Weimar Pointer: breed description, maintenance and care

The Weimar Pointer is a friend hunting dog, distinguished by its aristocratic elegant appearance, freedom-loving disposition and high intellect. It is actively used for investigative and guard services. Due to its unusual exterior, the representatives of this breed got the nickname “Silver Ghost”. After reading today's article, you will learn many interesting things about these unique animals.

A bit of history

Many legends are connected with the origin of the Weimaraner. Some experts believe that the ancestors of the Weimaraner were gray dogs that belonged to Louis the Holy. But most scientists are inclined to believe that the German hounds, who were crossed with the bloodhound and hounds of St. Hubert, became the progenitors of the modern representatives of this breed.

According to one of the existing versions, these dogs were brought to France by the king, returning from the Crusade, as early as the XIII century. That ancient ruler was an avid hunter. During one of his travels, he accidentally saw amazing dogs of silver color. Since in those days the hunt was almost the main entertainment of the noblemen, the monarch immediately boasted of his acquisition. Over time, it turned out that the Weimar Pointer is a dog so versatile that it is possible to walk with it not only on the large beast, but also on smaller animals. Gradually, the news of unique dogs spread throughout Europe, and they gained extraordinary popularity among rich people.

In 1890, the first breeding book of the breed appeared, and after seven years, the official Weimaraner standard was adopted. Today, these dogs can be found in almost all corners of the planet. They live in Brazil, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Alaska. But they are especially popular in America and the European continent. Here they are used not only for hunting, but also as watchmen or companions.

Weimar Pointer: breed description

These dogs are of medium or above average height, and are distinguished by a correct proportionate physique. The height of an adult individual is 57-70 centimeters with a weight of 25-40 kilograms.

On a dry, broad head with a flat forehead, divided by a straight groove, slightly protruding occiput, and pronounced cheekbones, there are rather long narrow-set hanging ears with rounded ends. A strong muscular neck of the animal smoothly flows into a prominently protruding withers, straight long back and moderately sloping croup. The dog’s wide deep bosom is down to the elbows.

Under the moderately stretched hull of the Weimar Pointer, the photo of which can be seen in today's article, are dry limbs with well-developed muscles and regular articulation angles.

Coat and color

To date, there are two types of representatives of this breed. Weimaraners can be short and long-haired. In the first case, the animal's body is covered with straight, rigid, tight-fitting fur. In the second - the dog's coat is soft, long and smooth or slightly wavy.

As for the color, the puppies of the Weimar Pointer are born blue-gray. Already by the age of three months, their wool becomes silvery. In addition, the breed standard allows for small white spots localized in the chest area and on the fingers. Along the spine weimaraner usually passes a darker band, which stands out against the main background.

Temperament

The character of the Weimar Pointer cannot be described in several words. This is a very energetic, courageous, friendly and highly intelligent dog. But under certain conditions, she becomes willful, irritable and prone to destructive behaviors.

Representatives of this breed are not prone to excessive aggression, but they will always stand up to protect their owner and members of his family. They are very attentive and sensitive not only to everything that happens around, but also to the emotional state of the owner. Weimaraners are able to subtly feel the mood of a person and are always ready to share with him joy or become a consolation.

Relationship to the owner and his family

Weimar Pointer is very devoted to its owner. She treats with genuine tenderness to everyone whom she considers to be members of her pack. She gets along well with children, but due to her irrepressible temperament, she may seem too energetic and somewhat rude. Therefore, it must be protected from babies who are not able to stand firmly on their feet.

Weimaraner will be happy to take part in all family matters. He likes to be in the spotlight and will not miss the opportunity to feel like a leader. The tendency to dominate is one of the main distinguishing features of the character of the representatives of this breed. Therefore, you can not allow them to feel their superiority.

Attitudes toward strangers and other animals

Fearless Weimar cop can be a good watchman. Of course, she will not show unreasonable aggression and will never attack for nothing. These dogs are suspicious of outsiders, and not socialized animals may fear outsiders.

Weimaraners are zealous for new animals that have appeared in their home. at the same time they are very tolerant in relation to those pets with whom they are familiar from puppyhood. By virtue of a well-developed hunting instinct, they will not tolerate the arrival of alien cats or other small animals on their territory. At best, the uninvited guest expects persecution, at worst - death.

Content Features

Dogs of this breed should live in a private house with a large territory. So they will have the opportunity to run enough and explore the surrounding space. At the same time, the Weimar Pointer cannot live in an aviary all year round. With the onset of cold weather, he has a need for a warm overnight stay.

Despite the fact that Weimaraners are not created for city life, they can easily adapt to the existence of modern megacities, provided that their owners will devote enough time to the education, socialization and physical development of their pet. Ideally, this dog should be owned by an active person who spends a lot of time in nature and loves long walks.

Weimar Pointer: care

These are pretty unpretentious dogs. It is enough to comb them a couple of times a week using a special brush or a rubber glove. Thanks to this, you will get rid of dead hair. It is desirable to bathe an animal no more than once a month. And it should be done with the use of special shampoos sold in any pet store.

