The Weimaraner Manual

Table of Contents

Introduction and Acknowledgements........................................... vi

Forward..................................................................... vii

Weimaraner Foundation Fund Rescue........................................... vii

Weimaraners in North America................................................ 1
   The National Club........................................................ 1
   The American Kennel Club................................................. 1

History and Development of the Weimaraner................................... 3
   A History of the Weimaraner.............................................. 3
Owning A Weimaraner......................................................... 5
   The Weimaraner As A Companion............................................ 5
   Why Own A Weimaraner? What Can I "Do With One?".......................... 5
   The Weimaraner Standard.................................................. 8
      General Appearance.................................................... 8
         Height............................................................. 8
         Head............................................................... 8
         Body............................................................... 9
         Coat and Color..................................................... 9
         Legs............................................................... 10
         Tail............................................................... 11
      Gait.................................................................. 12
      Temperament........................................................... 12
      Minor Faults.......................................................... 12
      Major Faults.......................................................... 12
      Very Serious Faults................................................... 12
      Disqualifications..................................................... 12

Feeding Suggestions......................................................... 13
   General Advise........................................................... 13
      Puppies............................................................... 13
      Adults................................................................ 14
      Bitches, Pregnant and Nursing......................................... 14
      The Senior Weimaraner................................................. 14
      Supplements........................................................... 15
   Traveling With Your Dog.................................................. 15

Your New Weimaraner Puppy................................................... 17
   Pointers For Puppy's People.............................................. 17
   Choosing A Veterinarian.................................................. 19
   A Pet Owner's Guide To The Dog Crate..................................... 20
      What Is A Dog Crate?.................................................. 20
      Cruelty - Or Kindness?................................................ 20
      Why Use A Crate?...................................................... 21
      Crating The Puppy-How To Use It....................................... 22
      What Kind Of Crate Is Best?........................................... 23
      What Size Should A Crate Be?.......................................... 23
      Where Can I Get One?.................................................. 23
      Where Should I Put It?................................................ 24
      Crating The Adult Dog - How To Use It................................. 24
      Does The Crate Always Work?........................................... 25
   How To Housebreak Your Dog............................................... 25
   Basic Puppy Training..................................................... 28

Obedience Training.......................................................... 30
   What Is Dog Obedience?................................................... 30
   Basic Obedience.......................................................... 30
      Sit................................................................... 31
      Down.................................................................. 31
      Heel.................................................................. 31
      Stay.................................................................. 32
   Choosing A Dog Training Group............................................ 32
   Training Advice.......................................................... 33
   Obedience Trials......................................................... 34
   Remember-The Real Science Of Dog Training................................ 35

Breeding Your Weimaraner.................................................... 38
   Too Many Weimaraners..................................................... 38
   Managing The Bitch In Season............................................. 39
   Care Of The Female....................................................... 40
   Care Of The Male......................................................... 41
   Preventing Pregnancy..................................................... 41
   Breeding And Pregnancy................................................... 42
   Whelping (Delivery)...................................................... 43
   Nursing.................................................................. 44
   Weaning.................................................................. 44
   Orphan Puppies........................................................... 45

