Weimaraner

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Weimaraner

Weimaraner Characteristics

Size:
Grooming Needs:
Exercise Needs:
Good With Dogs:
Watchdog Ability:

Weimaraner Breed Information

Breed Group: Sporting

Weight: 70-85 lbs

Height: Male: 25-27; Female: 23-25 inches

Color(s): Mouse-gray to silver-gray

Overview

The Weimaraner is a centuries old breed from Germany. They are pointers and retrievers that possess many talents. The Weimaraner is utilized in various capacities such as police work, search and rescue, and tracking. This breed is athletic and moderately large.

Character

The Weimaraner is a versatile breed that has both the intellect and energy to accomplish almost anything. They are friendly, alert, and willing to please. The Weimaraner is muscular yet graceful in motion. They are generally gentle and protective companions.

Temperament

The Weimaraner is happy and cheerful, highly intelligent and loving. They can be very willful and opinionated. This breed exhibits a truly unique personality. They are passionate and reliable. The Weimaraner prefers to live inside as a member of the family. They require companionship and attention and do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. This breed gets along well with other dogs but not cats. They are not recommended for very young children or the elderly as they could easily knock them down. The Weimaraner is brave and loyal.

Care

The Weimaraner's smooth, short coat is easy to care for. Brushing should be done with a firm bristle brush. They should only be bathed when absolutely necessary. They do well with occasional dry shampooing. They should have their feet and mouth inspected for damage after exercise or work sessions. The Weimaraner is prone to bloating, so small meals two times a day are best. They may suffer from hip dysplasia but are generally healthy.

Coat

The Weimaraner has a fine, short, sleek gray coat. The color ranges from a mouse gray to a silver gray. The distinctive color led to this breed being nicknamed the Silver Ghost or Gray Ghost. The Weimaraner's coat color is a rarity among dog breeds.

Training

The Weimaraner is full of energy. They are eager to learn and please and are motivated by rewards such as treats or praise. This breed does not respond to harsh discipline and once mistrustful will avoid any and all further attempts of training. The Weimaraner excels at obedience, agility, hunting and showing.

Activity

The Weimaraner requires strenuous exercise and stimulation. They love to play ball, romp, hike, and hunt. They must have room to roam and be given many opportunities to release their energy. Therefore, a large yard is preferred and is best for them. They do not kennel well and are not a breed for owners who lead sedentary lifestyles. The Weimaraner must be given sufficient exercise to prevent them from becoming bored, barking excessively, or being destructive.

Ask a Question Weimaraner Questions & Answers

QUESTION: what should the weight be for an eight week old weimaraner puppy?

Anonymous - 4/19/2012 2:27:09 PM

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I have two weimeraners and the oldest one is blind and used to chew the door knobs off when we would leave. We got the other one and he behaves so much better. He may just need a companion

Anonymous - 5/8/2012 8:33:45 PM

QUESTION: i have a 1 and 1/2 year old neutered male weimeraner and everytime we leave for work we return to find he has pissed all over the couch, the same spot. we walk him and let him out prior to leaving and again when we return we dont give him a ton of water when were gone and were gone no more than 6 hours at a time. any solutions to make him stop

Anonymous - 4/16/2012 6:58:25 PM

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the best thing to do is buy a crate that is just big enough for the dog to lay in so it will not pee in cause it will not what to lay in its own pee thays what we do

Anonymous - 5/12/2012 9:53:40 PM

QUESTION: Good afternoon, my name is Peter and I need some advice. I have a Weimaraner (BITCH) and she got pregnant with a German Shepherd's puppies. She had 7 pups all male, all black almost no white. Firstly what are they called? Secondly why does the mother want to bite her pups? She wants to be with them but she bites and growls at them when they try and feed, and why are they all male? Will the puppies change color or will they stay all black? We did get milk from our Vet to feed the pups and stimulate them so everything is fine, keeping them nice and warm to. Thanks

Anonymous - 4/15/2012 6:02:23 AM

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QUESTION: I have a Weimaraner that is just over a year old that sleeps out side and every morning at around 5:30-6:00 am he's cries what can I do to make him stop?