The Weimaraner’s beautiful hanging ears require increased attention. They are recommended to be cleaned at least once a week and after each swim in the pond. You should also regularly cut the dog's claws, process it from external and internal parasites and do not forget about the planned vaccination.

Upbringing and training

Education of this animal should begin literally from the first days of its appearance in your home. And you should be prepared for the fact that you have to show patience and perseverance. Representatives of this breed are prone to dominance, but if you can find the right approach to a dog, you will get a loyal and faithful companion.

Weimar puppies need early socialization. This is very important because, having missed the right moment, you will get an adult animal that is too wary of strangers and constantly bark at them. In addition, experts are confident that only an experienced person should be engaged in raising a Weimaraner. A newcomer is unlikely to be able to cope with this difficult task, since the representatives of this breed have a strong independent character. In the process of training, it is important not only to train the dog for new teams, but also to regularly work out already passed ones.

Weimaraner (Weimar Pointer) has a predisposition to certain diseases. Of course, heredity is largely determined by the quality of blood. Therefore, if you want to get a healthy dog, before you buy, be sure to ask how it is with her parents.

Typical diseases are closely related to lifestyle and breed characteristics of the exterior. The most common health problems occurring in Weimaraner include dysplasia, twitching, degenerative myelopathy, myasthenia, subcutaneous neoplasms, Pododermatitis, demodicosis, progressive corneal atrophy, third-century inflammation, fibrosarcoma, mastocytoma and melanoma.

Feeding recommendations

Nutrition Weimar Pole should consist of fresh and high-quality products. The basis of the dog's diet should be meat. Chicken, lamb, beef, turkey and rabbit meat are best suited for this purpose. As for pork, it is desirable to exclude it from the diet of your pet. Meat is recommended to be given only raw, without subjecting it to preliminary heat treatment.

From time to time the animal should be given offal. Heart, udder and kidneys can be fed to the dog in boiled or raw. Lungs and livers can be given not too often, because not all dogs learn them well.

As other protein sources, it is recommended to use frozen sea fish, cleared of bones. Also in the diet Weimaraner must be present not too fatty dairy products. It can be kefir, cottage cheese or yogurt. A couple of times a week you can add boiled chicken eggs to them. It is important to remember that in one feeding you cannot mix dairy and meat components. In addition to everything else, weimaraner should include greens and almost all vegetables, with the exception of potatoes and exotic fruits. As for cereals, dogs can cook rice and buckwheat. They are cooked in water or vegetable broth.

All food should be heated to room temperature. If the dog refuses to eat, then after fifteen minutes the bowl of food is removed until the next time. Weimaraner, who eats natural products, needs to be given vitamin-mineral complexes twice a year.

In the diet of the Weimar cops should not be potatoes, because it is poorly absorbed by the dog's body. Corn and beans, too, will not benefit your pet. These cereals can induce vomiting. You can not feed an animal raw river fish, because it may be dangerous parasites. The list of prohibited foods also included sweets, tubular bones, pickles, smoked meats, sausages and wastes from the host's table.

In recent years, an increasing number of owners prefer ready-made feeds. In this case, you need to stop the choice on the products of super premium class. This feeding option is convenient because the dog receives the entire set of necessary vitamins and trace elements with dry granules. When choosing the right brand should focus on the physical condition, lifestyle and age of your pet. It is desirable to buy such food only in proven pet stores. It is important that it is stored in a sealed package. Open pellets deteriorate quickly and can lead to health problems.

Weimaraner breed history

The story of the appearance of this dog unknown. Similar dogs were mentioned in European medieval manuscripts of the 13th century. For example, one of the legends says that the French King Louis Saints was captured in Egypt during a crusade. He returned to France with a pack of gray dogs.

By the end of the 14th century, many noblemen of France kept gray dogs for hunting. They were used on a large animal: wild boar, deer, bear, and later on a bird.

Other royal yards of Europe followed the French. Ancestors Weimaraner always highly valued and therefore were under the owner. Therefore, dogs of this breed can not be kept in an aviary. For emotional health, they need constant contact with the person..

The Weimaraner breed was first mentioned in the middle of the 19th century, as it was bred around the city of Weimar in East Germany.

Since 1880, these dogs began to participate in exhibitions, first as a crossbreed, and from 1896 as an independent breed.

Description of the Weimaraner breed, characteristics of the Weimar dog

Thanks unique color, vemarainer easily recognizable. They look like a graceful hound than a traditional dog mate.

Weimaraners are two types: long-haired and short-haired. In short-haired hair is smooth, dense, of equal length throughout the body. In long-haired Weimaraner, wool is 7.5-10 cm long, straight or slightly wavy. On the ears and the back of the paws there are light feathering.

