Understanding the Weimaraner Breed
Weimaraners can be quite a challenging breed. Before deciding to adopt or buy a Weimaraner, it's important to understand their temperament and disposition to determine if one is truly a good fit for you and your family.
The Weimaraner Breed
Weimaraners belong to a group of breeds known as the "versatile Continental hunting dogs" which references their wide range of skills and abilities. Weims have long been bred as excellent pointing dogs - their sole purposes was to find and track wounded game. They are natural guard and watch dogs and will grow to become very protective over their territory and their owner. Because they are instinctively hardwired to hunt prey, they can be difficult in homes with cats and other pets if not properly trained or socialized at a young age.
That said, Weimaraners are loyal and versale companion dogs who often seem to hunt or act only to please their master rather than for the act itself. They have long been bred as close personal companions of man and can suffer greatly if kenneled or locked away from human contact.
Weimaraner Personality
Weimaraners are a complex breed - typically seen as aloof and confident. In the company of their owners and those familiar to them, they clearly have great, complex personalities. They're expressive and rarely hold back their emotions - disappointment, excitement, love, aggression, stubborness, etc.
Weims tend to try to get away with anything they can. The breed requires an owner who is self-assured and firm. Given the run of the house, they will quickly and gladly take over. You cannot ignore or relent to a Weimaraner - you must provide them with constant attention and a firm rule.
See Weim Run!
New Weimaraner owners will find the demands of their new found friends can quickly outpace their own energy or lifestyle. The Weimaraner is not good for a sedentary owner - they need constant, vigorous physical activity. They can easily hunt and run for six straight hours every day with seemingly no sign of letting up.
Weims need constant mental exercise as well. Proper training and obedience lessons are excellent problem solving skill builders for a constantly active Weimaraner's brain.
What Do Weimaraners Like To Do?
In short, everything! The worst thing you can do with a Weimaraner is nothing. As noted above, they need constant mental and physical exercise and interaction.
- Obedience Training. Weimaraners are extremely bright and are capable of learning very quickly. They can bore quickly however, so owners must constantly develop new and innovative ways to train and exercise their Weim's mind.
- Hunting. No surprise here - the Weimaraner breed loves to hunt! They relish in being thorough, methodical hunters who love to please their owner. Coupled with their excellent sense of smell and natural swimming abilities, they're a foot hunters best friend.
- Tracking. Along with hunting, the Weimaraner breed loves to track, whether it's tracking human scent or game. Weimaraners are a regular site at American Kennel Club tracking events. Police departments nationwide regularly rely on their powerful sense of smell in drug detection and search and rescue operations.
- Agility Runs. Weimaraners - like most active, hunting dogs - love to work their agility. Running agility courses helps strengthen their mind and body in a way that's fun and healthy.
Bottom line: if it's hard mental and/or physical work, chances are good your Weimaraner will love it!
So Is A Weimaraner Right for You?
We recommend getting involved in local Weimaraner clubs or with breeders who can provide you with ample time to spend with their dogs. Play and interact with them to better understand if you're truly ready for a grey ghost of your own.
For further reading ...
Check out Before You Get a Weimaraner from the North Carolina Tarheel Weimaraner Club for a list of questions every potential Weimaraner owner should ask themselves before deciding to buy or adopt.