Anonymous - 4/11/2012 9:47:15 AM

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We have had several Weimaraners and they were both treated like members of the family. Could the dog have a cushion / mat / pad inside the family room, the den, someplace in the house? I am sure your Weimie just wants to be part of the family. He's probably been asleep since dark and wants to get the day going, be fed, etc. They are also not an overly warm breed and need good blankets in the winter. Our dog uses a blanket in the house all winter -- and we live in Florida. Do yourself a favor and include your dog into your household. I don't think you will regret it and you will have a grateful, loyal-for-life canine companion. Weimies need emotional bonding and care and support from their owners. They are much more sensitive than many standard breeds -- and they love to feel the love. Be generous! And enjoy for the rest of his life!

Anonymous - 4/15/2012 11:18:20 AM

Separation anxiety. We have a Weimaraner who sleeps outside our bedroom door but knows the word bed and goes very obediently and he knows that when we are in bed he cannot come in. while we watch tv he comes in for a cuddle til bedtime then we get restful sleep and he knows where we are

Anonymous - 4/14/2012 5:44:54 PM

QUESTION: Just got our 1st Weimaraner 4 days ago, she was rescued from getting sent to pound< she is 6 months old, they think, I have 5 children ranging from 16 to 16 months, she has been great, and we are a full energy family, so she fits well, and came house broke, but that is the only thing she is. I have only trained German Shepherds, and she is very different from them, her attention span is very short, is it too late to get he to stop jumping, and learn basic commands? what are the best ways to teach her.. Thank you.

Anonymous - 4/6/2012 1:18:54 PM

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I got my weimaraner at 10 months and he used to jump all the time. After doing all the usual ignoring and making him sit before greeting he doesnt jump up at the family or visitors. He still does it with me who he has chosen as the pack leader but i am trying treats when i come in to settle him and stop the jumping but you need plenty of time to sort it out. My youngest child is 13 so i didnt have the same problem as yourself with a toddler

Anonymous - 4/14/2012 5:48:43 PM

My Weimaraner puppy was the same way! They only respond to positive reinforcement, never being scolded. The best thing I ever did was buy a harness to train her not to jump. It is not like a traditional harness but one that fits around the muzzle. The leash attatches to a ring under the mouth. It is perfectly loose when they stand properly but pulls their head down when they pull on the leash or jump up. They hate the head being pulled so they stop doing it! I put it on her for walks and whenever new people were around and with a lot of praise she didnt jump for the 12 years we had her. We are expecting a new pup next month and I will be doing the same thing. Good luck.

Anonymous - 4/13/2012 9:15:39 PM

QUESTION: Would a Weimaraner be suitable as a guide/service dog?

Anonymous - 3/23/2012 10:14:52 AM

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QUESTION: mixed weimarainer and pit age about seven years. she has always been hard for us to handle and is aggressive to all who come to the house. lately she has started barking at my wife and i when we walk out of her sight. we are an elderly couple concerned that she might turn on us could this be the beginning of aggression toward us?

Anonymous - 3/7/2012 11:04:32 PM

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I have a foster dog that is the same mix with pit. He is so loving but very protective of me. I can't walk into another room without him following me. My only issue is that he hates my cats (but good with my other 2 dogs). It's not agression, it's love and protection. You have nothing to fear. He is watching over you both ;)

Anonymous - 5/13/2012 8:17:26 PM

QUESTION: Are Weimaraner's good with horses?

Anonymous - 2/26/2012 8:10:27 PM

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Yes. They are very good with horses. I have 2 weimaraners & they love our horses.

Anonymous - 3/11/2012 5:46:43 AM

QUESTION: How old do Weimaraner'slive to?

Anonymous - 2/26/2012 8:08:10 PM

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In genral, their life expectancy is about 10-12yrs for the Weimaraner. However nothing is carved in stone.

Anonymous - 2/29/2012 1:35:19 AM

QUESTION: Are Weimaraner dogs naturally bobbed tailed?

Anonymous - 2/12/2012 7:43:10 PM

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No. Weimaraner's are docked shortly after birth.

