers to forelocks): Strong, muscular, without sagging. Not rising posteriorly. A slightly longer back is a breed feature and is not a disadvantage.

Croup: The pelvis is long and moderately sloping.

Chest: Massive but not excessively broad, with sufficient depth, almost reaching to the elbows, and of sufficient length. With well convex, without barreling, and long ribs. The front part of the chest is well developed.

Underline: Raises slightly, but belly is not tucked in.

TAIL: Set on slightly lower than other similar breeds. The tail is strong and well dressed. When at rest it stays down. When alert or at work, it is held horizontally or higher.

LIMBS

FRONT END:

General appearance: High on the legs, sinewy, limbs straight and parallel, but not set wide apart.

Shoulders: Long and sloping. Well fitting, very muscular. Good angle of the glenohumeral joint.

Humerus: Sloping, fairly long and strong.

Elbows: Unconnected, parallel to the midplane of the body. Turned neither in nor out.

Forearms: Long, straight and vertical.

Wrists: Strong, neat.

Pasterns: Wiry, slightly sloping.

Forelegs: Steady, strong. Set straight relative to the midplane of the body. Fingers are arched. Longer middle fingers are a breed feature and are therefore not a fault. Claws from light to dark gray. The pads are pigmented and hard.

REAR END:

General appearance: Tall on the legs, wiry, i.e. very muscular. The limbs are parallel, turned neither in nor out.

Thighs: Quite long, strong, very muscular.

Knees: Strong, well angulated.

Tibia: Long with clearly visible tendons.

Hock joints: Strong, well angulated.

Metatarsus: Wiry, almost vertical.

Hind feet: Closed, strong, without dewclaws, otherwise like the front feet.

MOVEMENTS: Movements at all gaits are sweeping and smooth. The hind and front legs are placed parallel to each other. The gallop is creeping, with long jumps. The back remains level at the trot. Ambling is not advisable.

LEATHER: Strong. Tight fitting, but not too tight.

SHIRT

WOOL:

Short-haired variety: The coat is short (but longer and denser than most similar breeds), healthy, very dense, with smooth-lying topcoat. There is no undercoat, or it is very sparse.

Long-haired variety: Soft, long outer coat with or without undercoat. Straight or slightly wavy. Long flowing hair at the base of the ears. Velvety hair is acceptable on the tips of the ears. The length of the fur on the sides is 3-5 cm. On the underside of the neck, the front of the chest and the belly, it is generally somewhat longer. Good hair and pants, but less long at the bottom. Tail with good pendant in the form of a flag. Fur between toes. The hair on the head is less long. A type of coat similar to a double coat: medium length, dense, close-lying topcoat, dense undercoat and moderately developed feathers and breeches, is sometimes found in dogs of mixed origin.

COLOR: Silver-gray, light or dark, as well as shades of these colors. The head and ears are usually slightly paler. Only small white markings on the chest and toes are allowed. Sometimes there is a more or less definable belt along the back. A dog with red tan marks can only be given a “good” rating. A brown spot is a serious defect.

HEIGHT AND WEIGHT:

Height at withers:

Males: 59-70 cm (ideal height 62-67 cm)./p>

Females: 57-65 cm (ideal height 59-63 cm).

Weight: Males: about 30-40 kg.

Females: about 25-35 kg.

DEFECTS: Any deviation from the above points should be regarded as a defect or defect, depending on the degree of severity.

SERIOUS DISADVANTAGES(vices):

Clear deviation from type. The sexual type is not expressed.

Significant deviations in height and proportions.

Facial part: significant deviations, such as overdeveloped jowls, short or pointed muzzle.

Jaws and teeth: absence of more than two P1 or M3.

Eyes: mild defects, especially weak and one-sided eyelid defects.

Ears: Definitely short or long, without fold.

Chin (dewlap), significant deviations in neck shape and muscles.

Back: Definitely sagging or hunched back; high-ass.

Chest, stomach: barrel chest; insufficient chest depth or length; tucked belly.

Significant anomalies in the position of the limbs, i.e. insufficient joint angles, turned out elbows, flat paws.

Pronounced barrel-shaped posture or cowhide.

Poor movement at various gaits, including lack of freedom of movement forward or insufficient drive or amble.

Serious skin imperfections, i.e. the skin is very thin or very rough.

Intermediate wool specified in the standard.

No hair on the belly or ears. Widespread fluffy coat on the short-haired Weimar pointer or curls or sparse feathering on the long-haired variety.

Deviations from shades of gray, such as yellow or brownish. Scorches.

Serious deviation from the correct height or weight (for example, more than 2 cm from the measurements given in the standard).

Minor temperamental deficiency.

Other serious defects.

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS(outside the breed):

Completely atypical build, first of all too coarse or too light.

Complete disharmony.

A completely atypical head, for example, a bulldog type.

Front part: Absolutely atypical, i.e. distinctly arched nasal bridge.

Jaws and teeth: Undershot, overshot, missing teeth, except P1 and M3.

Eyes: Entropy, ectropy.

Ears: Completely atypical, i.e. distant from the head.

Very pronounced dewlap.

Back: Severely sagging or hunchbacked back. Pronounced high-arsedness.

Chest, abdomen: Pronounced barrel-shaped or underdeveloped breasts.

The limbs are rickety or underdeveloped.

Constant lameness.

General stiffness of movement.

Skin defects and underdevelopment.

Partial or complete absence of hair.

White markings in places other than chest and paws.

Not gray color. Extensive brown spot.

Marked growth deviation.

Other underdevelopment. Diseases that should be considered hereditary, such as epilepsy.

Behavioral defects, such as cowardice or nervousness.

The compilers cannot, naturally, include in the list all the defects that occur; the above are considered as examples.

NOTE: Males should have two apparently normal testes, fully descended into the scrotum.

At first glance, he captivates with his silver-gray coat color and amber eyes. In addition, they are considered the “blue blood” of the canine world for their high level of intelligence, excellent memory and ability to make independent decisions.

	Training
	Mind
	Shedding
	Guard qualities
	Security qualities
	Popularity
	Size
	Agility
	Attitude towards children

History of the breed

The origins of this dog are not exactly known. Similar dogs were mentioned in European medieval manuscripts from the 13th century. For example, one of the legends says that the French king Louis the Saint was captured in Egypt during the crusade. He returned to France with a pack of gray dogs.
By the end of the 14th century, many noble people of France kept gray dogs for hunting. They were used on large animals: wild boar, deer, bear, and later on birds.

The French were followed by other royal courts in Europe. The Weimaraner's ancestors were always highly valued and therefore were kept with the owner. Therefore, dogs of this breed cannot be kept in an enclosure. For emotional health, they need constant human contact.

The Weimaraner breed was first mentioned in the mid-19th century, as bred in the vicinity of the city of Weimar in East Germany.

Since 1880, these dogs began to participate in exhibitions, first as crossbreeds, and since 1896 as an independent breed.

Description: size, standard

The Weimaraner is a medium to large sized dog. At the withers it has a height of 58-69 cm and weighs about 25-41 kg. The dog has a regal and athletic appearance, correct proportions.

