Weimaraner, the silver shadow

Weimaraner was bred to hunt large game and has tons of stamina and energy. This was specifically developed to allow them to run with a hunting party for days on end, never leaving the masters behind. This is a very athletic dog that requires a lot of exercise. This is not the dog for an apartment, nor is it a first time dog owner. Despite the Weimaraner’s energy requirements, they are not much of a kennel dog either. They prefer to live indoors with the family. This breed will redesign your backyard in an effort to catch small critters, your cat, or just because it’s bored. Barking can also be a sign of boredom and they have separation anxiety if left without human company for long periods of time. A large backyard with an escape-proof fence is highly recommended. Weimaraner will dig under a fence, scale the fence and find another way to escape due to the energy of the breed. They are great companions for jogging, biking, or walking. Any running game such as fetch, frisbee or fly ball will help expend the energy of the race.

The gray or silver coat of the Weimaraner leads to the nickname silver shadow. This dog will follow you wherever you go and wants to be in almost constant physical contact with you. Since they are 23 to 27 inches tall and weigh 55 to 80 pounds, you should be prepared for this contact. Weimaraners are generally healthy dogs and typically live 11 to 13 years. They do shed, but don’t have much of a “doggy smell” though; they like to roll in anything that smells! Due to pendulum ears, they can develop ear infections. Checking the ears frequently, brushing the Weimaraner, and an occasional bath is all you need to do to care for the dog. The breed is frequently seen on calendars and in various poses because they can almost have human expressions at times. This is a highly intelligent breed that is also an independent thinker. This means that they may or may not follow the rules. You understand, they KNOW the rule, just choose not to follow it! This can be a real challenge for a first time dog owner. It also helps if you have a sense of humor, because the Weimaraner always ignores the rules with style.

The main objective of the Weimaraner is to be with you and touch you or chase small animals, children, bicycles, etc. This is a breed that does not get along with cats and other furry pets. They are very affectionate and BAD at following commands, but the hunting instinct can be too great. Older children can be a great companion for a Weimaraner, but young children tend to get injured due to the dog’s energy level. This is not intentional on the part of the animal; they just have to expend the energy. They don’t kennel either. This dog should have human contact and be with the family, even indoors. Do not be fooled, he is a hunting dog, who lives indoors. Being away from the family and not getting enough exercise will cause the Weimaraner to slack off and you probably won’t like the results.