Anonymous - 2/14/2012 7:41:03 AM

QUESTION: i have a weimaraner puppy yesterday he was hit by a car today he is not acting like himself what could be wrong with him should i take him to the vet

Anonymous - 2/11/2012 9:19:02 PM

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Yes, of course. Internal injuries can be serious if not fatal! Your weimaraner is probably in a lot of pain!

Anonymous - 2/16/2012 4:32:23 PM

QUESTION: what is a good hip score

Anonymous - 2/2/2012 1:11:43 PM

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QUESTION: Just rescued about a 6 month old Weimaraner that was left on our road. She is very very leary of people. Any suggestions on why and how to fix this would be greatly appretiated.

Anonymous - 1/10/2012 2:11:02 AM

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The previous poster summed it up nicely.... I've had 2 Weimaraners, , first lasted 13.5 yrs!!! BOLD and outgoing and my BEST FIEND on the planet! (a male)... My second, (a female) became VERY timid...(looking back, I Blame MYSELF 100%)... I wasn't "mean", but she wasn't the dog my first was and NEEDED treated totaly different than my male. "I" was the stupid one in the eaquation....NOT HER.. My point.... be VERY Tender and LOVING ! In TIME,,and it may take ALOT of time too,,,but she WILL come around. (And you'll be SO VERY THANKFUL "when" you see the rewards, believe me! IF you do not have ALOT of patience....she may not be the "project" for you?? I say this cuz she can and may slide backwards at that ONE time when you loose your patience and yell at her.... then,,,, you get to start all over again....? But,,to me,,,THEY ARE WORTH IT.... you won't believe how unbelievably SMART they are !!!!

Anonymous - 3/4/2012 8:24:01 PM

Weimaraner's are a skiddish breed to begin with. She should start to calm down and be more receptive with ALOT of TLC, treats and quality time with you and your family. Don't yell or scream at her. Above all do not use any type of physical force or restraint. Be very patient and she will come around. Let me know how she is doing. I hope things owrk out.

Anonymous - 1/20/2012 1:21:33 PM

QUESTION: IS THE Weimaraner BREED OF DOGS MORE HARDER TO STOP FOOD AGGRESSION WHEN THEY HAVE ALREADY STARTED FOOD AGGRESSION IS IT DUE TO THEIR DRIVE THAT THEY HAVE !!!! IM AN OWNER OF AN AMERICAN BULL DOGS & PIT & I GOT A NEW PUP MY 6 MONTH OLD WEIMARANER AND HE HAS BEEN THE HARDEST ON OUT OF THEM ALL

Anonymous - 1/6/2012 7:47:46 PM

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QUESTION: HI I HAVE A 6 MONTH OLD WEIMARANER PUP AND IM HAVING A MAJOR PROBLEM WHEN EATING HE IS SO FOOD AGGRESSIVE HE IS TRYING TO BITE ME. NOW I HAVE TRIED EVERTHING THAT I KNOW BEING A DOG OWER AND LOVER. I NEED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT'S MY RESPONSIBLTY TO FIX HIM WHAT CAN I DO? I DONT KNOW IF THE PROBLEM CAME WITH HIM OR STARTED AFTER I GOT HIM

Anonymous - 1/5/2012 10:37:04 PM

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I had similar issues with my first weimaraner,,, eventually,(at about 10 months of age), he tried to bite me while I was feeding him?? (apparently I wasn't pouring fast enough I guess??)..anyway,, we BOTH WENT INTO HIS DOG HOUSE, and when it was over, we were BOTH Bleeding, and BOTH of us had battle scars,,, BUT,,,in the end, he KNEW who "The Boss" was. He pushed the "authority" thing from the day I got him... I realize this may not be for everyone, but it worked for me? I've had Weimar's since 1990. Good luck,,,you'll ENJOY your pup !

Anonymous - 3/4/2012 8:33:41 PM

Feed your weim at the same time everday around 8:00am and 5:00pm they like order in ever thing !

Anonymous - 1/17/2012 5:16:47 PM

One thing to consider is your Weimaraner is still a pup which is a plus, because getting rid of those aggressive habits early will be much easier. My two weims were both very aggressive at that age. I don't know if your interested in breeding him, but one option to relieve that aggressive characteristic would be to get him neutered. Also, he won't feel the need to mark his territory on all your furniture in the next several months...learned from experience. It makes them a lot more calm, but just as playful and loyal as before the vet visit.

