| Weimaraner | |||||||||||||||||
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 Short-haired bitch, two years old | |||||||||||||||||
| Origin | Germany | ||||||||||||||||
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| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||||||||||
TheWeimaraner[a] is a Germanbreed ofhunting dog of medium to large size, with history going back at least to the nineteenth century.[2]
It originated in the area of the city ofWeimar (then inSaxe-Weimar-Eisenach, now in the state ofThuringia), for which it is named.[3] It was recognised as a breed in 1891. It is an all-purposegun dog, characterised by its speed and stamina, its good nose and eye, and its courage and intelligence;[4] in Germany it is not considered suitable for keeping as acompanion dog.[3]
Many theories of the origin of the Weimaraner have been advanced, but there are few documented historical facts; silver-grey dogs are shown in paintings byAntoon van Dyck in the seventeenth century and byJean-Baptiste Oudry in the eighteenth.[5]: 543 [3] The breed is believed to have originated in the area of the city ofWeimar (then inSaxe-Weimar-Eisenach, now in the state ofThuringia) – the city from which its name derives.[5]: 543 [3] It is sometimes claimed that the dogs were kept at the court ofKarl August, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, in the early nineteenth century.[1]
From 1879 the dogs were considered to be a blue variant of theGerman Short-haired Pointer, and were eligible for registration in thestud-book of theKurzhaar Klub.[5]: 545 They first appeared at adog show in 1880, when fourteen examples were presented inBerlin. These were of three differing types, from three different kennels: the traditional Thüringer Hund; the Weißenfelser Hund, which was rather more elegant; and the Sanderslebener, which was intermediate between the two.[5]: 545 The Weimaraner was recognised as a distinct breed in 1891.[3] Abreed standard was drawn up in 1896, and in 1897 abreed association was established inErfurt with the nameVerein zur Reinzucht des silbergrauen Weimaraner-Vorstehhund;[b] this was soon changed toVerein zur Züchtung des Weimaraner Vorstehhundes.[5]: 545 [6][c]
In the early years of the twentieth century – the time of theGreat War – the Weimaraner came close to extinction; it was reconstituted from the few surviving examples of the breed.[5]: 545 [7]: 237
It was definitively accepted by theFédération Cynologique Internationale in 1954.[8]
In the fifteen years from 2007 to 2021, the annual number of new registrations in Germany averaged about 485, with a low of 390 and a high of 607.[9]
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The Weimaraner is of medium to large size: dogs stand some59 to 70 cm at thewithers, bitches about57 to 65 cm; weights are in the range30–40 kg for dogs,25–35 kg for bitches.[1][10]
The coat may be either short or long; a double coat of intermediate length is sometimes seen.[1] The coat may be mouse-grey, roe-grey or silver-grey in various shades, or of a colour intermediate between these; minor white markings to the feet and chest are tolerated.[1] The eyes are amber, ranging from pale to dark; the ears are pendent, with rounded tips.[1]
Among theneurological diseases associated with the Weimaraner arecerebellar hypoplasia,hypomyelinogenesis andspinal dysraphism.[11]: 6 Other diseases or defects to which it has some genetic or statistical predisposition includecorneal dystrophy,distichiasis,entropion, eversion of the cartilage of thenictitating membrane,generalised demodicosis,medial canthal pocket syndrome,refractory corneal ulceration andXX sex reversal,[12]: 153 and also – in dogs only –Weimaraner neutrophil dysfunction,[13]: 928 pododermatitis andtricuspid dysplasia.[12]: 153
A 2024 UK study found a median lifespan of 12.8 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 forcrossbreeds.[14]
The Weimaraner is a versatile hunting dog, and may be used totrack,point to,flush orretrieve birds or other game.[4] Registration is subject to successful completion of aworking trial.[1] In Germany it is not considered to be suitable for keeping as acompanion dog. According to the breed club, it "... basically belongs in the hands of hunters due to its development and its characteristics ... It is not a companion dog, but a hunting dog through and through. As such, it needs work in practical hunting in order to preserve its balanced nature";[d] whelps are placed mainly with hunters.[3]
