Are you wondering if this breed is for you? Here are 11 reasons why you should get a Weimaraner. If you’re still not sure and have more questions, do check out the FAQ. If your question isn’t there, feel free to contact me!
Weimaraners are smart
Weims are a very intelligent and confident breed. They’re very easy to train, however they need firm but kind handling. They don’t react well to harsh treatment. They need clear rules and boundaries but even then they will try to test them.
Weimaraners are low maintanence
Weimaraners have no undercoat and while they do shed, the maintenance of their coat is fairly simple. They don’t need to be bathed often unless they roll in something smelly. Thanks to their coat any dirt falls right off and with the right diet, their coat is shiny and they don’t have that “dog smell”.
If you’d like to learn more about Weimaraner’s coat, I wrote an article about it here.
Weimaraners are good family dogs
Despite their large size, they are a good family dog. As long as the family keeps active and gives the dog enough exercise, the dog will be happy. The bond with their owners is strong and they are affectionate, so they’re suitable even for families with small children.
Weimaraner puppies can sometimes get rambunctious during play and since they’re pretty large, they can knock smaller children over. They love to play with kids though! I’ve written an article about whether Weimaraners are good with children here.
Weimaraners are good protectors
While they are great hunters, they are also very good protectors of their family. They are not an aggressive breed but if someone has less than good intentions, a Weimaraner will react accordingly and protect their owner without needing to be trained to do so. Once the danger has passed, they’re back to kind and friendly.
During defense training (police service dogs, etc.) Weimaraners aren’t scared yet they don’t look for the opportunity to bite.
Weimaraners are loyal
Weims get very attached to their families, so much so that they have been dubbed as “velcro dogs”. They will follow you anywhere, bathroom included. A lot of owners say that male Weimaraners are often much cuddlier and needier than female Weimaraners
Weimaraners will keep you in shape
It’s no secret that Weimaraners are a high energy breed. They need a lot of exercise, both mental and physical. Bear in mind they are bred for endurance as well, so you will sooner tire them out with puzzle games rather than physical exercise.
Physical activities for Weims:
- fetch
- running
- agility
- dog biking
- treadmill
- game of tug
Here are some great games for mental stimulation:
- training / improving basic obedience
- teaching tricks
- hide and seek
- stuffed Kong toy
- snuffle-mat / puzzle toys
Weimaraners are great hunting dogs
Weimaraners were first bred to be companions for hunters and their natural prey drive makes them a great hunting breed. In the past they were used for hunting large game but in more recent years they’ve specialized in animals such as foxes, ducks, pheasants, rabbits and others.
Weimaraners are very versatile
While hunting and shows are two possible paths for Weimaraners, the breed is extremely versatile. Their natural enthusiasm for work, their intelligence and especially their sense of smell can make them great:
- Police service dogs
- Rescue dogs (people in rubble, natural disasters)
- Detection dogs (drugs)
- Service dogs for people with disabilites
Not only are they great in these fields, they are also used in canistherapy and dog sports such as agility, dog trekking, bikejoring (dog pulls a cyclist), etc.
If you don’t plan any of these for your Weim, don’t worry! They will be just as happy being a companion dog, as long as you exercise them adequately.
Weimaraners are incredibly cute
Whether it’s a Weimaraner puppy with sky blue eyes and floppy ears or an adult dog with amber eyes and still those floppy ears, they will be cute in any age and any situation.
Stole one of your socks and is staring at you with it flopping from their mouth? Cute!
Giving you the puppy eyes because they really need that piece of bacon on your plate because they haven’t eaten in 84 years? Cute!
Look into their eyes!
A Weim’s eyes start out sky blue and as they grow up from pups, they change into light to dark amber colors, some Weim may retain a hint of blue and have more silver eyes. Stunning!
Weimaraners are special
Weims are very goofy even if they don’t mean to be. Almost all (if not all) dogs of this breed sleep like this:
Are you decided yet? Or do you already own a Weim? Let me know in the comments below!
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I own a female Weimaraner 9 year old was a rescue dog I had her for 2 years lovely dog but doesn’t like being left on her own barks after me she barks in the car also tried collars but know good she clings to me all the time.Just the barking gets me.
Author
Hi Alan, unfortunately Weims are prone to separation anxiety. Have you tried leaving the TV on while you’re gone? Some dogs are calmed down by it. People even make a dummy out of their clothes. I made a separate article about separation anxiety and how to help, you can give it a read here and see if any of the suggestions work for you. It’s going to take some time but with some patience you can minimize the barking. Let me know how you get on! 🙂
deer antlers, have a (thing) that helps my dogs.
We have had 3 Weims, all Rescue. Great dogs.
Author
That’s amazing, thank you for giving a forever home to rescue Weims!
They are amazing dogs. It’s the only dog I ever wanted from the beginning … have never been without one since. So amazingly loving and smart.
Author
I agree! Smart, loving, mischievous, both energetic and lazy at the same time. Gotta love them! 🙂
Weimar are a gift from gods…sad their life expectancy is so short, they deserve to live 40 years…There is no way back once you experienced the life with a Weim on your sides….only pure joy that can’t be matched by anything else on earth. This joy has a hefty counter part…the infinite sadness when their life comes to its end. Dogs are amazing, all dogs…weimar are the king of dogs and the dog of kings.
