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Weimaraner

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Weimaraner

The Weimaraner's coat colour led to its nickname of "the Grey Ghost".

Other names

Weimaraner Vorstehhund

Nicknames

Weim Grey Ghost

Country of origin

Germany

[hide]Traits [show]Classification and standards

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)


The Weimaraner (English pronunciation: /vamrnr/, VYE-m-rah-nr) is a dog that was originally bred for hunting in the early 19th century. Early Weimaraners were used by royalty for hunting large game such as

boar, bear, and deer. As the popularity of large game hunting began to decline, Weimaraners were used for hunting smaller animals like fowl, rabbits, and foxes. The Weimaraner is an all purpose gun dog. The name comes from the Grand Duke of Saxe-WeimarEisenach, Karl August, whose court, based in the city of Weimar (now in modern day Germany), enjoyed hunting.

Contents
[hide]

1 History 2 Description

2.1 Appearance

2.1.1 Coat and color 2.1.2 Size

2.2 Temperament 2.3 Behavior Disorders

3 Health 4 Weimaraners in popular culture 5 Image gallery 6 References


[edit]

History
This section may contain original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding references. Statements consisting only of original research may be removed. More details may be available on the talk page. (May 2010)

Grand Duke Karl August of Weimar

The Weimaraner breed was originally bred for hunting Lions. Today's breed standards developed in the 19th century, although dogs having very similar features to the Weimaraner have been attested as far back as 13th century in the court of Louis IX of France. One theory is that the ancestor is the St. Habertus Branchen[verification needed]. Though these dogs are black, they can produce a grey dog when bred. Like the Vizsla at the time, the breed was created exclusively for the nobility and alike. The aim was to create a noble-looking, reliable gundog. As ownership was restricted, the breed was highly prized and lived with the family. This was unusual, as during this period, hunting dogs were kept in kennels in packs. This has resulted in a dog that needs to be near humans and that quickly deteriorates when kennelled. The Weimaraner was an all purpose family dog, capable of guarding the home, hunting with the family, and of course, being loving and loyal towards children. Originally, Germany was possessive of its skilled all-purpose gundog. But starting in the late 19th century the breed became increasingly common throughout Europe and the United States. Although slower than many other gundogs, such as Pointers, the Weimaraner is thorough and this made it a welcome addition to the sportsman's household. Furthermore, its happy, lively temperament endeared it to families, although it is perhaps too lively for families with young children. Unfortunately, with the rise in popularity, some careless matches were made and some inferior specimens were produced. Since then, both in Britain and America (where the breed remains popular) breeders have taken care to breed for quality and purpose. [edit] [edit]

Description
Appearance

The Weimaraner is elegant and athletic in appearance. All parts of the dog should be in balance with each other, creating a form that is pleasing to the eye. It must be capable of working in the field, regardless of whether it is from show stock or hunting stock, and faults that will interfere with working ability are heavily penalized. Traditionally, the tail is docked to a third of its natural length shortly after birth. This is part of the AKC breed standard. However, these alterations have since been illegalized in several other countries; as such those dogs are shown with their natural tails (which is uncommon). The eyes of the Weimaraner may be light amber, grey, or blue-grey. [edit] Coat and color

A long-haired Weimaraner

This breed's short and coat and its unusual eyes give it a regal appearance different from any other breed. The coat is extremely low maintenance, short, hard, and smooth to the touch, and may range from charcoal-blue to mouse-grey to silver-grey. Where the fur is thin or non-existent, inside the ears or on the lips, for example, the skin should be a pinkish tone rather than white or black. In November 2009 and January 1, 2010 the United Kennel Club (UKC) removed the disqualification from both Blue and Longhair Weimaraners. UKC now considers the blue colour to be an eliminating fault. A black coat remains an automatic disqualification, though a small white marking in the chest area only is permitted. However, dogs with blue coats are not disqualified from field competition and are recognized as purebred Weimaraners by the AKC. There is another incidental variety, described as having the 'mark of the hound', where the dog is the usual grey colour but with faint tan markings (similar to Doberman). It's said that early in the breed this was a common colour that was selectively bred out. A long-haired variety is recognized by most kennel clubs around the world except in North America. The long-haired Weimaraner has a silky coat, with an undocked, feathered tail. The gene is recessive, so breeding will produce some long-haired puppies only if both parents carry the trait. [edit] Size According to the AKC standard, the male Weimaraner stands between 25 and 27 inches (6368 cm) at the withers. Females are between 23 and 25 inches (5863 cm). Of course, there are many dogs taller or shorter than the breed standard. The breed is not heavy for its height, and males normally weigh roughly 70-80 pounds. Females are generally between 55-70 lbs (25-32kgs). A Weimaraner should give the appearance of a muscular, athletic dog. [edit]

