SilverHoney Weimaraners - About Weims

 

Is This The Breed For You? 


Excerpt from "The Gray Ghost Weaves Its Spell"

By Kim D.R. Dearth

Weimaraners are large, athletic working dogs that can hunt for hours on end. If they are not given an outlet for this energy they can become destructive. They also are extremely human-dependent and can develop separation anxiety if they do not receive enough attention and are left alone for long hours on end. This is not an independent breed--the Weimaraner is extremely loving and loyal but will not tolerate being ignored. All this adds up to a need for an owner who has plenty of time to exercise and bond with a Weimaraner. 

 "If someone works full time and is away from the home for 10 or 11 hours a day, I would not recommend this breed," says Garvey. "Leaving these dogs alone any longer than 7 or 8 hours is not a good idea." One option for people who work full time but would like a Weimaraner is to have a pet sitter or neighbor let the dog out during the day. Although a retired couple may have the time to spend with this breed, Garvey does not recommend the Weimaraner for the elderly because of its exercise requirements. A tall fence around your yard is a must with this breed, as it will not hesitate to take off after a good scent. If you do not have a fenced yard, don’t think a walk around the block once or twice a day will do. This breed is brimming with energy and must be given ample room to run in an enclosed area. If this cannot be provided on a regular basis, the breed must be given another outlet such as hunting or other canine sports to keep it content. 

 Weimaraners can be very good with children if socialized early. Derr says that for a Weimaraner to respect children, it must respect its owner and recognize its place in its "pack." "This breed wants to be top dog," she stresses. "If the adults of the family are top dog with the dog and the children, things will be fine. But if the dog and children are running around doing whatever they want without any discipline, there are going to be problems." 

 Remember also that you are dealing with a large breed, so set limits accordingly. The cute little puppy that chases your child and nips at his or her coat sleeve soon will be a powerful adult that easily could knock a child down. Never allow a Weimaraner to chase or play bite a child--this behavior could lead to disaster. In general, Weimaraners get along well with other dogs, but you as the owner must understand pack dynamics fully to know when to let them sort out their differences and when to intervene. Cats and other smaller mammals may present more of a challenge, as the Weimaraner’s urge will be to hunt. Birds also bring out the breed’s natural instincts. However, if introduced to these other pets as a puppy, a Weimaraner can learn to live a peaceful coexistence. 

 While the Weimaraner itself needs a lot of attention, its coat needs very little. A once- or twice-a-week brushing with a short-bristled brush or a hound mitt is all that is needed to keep this breed looking sleek. "This is truly a wash-and-wear dog," says Derr.