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IF YOU HAVE NEVER OWNED / OR BEEN OWNED BY A WEI BEFORE
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS SECTION
The Weimaraner has been selectively bred since the eighteen hundreds, for his tremendous scenting & retrieving ability, and to be a companion to their human family that close bond established over the years with humans remains to this day. As a Weimaraner proves his friendship and companionship, he expects the same and more from his owners. As a breed, they are dominant in nature, they are highly intelligent and extremely willing to please, and can also be a bit of a clown. Having been developed to "lead the pack", if allowed, a Weimaraner will promote himself to that exalted position within the household if not properly socialised and trained from an early age. Even from puppyhood, the Weimaraner is a thinking creature, he will show great respect for members of the family who are willing to give him the time, energy and imagination required to keep him fit in mind and body. Inconsistent handling, inappropriate discipline and weakness of character will all be treated with contempt. He is a curious mixture of willfulness and sensitivity, too harsh an approach and he will "blank out" seemingly unable to understand the simplest requirements, too much leeway and he will "do his own thing". He has an unlimited learning capacity, be it for good or bad. They excel at Obedience, Tracking, Agility and some have gone into Endurance. A good Obedience Club will teach you how to be leader of the pack which is very important to the weimaraner. It will also help to socilise and teach them some manners, as the breed has a natural instinct to protect its territory and his/her family so early socialization with different people and other dogs is essential. Weimaraners are a breed for those who enjoy a dog that is intensely devoted and responsive to attention " they demand attention". To the extent I admit has left me red faced at times. If allowed they will follow owners from room to room, usually lying down with body contact when owners sit down.
Apart from the usual breed traits, I have found that no two of my Wei's have exactly the same personality. When comming home from work I look forward to their greetings at the gate (you would think I had been away for a week instead of a couple of hours).I get a beautiful smile from my Chancey, Gabby gives me a high five, Harley after his greeting has to take my work bag upstairs & Kyrah well she's the smooch of the family and is usually right by my side rubbing up against my legs trying to get all the attention. I love the breed and my four Wei's dearly, but I know not everyone feels the same as I do. If the Wei is allowed indoors people who get distressed with the thought of a dog shoving open the bathroom or toilet door looking for their owner will not enjoy life with a Weimaraner. Some of my red faced moments have occurred whilst sitting peacefully on the toilet minding my own business, when to my horror I've heard the tell tail sounds of sniffing from my Wei's looking for me, and I, have forgotten to shut the door properly. Suddenly there's a grey foot flicking the door wide open and my four little darlings are sitting in the open doorway watching me along with the visitors. "Talk about caught with your pants down"!!!!
Wei's can also be helpfull little vegemites (Some might find these things annoying) "Imagine" Your busy doing a bit of gardening and you know all those trimmings you have stacked in neat little piles, well while your backs turned the Wei has decided to give you a hand, and has carted them off to make their own piles all over the yard. Trick is "you teach them to bring back all the trimmings they've just carted off, so you can put it in the wheelbarrow. You have on one hand taught your dog to retrieve an object, and the dog gets to help out in the garden.
 
IS MUM LOOKING "NO" QUICK GRAB IT AND RUN
They are wonderful with children, protective, fun loving, alert and active. Big Baby Blue eyes, long ears, hair like satin, Who could fail to fall for that? The 8 week old Wei is now 26" tall and weighs in at 32 kilos and he's not yet 2 years old. He has the grandchildren visiting at least 3 times a week, he has been taught to fetch the toys for the kids, never to enter the bedroom while their sleeping unless an adult is present, and always to walk calmly beside them when playing in the yard. He has learnt he is beneath the children and is at the bottom of the pack. He understands he will get three gallops a day, time to play with the children, time to sleep, a space to himself and time to cuddle up to Mum and Dad. He is a social, well-mannered member of soiety and is welcome everywhere. He is greatly loved and gives 1,000% in return. If you have small children playing and running around at home, you do not want a young Wei running amuck with them, (thats when accidents happen) You need to teach your puppy from day one that they are not allowed to chase, grab or jump on the children. They are to walk, sit and be gentle in and around the kids. And you never leave small children to play with any breed of dog without a responsible adult present
They do not like being left alone for long periods of time, left to their own devices young Weimaraner's will find something to keep themselves occupied, while your not there, and you probably won't like what has kept them busy all day. This doesn't mean that just because you work fulltime, or have other commitments that ocupy most of your day that a Weimaraner wont fit in. If a dog is going to be destructive or start excess barking while your away it will be within the first 20 minutes that you have left the yard. To overcome or prevent this behaviour, keep departures and returns low key, as soon as you get your puppy, start leaving the dog for short periods of time, go visit your neighbour so you can see and here whats going on and return before any bad behaviour starts, then gradually extend the time. And be unpredictable as Wei's can be creatures of routine and habit.