Temperament

Weimaraners are highly athletic and trainable, characteristics which allow them to excel in a variety of dog sports, such as agility

Weimaraners are fast and powerful dogs, but are suitable home animals given appropriate training and exercise. These dogs are not as sociable towards strangers as other hunting dogs such as Labradors and Golden Retrievers. Weimaraners are very protective of their family and can be very territorial. They can be aloof to strangers, and must be thoroughly socialized when young to prevent aggression. When intimidated or angered, a weimaraner's hair will spike up on the middle of its back and the tail will point directly upward and the iris and pupil of its eyes might widen.They are also highly intelligent, sensitive and problem-solving animals, which earned them an epithet "dog with a human brain". They are ranked 21st in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs, being of excellent working/obedience intelligence. From adolescence, a Weimaraner requires extensive exercise in keeping with an energetic hunting dog breed prized for their physical endurance and stamina. No walk is too far, and they will appreciate games and play in addition. An active owner is more likely to provide the vigorous exercising, games, or running that this breed absolutely requires. Weimaraners are high-strung and often wear out their owners, requiring appropriate training to learn how to calm them and to help them learn to control their behavior. Owners need patience and consistent, firm yet kind training, as this breed is particularly rambunctious during the first year and a half of its life. This breed is known for having a penchant for stealing food from table and counter tops whenever given the chance. Like many breeds, untrained and unconfined young dogs often create their own fun when left alone, such as chewing house quarters and furniture. Thus, many that are abandoned have behavioural issues as a result of isolation and inferior exercise. Weimaraners are generally good with children, but may not be appropriate for smaller children due to their tendency to knock a child down in the course of play. They also may knock over elderly people or children by accident. Early training to sit through positive reinforcement is critical to prevent jumping in the future. It should never be forgotten that the Weimaraner is a hunting dog and therefore has a strong, instinctive prey drive. Weimaraners will sometimes tolerate cats, as long as they are introduced to the cats as puppies, but many will chase and frequently kill almost any small animal that enters their garden or backyard. In rural areas, most Weimaraners will not hesitate to chase deer or sheep. This breed of dog tends to be very stubborn. However, with good training, these instincts can be curtailed to some degree. A properly trained Weimaraner is a companion that will never leave its master's side. The Weimaraner has been given the nickname "Velcro Dog", as when once acclimated to its owner, sticks to its

owner at all times. Many Weimaraners tend to lean on their owner when sitting or standing, and most will insist on sleeping on their owner's bed unless trained otherwise. [edit]

Behavior Disorders

Alert adult Weimaraner

Since they were bred to be true members of a family, some Weimaraners suffer from severe separation anxiety. Manifestations of this behavior disorder include panicked efforts to rejoin the owner when separation occurs, excessive drooling, destructive behaviors, associated injuries such as broken teeth or cut lips and barking loudly. Most just wait on the couch or by the window for you to come back home. Behavior modification training and medications may reduce the severity of symptoms associated with this disorder in some Weimaraners. However, the breed is generally refractory to such treatment and behavior modification training efforts. As individuals of the breed age the severity of separation anxiety symptoms decreases somewhat, but does not completely abate. More common, lighter manifestations of separation anxiety include wailing, which mimics a high pitched crying tone. This is more pronounced when the Weim's owner has just left or is audibly returning home. If properly socialized young, the tendency for separation anxiety may be reduced. [edit]

