Wonderful Weimaraners: Friendly & Fearless Gentle Giants

Prithviraj’s parents (Prakash Patil and Ujwalarani Prakash Patil)with Brutty, Thor & Daisy

Prithviraj with Daisy

Prithviraj with Thor & Daisy

Weimaraner is likely to be the oldest German Pointing breed and have been purebred since 1900. The typical Weimaraner is friendly, fearless, alert and obedient—all traits that make him an excellent companion. –by Prithviraj Prakash Patil

Tracing their origin & history
There are numerous theories surrounding the origin of the Weimaraner Pointing Dog. Only so much is certain that the Weimaraner who at that time still contained a great deal of Liam Hound Blood (Leithund) was already kept at the Weimar court in the first third of the 19th century. In the middle of the 19th century, breeding was mainly in the hands of professional hunters and gamekeepers in central Germany, mostly in the regions round Weimar and in Thuringia.

As the days of the Lima Hounds passed, the dogs were crossed with the Hühnerhund and breeding was continued with this cross. From the year 1890 onwards, the breed was produced according to a plan and regarded suitable for registration. By the turn of 20th century we had both shorthaired as well as longhaired Weimaraners.

In 1929, Howard Knight, an American sportsman in Germany, brought two Weimaraners to the US. He kept working to get some foundation dogs that he could breed. Other breeders joined Howard in the quest to breed Weimaraner in the US and in 1942, the Weimaraner Club of America was formed. Finally, the American Kennel Club recognised the breed at the end of 1942.

Exuberant features
There are two basic variations. American dogs are lighter and have straight shoulder because they are mainly used to hunt birds. European breeds are heavier because they hunt bigger animals. Male Weimaraner stands 25- 27 inches at the shoulder and weighs around 70-80 pounds. Females are between 23-25 inches tall and they weigh around 55-70 pounds.

Short-haired: Short-haired Weimaraners have short, strong, very dense, smooth lying topcoat. They can be with or without a sparse undercoat.

Long-haired: Long-haired breeds sport smooth or slightly wavy soft, long topcoat with or without undercoat. Velvety hair is permissible on tips of skin. Length of coat on flanks is 3–5 cm. On lower side of the neck, fore chest and belly, the coat length is generally somewhat longer. They have hair between toes, and hair on head is less long as compared to the rest of the body.

Regular grooming a must
Silver and mouse grey are the most prominent coat colours. Their head is slightly paler. Only small white markings on chest and toes permitted. Sometimes a more or less defined trace occurs along the back. They shed twice a year and the skin will look patchy or spotted at that time.

Regular grooming is a must! Brisk brushing every time you come from outdoors is recommended. Get a rubber glove with points so it is a massage with brushing. Check paws for dryness and cracking and see if any foreign matter is in the ear.

Keeping an eye on healthcare
Weimaraners are generally robust and healthy, but like all breeds they are prone to certain health conditions. Not all Weimaraners will get any or all common diseases, but it’s important to be aware of them if you are considering bringing home this breed. If you are buying a puppy, find a good breeder who will show you health clearances for both parents. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of particular conditions.

Bloating and red rashes are some of the common problems among Weimaraners. Quite often, red rashes occur on their belly when they roll on grass during outdoor walk or play. That’s why it’s wise decision to check out for red rashes on their belly whenever coming back from outdoor walk. If found, consult your vet immediately for medication. Indulge in no severe exercise just before or after their meals.

Twitchy temperament of gentle giants
Versatile, easily trained, and passionate hunting dog, Weimaraners are slightly reserved and might not seem very lively, but when in the mood they are always up for a play session. They are super reliable, work great in water. Try and understand your Weimaraners and their strengths and weaknesses, like and dislikes and work accordingly. All Weimaraners are not the same.

Their temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialisation. Weimaraner pups with nice temperament are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them. The typical Weimaraner is friendly, fearless, alert and obedient, all traits that make him an excellent companion. On the flip side, he’s assertive, smart, restless, and wilful. Aggression and shyness are temperament flaws that are seen in this breed. They must be dealt with early and may require the assistance of a behaviourist or experienced trainer to avoid problems such as biting.

Exercise & training – moderation means the world
Moderate exercise twice a day! Be careful not to overwork them because they don’t know when to stop. They will work until their body is overheated which might cause them to faint and in extreme conditions might also cause a heart attack. They are delicate, so you need to be cautious and patient. Shouting and punishment doesn’t work with them!

A friendly fellow
“Weimaraners love to live in homes and follow pet parents all the time. They are highly intelligent and can also get bored easily. I call them Velcro dogs as they wait for me outside the bathroom door while I take shower,” tells Prithviraj.
(Prithviraj Prakash Patil is K-9 Certified Dog Trainer from Kolhapur. He is a pet parent of Daisy and Thor. Daisy has won Breed Show Championship. ) Instagram id- prithviraj969696, Email- prithviraj143143143@gmail.com