Its muzzle is graceful, long, sometimes with a slight hump. The ears are wide, hanging and rather long, set high and narrow, with rounded ends. The nose is a dark “liver” color. The eyes range in color from light to dark amber. And puppies have light blue eyes.

The body is strong, slightly elongated. The neck is high and muscular. The back is strong, muscular, slightly long. The tail is set high, and most are docked by a third.

Weimaraners are especially proud of their short, hard hair, smooth to the touch and a peculiar gray color with variations from silver to mouse-like. Dogs' skin has a flesh tone.

There is also a long-haired variety of the breed with a coat length of 3 to 5 cm. The tail of such dogs is usually not docked.

The rarest variety is straight-haired Weimaraner. He has a two-layer coat with a thick undercoat and an even topcoat of medium length.

Silver gray color is the only officially recognized coat color of the Weimaraner, but other colors are also found. For example, "blue Weimaraners" have a noticeable blue-gray coat color. They have black noses and lips. These dogs are bred only as companions.

Weimaraner character

These are selflessly devoted dogs to their owner's family. They are always close to a person and absolutely cannot stand loneliness.

Weimaraners are great with children and, despite the lack of aggression, can always protect them.

This is a friendly, cheerful, fearless, very fast and agile dog. Therefore, it needs to be occupied with something: hunting or: pitch go, agility, coursing, etc. If she is given the opportunity to splash out her energy on the street, she will not engage in the home environment.

The Weimaraner is an excellent hunter. He points to the discovered bird in a standing position, takes the ducks out of the water, finds and picks up the wild boar. However, in an urban environment, his hunting instinct can lead to trouble, so in dangerous places (near roads, etc.) the dog should not be let off the leash.

When training a Weimaraner, he should not be physically punished; he may become distrustful and wary. It is better to reward him with praise and treats. Due to its easy training, this breed is used for search and rescue work.

The puppy gets along well with other pets and dogs.

However, these friendly dogs can be overly irritable. If they are not allowed to do what they want, destructive behaviors may develop. Therefore, such dogs need intensive physical exercise.

Care and maintenance

The Weimaraner is best kept in a home with a large area where it will have the opportunity to run around and explore a lot. However, the short-haired variety of this breed cannot always be outside and in the cold season it needs a warm place to sleep.

When living in an apartment, the dog needs to be trained a lot and find time every day for intense long-term training.

A short-haired dog has short topcoat, close-lying and hard, without undercoat. To clean it, use a rubber brush or a special glove to remove dead hair.

The long-haired variety is combed daily with a comb and bathed once every two months.

Your dog's ears should also be cleaned regularly (weekly) to prevent bacteria from growing. You should also brush your teeth and trim your nails regularly.

Health and major diseases of the Weimaraner

This dog breed lives on average 10-12 years. Its representatives are most prone to diseases such as volvulus, demodicosis, mastocytoma or mast cell cancer, hip dysplasia, lipomas, fibrosarcomas, myasthenia gravis.

It is quite common for puppies to be born with signs (not testicular descent). The skin of animals often suffers in the form of interdigital dermatitis, degenerative myelopathy and melanomas. Problems with eye health are manifested in diseases such as corneal dystrophy, distichiasis (extra eyelashes), entropion (entropion).

Puppy price

This is not a very common breed and therefore puppies with good pedigree cost on average 800-1000 dollars. Dogs that do not qualify for breeding and show careers are usually assessed at 500-700 dollars.

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Smart, fast and elegant, Weimar cops are loyal companions and tireless companions of travelers. They are able to master any type of hunting, adapt perfectly to dog sports, but cannot stand boredom or rest. The description of the Weimaraner breed will help you decide whether this energetic dog is right for you.

The Weimar Pointer is a relatively young breed, bred at the end of the 19th century by German aristocrats as an ideal hunting assistant. These are tall dogs with a recognizable silver color, with a friendly character and an unbridled thirst for adventure.

Description of the Weimaraner breed

The Weimaraner, or Weimar pointer, is a large dog with well-developed muscles, strong bones and a powerful chest. The animal looks strong but elegant. Movements are always smooth and sweeping. The head is proportional to the body, not too large. The muzzle is long, the ears are wide and drooping. The eyes are amber, of varying saturation. The tail is set low and of medium length.

The Weimaraner breed standard gives the following key characteristics.

• Weight. 25-35 kg for females, 30-40 for males.
• Height at the withers. 57-65 cm for girls, and 60-70 for boys.
• Color. Gray with a silver tint. The tone can be slightly darker to charcoal or lighter to lilac. Mouse gray, brown, beige or copper with silver are distinguished separately. Small white spots on the chest and toes are allowed. Red tan markings are acceptable, but will not bring the highest score. The presence of brown markings is a serious fault.
• Lifespan. On average, 10-12 years, but much depends on the conditions of detention, physical activity and heredity.
• Character. Active, purposeful, persistent. Weimaraners were bred as a hunting companion and assistant, which requires the animal to have endurance, trainability, obedience and a complete lack of aggression. The breed is friendly, strongly attached to the owner and family members. They get along well with other pets and are great with children, but it is still advisable not to leave them alone with children in order to avoid accidental injuries. The pet will be an ideal playmate for teenagers or a companion for lovers of tourism.
• Intelligence. According to canine standards, the breed is considered a working breed, with excellent hunting qualities. The Weimaraner is very sociable and trainable, but due to its reckless, restless nature, it is not the best student for an inexperienced trainer.
• Security and guard potential. Not the most outstanding. Like all natural hunters, Weimaraners do not like restrictions in space, which makes them mediocre watchdogs. Dogs often treat strangers with caution, but a Weimaraner will act aggressively only if its life or the life of its owner is threatened. But they make excellent search dogs, whose talents are appreciated by law enforcement officers and rescuers.

As puppies grow older, their eye color changes from blue to amber, and their color from blue-gray to silver-gray. The dog’s exterior is finally established by eight months.

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

Weimar Pointers were bred as hunting dogs, and to this day hunting is their calling, in which they can fully realize all their natural talents. But there are fewer and fewer hunters in modern societies, and for a companion, many of a dog’s talents are more a disadvantage than an advantage. For ease of comparison, the pros and cons of the breed are compared in the table.

Table - Pros and cons of Weimaraners

Young male Weimaraners may have additional behavioral problems associated with trying to dominate the “pack.”

Origin history and interesting facts

Silver hunting dogs were noted under the French throne back in the 13th century. They appear in documents and paintings of the 17th century, but science cannot yet confirm or deny the relationship of Weimaraners with the favorites of medieval monarchs. The official small homeland of the Weimar cops, as the name suggests, is the Duchy of Saxe-Weimar in central Germany. The documented history of the Weimaraner breed began in the second half of the 19th century at the court of Karl August of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach.

The dogs were bred as hunting gun dogs. There is no exact data, but it is believed that the breed originates from animal-picking hounds, which were bred for decades in aristocratic kennels. In the 19th century, poultry cops were included in the work. It is unknown which breeds were the progenitors or were involved in the breeding of Weimaraners. The combination of original appearance, intelligent, piercing gaze and elegance of movements brought the breed one of the most romantic nicknames - “silver ghost”.

