Where the Weimaraner came from
The Weimaraner was developed in Germany, around the city of Weimar, in the 1800s. The story goes that the dogs were kept at the court of Grand Duke Karl August, who wanted a fast, fearless dog for hunting large game.
Over time the breed also hunted birds and small game. A German breed club formed in the 1890s and kept tight control over who could own the dogs.
A New England sportsman named Howard Knight brought the first dogs to the US in the late 1920s. The AKC recognized the breed in 1943. Today they are hunting dogs and active pets.
- 1800s Breed developed around Weimar for hunting big game
- 1890s A German breed club is formed to protect the breed
- 1943 AKC recognizes the Weimaraner
The job a Weimaraner was bred for
The dogs tracked and held big game, then later pointed and retrieved birds. At home that shows up as high energy, strong prey drive and deep attachment to family.
Sports that fit a Weimaraner
- Field work. Hunt tests
- Scent work. Strong nose
- Tracking. Natural trackers
- Lure coursing. A safe chase outlet
- Agility. Athletic
Training tips for a Weimaraner
- Teach an off switch with settle practice.
- Work on alone time early, since many struggle with separation.
- Use scent games and daily exercise.
- Practice recall with great rewards.
Body and health
Deep chested, so bloat is a risk. Avoid heavy exercise after meals, and watch heat and cold.
Fun fact. Weimaraners are called the Gray Ghost for their silver gray coat.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Weimaraner is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Looking for a different breed? See what 75 breeds were bred to do.