Overview
Bred in the German court of Weimar for tracking and later for bird work, the Weimaraner is a tall, athletic gundog in a distinctive silver-grey coat with amber or blue-grey eyes. It is intelligent, bold and strongly bonded to its household, sometimes to the point of anxiety when separated.
Walkers tend to find Weimaraners either superb or exhausting. The difference is usually how much structure the dog has had, so the first walk tells you a lot.
Exercise and walking needs
Two hours a day, with a substantial part at a run, is normal for an adult. Weimaraners were made to cover ground and they grow restless and destructive without it.
Avoid repetitive jumping and hard turns with young dogs. Long steady runs on soft ground are better for growing joints.
Daily minimum120 minutes
Ideal2 walks a day
Off-lead timeWith solid recall
On the walk
- Prey drive: Deer, rabbits, squirrels and sometimes cats. The chase starts fast and goes far. Keep the lead on where wildlife is likely.
- Recall: Good when trained and tested, but the breed's confidence means it will make its own decisions. Build the habit with regular rewarded check-ins.
- Strength: A forty kilo dog that lunges can pull you over. A front-clip harness and a short lead for roadsides make a difference.
- Other dogs: Sociable with dogs it knows, sometimes overbearing with new ones. Manage greetings and avoid letting it bully smaller dogs.
- Separation: Some Weimaraners struggle when handed over. Give the dog a minute to settle before setting off.
Tips for professional walkers
- Run the dog before any training you want to stick; a Weimaraner with energy to spare cannot concentrate.
- Carry high-value treats for recall; the breed is clever enough to decide whether the reward is worth it.
- Check the ears after swimming, which most Weimaraners enjoy.
Every dog is an individual. Treat this as a starting point and go with what the owner tells you about their dog. Anything to do with health belongs with the owner and their vet.
What to ask the owner
- How does the dog cope with being left, and does the owner have a routine for handovers?
- Any history of chasing livestock or deer, and where does the owner consider off-lead running safe?
- Has the dog had any digestive trouble after exercise that affects when it should be fed?