Since 1880, Weimaraners have been participating in exhibitions, and their breeding has become a closed system of professional selection. The nobility of the Duchy of Weimar organized themselves into the German Weimaraner Club, which became both a hunting and dog breeding organization. The Weimar Pointer is bred only by club members. To buy a puppy you first need to join the club. Such a serious restriction has made the Weimaraner one of the most purebred breeds, which has not received outside injections for more than a hundred years.

In 1925, the breed received the first standard, but the closed nature of the Weimaraner club prevented its spread and popularization in the rest of the world. The situation changed only at the end of the 30s, when hunters in Saxe-Weimar began to realize that the Nazis coming to power in Germany would have a detrimental effect on everything, including dogs.

In 1943, the first club of breed lovers and breeders was registered in America. It was its representatives who helped restore the purebred Weimaraner population after World War II. In the 50s, the breed experienced a boom in popularity in the United States, to which even President Eisenhower succumbed.

The International Canine Association recognized the Weimar Pointer only in 1969. The combination of original appearance, intelligent, piercing gaze and elegance of movements brought the breed one of the most romantic nicknames - “silver ghost”.

Varieties

There are only two subspecies in the breed, differing only in their coat.

1. Shorthaired Weimaraner. The coat is slightly longer and thicker than that of related breeds, but still short, lying smoothly to the body. If there is undercoat, then minimal. Among short-haired dogs there are both soft-haired dogs and hard-haired ones.
2. Longhaired Weimaraner. It was developed in Austria in the 20s of the last century. Whether the corresponding gene was in the breed or whether it was introduced through interbreed matings with setters is unknown. The guard hair is soft, elongated to 3-5 cm on the sides and up to 7-9 on the rest of the body. Often straight-haired, but sometimes the coat can be slightly curly. The legs have fluffy feathers and trousers, and the tail is beautifully feathered. There is no or almost no undercoat, like that of their short-haired counterparts.

When subspecies are mated with each other, the offspring often receive short hair on the body and feathering on the legs. Looks very cute, but does not meet the breed standard.

The first difficulty faced by those who want to own a Weimaraner is choosing its future place of residence. An enclosure is not suitable for him due to his light fur coat and very sociable nature, which requires constant contact with humans. Keeping a Weimaraner in an apartment, given the size of an adult animal and the activity of the breed, can be a punishment for both the dog and the owner. The breed is active and will require many hours of walks and intense participation in dog sports. A lack of exercise and exercise will have a bad effect on the character, behavior and well-being of the pet.

Even before purchasing a puppy, take care of the following arrangements:

• sleeping place - booths in the enclosure, bed in the house;
• places for eating and drinking- it is better to take bowls on a height-adjustable stand;
• safe space- remove wires, charging gadgets, breakable objects and anything that the puppy can accidentally swallow from all surfaces accessible to the puppy.

You will also need:

• collar;
• leash;
• toys;
• massage brush;
• a special rubber glove for combing.

If you intend to get a dog in the cold season, immediately purchase clothes that are age appropriate. The Weimaraner's coat provides virtually no warmth. Some owners of hunting dogs recommend having a special mini-aviary or cage for keeping in an apartment, which can serve as a place for the dog.

Daily care

Eyes and ears should be examined daily. If necessary, wipe them with a cotton pad or damp soft cloth. The breed is prone to some congenital eye diseases, but if there are no hereditary pathologies, then the normal condition of the eyes is clean, with a minimum of discharge. If they become watery, red, or have pus in the corners, contact your veterinarian immediately.

With enough walking, the claws wear down naturally. If this does not happen, then once a month they are trimmed by 2-3 mm with a special nail clipper.

Combing once a week is enough. During the molting period, they shed more often, although due to the lack of undercoat, Weimar pointers shed almost imperceptibly. It is enough to bathe your dog once every two to three months. The breed is quite clean. True, there is a BUT - like all hunters, Weimaraners may become interested in something foul-smelling on a walk, and if they don’t eat it, they will fall head over heels. Cosmetics for washing can only be used specifically for dogs of short-haired breeds. Human shampoos are not suitable for dogs due to different acid-base balance of the skin.

The optimal housing for a Weimar pointer would be a private house, with sufficient outdoor space for walking and an internal area for living with the family. If your living conditions are not the same, think again about choosing a breed.

Diet

The Weimaraner dog breed is unpretentious in food. Nutrition must be of high quality, balanced and appropriate to the dog’s age and physical activity. You can feed both dry food and natural products. Features of both power schemes are shown in the table.

Table - Features of feeding Weimaraners with dry and natural food

The natural menu is based on lean meat, offal, fish and dairy products. It is supplemented with cartilage, bones and eggs.

The following are suitable as a side dish:

• buckwheat;
• pumpkin puree;
• zucchini puree;
• cauliflower puree.

Weimar Pointers are not prone to food allergies, but an unbalanced diet and cheap food can lead to them.

Training

The peculiarity of the Weimaraner's character is that the dog combines the social qualities of a companion and the activity, initiative, and determination of a hunting hound. As a result, the Weimar pointer understands humans very well, does not tolerate the long absence of the owner and cannot live separately from the person. But it is very difficult to get her to unquestioningly follow commands. The dog trusts his own instincts and intuition more than a person, and at any moment is ready to pick up the scent and rush off after potential prey.

Raising a puppy begins from day one. Dogs easily get used to the home routine, but the rules of behavior in the house and on the street should be the same from the first day and forever. Violence against Weimar cops is unacceptable. Perseverance and patience during training must be supported by the calm confidence of the owner and positive motivation for the dog.

While the puppy is sitting at home in quarantine, teach him to respond to his name. You can start practicing the commands “Come to me” and “No”. Wear the leash for a short time so that your pet gets used to the sensations. As soon as you can take your dog outside, teach him to “do business” outside the house. For this purpose, the pet needs to be walked after every meal, sleep and play. An adult pet needs at least two hours of outdoor activity per day.

It is better to train a dog in secluded places where the animal will not be distracted. When your pet has become accustomed to the sounds and smells of the street and is accustomed to walking on a leash, include visits to dog parks in your training schedule. Socialization is the most important skill for a Weimar pointer, without which the animal can become timid, withdrawn and aggressive. Young dogs learn well from older dogs, and if you can organize joint walks with someone else's well-bred dog, this will benefit your puppy.

Training a Weimaraner at home is possible, but it is better to take your dog through at least a basic training course from professional instructors. The main thing is patience, methodical repetition of what has been learned and a variety of activities for your pet. Having expended excess energy on walks or sports, Weimaraners will be attentive and flexible.

Diseases and treatment

This is a generally healthy breed with few inherited or age-related diseases. Risks include a tendency to the following ailments.

