Common Reasons for Surrender
The most common reason for surrender is lack of education about the breed. The dog is often surrendered because the dog wants full-time attention from his people and needs extensive exercise.
Pros
Roger Caras, late author of 70 books and known as the host for the annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, called Weimaraners the dog with the human brain. Weimaraners are extremely intelligent and need time, space, and energy outlets. These athletes are great companions and want to do “anything and everything” with their people.
Cons
The Weimaraner’s claim to fame is “counter surfing” and anything is fair game. A word to the wise is not to leave these boys or girls home alone unless they are crated for a few hours at a time. The Weimaraner can be considered high maintenance because they require a lot of exercise and crave attention.
Diet
No special food is required, and a high protein kibble will work. However, some owners stand behind a raw diet of only raw meat, which can get expensive.
Exercise
This breed needs at least two sessions a day, 30 minutes each session, of free running and retrieving including games with a Frisbee, ball, or favorite toy.
Possible Health Issues
Most deep chested dogs run the risk of bloat. Bloat occurs when the dog’s stomach fills with air, fluid, or food and puts pressure on other organs making it difficult to breathe. Bloat is life threatening and needs to be treated immediately. The Weimaraner also deals with hip dysplasia, like all large breed dogs.
Housing
Although a condo may work for an older Weimaraner, this type of housing is not typically the best for this breed. The home itself may be small or large, but it is important that the dog’s need for extensive exercise is met whether that takes place in the back yard or away from the home at a park. This dog loves to have a dog door to go in and out and thrives best when his people are home all day.
Shiffra Steele of Northern California Weimaraner Rescue told PetStarter, “A perfect situation is on fenced acreage with another dog.”
Grooming
The Weimaraner requires a monthly bath. Her teeth need to be brushed daily and her ears cleaned and nails trimmed once a week. This breed does not shed excessively and the hair that does shed may seem invisible due to its color and texture.
Training
Weimaraners love to learn! They are extremely intelligent and easily trained and are especially adept at learning with clicker training. (Hyperlink this to a PetStarter article on clicker training).
Entertainment
The Weimaraner loves to run freely.
Average Cost
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Weimaraner Ways, by Virginia Alexander
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http://www.weimclubamerica.org
We want to thank the Northern California Weimaraner Rescue for help with this profile.