Author
Weims are definitely a very special breed. No matter how long we have with our dogs, it’s never long enough.
I am on my 3rd Weim and for me there is no other dog with that much personality. They require constant attention but, they will be there for you when you need a friend.
This is the best dog I have ever had! I have had the following breeds: German Sheperd, Dachshund, Boxer, Doberman, Labrador, and currently have a 9-year-old Male Weimaraner and his companion 7-year-old
wire-haired Jack Russell. I recently married and my wife is a Daschund lover, so we also have a 7-year-old miniature sausage. They all get on like a house on fire. If I may give a word of advice – through the years I have noticed that when you leave for an extended period of time, during the day, dogs, in general, need a small confined space to feel safe and they generally sleep while you are away. Mind you, I do walk about 45 minutes with them in the morning and in the evening.
well hello! i own two whinnie wimies – clyde just turned 20 on feb. 18, he is fine, lots of bumps and cannot hear but he is a happy dog. he is a rescue from dea they have great noses! my other is almost 3 very smart! watch out they can live long- they are a life saving dog.
Author
Oh my god, 20 years? That is amazing! You should definitely sign him up for A Guiness World Records or something, from what I know, the oldest recorded Weim was 18 years and 10 months old! What a precious boy you have, give him a cuddle from me. 🙂
After we lost our 1st weim to cancer, she was 8 yrs old, we said no more, the pain was too much. We made it 8 mos and I started looking at weim rescues. To make a long story short, we have a 4 yr old, Luna, that we got when she was 2. She is the love of our lives, and really helped us heal.
Growing up, my family were big dog lovers so I had experience with German shepherds, collies, dachshunds, labs, huskies, papillons… You name it! But somehow I’d never even met a weimaraner.
Last year my husband surprised me with the most adorable critter I’d ever seen. He’s actually half weim and half blue heeler. He looks identical to a full blooded weimaraner in size and body structure except his coat is deep black with a white stripe on his chest.
Reading your article made me realize his behavior is also spot on with the weimaraner breed. He’s incredibly smart, absolutely fearless, goofy as all get out and definitely a “Velcro dog.”
He makes us laugh every day and will go from exerting boundless energy to becoming the sweetest cuddle bug you could ask for.
He’s not quite a year and a half yet but he already seems so intuitive when it comes to his behavior in any given situation.
Thank you for your article, it was really great to have some insight into the breed since my big fella was the only experience I’ve had so far with them.
I have a feeling there will be more Weimaraners in my future!
Hi,
I want to get a dog and I am seriously thinking a Weinheimer. What is their coat like to touch soft or hard?
Author
Weimaraner’s coat is soft and smooth to the touch, kind of silky. Definitely not hard.
make sure you do your research, I have had 3 weims from folks that thought they wanted one. they are very smart. and they get board and can be very destructive. I have never found a kennel that will hold them. I like a pack, so I almost always have 3 at any given time, Boy dogs seem to be more (i care what you think) kind of a dog. where my girls know they are (all that) and do what they want. if you get a puppy train as if they are grown. all my weims are pushing a 100 pounds. I would never have anything but a weim. I love a smart dog.
Our Weim was the best dog we ever had. Exercised twice a day in a large field – he was terrific at fetch and frisbee. Smart, loyal, family oriented, extremely gentle with our kids from the day they were born. Never aggressive except twice in 14 years and both times he appropriately frightened off an aggressive intruder. Loved loved loved that dog! A lab purchased afterward was more docile and very sweet natured but also didn’t have the personality and sharp intellect of the Weim. Until the day he died, he checked on everyone in the household every night before he layed down and, if you gout up in the night, he followed you to the bathroom and waited outside, escorting you back to bed before returning to his bed on the floor. Incredible companion.
Well I’ve had plenty of breeds of dogs are down from a multi to German bread Rottweilers in a hybrid wolf next Alaskan malamute and wolf currently have a female German shepherd that building her confidence back up before she goes to her new owner from a rescue and from doing this job with her the rescue hasn’t given me a weim she is a puppy not sure how old but received her today her name is Timbeit n she bonded w me instantly. I don’t know much about the breed except what I’ve read today on this page. Myself and my kids are very active the only downside is I work up to 60 hrs a week but spend all my free time outdoors w my kids and which ever dog I am getting back to its self after a traumatic event in their life any advice about Weims is very welcome seems how I’m new to the breed
I am wondering if a Weimaraner is going to be suitable for us ….
I love all that I have read but … We are retired so no worries about separation issues my worries are destructive behaviour. We like to walk
Author
Hi Kim, bear in mind Weimaraners are very high energy and need at least 2 hours of excercise daily plus mental excercise with puzzle toys, etc. Dogs are only really destructive when they’re bored or highly anxious. If you can target boredom and exercise, then Weim would be a good dog.
I don’t know if you’d like a puppy but they are a lot and they tend to calm down around 2 or 3 years of age. Maybe since you’re retired I’d consider adopting an adult dog. I’ve been compiling a resource with Weimaraner rescues in all states, so you can check those out.