The Weimaraner is a beautiful breed of dog that often ends up in rescue. Please do your research before becoming the owner of one of these regal clowns.
Getting a new dog should never be a case of the uninformed, "Awwww, he's so cute! I'm bringing him home!" Many dogs, especially Weimaraners, end up in rescue because people love the way a Weimaraner puppy looks, but have no idea of the dog it will become.
I have had the pleasure of sharing my life with a beautiful Weimy since Mother's Day, 2001. She is the dog I always wanted. She is the dog I dreamed of. She is the dog I obsessed over and she is the dog I finally ended up with. Please meet Trudi, my true blue, beautiful, Weimy.
Her blue color is considered a major fault and would disqualify her from showing. Usually, the dogs are a silvery gray and nicknamed, the Grey Ghost.
Weimaraners have absolutely gorgeous puppies. Their coat is shiny silver and they're eyes will tug at your heart until it breaks.
Weimaraners grow up into big dogs! Check out the feet. They look like clown feet on a puppy, but be assured, the puppy will grow into them.
As they are going through their puppyhood, they become like many teenagers in that they just don't understand how those legs and feet operate. In the field, there are few problems, but rounding the corner of the cabinet in the kitchen, on a slippery floor, can result in pure chaos, as illustrated in this popular television ad.
Be ready to have a clutzy, clumsy, ungainly, ball of energy on stilts running around your house!
Weims chew. They chew a LOT. If you want any sanity regarding the furniture, carpeting, and woodwork in your home, you better have a plan. Our plan (which works) is Crate training, Kong balls, and exercise.
Weims are also very active intellectually, and they like to problem-solve. Add this to the chewing, and you have a recipe for disaster. Kong balls are the best toy that I have found that addresses both of these issues. They have a life-time guarantee, which is very handy. They make their product in several different durability levels. The black Kongs are for the most vigorous chewers. Observe what Trudi did to no less than 15 super Kong balls.
This is where the warranty comes in.... If you keep the receipt, and return the chewed Kong to Petsmart (my only experience with this policy), they will exchange it for an identical Kong ball with no questions asked. I basically got 15 Kong balls for the price of one. Since they run between $15 - $20 each, that's quite a big deal. Put just a bit of peanut butter and a biscuit in the ball and Trudi will happily chew for an hour or more, and then need a nap. The rule of thumb for a Weimaraner is "A bored Weim is a naughty Weim, while a tired Weim is a well-behaved Weim."
Weim's are hunters. A fenced-in yard is necessary. We ignored this advice at first, but quickly fenced the yard, and our lives became so much better! Trudi and her partner, Otto (Miniature Dachshund) have caught five bunnies over the past three years. I keep flea stuff handy for this occasion, because I nearly fainted when I saw the fleas leaping off of the bunny onto Trudi's muzzle as she carried her prize around the yard.
Weims will eat just about anything that isn't tied down, and some things that are. You know how a baby will put everything in the mouth to "explore" objects? Weims do that and more. They destroy and ingest what they can. All garbage cans must be covered and have a locking mechanism that defies the Weimy intellect. Rubber bands around the cabinet knobs keeps her out of the kitchen garbage... mostly. For the first 4 years of her life, we had issues with underwear. Our back yard was dotted with all kinds of colorful, cute prints that were once in my unmentionables drawer. I went through no less than 20 pair of underwear that my dog ATE and then processed into the back yard. I must have purchased 50 pair of boxers for my son. We had to find devious ways of hiding the dirty laundry. Hampers? Those were just not good enough. Trudi could get into the hamper, find the undies of choice, consume them, and be out in the kitchen smacking her ever-lovable lips before I could make it up the stairs. Weim-proofing the yard involves removing all objects that can be ingested and all poisonous plants (clematis is a biggie in our area). Weim-proofing the house is similar to baby-proofing, but to a height of 7-8 feet off the ground.
In this picture, Grandma came to visit... and brought underwear!!
About the lips... They leak. A LOT... seriously! We tried several solutions for a water dish for Trudi. We finally settled on a 3 gallon jug that sits upside down and drains into a drinking bowl.That took care of the issue of quantity, but not of the mess. We finally placed it in the bathroom, because of the appropriate floor covering, resistant to water. It is also on a large doormat-type rug to keep a lake from forming. If you visit our house and need to spend some time in the bathroom, don't be surprised if you hear a scratch at the door. Trudi or Otto wants a drink.
Weims and other animals are often a subject of lots of discussion. Many folks maintain that because of the strong hunting instinct, they should not be in the same home as a cat. I believe and have demonstrated that with proper training, dogs and cats can live just fine together. Trudi regards our cats as just part of the pack. She is definitely subordinate to one of our cats and will defer to him every time. In general, Weims have an exceptionally strong pack drive. If you deprive a Weim of a hierarchy with you at the top of the pack, you will be owned. Weims can not handle long periods of solitude. A fate worse than death is that of a Weim that is kenneled outside. They crave human attention and companionship. They need a very strong hand, but gentle touch.
If you get a Weim and you don't crate train it, you are going to be in trouble. Weims do very well with crate training, and are very happy to have a safe den to retreat to. Weims are also subject to serious separation anxiety. While you are working on that issue, having a crate to keep your home intact when you go to the grocery store is imperative! If you have no intention of taking the time to learn to train a very headstrong dog, then please don't get one! I find it offensive on every level, when someone buys a pet and then does not take responsibility for the pet's actions. Don't let your pet bark in the yard... sure it's daytime, but your neighbor may work 3rd shift. Weims require consistant training, not just through puppyhood, but for their entire lives. Don't expect that you will have a well-mannered dog if you crate it all day long, and ignore it when you get home. Get a hamster.
If you are interested in learning more about the Breed, please check out the AKC pages here.
Now... everything seems to point to, "Weims are horrible pets!" HOWEVER... In spite of and sometimes because of all of the traits of this exceptional breed, they are loyal, comic, loving, cuddly, brave, protective, nurturing, and gentle creatures.