• Hip dysplasia. Hereditary or acquired joint pathology. With timely diagnosis, the disease is curable; in particularly difficult cases, symptoms can be relieved to ensure the animal a long, fulfilling life.
• Degenerative myelopathy. Progressive pathology of the spinal cord leading to paralysis.
• Myasthenia gravis. A neurological disease in which an animal loses control of its muscles.
• Ophthalmic diseases. This group includes deformed eyelashes, entropion of the eyelid, inflammation of the third eyelid, and progressive corneal atrophy.
• Volvulus of the intestines or stomach. A critical condition in which ligaments or parts of the intestine block blood circulation to the organ. Without medical care, death is inevitable.

Vaccinations will protect your pet from the most common infectious diseases.
Like other dogs, Weimaraners are vaccinated against:

• carnivore plague;
• parvovirus enteritis;
• infectious hepatitis;
• parainfluenza;
• rabies;
• leptospirosis;
• coronavirus;
• trichophytosis.

The first vaccination is carried out at two months, then revaccinated at three months. About six months (after changing teeth) another vaccination is given. From one year on, the dog is vaccinated once a year. Deworming is carried out 10-12 days before each vaccination.

On average, animals are treated against worms three to four times a year. Preventative treatment against fleas and ticks should be carried out at the beginning of the warm season. Repeated - according to the deadlines specified in the instructions for a specific product.

TOP nicknames

When choosing a name for a Weimar pointer, you can emphasize the rarity and aristocracy of the breed. You can rely on an attractive appearance and exclusive color, or highlight the similarity of your pet’s habits with movie or pop stars.

For example, nicknames for a “boy” Weimaraner:

• Hunter;
• Gray;
• Bruno;
• Willie;
• Wagner;
• Storm;
• Gabriel;
• Dream;
• Boss.

Nicknames for “girl” Weimaraners:

• Greta;
• Kara;
• Irma;
• Sheila;
• Patty;
• Nika;
• Dolly;
• Elsa;
• Hanni;
• Jesse.

The dog's name should not be consonant with commands, human names common in your region, or carry a negative semantic connotation.

Photo review

Photos of Weimaraner puppies and dogs perfectly convey the main traits of the breed: speed, energy and determination. These graceful hunters fit well into expensive interiors, but are at their best on rough terrain.

Cost and where to buy

In Moscow, a Weimaraner puppy costs from 20 to 40 thousand rubles (data as of March 2018). Long-haired ones are offered a little more expensive than their short-haired counterparts. The price of a particular puppy depends on the kennel, pedigree, titles of the parents and the class of the puppy itself. A baby with good show potential can cost more than 60-70 thousand rubles, but one recognized for some specific reasons as unsuitable for exhibitions and breeding will not be the worst friend, but will cost much less.

Choosing a puppy

Puppies are often sold by appointment. Study all the available information about breeders working in your region, talk to the owners of dogs from these kennels, and if possible, visit an exhibition in which potential relatives of your future pet will participate.

Decide in advance and inform the breeder of the desired class of puppy. If you plan to pursue a pet career and breeding, you need a show or breed class puppy. "Boys" are larger and more representative, but may have a more independent disposition. “Girls” are less personable, but are more flexible and bond more firmly with their owner. Traditionally, the choice of males for mating is greater than that of females, and, accordingly, the owner of a “girl” has a wider choice of pairs for his favorite. The first heat of a Weimar pointer occurs at the age of 12-14 months, but it is recommended to breed no earlier than two years, when the body is ready for the normal course of pregnancy and childbirth. Males are also not bred until they are two years old, as this can harm the animal itself and will not produce healthy offspring.

When choosing a puppy directly from the litter, you should not take the largest, most active, or, conversely, the calmest. A puppy's behavior in early childhood may have nothing to do with its future character. Choose a healthy animal that meets the standard body proportion requirements. The puppy must be clean, without any traces of discharge from the eyes and ears, and there should be no signs of bite rashes on the skin. The coat is soft, shiny, without dandruff. Movements should be free and behavior should be friendly. Your future pet should not be afraid to meet and hide behind its mother.

Due to the low prevalence of the breed, there is a high risk of running into unscrupulous breeders selling mestizos, whose health and behavior may be in question. You should only buy a puppy from a Weimaraner kennel with a long-standing reputation.

Nurseries

These dogs are raised by many nurseries in Russia and the CIS countries. Here are some of them:

• Monkao Porta in Moscow - https://vk.com/monkao_weims;
• "Silver Bullet" in the Moscow region- http://weim-hunt.com;
• "Gern Gross" in St. Petersburg- http://www.pointing-dogs.ru;
• Oro D'Etna in Vitebsk (Belarus)- http://leonde.by.

Weimar Pointers are the elite of hunting dogs, combining high intelligence, social skills and refined instincts. This is a great dog for anyone who loves active recreation and is willing to spend hours with their pet outside and at home. Reviews of the Weimaraner dog will help you understand whether this breed is right for you.

Reviews: “It’s best to educate with rewards”

Advantages: Loving, gentle, kind.

Disadvantages: They do not tolerate loneliness, they require a very active life.

I fell in love at first sight from the photographs, I dreamed about it for a long time. I spent a long time looking for where to buy it. When more dogs of this breed became available for sale, I made up my mind. I took a two-month break from work (due to moving). I went to Moscow to get a puppy. This delicate wet nose immediately won my heart. Grooming is no different from caring for other dogs. They kept him in an apartment (you can’t even go outside in a warm booth). A very emotional dog. Quickly amenable to training. The best way to educate is through rewards. Very active, positive. But the character is complex. If he doesn’t need it or doesn’t want it, he won’t do what is required of him. The breeder said that males are difficult to train. This breed requires a lot of active play in free space. Such a dog cannot be left without attention; they love to participate in every action of their owners.

If you can't give your dog every minute of your life, the Weimaraner is not for you.

snowfall0, http://otzovik.com/review_3714356.html

I was unlucky with my choice of puppy. This was that rare case when the Weimaraner’s character contained the most unattractive traits - namely, excessive cowardice and hysteria. Then I read that it is rare, but puppies of this product are born with precisely these innate characteristics. Living together has become a nightmare. You can’t take him outside - he panics, you can’t leave him at home alone - he starts to get hysterical, hit the door and windows, yell in a terrible voice. When you’re nearby, he presses his whole body against your legs; if you sit down, he hides behind your back.

I stopped sleeping - not only can’t I kick him out of bed, I can’t even remove him from my own body. I had to take a month off at my own expense and try to correct such behavioral imbalances, but nothing worked. We lived together for several months.... The neighbors threatened to report to the police, all the curtains at home were torn off along with the cornices, the doors and corners of the walls were scratched and chewed, the whole apartment was flooded with urine, because from excitement he simply was not able to control himself and left him behind. a wet path and whole puddles.

I consulted with both veterinarians and dog handlers - they explained to me that this is a pathology of a mental nature, and I cannot correct it.

Barabai, http://irecommend.ru/content/potryasayushchei-krasoty-sobaka

I want to say right away - I love my dog ​​sooo much and will never stop loving him! And right away I want to explain why I give the CONSCIOUSLY CHOSEN by me and my husband, the madly loved and delightful breed, only 3 points - THIS BREED IS NOT FOR EVERYONE!!!

