The Weimaraner: A Gray Ghost

The German origin of the Weimaraner has been an important factor in the carefully controlled development of this breed. Germany has for many years been a leader in Europe as far as carefully controlling the selection of breeding stock. Breeders who are mindful of the quality of breeding stock are aware that a dog of German origin is usually considered to be of the best descent. The Weimaraner is an original German breed that came originally from the court of Weimar. The breed was highly prized as a superior hunting dog, bred to stalk deer and trail and hunt bear and wild boar. Later the dog began to be used as a bird dog since it showed such a great propensity for this sport.

In 1897 an exclusive club was formed in Germany to maintain the breed and protect the inheritance of the “gray ghost”. This club bred this dog for sport rather than profit and imposed strict guidelines for breeding. This practice is still common in Germany today for large numbers of breeds besides just the Weimaraner. At any rate, for this particular association, no one was allowed to buy a specimen unless they first became a member of the club. In 1923 an American sportsman, Howard Knight, gained permission to join this exclusive club and was allowed to bring back two fine Weimaraner dogs to the United States. Later he was the founder of the American Weimaraner Club. Since the Weimaraner was introduced into the American Kennel Club in 1943, breeders in this country have been much less restricted than in their country of origin and Weimaraners are much more common now.

The Weimaraner is a silvery gray color ranging from a “mouse gray” to silver. The coat is sleek and quite care free. The dog is a high energy breed and needs plenty of exercise. Among genetic conditions which may be found in this breed are gastric torsion, hip dysplasia and bleeding disorders. The conditions are all identifiable before breeding and a buyer would purchase from a reputable breeders who has done the proper testing of his breeding stock.

The Weimaraner today remains an all around hunting dog that is also a great family pet. They posses high intelligence and do not make good kennel dogs. The breed has a certain aristocratic look about it, but is demanding in nature and needs a good trainer, one who will be the alpha over the dog. They do very well when kept in a family environment as a companion. Weimaraners have not competed well in field trials in this country against the labs and retrievers, but are very useful as individual hunting companions. They are used for birds of all kinds and there are a number of hunters who prize this bred as a dog that will run a deer or trail a wounded deer.

The Weimaraner has become famous in another area besides the sport of hunting in America, he is the subject of many of William Wegman’s photos. This photographers has used his own pet Weimaraner in costume in all kinds of strange and different situations. These photos have gone on to be quite popular as prints and on greeting cards and have become a major factor in the publicizing of a formerly little known breed of dog.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Animals