Weimaraners are strong dogs and will need a well fenced secure yard or they may go straight through it. A six foot fence won't stop them either if they don't want to be there. They can also be quite the excavator and have a hole dug the size of a wheelbarrow and be gone in seconds. They will do all these things when they have picked up a scent, wanting exercise, are bored, suffering from anxiety because your not there, or relegated to the back yard and forgotten. Don't forget they are an intelligent breed and you must give them physical and mental stimulation to ensure a happy dog, if you fulfill these needs they will be happy in your yard.
CONCLUSION:
Bred originally for his tremendous scenting ability, the Weimaraner and handler led the hunting pack tracking wild boar and wild stag. Everything about the Weimaraner is an element of challenge. He is such a 'get up and go' creature possessed of a quick intelligence, an abundance of energy, a drive to hunt, a streak of possessiveness and an exaggerated sence of devotion all of which must be tempered to the demands of modern living. He is not everyman's dog. He has been adapted to our requirements mainly as a rough-shooter's dog. As a companion, we must remember, understand and respect his heritage. There for the decision to own a Weimaraner should be considered carefully as they require an active person with a keen interest in the companion dog and are prepared to give it the exercise, love and attention they demand.
There would be few Weimaraner owners who would deny that their first attraction to the breed was their beautifull blue eyes and distinctive silver grey coat. Once past this initial interest, there is a fascinating mixture of "saint" and "sinner" underneath. He is intensely loyal wishing at all times to be in the company of humans, separation for long hours will lead him to believe he has been abandoned and he will fret, showing his/her disapproval by being noisy, destructive or both. No matter how beautiful you think they are or how much you want one, leaving a weimaraner at home alone for hours on end will only result in frustration for the dog and anger for you when you return and discover the mess. So if you or someone in your family, are not at home for the most part of the day, do not have a Weimaraner unless you are prepared to put in the extra mileage with the dog when you are home.
Once you get your puppy home start out as you mean to go on, e.g. is the adult Wei going to be allowed in the house, on the bed or the couch? If not then from the begining you do not let the puppy do these things. If the Wei is to be outside remember they are a dog that do not kennel well by themselves, get the dog used to being in a kennel, early in life. They especially like a den like situation, "dog crate or dog box". They do not like to be relegated to the back yard and forgotten, they like to be with you as part of the family.Their favourite spot is right by your side, weather it be inside lounging around or outside sticking their noses in whatever your trying to do. If you have assumed that I allow my dogs inside you would be right, but they are also kennelled outside at night and are quite happy to go to bed.
From what you've just read, your thinking why anyone would ever want to have one!! is there anything good about this breed? YES, YES and YES AGAIN. Once you have lived in harmony with a Weimaraner, you won't have anything else ....except maybe another one!
CARE OF SHORT & LONGHAIRED WEI'S
Just like us, a dog needs something to do with their time, dogs kept in confined spaces will still want to practise their natural behaviours. A dog left alone all day can bark uncontrollably or become destructive. Responsible pet ownership is a matter of providing challenging ways for your dog to use its senses and ultimately, be safely entertained. Wei's don't require a large backyard, as long as they are given daily free running in a park or large area (not the suburban backyard type area) or a good long walk on lead and some obedience training to exercise their brain prevents them becoming bored and being destructive. When you can't be there, Wei's still need to keep mentally and physically occupied, try a digging pit, bones, interactive toys or a Kong which, when packed with food, will keep a dog happy for hours.
A good balanced diet consisting of fish (sardines in veg oil) fresh meat, rice and vegetables a quality biscuit and a nice meaty bone every other day will keep them in good shape.
Weekly: Ear cleaning
Bath: Once a month or as required, Nail clipping
Monthly: Heartworm and flea / tick treatments
Regular: Three monthly worming
Annually: Vaccinations
COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER PETS:
They usually get along with other pets especially if introduced at a young age, however, rabbits, duck or game are not recommended.
Average Age: 12 to 15 years
Average size and Weight Hight at the wither
Dogs: 59 - 70 cm (23.5 - 27.5 ins)
Bitches: 57 - 65 cm (22.5 - 25.5 ins)
Weight
Dogs: 30 - 40 kgs
Bitches: 25 - 30 kgs
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