Weimaraner

General Information - Weimaraner

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History

Dogs similar to the Weimaraner have existed in Germany since the 17th Century but it was not until the early 1800s that the breed as we know it today was developed. At the court of the Grand Duke Karl August of Weimar, the breed was bred specifically as an all-purpose hunting dog for the nobility and, once perfected, was closely guarded until 1896. In that year, the breed was officially recognised in Germany due to the efforts of a small group of sportsmen. The following year, the same group formed the Weimaraner Club of Germany and only members of the club were allowed to breed the prestigious dog. Bred as a hard-working hunter, the Weimaraner enjoys plenty of outdoor activity.

Upkeep

The Weimaraner demonstrate the ability to work hard in the field, and appreciates lots of exercise and family fun and contact, preferring to sleep indoors if possible. Coat care is minimal: occasional brushing to remove dead hair.

Weimaraner

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

Breed Standard - Weimaraner 

Characteristics: Hunting ability of paramount concern.

Temperament: Fearless, friendly, protective, obedient and alert.

General Appearance: Medium-sized, grey with light eyes. Presents a picture of power, stamina and balance.

Head and Skull: Moderately long, aristocratic; moderate stop, slight median line extending back over forehead. Rather prominent occipital bone. Measurement from top of nose to stop equal to measurement from stop to occipital prominence. Flews moderately deep, enclosing powerful jaw. Foreface straight, and delicate at the nostrils. Skin tightly drawn. Nose grey.

Eyes: Medium-sized in shades of amber or blue-grey, not protruding or too deeply set, placed far enough apart to indicate good disposition and intelligence. When dilated under excitement the eyes may appear almost black.

Ears: Long, lobular, slightly folded, set high. When drawn alongside jaw, should end approximately 2.5 cms (1 in) from point of nose.

Mouth: Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Lips and gums of pinkish, flesh colour. Complete dentition highly desirable.

Neck: Clean-cut and moderately long.

Forequarters: Forelegs straight and strong. Measurement from elbow to ground equal to distance from elbow to top of withers.

Body: Length from point of shoulder to point of buttock should be greater than the height at withers, in the approximate proportions of 12:10. Topline level, with slightly sloping croup. Chest well developed and deep. Ribs well sprung, ribcage extending well back to short, firm loin. Abdomen firmly held, moderately tucked-up flank. Brisket should drop to elbow.

Hindquarters: Moderately angulated, with well turned stifle. Hocks well let down, turned neither in nor out. Musculation well developed.

Feet: Firm, compact. Toes well arched, pads close, thick. Nails short, grey or amber in colour.

Tail: Previously customarily docked. Docked: Customarily docked so that remaining tail covers scrotum in dogs and vulva in bitches. Thickness of tail in proportion to body. Should be carried in a manner expressing confidence and sound temperament. In long-haired, tip of tail may be removed. Undocked - Moderately set, thickness in proportion to body. Reaching down to hocks and tapering towards the tip. Carried below level of back when relaxed; may be raised when animated. Not curled over back. Good hair cover.

Gait/movement: Effortless, ground covering, indicating smooth co:ordination. Seen from rear, hind feet parallel to front feet. Seen from side, topline remains strong and level.

Coat: Short, smooth and sleek. In long-haired variety, coat from 2.5-5 cms (1-2 ins) long on body, somewhat longer on neck, chest and belly. Tail and back of limbs, feathered.

Colour: The only correct colour is grey. Silver grey preferable. Shades of mouse or roe grey are acceptable; blending to lighter shade on head and ears. Dark eel stripe frequently occurs along back. Whole coat gives an appearance of metallic sheen. Small white mark permissible on chest. White spots resulting from injuries not penalised. Any other colour, including blue, highly undesirable (see Introductory paragraph).

Size: Height at Withers - Dogs 61-69 cms (24-27 ins); bitches: 56-64 cms (22-25 ins).

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Copyright Dogs New Zealand
08 Jul 2016

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.