My husband is a hunter and we deliberately chose a hunting gun pointer. His childhood was quite problem-free, except for the fact that he absolutely, categorically, driving all our neighbors almost to the 1st floor into a complete frenzy (we live on the 8th), could not be alone in the apartment.
Closer to adolescence, problems already began. We found out that our male dog with the proud full name Leon Braveheart has a very unstable psyche, that he is quite cowardly, does not socialize well, reacts to children with wariness and the first signs of aggression, refuses to follow commands if he finds “prey” (i.e. nasty things on the street), not to mention the fact that we were unable to wean him from “vacuuming” all the rotten horror in our neighborhood that was dangerous to his health and life.

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The Weimaraner, or Weimar pointer, is a very rare representative in the cohort of hunting dogs. This aristocratic dog supposedly traces its ancestry back to the Middle Ages, although today's breed standards only developed at the turn of the 18th-19th centuries.

The Weimaraner belongs to the group of heirs of the European (or continental) Brackets - short-haired pointing dogs that have long been common on the European continent and have similar characteristics both in appearance and working qualities. Among its close relatives, this dog stands out with its original gray color with spectacular tints, which makes popular the version of its long-standing relationship with the so-called dogs of Saint Louis (Chiens gris de St-Loi), descriptions of which can be found in ancient handwritten sources of the legendary era of the Crusades . Chronicles dating back to the 13th century say that at the court of the French king Louis IX, known as Louis the Saint, gray silver dogs appeared in 1254, after his return to his homeland from another campaign in the East.

In medieval literary sources there are references to the fact that these dogs were originally from Tartary - this is how in Latin-speaking countries the territory that stretched from the borders of Central Asia to its northern limits was called. Perhaps the animals were presented to Louis by one of the Asian rulers with whom the French monarch decided to establish ties while in Palestine. The most detailed description of cops is contained in the “Book of Hunting” - one of the best medieval treatises on this entertainment of kings and aristocrats. Its author is Count Gaston de Foix, one of the military leaders of the Hundred Years' War and a passionate hunter.

By the end of the 14th century, gray hound dogs became very popular among the French nobility, as they demonstrated excellent qualities in hunting large animals - deer, wild boar, bear. Later, the dogs also showed remarkable abilities in hunting foxes, rabbits, and fetching birds. Following the French aristocracy, crowned persons from other countries of feudal Europe, and after them their vassals, became interested in this wonderful breed. In surviving medieval tapestries and paintings of hunting scenes, you can see packs of gray cops - as noble as their titled masters. These animals are also depicted on the canvases of 17th-century masters, for example, in the paintings of the Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck.

Among the possible ancestors of the Weimaraner, the St. Hubert hounds, bred during the early Middle Ages in the Abbey of St. Hubert (Belgium), are also called. Animals of this breed, now defunct, are considered the progenitors of many modern hounds. They had different colors, including gray.

The Weimaraner began to emerge as a separate breed at the beginning of the 19th century. According to unconfirmed reports, the initiator of its creation was the Duke of Weimar, Karl August. According to legend, in his domain of Saxe-Weimar, in the east of modern Germany, the Duke was engaged in breeding a universal breed of hounds - hardy, swift, and also possessing the qualities of a companion dog. By the way, in these places the dog is usually called the “Silver Ghost”. She received this name due to her color, shimmering with silver, and her ability to quickly and silently sneak through the fields, remaining invisible to prey.

Many modern cynologists, recognizing that the breed was bred in the vicinity of Weimar, believe that the Grand Duke of Weimar had nothing to do with its origin, and the legend about the relationship of the Weimaraner with the gray dogs of St. Louis began to be popularized by fans of the breed at the end of the 19th century for the sake of its recognition in as separate and independent. The fact is that for a long time the Weimaraner was considered a gray variety of German shorthaired pointer or a cross between large German hounds and English pointers. Apparently, these statements were justified, since at an exhibition in Berlin in 1880 these dogs were classified as mestizos, without finding any distinctive breed traits in them. According to some reports, the Burgos Pointer, Hugenhund, and Schweishund were involved in further breeding activities. Systematic work, as well as numerous publications of fascinating stories about the ancient noble origin of the breed and its relationship with the royal French dogs, did their job, and in 1896, a commission of delegates from various German hunting societies finally named the Weimaraner an independent breed. Today it is recognized by all famous cynological organizations.

In 1897, the German Weimaraner Hunting Club was founded, and for a long time this breed was a kind of protected privilege among the German aristocracy. Initially, only Club members were allowed to purchase a dog. And if it was extremely difficult to buy a Weimaraner even in his homeland, then outside of Germany it was completely impossible.

In the 20s of the last century, interest in gray hounds from the Old World arose in the USA, but the first individuals sent overseas were previously sterilized, making it impossible to breed them in America. In 1929, the Club accepted the first foreigner into its ranks - the American Howard Knight, who managed to convince his German colleagues to sell several pedigree dogs for breeding in the New World. In 1941, he created the Weimaraner Club in the USA and became its president. In the 50s, Weimaraners gained incredible popularity overseas, becoming pets of such famous people as President Eisenhower and movie star Grace Kelly. Later, additional public interest in them was fueled by photographer and artist William Wegman, who, by the way, himself became world famous thanks to his successful images of these dogs.

Massive, literally feverish, passion for elegant Weimaraners - both in the USA and in Europe - has led to the fact that today they are increasingly considered as companion dogs, pets, participants in exhibitions and prestigious championships. At the same time, the hunting qualities of many of them are very ordinary. However, it is possible to find a good working dog. They mainly represent German and American lines, since in Germany and the USA breeders still prioritize the working qualities of the animal, although sometimes to the detriment of the exterior.

Not long ago, some European breeders and their colleagues from the United States began breeding blue Weimaraners. These dogs are distinguished by their original bluish-gray coat color. Today they are bred primarily as companion dogs, although the working qualities of blue pointers are identical to the outstanding abilities of their gray counterparts. In 2009, enthusiasts in the USA created a specialized club, and since then they have been purposefully, but so far unsuccessfully, seeking recognition of blue Weimaraners and giving them the status of an independent breed.

Video: Weimaraner

Appearance of the Weimaraner

The Weimaraner is a fairly large, athletically built dog, wiry and overtly muscular. In males, the height at the withers can be from 59 to 70 cm, weight - from 30 to 40 kg. Bitches, as a rule, are smaller: their height is from 57 to 65 cm, weight is from 25 to 35 kg. According to the standard, extreme limits are undesirable.

Frame

The Weimaraner is proportionally built, its back is wide, solid, strong, without deflection. The withers are well developed and clearly defined. The chest is deep, strong, almost reaching the elbows. It is obviously massive, but it cannot be called wide. The pelvis is elongated, slightly inclined. The ribs are long, convex, without barrel-shape. The stomach is tucked, but not excessively.