Anonymous - 1/6/2012 3:39:17 PM

QUESTION: How old do Weimaraner pups have to be before you cut there tails off?

Anonymous - 1/4/2012 5:02:12 PM

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I have been told they should be docked when they are 2 days old. This is what all the books said when researching before we got our dog.

Anonymous - 4/11/2012 12:07:51 PM

I've only seen a Weimaraner with a tail.... Looked REALLY weird??? Only cuz I've only ever seen short tails on them.... And YES....THAT TAIL WAS A WEAPON !

Anonymous - 3/4/2012 8:36:27 PM

My vet recommended latest by 5 days after birth. (along with dew nails)

Anonymous - 1/23/2012 9:35:28 PM

The sooner the better, but there is no true age concern, just those tails are on over drive all the time.

Anonymous - 1/6/2012 3:40:28 PM

QUESTION: We just adopted a Weimaraner from the animal shelter, she is approx 12weeks old and has no history on her or her parents. After being home for a few days she started showing signs of knuckling. We had our first vet appointment the same day and the vet told us to feed her Large Breed puppy food 3 times a day. The knuckling became worse. After some research and talking to other folks who have had the same issue with their puppies, it seems I should actually feed my Weim 2 times a day eating regular puppy food. It's only been 4 days since feeding her like this and it seems like it's getting better. BUT my question is.... What is actually correct? How can I help my Weim at home to get better? I have 2 weeks to go till her next vet appointment... Any help is appreciated!

Anonymous - 12/14/2011 11:24:53 PM

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Hi it sounds like your Weimaraner puppy might have HOD, she needs to be on an adult low fat/calorie food in order to prevent an HOD flare (which is awful). My 7 month old weim has HOD and has gone through two flares, everything you feed her has to be low fat so that her growth will slow down. Another concern could be pano which feeding a low fat food also helps. If she does have HOD and goes into a flare (not eating, drinking, can't stand or walk, high fever) make sure your vet puts her on prednisone right away it's the only medication that works for weims. Absolutely no puppy food, it is too fatty for a pup who is growing too quick. Luckily if she does have it she will grow out of it! Good luck!

Anonymous - 1/5/2012 2:14:21 PM

QUESTION: I have a one and a half year old blue weimeraner and she drinks alot of water is this normal?

Anonymous - 11/29/2011 8:24:40 PM

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We have one weimeraner who loves to drink water also. But you must be careful not to let them drink to much because weimeraners are known for bloating.

Anonymous - 1/8/2012 2:36:35 PM

We have 2 weims, a 5 year old blue and a 4 year old grey, and the grey has consistently been a heavy water drinker. How long have you had your blue? If the heavy drinking of water is a new thing, she may need her blood glucose checked, but if it's something that is ongoing I wouldn't worry.

Anonymous - 12/2/2011 1:45:08 PM

QUESTION: We bought a weimaraner in March, shes now almost 9 months old, but still has a severe biting probleM. Any suggestions on how to train her?

Anonymous - 11/9/2011 1:29:20 PM

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try keeping a little bottle of lemon juice in a spray bottle in your pocket so when your Weimaraner bites you she'll asociate the bite with a the bad lemon juice

Anonymous - 12/10/2011 3:11:44 PM

QUESTION: I have a ten month female weimeraner and we found an 8 month female weimeraner. What are the pros and cons of this?

Anonymous - 11/6/2011 10:34:21 AM

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QUESTION: what is the average size of a litter of puppies

Anonymous - 10/28/2011 3:00:35 PM

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6 pups

Anonymous - 3/23/2012 5:32:55 PM

7-10 is average.

Anonymous - 1/23/2012 9:36:42 PM

QUESTION: My 3 year old female weimeraner does not sleep all night long. She gets up 1 to 2 times a night. My husband starting feeding her at 4 AM and now we don't know how to break the habit.

Anonymous - 10/16/2011 12:50:04 PM

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First; Get on a ONCE AND FOR ALL feeding program ! Pick the times, (say 8:00am and 5:30pm,,,or whatever works for ya'lls schedule?), Then, just kennel your weimeraner up (Crate her) at night. (say 10:00pm to 6:00am ?) Problem solved....in a few days that is....

