Weimaraner
This stunning silver breed is undoubtedly an elegant and graceful canine companion. A high-energy breed perfectly suited to active, busy households.
Weimaraner At A Glance
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
| Temperament | A friendly and alert dog with a very outgoing nature. |
| Suitable | Needs an active home to thrive in. Ideal for experienced dog owners. |
| Health | This breed can suffer from various health conditions but is generally a robust dog breed. |
| COMMON CLAIMS | MAXIMUM CLAIM |
|---|---|
| Fracture/Trauma | $1,491.56 |
| Gastrointestinal Condition | $4,602.50 |
| Arthritis | $809.30 |
| Urinary System | $1,588.62 |
| Bloat | $8,301.00 |
| Skeletal Condition | $1,473.35 |
| Ingestion Foreign Body or Toxin | $4,972.77 |
*PIA Data – 2022/2023
Trainability
The Weimaraner is a very active dog breed and requires a fair amount of exercise and training. Being an intelligent hunting breed, starting socialisation and training in early puppyhood is highly advisable. Puppy preschools are an excellent way to introduce your puppy to basic training and socialising in a safe and happy environment. They excel in all form of obedience, but like with all dogs, patience, consistency and a gentle approach is needed. They love to run and do very well in extracurricular activities like dog sports including agility. Lots of socialisation is essential (think busy areas, children and loud noises), paired with suitable training to ensure your pup grows into a well-rounded and well-behaved dog. If you suspect your pup is becoming overly aggressive or super-sensitive, enlist the advice of a professional quickly.
Grooming
The Weimaraner is a super-easy-to-groom breed and will only require a quick rub-over with a rubber mitt once a week. They are also not a smelly breed and will only need minimal bathing. Keep nails nice and short, and get your young pup used to this procedure early. It’s also a good idea to get your pup desensitised to paw touching, ear touching and teeth examinations. This will make vet visits stress-free and easy. Check ears weekly for any foul smell or discharge, and seek professional advice if you are concerned.
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Common Health Complaints – Weimaraner
Weimaraners are a medium and active dog breed known for their distinctive silver-grey coat and striking eyes. While they are generally healthy dogs, they can be prone to specific health issues like any dog. Common health complaints with the Weimaraner breed include:
- Hip Dysplasia - A genetic condition that can affect all dog breeds caused by a hip joint malformation that leads to pain, lameness and arthritis. Typically treated with surgery, weight management and medication.
- Elbow Dysplasia - Like Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia is a condition that affects the elbow joint and can also lead to pain, lameness and arthritis. Surgery, weight management and medication are also typically recommended for this condition.
- Entropion - Weimaraners may be prone to entropion, a condition where the eyelid rolls inward, allowing the eyelashes to cause irritation and discomfort as they come into contact with the cornea. Surgical correction is usually recommended for dogs suffering from this condition.
- Hypothyroidism - This is a common disorder in dogs that affects the thyroid gland, leading to a decrease in the production of thyroid hormones, causing weight gain and lethargy. Treatment involves hormone-related medication.
- Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) - Also known as bloat or Gastric Torsion, this life-threatening condition affects many deep-chested breeds like the Weimaraner. Treatment involves emergency surgery to correct the twisted stomach that is caused by gas or food. Prevention is critical to this condition. Encouraging slow eating and preventing exercise before and after meals is important.
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) – Also known as an enlarged heart, some Weimaraners may be at risk for DCM, which affects the heart muscle and leads to decreased heart function. Symptoms include weakness, decreased appetite, swollen belly, and increased breathing. Depending on the stage of the disease, treatment may consist of various medications and diet changes.
- Allergies - Weimaraner, like many other dog breeds, can be prone to skin allergies, which may manifest as gastrointestinal upset, itchy skin, redness, and skin infections. Depending on the allergy, treatment normally includes limiting exposure to the allergen, a diet change, medications and medicated shampoos.
- Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD) - This bone disease primarily affects fast-growing dogs, including Weimaraners. Supportive care is generally prescribed, including pain relief, fluid therapy and nutritional support. With the correct veterinary support, most dogs will recover from HOD.
- Von Willebrand's Disease – A bleeding disorder that affects the blood's ability to clot correctly, causing ample blood loss during traumatic situations. There is no cure for Von Willebrand’s Disease; however, careful monitoring during surgery and after injury is paramount. Having a test before surgery for this condition is highly recommended.
- Ear Infections – Those lovely floppy ears also need care in this breed to prevent ear infections. Regular cleaning and inspection are important to prevent issues alongside drying your dog’s ears correctly after swimming or bathing.
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Exercise Requirements
The Weimaraner is a very active breed and requires a good daily dose of vigorous activity to prevent problems. A bored Wier can become very destructive. Consider a good early morning run and an off-leash afternoon romp. Being super intelligent means they can easily make their own entertainment and fun, which can cause owners headaches – cue the chewing, digging and barking. If you do not have the time to actively exercise your dog daily, this may not be the best breed for your home.
Intelligence
Paring super intelligence alongside an active nature can spell trouble if your Weimaraner gets bored. Consider a good dose of exercise and an enriching environment to ward off backyard boredom. This breed has been known to teach themselves how to open doors and do all sorts of extraordinary wacky behaviour to keep themselves occupied. Consider boredom-busting activities when you leave the home and switch up the toys. Having a nice pile of ‘home alone’ toys you pick up when you return is an excellent way to keep your Wier happy and entertained when you are not home.
Family Friendly
The Weimaraner makes a wonderful family friend in an active home. They are a loving breed who do not take well to endless hours alone and will pine for their loving owners. However, they may be too excitable for very young children. Like with all breeds, it’s essential to teach your children how to behave around a dog and also train your dog how to behave around children. Teaching your pup manners is a must. The breed has a strong prey instinct from its historical background and is not suited to life with small pets, unless socialised from puppyhood.
Indoor/outdoor?
Even though the breed has a strong hunting history, they do not take to life outdoors or life inside a kennel. They will feel the cold in the winter, so consider investing in a good dog coat for those early morning jogs. They are companion dogs and will pine when left for long periods. Good fencing is also a requirement to prevent your pup from escaping.
Responsible Breeding
It is imperative only to source your Weimaraner from a reputable breeder to help prevent possible health conditions later in life. When choosing the right breeder, ensure you ask all the important questions about hereditary diseases in the breed and ask to see mum and dad. Contacting your local Weimaraner breed club can also help. Your breeder should have paperwork to show that they regularly test their dogs for genetic diseases and ensure that their breeding dogs have sound temperaments. It may take a little more time than a quick online purchase, but it can help prevent the possibility of having a very sick puppy or dog.
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