Head

The head, which is wedge-shaped when viewed from above, is proportional to the body. The skull is slightly convex, not wide, the occipital protuberance is weakly developed. A groove separates the forehead; when the dog is tense, the frontal area becomes covered with folds. The line of transition from the forehead to the muzzle is smooth, barely defined. The nose is straight, with a miniature hump at the lobe. The lobe itself, protruding above the lower jaw, is large. It is painted in a dark flesh color, gradually turning to gray closer to the bridge of the nose. The lips are pulled up, the upper one covers the lower one and hangs down slightly, forming small folds in the corners of the mouth. The edges of the lips, palate, and gums are a uniform pinkish-flesh color.

Jaws and teeth

The jaws, with a full set of teeth, look impressive, clearly demonstrating the Weimaraner's ability to hold a decent-sized game when retrieving. The upper and lower canines meet securely in a scissor bite. Muscular, well-defined cheekbones are clearly expressed.

Eyes

Round, medium in size, set slightly obliquely. Their outer corners rise slightly closer to the ears. The eye color of puppies is azure blue, while that of older hounds is amber, of varying degrees of intensity and tone: from light to dark. The expression of the eyes reveals intelligence and attentiveness. The eyelids fit tightly to the eyeball, their color can be flesh-colored or match the tone of the coat.

Ears

Large, wide, rounded at the tips and hanging down exactly to the corners of the mouth. Set high. A cop's ears, which are alerted by something, are raised at the base and turned forward.

Neck

The silhouette of a strong, muscular, regal-looking neck blends harmoniously with the topline and chest.

Limbs

Tall, lean, wiry, with expressive muscles. The forelimbs are straight, parallel to each other, and not widely set. The shoulders are muscular, as if sculpted, the elbows are turned neither in nor out. The wrists are strong; The graceful, sinewy pasterns are set slightly obliquely.

The hind legs, erect, show solid bone structure. The thighs are elongated, very muscular, the knees are strong, the hock joints are clearly expressed. The hocks are sinewy and set almost vertically.

The oval-shaped paws are strong and stable. Fingers clenched into a ball. The middle toes on the front paws are noticeably longer than the others, which is a characteristic feature of the breed. Long-haired cops have tufts of hair sticking out between their toes. The pads are hard, the claws are powerful, colored gray - from light to dark. The dewclaws on the hind legs are removed in Weimaraners during puppyhood.

Movement

All the dog’s gaits are sweeping, measured, and smooth. Galloping, she makes long jumps. When moving at a trot, he keeps his back straight. The hind and forelimbs are parallel to each other when moving.

Tail

The strong tail, thickened at the base, is set quite low, which is not typical for most breeds related to the Weimaraner. It is densely covered with fur and tapers towards the tip. When the dog is relaxed and calm, he keeps it lowered down, and when alert, he lifts it to a horizontal position or higher.

Wool

The length of the coat determines two breed varieties: shorthair and longhair. The first is characterized by short, but not as short as most identical breeds, hair that is very thick, hard, and smooth. The undercoat is very sparse or absent at all.

Longhaired Weimaraners are covered with a silky, fairly long coat, with or without undercoat. The coat can be straight or slightly curled. On the sides its length ranges from 3 to 5 cm, the fur is slightly longer on the lower part of the neck, front of the chest, and belly. The limbs are decorated with fringes and “pants”, the tail is “fringed”. Long flowing hair is present at the base of the ears, with light silky hair bordering the tips.

Color

The standard allows three color variations of the Weimaraner: silver-gray, light gray, dark gray (mouse). They may have light shades, for example, copper, or exhibit a barely noticeable brownish tint. The fur on the head and ears is usually slightly lighter than on the rest of the body. Miniature white markings on chest and toes are acceptable. The presence of other stains and scorch marks is considered a fault. Some individuals may have a dark stripe, a “belt,” along the spine. In color it contrasts with the dominant color of the animal. Such dogs are used for breeding only if they have outstanding hunting qualities.

Possible defects

• Too rough or light constitution.
• Sagging or hunched back, high rear.
• Barrel-shaped or underdeveloped breasts.
• Excessively tucked stomach.
• Turned elbows, flat paws.
• Stiffness of movements.
• The head is bulldog type, with a short or narrow pointed muzzle.
• Concave nasal bridge.
• Overshot, undershot.
• Excessively fluffy coat in short-haired dogs and lack of feathering in long-haired dogs.
• Too intense shades of color, displacing gray. Scorches.
• Cowardice, nervousness, lack of temperament.

Weimaraner photo

Weimaraner character

Weimaraners are energetic, cheerful and friendly dogs. They are selflessly devoted to the family in which they live and need constant contact with a person. These animals should not be kept in an enclosure, like other hunting dogs, because this makes them suffer. Weimaraners also find loneliness at home difficult, and the company of another pet does not relieve them of longing for their owner. It is worth considering that a dog, left to its own devices for a long time, can panic, “destroy” the furniture in the apartment and even harm itself in an attempt to escape from the house. When worried, the Weimaraner begins to bark, whine, howl and even dig. The dog will calm down only when the household appears on the doorstep. These pets love to follow their beloved owners’ heels, love to sit at their feet and have “conversations” with them, to which they are very prone.

The Weimaraner is a fairly balanced dog. He is wary of strangers, but does not show aggression if he is sure that his owners are not in danger. Thanks to its distrust of strangers, attentiveness, intelligence, and ability to bark at all suspicious sounds and rustles behind doors, a dog can become a good watchman, but guard duty is clearly not its calling.

With children, especially older ones, these dogs establish friendly, partnership-like relationships. They are tolerant of children, but if they start playing with them, they can accidentally injure them.

Weimaraners are friendly towards their relatives, especially if they grew up next to them, but they rarely develop good relationships with cats. If this dog is still able to tolerate the owner’s favorite living in the same house with her, then a representative of the cat tribe who recklessly wanders into its territory will definitely not be happy. Actually, all small animals, as well as birds, awaken an indomitable hunting instinct in the Weimaraner, becoming its potential victims.

During the hunt, Weimar cops manifest themselves in accordance with their innate temperament and personal qualities. There are extremely obedient gun dogs, but quite often there are completely “crazy” individuals that instantly get out of control while working.

Education and training

The Weimaraner is an extremely intelligent, attentive and understanding dog. He is very trainable, but when he is in a bad mood, he can be willful and stubborn. Given these character traits, as well as the dog’s tendency to dominate, the owner should demonstrate firmness and patience when raising the animal. It is necessary to teach your pet obedience from a very early age, but if authoritarianism in education is acceptable, then methods that include rude shouting and the use of physical force as punishment should be excluded. The brutality of the owner will lead to the dog becoming distrustful and following commands hesitantly and with caution. It will be very difficult to regain the dog's trust. But treats and praise will encourage the Weimaraner to show its best qualities.

When raising a dog purchased for hunting, the owner needs to find a middle ground, since its unquestioning obedience and desire to please can deprive the hound of the initiative it needs during work.

