Colour
Do not fall into the trap of buying a Weimaraner because of it’s unusual colour or because of it’s noble outlook. This breed is not a dog to look at, far from it, it is an all action dog.
Powerful Appearance
The dog is a powerhouse from it’s early development, it respects no-one until it is taught the correct way to behave. Which means if you do not have the time to spend in training and educating the dog and integrating them into your family life then you will have constant troubles when owning this breed. People both male and female receive no respite and children will be treated with disdain. All will be pulled to and from walks and all will be dragged to wherever the dog wants to take them.
Strength of Character
Many breeds will accept what is offered to them and will fit into a normal household with little rebellion. Weimaraners are not such a breed. From the day they are born they have a strength of character that means they are resistant to being told what they should do. They are not content just to lie around because other things are taking your priority in the house.They have a need to exercise their brain, they are extremely intelligent and if not satisfied with what is being offered as stimulation they will find their own amusement, sometimes with destructive and antisocial behaviour.
Intelligence
This is a breed that requires training both basic and advanced. It is capable of learning what you are capable of teaching and in many cases there is the discrepancy. People who have not the experience to train thoroughly need to seek out specialist help and advice. General dog clubs may give up on your Weimaraner because they do not conform to the ‘Norm’. If the Weimaraner has not learnt the exercise you are trying to impart within two weeks , then it is more likely you are doing something wrong.This breed is so intelligent that is will identify any weakness in your knowledge and exploit it to the full.
The Weimaraner does not respond well to physical abuse or bullying of any kind.
Instincts
This is a hunting breed, pure bred for 100 years to seek out game in it’s various forms. It’s scenting ability has become finely honed to identify quarry. It’s instincts to seek out strong scents should always be in the mind of any owner. This dog whilst out walking with the family could easily lose interest in you and find more interest in going off to follow any strong gamey scent. This is not disobedience, this is instinct and owners should be aware that near roads or traffic if the instinct takes over then that can take priority over what you are doing.
Temperament
The Weimaraner is a sensible dog. Because of it’s intelligence it is confident, be very wary of a Weimaraner that is introvert and lacking confidence, it is not true to the breed. It is after training a loyal breed and can be protective of it’s family group.It should be friendly and willing to join in with any activity. It should not be smothered and affection forced upon it,rather allow it to come to you when it needs some affection. From an early age it should be raised quietly and not subjected to too many boisterous games, screaming and shouting only winds up it’s enthusiasm and usually ends in tears.Being bred by the pack method over years it retains some aspects that owners should understand. One important aspect is that whilst it will sometimes play with other dogs during it’s exercise you should stop any games that are becoming too boisterous. The reason being that if any other dogs show aggression it may only allow this threat once without response. The Weimaraner’s nature is not to be dominated by other males particularly, so if you let things get out of control then the Weimaraner will almost certainly become the aggressor in your future encounters. This is not a fault of their temperament but a fault of your understanding and lack of appreciation of the needs of this special breed.Your life from then on will become unbearable because their character is unforgiving and they will become unpredictable in the company of other males. Exercise and walks with the family become a thing of the past or you need to seek specialist advice for retraining and at the very least the dog may need to wear a muzzle whilst out walking.
So you think you want to own a Weimaraner ? Please read on before coming to any final conclusions
Considerations before Ownership
Dalton