Health

According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Weimaraners suffer from low rates of dysplasia. The breed is ranked 102nd of 153 total breeds and has a very high test rate and a very high percentage of excellent rating among those dogs tested.[1] It is generally recommended to acquire Weimeraners only from breeders who have their dogs' hips tested using OFA or PennHIP methods. As a deep-chested dog, the Weimaraner is prone to bloat or gastric torsion, a very serious condition that can cause painful and rapid death when left untreated. It occurs when the stomach twists itself, thereby pinching off blood vessels and the routes of food traveling in or out. Symptoms include signs of general distress, discomfort, no bowel movement or sounds, and a swollen stomach. Immediate medical attention is imperative when bloat occurs and surgery is the only option if it is caught early enough. One way to help prevent bloat is to spread out the Weimaraner's feedings to at least twice daily and to avoid any vigorous exercise right after feedings. It is also recommended that the dog's feeding dish not be

placed on a raised platform to discourage it from gobbling its food too quickly and keep air from entering the stomach. Other health issues include: Cryptorchidism[2] Elbow dysplasia[3] Distichiasis[2] Von Willebrands Disease[2] Entropion[3] Hypothyroidism[2] Hypertrophic osteodystrophy[3] Pituitary dwarfism[2][3] Hypomyelinogenesis[3] Renal dysplasia[3] Progressive retinal atrophy [edit]

Weimaraners in popular culture


In the 2002 Jennifer Lopez film Maid in Manhattan, senatorial candidate Chris Marshall (Ralph Fiennes) owns a Weimaraner, which appears in multiple scenes. On the show Trailer Park Boys, the character Julian dances with a "dirty old dog", which is a Weimaraner. The first president and founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatrk, had a Weimaraner called Fox. US President Dwight D. Eisenhower owned a Weimaraner named Heidi French President Valry Giscard d'Estaing owned a Weimaraner called Jugurtha, who is said to have had such human habits as laughing or drinking tea The photographs of William Wegman prominently feature Weimaraners. His dogs (which included Man Raynamed after artist Man Rayand Fay Raya play on Fay Wray) are the subject of his photos, dressed in human clothes. These pictures are popular both in galleries of contemporary art and as pop culture icons. These "dogs with hands" have appeared frequently on Sesame Street, and occasionally on Saturday Night Live. A Weimaraner was also the subject of the music video for Blue Monday by the rock band New Order.

A neurotic Weimaraner named Beatrice (played by Can. Ch. Arokat's Echobar Take Me Dancing) is featured in the movie Best in Show. Dan Solley, acclaimed Viewpoints columnist for The Daily Gamecock owns a female Weimaraner named Millie. A Weimaraner was used in the Sylvester Stallone movie "Daylight" (1996). Actor Hosea Chanchez (CW's The Game) owns a Weimaraner puppy named Brando. Singer Kate Bush poses with two Weimaraner on the cover of her 1985 album Hounds of Love A cowardly Weimaraner named Hyena plays a minor role in the Japanese series Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin. Brad Pitt owns a Weimaraner named Purdy[1] Actor Esai Morales (NYPD Blue) owns a Weimaraner named Frankie Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor had a female Weimaraner named Daisy May. In the 2007 film Juno, Brenda MacGuff (Juno's stepmother played by Allison Janney) loves Weimaraners. Her fondness for dogs is frustrated by her stepdaughter's allergy to their saliva. During an argument, she exclaims, "When you move out, I'm getting two Weimaraners!", to which Juno responds, in a loud, short burst, "Whoa! Dream big!". In the end sequence of the film, she is seen playing with a pair of them on her front lawn as Juno (played by Ellen Page) bikes off towards the closing scene. Grace Kelly (later Princess Grace of Monaco) had a Weimaraner, and there are photos of her playing with him during her trip to Monaco before her marriage to Prince Rainier. Bestselling novelist Fiona Walker owns a Weimaraner called Pudding. A Weimaraner features on the cover of the album The Best of the Pogues F1 racing driver Mark Webber owns a Weimaraner, Shadow. A Weimaraner also makes an appearance in the movie Fever Pitch staring Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore. Four were used in the video for the Pet Shop Boys song - I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More in 2002 [edit]

Image gallery

3 month old Six month old Weimeraner, sitting in his garden


[edit]

A 1 year old Weimaraner dog (male) on a Hunt, Point and Retrieve exercise

Weimaraner puppy

References
This article needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2007)

1. 2.

^ See www,OFFA.org for statistics ^ a b c d e http://www.weimclubamerica.org/health/index.html Weimaraner Club of America: List of common problems afflicting Weimaraners

3.

^ a b c d e f http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/breeds/weimaraner2.htm Canine Inherited Disorders Database

[1] [2]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Weimaraner

Weimaraner at the Open Directory Project

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Breeds of gundog

Categories: Sporting dogs | Dog breeds originating in Europe | Dog breeds originating in Germany
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