The ideal condition for keeping a Weimaraner is a spacious house with a large fenced yard, a private pond or a nearby body of water. In this case, the dog will be able to regularly fulfill its need for active activity. In a city apartment, the dog will feel no less comfortable if the owners can provide him with intense physical activity - this could be frequent walks, during which the dog will have the opportunity to run without a leash, exercises on areas equipped with an obstacle course. In total, the Weimaraner should move fully and actively for at least two hours a day.

A dog walking on a leash must clearly follow the command “Near!” Otherwise, she herself will drag you wherever she pleases. However, it is unacceptable to use a strict collar. When letting your Weimaraner off the leash, make sure there are no small dogs or cats nearby, otherwise they could become his trophies.

Caring for a dog's fur is not difficult. It is enough to brush it with a massage brush a couple of times a week, and during the shedding period it is advisable to do this daily.

You should bathe your pet as needed, but not more often than once a month. After a walk in bad weather, the dog's paws need to be thoroughly washed. In frosty winter, pads and claws must be treated especially carefully so that anti-ice reagents do not enter the dog’s body when it begins to lick its paws. In cold weather, even though the short coat of the Weimaraner dries out very quickly, it is better to replace bathing by treating the coat with a special dry shampoo.

It is advisable to wipe the corners of the animal’s eyes and the area around them with a damp cloth once a week. You should take care of your pet's drooping ears at the same frequency - this will allow you to detect possible inflammation in time. It is convenient to treat the ears with a cloth moistened with chlorhexidine.

The frequency of trimming a dog's nails depends on the conditions under which it is kept. Some dogs' claws wear down naturally, and those who do not have the opportunity to run around need to have them trimmed. Usually it is carried out once a month, using a special nail clipper for large breed dogs.

Weimaraners are excellent eaters. After eating a portion from their own dishes, they will certainly ask if there is anything tasty on other people’s plates. They can be quite persistent in their demands for additional feeding, but such aspirations should be suppressed and try to feed the animal twice a day. Portions should be approximately the same.

When choosing meat products for your pet, you should opt for beef, lamb, rabbit, and poultry. Fish is also good for dogs; it should be lean and low-boned. The preferred cereals are rice and buckwheat; they should be boiled in water. Oatmeal will also be useful in the Weimaraner's diet. The daily menu should include boiled or raw vegetables and fruits, but exotic, brightly colored fruits should be avoided. Low-fat cottage cheese and kefir are the best options for fermented milk products.

Owners who prefer to feed their pet with ready-made food should buy premium, super-premium, and holistic products.

Weimaraner health and illness

Strong and hardy Weimaraners are distinguished by excellent health, but a hereditary predisposition to certain diseases can pose a potential danger to them. The gastrointestinal tract is at risk in these animals, and a disease such as volvulus, characteristic of dogs with deep chests, can be fatal for them. If you notice the first signs of stomach upset in your pet, you should immediately contact your veterinarian, who will prescribe him a special diet. Usually in these cases it is recommended to feed the dog several times a day in small portions. To prevent intestinal volvulus, experts advise placing dishes with food for the dog on an elevated surface. This will prevent the rapid swallowing of food and the entry of air into the stomach.

Weimaraners are prone to dermatoses, and von Willebrand's disease, an inherited blood clotting disorder, can also pose a threat to them. These dogs may also experience ophthalmological problems: corneal atrophy, entropion, distichiasis - the appearance of an additional row of eyelashes. In 24% of cases of premature death of a dog, the cause is cancer, mainly fibrosarcoma, mastocytoma, and melanoma. Weimaraners are also predisposed to hip and elbow dysplasia.

Some pets suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder - experiencing anxiety, animals from time to time begin to suck on bedding and blankets.

How to choose a puppy

The Weimaraner is not a very well-known breed in Russia. They began to be bred in our area only in the 80s of the last century. Today there are nurseries in several Russian cities, among them Moscow, St. Petersburg, Volgograd, Novosibirsk, Tambov. It is in nurseries that Weimar Pointer puppies should be purchased. Otherwise, the health and purity of your pet will be in question.

Having previously familiarized yourself with the breed standard, visit the nursery and make sure that the puppies live in a tidy room, their mother is well-groomed, well-fed, and not exhausted from childbirth and feeding. Chat with the breeder; a conscientious professional will always be happy to answer any of your questions. Familiarize yourself with your baby's pedigree and make sure he has received all the vaccinations required for his age. It is advisable that you be provided with the results of a test for hip and elbow dysplasia.

Check if all puppies from the same litter are cheerful, playful, and active. Then carefully examine the Weimaraner that you like best. Factors such as thinness, a bloated tummy, sour eyes, skin rashes, flea bites, and bald patches should alert you. It is unacceptable if the dog behaves apathetically and does not respond to your advances.

Remember that Weimaraner puppies have blue eyes, their color changes with age. The color should be completely gray, with small white markings only on the chest and paws. If you are choosing a dog for hunting, feel free to choose the most active baby, but if you are just looking for a four-legged friend, a super-smart baby can create a lot of problems for you in the future, because the Weimaraner is already very active.

Photos of Weimaraner puppies

How much does a Weimaraner cost?

The price of a purebred Weimaraner puppy ranges from 35,000 to 65,000 rubles, and the heirs of outstanding sires can cost even more. Sometimes the cost increases if exclusive animals are specially brought from other countries for mating. By the way, in Europe a Weimar pointer puppy costs from 1000 to 1500 euros.

If you are offered a baby for less than 30,000 rubles, be wary and carefully read its pedigree and documents relating to the health of the future pet.

The budget option for 7,000 - 10,000 rubles implies purchasing a puppy without documents and almost completely guarantees problems with the pet in the future. Sometimes, if you're lucky, for that amount you can buy a well-born dog from a good breeder, if the latter has some kind of extraordinary situation. Professional hunters periodically sell inexpensive purebred Weimaraner puppies. You can contact them on the recommendation of good friends.

The Weimar Pointer is a luxurious, large pointer with all the necessary qualities. This is not only a hunting virtuoso, but also an excellent pet. Who is the modern Weimaraner and who is such a four-legged friend suitable for?

There are many versions of where the Weimar cops originated, and according to one of them, a couple of individuals were taken from Egypt by the French monarch Louis the Saint in the 13th century, when he carried out a Crusade in the lands of the Middle East. Another story says that Weimaraners are descendants of Barracks and Pointers, which have already disappeared from the face of the earth.

The third version is considered the most plausible - at the beginning of the 19th century, selection work with hunting breeds was quite popular among the royalty of Germany. For example, Karl August, who was the Duke of Weimar, was breeding German barracks and pointers from England, crossing them and improving the breed's qualities. This opinion is also supported by the fact that in another way, Weimaraners are called Weimar Braques.

At the end of the 19th century, representatives of the breed began to be actively exhibited, and in 1896 the first standard was approved. They have been recognized by many cynological organizations of the international level and have gained popularity in European countries, the American states, Canada and Russia.

Description of the Weimaraner breed

The dogs are classified as hounds, continental pointers of the “Bracket” type and are tested to determine their working qualities. These are the largest animals among their type, height males vary from 59 to 70 cm, females - 57-65 cm. Weigh males from 30 to 40 kg, females – 25-35 kg.

