How to Select a Weimaraner

The weimaraner, believed to have come from Germany, is a strong, affectionate dog with a powerful instinct to chase prey. Though it was bred to hunt, the weimaraner was also used as a rescue dog in Europe. Weimaraners are very devoted to their owners, but can be aloof and unfriendly with unfamiliar people.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Dental Kits (for Dogs)
• Dog Beds
• Dog Brushes
• Dog Collars
• Dog Dishes
• Dog Food
• Dog Leashes
• Dog Shampoo
• Dog Tags
• Dog Toys
• Dry Shampoo For Dogs
• Nail Clippers For Dogs

1. Take a weimaraner's physical traits into consideration when choosing one. A well-bred dog will be dignified and graceful in stature, with a bright expression. Her short and sleek coat will be gray in color, with either long or short hair, and her body will be muscular and strong. The weimaraner's eyes should be amber, gray or blue-gray, and her toes should be webbed.
2. Know that if you decide to get a weimaraner, she will need obedience training early on. They can be quite willful and love to be in charge.
3. Be aware that weimaraners are generally very good and protective with children, but may knock smaller ones down due to their size and exuberance.
4. Reconsider getting a weimaraner if you have cats or other dogs in the house. Because of their strong prey instinct, they will likely chase cats, unless they are trained not to do so at an early age. As for other dogs, weimaraners can be dominant and aggressive with them if left unsupervised.
5. Understand the health problems that a weimaraner is prone to. These include bloat, hip dysplasia (a malformed ball and socket in the hip joint), tumors and hypertropic osteodystrophy (rapid growth). Talk to the breeder to find out what type of screening has been done for some of these health problems.
6. Look at potential breeders very carefully, being sure to ask if they are members of breed clubs, specialty clubs or obedience clubs. Affiliation with a club means you can check the breeder's references to make sure he or she is not running a puppy mill - a place where puppies are constantly bred for financial gain without consideration of the integrity of the breed.
7. Expect this breed to do well living in any environment as long as it has plenty of exercise and attention. When left alone for long periods of time, the weimaraner will get lonely and may form destructive habits such as chewing.
8. Note that your male weimaraner will grow to 24 to 27 inches and weigh between 55 and 70 pounds by the time he is full-grown. Females will grow to 22 to 25 inches and weigh between 50 and 65 pounds.
9. Consider adopting a weimaraner from a pet rescue organization. However, it is essential that you check her personality for signs of willfulness or aggression before you adopt her, since weimaraners have a tendency to be dominant.
10. Be prepared to enjoy a good 9 to 15 years with your new puppy, as this is the average life expectancy of a weimaraner.

Tips & Warnings

• They love to play fetch and are strong swimmers.
• Weimaraners are often difficult to control if they are chasing other animals and will often choose to ignore your calls.
• Weimaraners must be supervised at all times when around other animals, as they are likely to provoke problems with them.
• You will need to have a securely fenced backyard if you own a weimaraner. They will run after other animals outside the yard if the opportunity presents itself.