Your Weimaraner's Care...................................................... 47
   Care And Treatment of Your Weimaraner -An Overview....................... 47
   Grooming................................................................. 49
      Brushing And Bathing.................................................. 49
      Watch Those Toenails!................................................. 51
      Whisker Trimming...................................................... 52
      Dental Care........................................................... 54
      Ear Cleaning.......................................................... 54
   Veterinary Examination................................................... 56
   CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation)................................ 56
   Immunization Programs.................................................... 59
      Distemper............................................................. 59
      Hepatitis ............................................................ 60
      Leptospirosis......................................................... 60
      Rabies................................................................ 61
   Vaccination of Weimaraner Puppies........................................ 63
   Recommended Vaccination Schedule......................................... 64
   Blood And Heart Disorders................................................ 66
      Canine Parvovirus Infection........................................... 66
      Immune-Mediated Diseases & Immunodeficiency in the Weim............... 67
      Hemophilia A.......................................................... 69
      Heartworm Disease..................................................... 69
   Skin And Coat Disorders.................................................. 71
      Eczema................................................................ 71
   Digestive Disorders...................................................... 71
      Acute Gastric Dilation, or Bloat...................................... 71
         1986 Bloat Update.................................................. 76
         Results Of Purdue University Study Of Gastric Dilation............. 77
         Results Of A 5-Year Bloat Study - Non-Dietary Risk Factors......... 78
         Results Of A 5-Year Bloat Study - Dietary Risk Factors............. 80
   Bone, Muscle, And Joint Disorders........................................ 81
      What Is Hip Displasia?................................................ 81
      Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy........................................... 82
         Hyper-Inflammatory Disease In The Weimaraner - Update.............. 83
   Nervous Disorders........................................................ 88
      Spinal Dysraphism And Syringomyelia................................... 88
      Wobbler Syndrome...................................................... 89
      Hypomyelination (Shaky Puppy Syndrome)................................ 90
   Internal Parasites....................................................... 92
   External Parasites....................................................... 95
   First Aid................................................................ 99
      Poisoning And Obstruction............................................. 99
   Home Remedies For Dogs................................................... 100
   In Case Of Accident...................................................... 102
   Caring For The Elderly Dog............................................... 103
      Old Age And The Dog................................................... 103
      When The End Comes.................................................... 105

Loss Of Your Dog Or Cat..................................................... 107
   Why Tattoo?.............................................................. 108

Dog Show Competition........................................................ 110
   Conformation -The Dog Show............................................... 110
   Show Handling - By The Owner Or By The Professional...................... 112
   Dog Showing Primer For The Novice........................................ 113
      Preparation Before The Show........................................... 113
      Preparation Before Entering The Ring.................................. 114
      Conduct In The Ring................................................... 114
      The Fine Points Of Conduct And Courtesy............................... 116
   Junior Showmanship....................................................... 116
   Dog Show Entry Information............................................... 118
   Dog Show Superintendents................................................. 118
   Dog Show Judging......................................................... 119
   Dog Show Judging Procedures.............................................. 120
   What Is The Futurity/Maturity............................................ 121

Weimaraners In The Field.................................................... 122
   Starting The Weimaraner Puppy In The Field............................... 122
   Introducing The Dog To The Gun........................................... 125
   Field Trialing - What Is A Field Trial................................... 127
      Field Trial Handling: The Puppy....................................... 128
      Amateur Field Championship............................................ 131
      Field Championship.................................................... 132
   AKC Hunting Tests........................................................ 132
      Junior Hunter......................................................... 132
      Senior Hunter......................................................... 133
      Master Hunter......................................................... 133
      Evaluation............................................................ 133
      Training.............................................................. 134
   Weimaraner Club Of America Ratings....................................... 134
      Novice Shooting Dog (NSD)............................................. 135
      Shooting Dog (SD)..................................................... 135
      Shooting Dog Excellent (SDX).......................................... 136
      Novice Retrieving Dog (NSD)........................................... 137
      Retrieving Dog (RD)................................................... 137
      Retrieving Dog Excellent (RDX)........................................ 138
      Additional WCA Ratings - Versatility Ratings.......................... 140
         Requirements For Award Of Title "V"................................ 140
         Requirements For Award Of Title "VX"............................... 140
         Requirements For Award Of Title "VM"............................... 141
         Requirements For Award Of Titles "VX2-VX7"......................... 141
         Schedule Of Available Versatile Points............................. 141
   North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA)................ 142

Tracking.................................................................... 144

Conclusions................................................................. 146

Appendix A - Recommended Reading............................................ 147

Appendix B-Mail Order Discount Houses....................................... 152

Appendix C - Dog Fancy Journals............................................. 153

Appendix D - Bibliography................................................... 154