The standard offers the following description of individuals:

Coat and possible colors

There are several varieties of Weimar Pointers: with short, long and rough hair. Coat color can vary from silver-copper to gray shades. On the head and ears it is of a lighter tone.

In some cases, white markings may be present on the chest and toes. Defects include brown spots.

Characteristics and disposition of Weimaraners

The character of representatives of this breed largely depends on upbringing and training; the owner’s attitude towards his four-legged friend is also of great importance. With the right approach, the Weimaraner grows up to be an obedient, devoted pet with an easy-going character. He is a real aristocrat of the dog family.

Without socialization and education, the dog can grow up hyperactive or problematic. In character, these pointers are more similar to hounds or pinschers than to gun dogs, although features from both are present.

Weimaraners are very people-oriented, they quickly become attached to family members, and are extremely loyal. Such a pet will follow its owner to any place or journey without hesitation for a second.

There are individuals who feel attachment to only one family member, but this is rather the exception. Cops can be quite affectionate, following the owner and even getting in the way, distracting in every possible way. Loneliness is difficult for such a pet. The Weimaraner is aloof and wary of strangers. A dog without socialization may show timidity, fearfulness or aggression.

The pet does not immediately accept new people; it takes patience and time to get closer. Although he is not very happy with strangers, the dog will not become a watchman, since for this he lacks the innate territoriality and anger towards humans. But a cop is quite capable of alerting about the approach of strangers by barking.

The Weimaraner combines the qualities of a hunter and a companion. Most purebred representatives get along well with children; they love spending active time together, playing and running around. Children's pranks are forgiven, the dog will not bite back. But the excessively intrusive attention of children can cause discomfort in the animal. If there is a small child and a grown-up cop puppy in the house, you need to be on alert; an overly active animal can knock over or drop the baby.

Having other pets can cause a number of problems. Socialized Weimaraners, although not affectionate, can be polite to other dogs. If 2 puppies grow up in the house, especially of different sexes, then they get used to each other. However, male dogs usually do not have such rosy relationships, since by nature they are quite dominant. They will not fight to the last drop of blood, but conflicts are inevitable.

Cops, as befits hunting dogs, are aggressive towards other animals. They were originally intended for hunting, and the dog will constantly display the instincts gifted by nature, no matter who he chose as prey - a guinea pig or a deer.

Very often cats suffer from Weimaraners, and they have practically no chance of surviving in such a situation. Even being brought up in the same house and considering the feline representative as a member of the pack, the dog can suddenly lose his temper.

Training and education

The Weimaraner is an ace in his field, he has excellent working qualities, and training in this area is practically no difficulty. The pet is also able to master the basic skills program. But he is not given the opportunity to perform specific tasks, that is, he should not make a shepherd, a security guard or a bodyguard out of a cop.

You cannot use physical force or shout during classes; the dog may completely refuse to interact. Positive reinforcement and praise are required because although this breed loves people, they are not eager to obey and please.

The dog is smart - he almost immediately understands what will suit him and what will not, and the pet’s behavior is based on this. He is capable of being stubborn and willful. If a dog refuses, it is almost impossible to force it to follow commands. Cops can do everything wrong or ignore their owner's requests.

The Weimaraner will only obey the person whom he perceives as a leader, leader, and we are not talking about complete submission and ideal obedience. As soon as the owner gives up, the dog takes a dominant position and you shouldn’t expect him to follow commands.

Weimaraners cannot be called unteachable; with some effort and patience, the dog becomes perfectly obedient and flexible. Such a pet can become an excellent athlete; Brackies are successful in obedience and agility.

It is not recommended for beginners to have such a four-legged friend. If you don’t socialize your dog, train it, and don’t become an authority figure for it, you can run into a lot of problems.

These dogs are active, mobile, tireless, the owner will have to devote a lot of time to walking, activities, and games. The dog can run behind a bicycle for a long time and is an ideal companion for jogging and other physical activities.

Care and health

The Weimar Bracket is easy to care for; it is a fairly unpretentious animal. But it is important to keep both the adult and the puppy clean. The baby should be protected so that he does not have access to sockets, chemicals, or other dangerous items.

From the first days of being in the house, the pet must be provided with separate dishes, bedding, and toys. A puppy should be accustomed to walking from childhood. In winter, the Weimaraner must be dressed in insulated clothing - even long-haired pointers do not have an undercoat that can protect against frost.

Brush the dog regularly - once every 2-3 days, using a special brush. Ears and teeth are cleaned weekly, and nails are trimmed every 2 weeks.

Breed diseases

The average life expectancy of a Weimar pointer is 11 years. Most often, the following diseases are detected in representatives of the breed:

• idiopathic osteodystrophy (“skeletal scurvy”);
• inflammatory processes in bone tissue;
• hip dysplasia;
• tumor formations of various origins - lipomas, fibrosarcomas, melanomas, mastocytomas);
• volvulus (gastric and intestinal);
• dystrophic changes in the cornea of ​​the eye;
• turning of the eyelids;
• inflammation of the interdigital skin;
• demodicosis;
• von Willebrand disease.

In addition, Weimar cops are at risk of developing an autoimmune reaction to certain immunobiological drugs. To reduce the danger, veterinarians recommend vaccinations against canine distemper and parvovirus at 2-week intervals.

Quite often, litters of cops produce puppies with complete or partial cryptorchidism. This abundance of possible pathologies is due to the fact that for a long time selection was aimed at achieving the best aesthetic data. Modern breeders work to a greater extent to improve the health of these animals.

Feeding regimen and diet

Proper nutrition for Weimaraners means good physical shape and a beautiful coat. When feeding naturally, the dog should receive the following products:

• meat, offal, fish;
• kefir, cottage cheese;
• cereals – buckwheat, if the dog does not suffer from allergies, then rice porridge;
• vegetables, fruits, greens.

The animal's food must be balanced; in addition, the pet is given vitamin supplements. To improve intestinal function, it is recommended to flavor dishes with vegetable oil.

A convenient option is to feed your pet dry food, but it must be high-quality premium or super-premium products. It is imperative to adhere to the recommended dosage; overfeeding Weimar cops is not recommended. It is important to provide your pet with plenty of clean drinking water - these dogs drink a lot of liquid, regardless of the type of feeding.

Conditions of detention

The ideal conditions are a country house. In this case, the dog will be able to walk in the local area. But in any situation, you should regularly walk and exercise your dog, especially if he is not involved in hunting.

On the street, you should keep your pet on a leash - the animal may, upon seeing a cat or other animal, feel excitement and run away.

Weimaraner photo

Video about the Weimaraner

Purchasing a puppy

The breed is not common, and when buying a puppy, difficulties may arise - the owners will have to search for a kennel or an experienced breeder, and often the baby will have to be reserved in advance.

On average, puppies with a pedigree cost about 30,000 rubles; offspring with minor deviations from the standard cost slightly less.

The Weimaraner is a spectacular, hardy dog ​​with good physical characteristics. But this is not a sofa option - such a pet needs a strong hand and increased physical activity.