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WEIMARANER PURPOSE
Commonly known as "The Grey Ghost" the Weimaraner is one of twenty seven breeds specifically bred for use as a versatile hunting dog. The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association defines versatility as "the dog that is bred and trained to dependably hunt and point game, to retrieve on both land and water, and to track wounded game on both land and water." ~ NAVHDA Aims, Programs, Test Rules
In the field, a versatile dog should exhibit a fine nose, staunch pointing and the desire to search for, track and retrieve game in a cooperative manner. A versatile dog needs to further prove his independence, stamina and quality of nose by transferring his search for, and retrieving of game, to the water. NAVHDA's testing program provides an opportunity for dogs to exhibit these characteristics while remaining obedient and in control at all times. True versatile dogs should perform all tasks with enthusiasm and be willing to work with, and for, their handlers. The versatile breeds, as we know them today, are products of Europe. No distinctive versatile hunting breed has been developed in North America.
For more information on the versatile hunting dog, visit http://www.navhda.org/.
WEIMARANER HISTORY
In the early days of the breed, the Weimaraner was known as the Weimar Pointer and was developed by the noblemen of the Court of Weimar to hunt large game. When boar, elk, and deer became scarce in Germany, he was converted to a bird dog. As with all German breeds, the Weimaraner was tightly controlled by its creators; strict rules governed who could own and breed the silver-coated canines, and a "Breed Warden" evaluated all potential breeding stock and determined which pups were to be culled from each litter. Developed from the Red Schweisshund, a scent and tracking dog itself descended from the Bloodhound, the Weimaraner is a cousin to the German Shorthaired Pointer. He reached his modern configuration in the early 1800's, but was seldom seen outside his native province.
In 1928, a New England sportsman, named Howard Knight, applied for membership to the German Weimaraner Club. Despite his promises to protect the purity of the breed, the club sent Knight two sterilized dogs. Determined to acquire foundation stock, he finally received three bitches and a puppy dog in 1938: litter sisters, Adda and Dorle v. Schwarzen Kamp; year old bitch, Aura v. Gaiberg; and puppy dog, Mars aus der Wulfsreide. Others joined Howard Knight's efforts and in 1942, the Weimaraner Club of America was formed, and a standard was created for the breed. American Kennel Club recognition was applied for and dogs began exhibition in obedience. At the end of 1942, AKC recognition was granted and the breed had it's coming out at Westminster in 1943.
An era of imports began in the forties. It may have been difficult to keep dogs in wartime Europe, so many quality dogs were sent to the states. The most outstanding of these was Aura v. Gaiberg (bitch), the first companion dog titlest. Her son, Ch. Grafmar's Jupiter, UTD was the first to complete all the obedience degrees. Thirty-six Grafmar dogs earned obedience titles in the next ten years. Weimaraners began attending field trials in 1948. The last half of the fifties brought fame, fortune and problems to the breed. In some ways they were the glory years of the first big bench winners, multiple Best in Show and big running flashy field dogs. It seemed for a while, though, that all the hard work and careful planning of the early years had gone for naught. A Weimaraner was a status symbol and the more it cost to obtain the more status it afforded. While the boom was going on, many of the animals were ill bred, ill tempered and ugly. The once rare Grey Ghost ended up "free to good home". Thankfully, the breed quality survived among the concerned and dedicated people who maintained breed standards of excellence. By the mid-sixties, the breed began emerging from this devastating growth period and breeders began working on correcting past abuses.
Today, the Weimaraner is enjoying a renewed popularity. It ranks forty-first in dog breed popularity in the United States.
WEIMARANER CONFORMATION
The Weimaraner is a large dog, 23-27 inches at the withers (top of the shoulders) and 55 - 75 pounds, with bitches smaller than males. He is usually mouse-gray to silver-gray, often blending to lighter shades on the head and ears. A splash of white is permitted on the chest, but larger white markings are prohibited here and no white is permitted anywhere else on the body. A less common blue-coated variety is also available and is permitted to show in America Pet Registry conformation shows, although the blue color is considered a fault according to the AKC breed standard.
(Note: America's Pet Registry Inc. is now allowing blues to be shown in their conformation shows. After much research, they concluded that blue is only a color preference and that is not connected with any health concerns. "Okefeild Acre's Once In A Blue Moon" was the first blue Weimaraner admitted to be shown and received his champion title in 2009)
http://www.blueweimaraner.com
http://www.weim.net/twn/General/blue-weim.htm
A lesser known, long-coated variety is also available and is permitted to show in American United Kennel Club shows, and is accepted in Germany and Australia, although the long coat is considered a fault according to the AKC breed standard. (Before WW 11, some fanciers of the long-coated Weimaraner tried to get this coat type accepted, either as an addition to the standard or as a different variety of the breed, much as the varieties of Dachschund or color varieties of the Cocker Spaniel. Efforts failed, and the long-haired dogs almost disappeared. However, a few occasionally show up in otherwise smooth-coated litters.)
http://www.weimclubamerica.org/worldweims/longhair/index.html
http://www.weim.net/emberweims/Coats.html
The Weimaraner head is aristocratic, with muzzle and skull being the same length, and the stop -- the rise from muzzle to skull -- is moderate. eyes must be light amber, gray, or blue-gray; ears are fairly long and are set high on the head and folded over; and nose is gray. His tail is docked to reach six inches in length in the adult dog. This is a powerful looking dog, capable of spending the day in the field. He is well-muscled for strength and stamina and deep-chested for endurance. His long reach, forceful drive, and great energy make him an ideal hunting companion.
WEIMARANER TEMPERAMENT
The Weimaraner Standard describes the breed temperament as friendly, fearless, alert, and obedient, but this is but half of it's personality. Assertive, bold, loyal, and headstrong also fit, giving the dog a loving attitude but having the ability to take the upper paw in the family if the opportunity presents itself.
Like most large hunting breeds, the Weimaraner requires a lot of exercise and must be thoroughly trained for complete obedience to curb the natural tendency to wander in search of game. Lack of exercise causes deep frustration which leads to boisterous indoor activity and destructive behavior. Weimaraners can be trained to be kindly to small animals if they are raised up with them and thoroughly socialized with them. Because the Weimaraner is a very social breed, they do best when they are with their human family inside the house. Puppy classes and control exercises at home as well as out in public are essential for the Weimaraner to be a well-socialized, obedient dog. He must be taught that all members of the family are to be obeyed. Training methods must be gentle, but firm, for harsh treatment will sour his attitude and can cause shyness.
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