Anonymous - 3/4/2012 8:46:44 PM

QUESTION: where can I get scuba gear for my Weimaraner

Anonymous - 10/11/2011 7:01:18 PM

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QUESTION: I have a female Weimaraner who is spade. She is thriteen months old, when should I take her off puppy food and put her on adult food?

Anonymous - 10/11/2011 11:07:24 AM

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18 months for a Weimaraner her size, put her on a junior food now and adult at 18 months

Anonymous - 12/23/2011 10:45:17 AM

QUESTION: I have a nine month old male weimaraner and wondering how old he needs to be to breed.

Anonymous - 9/21/2011 5:16:56 PM

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Not before 3 years old!

Anonymous - 3/11/2012 5:48:40 AM

PLEASE,don't take offence to my response if you need to ask this question maybe you shouldn't be breeding.There's alot of knowledge that goes into not only the care of mother & puppies including the correct imprinting & socialization just to name a few but knowing whether both dogs in question should in fact be bred to begin with.It always sounds like alot of fun,or maybe a way to make a quick buck but in the long run it's the puppies that end up paying the price when good intended breeding goes bad.Those issues aside breeding age for the male shouldn't be before 1.5years allowing time to mature especially his hips reducing the chance for injury which will cause painfull issues as he grows older.Breeding is serious not to you or myself but to the puppies & their families.If you do decide to do this please educate youself on both sides male and female issues,it's the right thing The best of luck

Anonymous - 10/1/2011 11:14:50 PM

QUESTION: I just purchased a Weimaraner. It's a puppy - what kind of food do they normally eat?

Anonymous - 9/13/2011 10:35:41 PM

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We feed our Weimaraner Orijen Puppy and will switch to Orijen Adult when the time comes. It is the best kibble on the market.

Anonymous - 4/5/2012 11:47:37 AM

I've had Weimaraners since 1990, (not an expert,,,just saying,,) I fed my first male High protein(16 - 23%) but it was the "less expensive" kinds.... My second female, I fed Science Diet... I notice with the Science Diet that the stools were about HALF THE SIZE, she very rarely bloated, and her coat was almost as if it were NEON it was SO Shiny and BEAUTIFUL !!!!! Also,, cut back on how much she shed by probably 70%...ATLEAST ???? I have no idea if these were all just dumb luck, or the food or what...but I did perform "tests" approx 3-5 months long with each just to make sure I wasnt loosing it?? I mean afterall....that's some High Dollar stuff when you add it up yr after yr?? It PROVED Worth it to me ....

Anonymous - 3/4/2012 8:59:24 PM

My 12 week old Weim eats Natural Balance Original Ultra Premium Dog Food. This brand has 23% protein and 13% fat. (we initially had her eating Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy food but the protein and fat contents were higher so we changed her to Natural Balance). We had no issue with our Weim with the change in food... She seems to love the taste of both).

Anonymous - 12/14/2011 11:31:02 PM

We just got a Weimaraner puppy and our vet recommended science diet puppy food.

Anonymous - 12/10/2011 3:16:41 PM

QUESTION: Ok, so I have a Weimaraner that we breeded with a friends weimaraner. There were 11 puppies in the litter and they were all different colors. As some were black, some were whitish, and some had the color of a weimaraner. Is this normal or is it possible that another dog may have breeded with the female?

Anonymous - 9/10/2011 11:26:28 AM

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I think it was definitely another dog. I have a blue weimaraner and a silver weimaraner, and there puppies were only blue and silver, no spots, no different colors besides that.

Anonymous - 1/23/2012 9:39:24 PM

If 2 weimaraners were bred then the only result would be a litter of weimaraners. It sounds as though she got pregnant from another dog.

Anonymous - 12/2/2011 1:46:52 PM

QUESTION: I recently rescued a puppy from an abusive home. Apparently they "found" Sienna Michelle(my pupper's name), and have no idea what her "background" is. Have had a couple people approach me and mention this breeds name. However, everything fits, but her eye/hair color. She is burnt and raw sienna, white on her chest, with a amber colored eye. Are there weimaraner's that fit this description?

