Weimaraner
The grey ghost that shadows your every step.
- Weight
- 55–90 lbs
- Height
- 23–27 in
- Lifespan
- 10–13 yrs
In short
The Weimaraner is a sporting breed from Germany, developed at the court of Weimar in the early 1800s to hunt large game and later birds. Adults weigh 55–90 lbs and live 10–13 years. They are high-energy, people-focused dogs that need long daily exercise and don't do well left alone.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a running or hiking partner
- are home most of the day
- enjoy training an energetic, smart dog
Think twice if you…
- work long days away from home
- have cats or small pets
- can't give it 90 minutes of exercise a day
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 90–120 min a day
- Training
- 3–5 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 125–180 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study8.0/10
EnergyAthlete9.5/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors8.5/10
SheddingSheds seasonally6.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Silver-gray coat
Short and sleek; easy to groom, but sheds.
-
02
Light eyes
Amber, gray or blue-gray eyes, a hallmark of the breed.
-
03
Athletic, lean frame
Built for speed and endurance in the field.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 70–90 lbs | 55–75 lbs |
| Height | 25–27 in | 23–25 in |
| Lifespan | 10–13 yrs | |
| Coat | Short, sleek single coat | |
Personality
Weimaraners are affectionate, bold and always ready to go. They want to be with you every minute. Without enough exercise, they are destructive and noisy.
With kids
Good with older kids; boisterous play can knock over toddlers.
With other pets
Usually fine with other dogs; strong prey drive means cats and small pets need care.
With strangers
Friendly once introduced; they bark at visitors.
Alone time
Prone to separation stress; not suited to long days alone.
Training
Weimaraners are smart and quick but can be stubborn. They need firm, fair, positive training and plenty of variety.
-
How often
3–5 short sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
From 8–16 weeks, focus on time alone, small animals and calm greetings. Building comfort with alone time early is the priority.
-
Self-control
Teach a reliable recall on a long line and a settle on a mat. Practice short absences so they learn you come back.
-
What it works for
Food, retrieving and play all work. Use small, high-value pieces such as freeze-dried liver, kept within 10% of daily calories, and a retrieve as a jackpot.
Exercise
Weimaraners need long, hard exercise every day: running, hiking or field work. A walk around the block won't do.
Exercise a day
90–120 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Running or hiking (once adult)
- Field work or hunt tests
- Swimming
Brain work
- Nose work
- Retrieve games
- Trick training
Best home
Needs a house with a yard and an active family; not suited to apartments.
Watch for Avoid hard exercise around meals given bloat risk, and hold off on long runs until growth plates close.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Weimaraner (55–90 lbs) lands around 1,250–1,800 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 1,575–2,250 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 160–225 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 8–11 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 1,250–1,800 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 125–180 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 6–9 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 1,725–2,475 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 175–250 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 9–12 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 1,100–1,575 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 110–160 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 6–8 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 1,575–2,250 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 160–225 kcal | 8–11 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 1,250–1,800 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 125–180 kcal | 6–9 pieces |
| Active / Working | 1,725–2,475 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 175–250 kcal | 9–12 pieces |
| Senior | 1,100–1,575 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 110–160 kcal | 6–8 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Bloat, hip dysplasia, thyroid issues and eye problems are the main concerns. Learn the signs of bloat and choose a breeder who screens.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Elbow dysplasia | OFA elbow evaluation | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Inherited eye disease | Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER) | Yearly in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Hypothyroidism | OFA thyroid panel | In breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Hyperuricosuria (HU) | DNA test (results registered with the OFA) | Once (a DNA result does not change) |
| Hypomyelination | DNA test (results registered with the OFA) | Once (a DNA result does not change) |
| Spinal Dysraphism | DNA test (results registered with the OFA) | Once (a DNA result does not change) |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Weimaraner breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Hip evaluation
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Thyroid panel
- Hyperuricosuria
- Hypomyelination
- Spinal Dysraphism
Also recommended
- Heart exam
- Elbow evaluation
- DNA sample banked with CHIC
Grooming Moderate, year-round
Brush weekly with a rubber curry or bristle brush. Trim nails every few weeks, check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week.
History
Early 1800s
Court of Weimar
Weimaraners were developed at the court of Grand Duke Karl August of Weimar to hunt large game.
1897
Exclusive club
The German Weimaraner Club tightly controlled breeding and ownership.
1929–1943
Arrival in the US
Weimaraners came to the US in 1929 and were recognized by the AKC in 1943.
Questions owners ask
Are Weimaraners easy to train?
Moderately. They are smart and quick but can be stubborn. Firm, fair, positive training works best.
Are Weimaraners good with kids and other pets?
Usually with older kids and other dogs. Their prey drive means cats and small pets need careful introductions.
How much exercise does a Weimaraner need?
A lot: 90–120 minutes a day of running, hiking or field work.
Do Weimaraners shed?
Yes, moderately and year-round. A weekly brush keeps it under control.
What health problems do Weimaraners have, and how long do they live?
Weimaraners live 10–13 years. Watch for bloat, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and eye disease. Ask for hip, elbow, eye and thyroid results.
Is a Weimaraner good for apartments or first-time owners?
No. Their energy and separation stress suit active, experienced owners with a yard.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Weimaraner needs only 6–9 pieces a day, well inside the 125–180 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Weimaraner ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Weimaraner
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
