Weimaraner
Also known as Braque de Weimar
- Height at the withers
- 57 to 70 cm
- Weight
- 25 to 40 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10 to 13 years
- Daily activity
- 120 minutes
- Origin
- Weimar, Germany
- FCI group
- 7 · Pointing dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a sporty owner: running, hiking, canicross
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- a sedentary life: plan on 120 minutes of activity a day
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
Overview
A large, sleek and athletic pointing dog with a distinctive silver-gray coat and striking amber or blue-gray eyes. Fast, tireless and intelligent, it was first bred to hunt big game; its coat and stealth earned it the nickname “gray ghost.”
History and origins
Developed at the court of Weimar in Germany in the early 19th century by German nobles who wanted a versatile hunting dog for big game. The breed’s ancestry was a closely guarded secret.
Health
Life expectancy is 10 to 13 years, and its hardiness is average. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)
- Hip dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Entropion and distichiasis
- Spinal dysraphism
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, smooth coat. Moderate shedding, minimal coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Boundless, 5 out of 5
- Apartment
- Difficult, 2 out of 5
- Home alone
- Very poorly, 1 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With cats
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With strangers
- Polite, 3 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Average, 3 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- High, 4 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Minimal, 1 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Rarely, 2 out of 5
- Barking
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Average, 3 out of 5
In our lists
Weimaraner FAQ
How big does the Weimaraner get?
The Weimaraner stands 57 to 70 cm at the withers and weighs 25 to 40 kg. It is a large dog.
Does the Weimaraner shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the Weimaraner live in an apartment?
It is difficult: it needs space and activity, and a home with a yard suits it better.
How much exercise does the Weimaraner need each day?
Allow about 120 minutes of activity a day: its energy is boundless. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Weimaraner good with children?
Fairly well, preferably with children old enough to respect its limits. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Weimaraner live?
Life expectancy is 10 to 13 years, and its hardiness is average. The main health problems to watch for are gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat) and hip dysplasia.