Anonymous - 9/2/2011 9:29:10 PM

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This sounds like a vizsla. Same body shape and face just a coppery color

Anonymous - 9/12/2011 2:21:25 PM

You forgot to mention if your particular weimaraner has four legs and a tail or not. Because if Sienna does possess these traits, I saw one urinating on a tree in the park that is down the street from the clown college. If I see it again, I'll ask the owner if it is a weimaraner or not.

Anonymous - 9/9/2011 10:57:42 AM

QUESTION: I just adopted a Male Weimaraner Wednesday night. He is 4 months old and came from a family that did not have a yard and son was allergic. The dog is great, but he is VERY mellow. I have never seen a puppy so calm. He is great with me and my 3year old son, but just doesn't seem like a "typical" hyper puppy. Is this common? I have been a dog owner my whole life. THis is my first Weim. Thanks!!

Anonymous - 8/26/2011 12:05:50 PM

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My best friend Riley just passed away Saturday night. He was almost seven and had addisons disease. He was my first Weim and the calmest and most loving dog I've ever owned. He slept right by my side and always leaned on everyone he met. H barked when he first saw you but warmed up to everyone. He was my first weim and won't be my last. What a great breed.

Anonymous - 1/19/2012 10:12:19 PM

I HAVE TWO GIRL WEIMARANER S EIGHT MONTHS OLD AND THEY ARE SISTERS AND I JUST HAD THEM SPAYED ABOUT A MONTH AGO. THEY ARE VERY CALM AND THE VET SAID THEY WERE THE CALMEST HE HAS EVER SEEN. BUT WHEN THEY ARE OUTSIDE THEY REALLY CARRY ON. MY FIRST TIME WITH THIS BREED AND I REALLY LOVE THEM.

Anonymous - 11/20/2011 12:13:55 PM

we've raised our weim since she was 2 months old and we did lots of training....she is very calm but knows when we play ball she can run and run also we walk her 3 miles but the best thing is to never let him do something you dont want him to do even if it is really cute because they will remember that you let him do it before.

Anonymous - 9/25/2011 6:14:43 PM

Your Weimaraner must have been really nervous about being in a new enviroment. He is a PUPPY and very much enjoying his new home!! I thought he might be sick, but we were given vet records with clear health. He is fine now, wish he was alittle calmer!! LOL

Anonymous - 8/30/2011 1:23:31 PM

QUESTION: We keep my Weimaraner in a kennel and when he starts barking we take him outside to play around for a couple of minutes but then he starts barking to come back in should I put him back in or leave him outside for a while longer. And he barks a lot.

Anonymous - 8/22/2011 10:53:58 PM

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You should NEVER keep a weimaraner in a kennel in place of staying with a family. This is not a dog that does well independently. Crate training is one thing - leaving the pooch in a kenneled area all the time is completely different.

Anonymous - 4/5/2012 11:49:07 AM

Why is your Weimaraner in a kennel when you are home? It sounds like you really shouldn't own a dog like a Weimaraner. These dogs not only require a lot of exercise, but also are "pack" oriented (meaning they want to know they are part of the family.) They take a lot of love and attention, and a lot of hands on time. This is not a breed for someone who doesn't have the time to work with their dog.

Anonymous - 3/12/2012 12:54:31 PM

Exercise your Weimaraner often. These dogs need a lot of exercise.

Anonymous - 9/16/2011 1:46:07 PM

My husband and I have a 1 year old Weim and we also crate trained. By taking them out of the crate everytime they bark, you are reinforcing that they can come out if they bark. Basically, you are reinforcing the "barking" behavior. Excessive barking can also be a sign of bordem, or lack of critical thinking. I learned all of this by reading a book called "The Weimaraner" by Diane Morgan. I found it in PetCo.

Anonymous - 8/28/2011 8:32:30 PM

If you are looking for Weimaraner puppies for sale from reputable Weimaraner breeders or to adopt a Weimaraner from a Weimaraner rescue then make sure you understand as much about the dog breeds you are interested in as you can. Every puppy breed is different. Begin your research by reading the breed information about the Weimaraner puppy above. Search our dog breeds section to find Weimaraner puppies, dogs and puppies that make great pets.