The Grey Ghost Dog – The Weimaraner

Weimaraners are the grey ghosts of the dog world.

Direct descendants of the St. Hubert Hounds of eight century France, the Weimaraner came into being when a genetic mutation occurred. It created the distinctive colouring that makes the Weimaraner one of the most readily recognised breeds.

In the early days of the breed, the Weimaraner was used by the noblemen of the Court of Weimar as a big game hound, taking scent from the ground, hunting dangerous quarry which it brought to bay and held it for the huntsmen.

Not long after the breed came into being, the hunting of large game became a rarity in Germany because the large game died out with the encroachment of civilisation. The sportsmen then concentrated on smaller game and required a dog which would work on both game and birds. The Weimaraner was then crossed with native bird dogs to develop the breed into the all purpose dog.

The breeding of Weimaraners was jealously guarded by a select few fanciers who selectively chose only the most intelligent dogs to produce the finest stock possible. The Weimaraner was recognised as a breed in Germany in the nineteenth century.

Today the Weimaraner is kept as a sporting dog and used in the very competitive world of field trials but he also is a wonderful family companion. He has a strong sense of territory and makes an excellent watchdog. His temperament and trainability make him a great companion for owners willing to meet his requirements for exercise.

An aristocratic large dog, measuring up to 69cms, the Weimaraner has a short smooth and sleek silver grey coat with the appearance of a metallic sheen. Although rare, there is also a long haired variety in which the coat measures up to 5cms in length on the body with longer feathering on the back of the legs and tail. The eyes of the Weimaraner are a shade of amber or blue-grey, unlike the darker brown found in most other breeds.

When walking the Weimaraner appears rather awkward, but when trotting he has smooth coordination. The Weimaraner is not a breed content to be a kennel or yard dog as he does best when allowed to share in family life.