Is a Weimaraner for you?

The following are my thoughts on Weimaraners (the breed Weimaraner is pronounced VI-mer-RON-er); this may help you decide if this is the breed for you.  I love them, of course, but potential owners need to be realistic about their expectations of the breed.  Research on the internet, talk to as many breeders as you can, go to dog shows and events and see the dogs in action, and meet the dogs themselves before you make a firm decision.  I encourage you to learn as much as you can BEFORE reserving your "dream puppy"!
 
There are many excellent books and magazines on Weimaraners; contact  www.amazon.com, and local book stores like Borders, and Barnes & Noble.  Local pet supply stores like Petsmart and Petco have them, and dog shows are another good source.  Also see the links to the Western Washington Weimaraner Club and the Weimaraner Club of America for more information.  
 
Weimaraners were originally bred to hunt large and small game in the Weimar area of Germany, and later to point and retrieve birds, most often upland type birds.  This pointing breed is several centuries old and thought to have been produced by breeding Bloodhounds (hence their excellent scenting ability) with smaller sporting/gun breeds, and possibly even some Greyhound blood (hence their speed).  Weimaraners are known for being "versatile" hunting dogs, and are happy to hunt and run in the fields all day long.  Often, hunters would just keep their dogs outside, but Weimaraner lovers quickly learned that this breed makes an excellent house pet for the family, as well.  
 
They are wonderful family dogs, they love children and enjoy going for rides in the car, and are up for any adventure that you are!  They are perfect jogging companions, and are excellent at playing fetch.  They enjoy camping, hiking and going for walks in the park, and especially like off-leash parks, as they generally will play with other dogs for hours.  They are excellent hunting companions. They do very well in the show rings, competing in conformation and performance events, such as obedience, tracking, agility and hunting/field trials.  And after a day of fun, they will love to snuggle up with the family on the couch and watch TV.   
      
Weimaraners should be happy, friendly dogs, and have a resilient, inquiring manner; some Weimars can seem aloof at first but will warm up and then want lots of attention.  They love people and get along well with other dogs.  They have a prey drive, as they are hunting dogs, so they will readily chase small animals, such as rabbits and birds, unless they are raised with specific pets and taught to leave them alone (I have raised my dogs with other pets and they do just fine). 
 
Weimars are quite biddable and trainable, and need structured obedience training classes.  They are extremely intelligent and have long memories, and thus, can get themselves into mischief unless given plenty of interaction and things to do.  They can also be stubborn and independent at times, due to their high intelligence.  Weimars need an owner who has strong leadership capabilities and who won't let their Weimar walk all over them!  
 
They are HIGH ENERGY, and need LOTS of exercise, or they can become frustrated and thus destructive and nuisance barkers.  You can do just about anything with this breed, they love doing new activities and participating in anything you do.  As they say, "the only thing you can't do with a Weimaraner is nothing!"   -They need exercise!
 
Weimars are house dogs (they don't have much coat and get COLD!), needing to be part of the family, inside the home, and accompanying their family on excursions.  They don't do well when left alone for long periods of time on an ongoing basis, or they can become anxious, as they love being with their family and having things to do.  They tend to be good alarm dogs and will certainly bark when strangers approach, but most aren't focused on intense guarding, so will readily welcome visitors into your home. 
 
They are premier field dogs, doing well on upland birds or even water fowl; many who hunt with a Weimar for the first time say they will never hunt under any other breed again!  They are very muscular, fast, athletic dogs and can run like the wind and jump like a gazelle, so they are great at performance events, like advanced obedience and agility.  It also means they can be fence-jumpers, unless properly contained in a high fence and trained (none of my Weimars have ever been fence-jumpers.)  
    
There are health issues that can occur in the Weimaraner (like in any breed or mixed-breed), the most prevalent and devastating being Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) which can result in Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD).  Weimaraners may also have other health issues, such as genetic eye disease like Progessive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and eye problems like entropion eyelids, skin problems (due to the dilute factor gene) and immune system over-reaction to certain combination vaccines.  Please contact your local veterinarian, and the WCA, AVMA, PennHIP, OFA and CERF (links on this website) for more information about breed-specific health issues.  Buying a puppy from a reputable breeder who health-screens and certifies their breeding dogs and warranties their puppies, is the best way to ensure you get a healthy dog.
 
Weimaraners need a home with dedicated, active owners who will make the dog part of the family at all times; they refuse to be ignored and demand very doting people to care for them.  Of course, all dogs (of any breed or mixed-breed) have individual personalities just like people do, and need to be dealt with accordingly.  Environment plays a huge role in how any dog turns out, and thus a well-bred, quality dog raised with the proper training, socialization, care and love should turn out to be a pretty good dog. 
 
***I recommend reading "Cesar's Way" by Cesar Millan- it is an excellent book filled with important information on successful dog ownership.  And although somewhat dated, I also like "Mother Knows Best" by Carol Lea Benjamin; it is an excellent basic, common-sense dog training book.  
 
Weimaraners are wonderful, loving, happy dogs with lots of energy and comical personalities; they will make you laugh and smile on a daily basis, and are a pleasure to share your life with!