The nature of Weimaraner

It is difficult to find a more sociable and active dog than the Weimaraner. A description of a breed would be incomplete if not to say that it gets along well not only with small children, but also with other animals. However, it should not be forgotten that some individuals sometimes are too persistent and stubborn. Such animals will require from their owner a certain content experience and special attention to their upbringing. Given the fact that the Weimaraners have long been living with people, about any aggression in this case we are not talking. Judging by the numerous reviews, despite their friendliness, this the dog does not trust strangers and, if necessary, will be able to protect its owner.

Breed standard weimaraner

• FCI-Standard Standard FTsI number 99 (12/04/1998)
• WEIMARSKAYA LEGAWAY
• ORIGIN: Germany.
• DATE OF PUBLICATION OF AN EARLY EXISTING STANDARD: 12/27/1990.
• APPLICATION: Multilateral hunting dog, Pointer.
• CLASSIFICATION FTsI: Group 7. Pointing.
• Section 1.1. Continental Poppy type. With tests of working qualities.
• Organization: AKC, UKC, FCI, SCS, SKC, WWKC, FIC
• GENERAL APPEARANCE: A hunting dog is above average height. Functional, working type, pleasant forms, wiry and very muscular. Sex type is easily determined.
• IMPORTANT RELATIONS:
  • The length of the body to the height at the withers is approximately as 12:11.
  • Head proportions: From the tip of the nose lobe to the fracture is somewhat longer than from the fracture to the occiput.
  • Front: Distance from elbow to mid pastern and distance from elbow to withers are approximately equal.

• BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT: A versatile, easily trained, loyal and passionate hunting dog. Persistent in a systematic, however, not too fast search. Remarkable ability to pick up the smell. Ready to catch game and other prey, besides capable of working service dogs, but not aggressive. Reliable pointer dog and in the work on the water. Remarkable tendency to work after the shot.
• HEAD
  • CRANIAL REGION: Cranial box in balance with height and facial area. Wider in males than in females, however, in those and others, the relationship between the width of the skull with the total length of the head should be in good proportion. The median furrow on the forehead. Occipital bone protrudes weakly or moderately. Zygomatic arches easily traced behind the eyes.
    The transition from the forehead to the face: It is extremely weak.
  • FACIAL REGION:
    • Nose: A large nose mirror protrudes above the lower jaw. Dark flesh color, gradually turning gray to the bottom.
    • Muzzle: Long and, especially in males, powerful, looks almost rectangular. The area of ​​canines and ... teeth is equally strong. The back of the nose is straight, often slightly arched, never concave.
    • Bryli: Moderately deep, flesh-colored as well as gums. In the corner of the mouth is a light fold.
    • Jaws and Teeth: Jaws are strong, the teeth are complete, properly positioned and strong. The upper and lower canines are in close contact with the scissor bite.
    • Cheekbones: Muscular, well defined. Definitely a head of clean lines.

• EYES: Amber color, from dark to pale, with a clever expression. In puppies - azure. Rounded, barely oblique. Eyelids fit well.
• EARS: Hanging, wide and fairly long, exactly reaching the corner of the mouth. They are set high and close to each other, forming rounded ends. When the alarm is turned slightly forward, with a crease.
• NECK: Noble-looking and set. The top line is convex in profile. Muscular, almost round, not too short, dry. Extends to the shoulders and blends harmoniously with the topline and chest.
• BLOCK:
  • Topline: From a convex nape, through a well-developed withers, the topline gradually merges with a long, solid back.
  • Withers: Well defined.
  • Back (from withers to maklok): Strong, muscular, without sagging. Not rising backwards. A slightly longer back is a pedigree feature, not a drawback.
  • Croup: The pelvis is long and moderately sloping.
  • Chest: Massive, but not excessively wide, with sufficient depth, almost reaching the elbows, and sufficient length. With well convex, without barrel, and long ribs. Передняя часть груди хорошо развита.
  • Линия низа: Поднимается незначительно, но живот не подобран.

• ХВОСТ: Посажен несколько ниже, чем у других сходных пород. Хвост сильный и хорошо одет. В покое держится опущенным вниз. When guarded or at work, held horizontally or higher.
• Limbs
  • FRONT END:
    • General appearance: High on the legs, sinewy, limbs straight and parallel, but not standing wide.
    • Shoulders: Long and oblique. Well fitting, very muscular. Good angle of the shoulder-blade joint.
    • Shoulder bones: Sloping, fairly long and strong.
    • Elbows: Not connected, arranged parallel to the median plane of the body. Not turned either in or out.
    • Forearm: Long, straight and vertical.
    • Wrists: Strong, neat.
    • Pasterns: Veiny, slightly sloping.
    • Front feet: Steady, strong. Set directly relative to the median plane of the body. Fingers are arched. Longer middle fingers are a pedigree feature and therefore not a disadvantage. Claws from light to dark gray. The pads are pigmented, hard.

  • REAR PART:
    • General appearance: High on the legs, sinewy, i.e. very muscular. The extremities are parallel, turned neither in nor out.
    • Hips: Long enough, strong, very muscular.
    • Stifle: Strong, well angulated.
    • Lower thigh: Long, with clearly visible tendons.
    • Hock: Strong, well angulated.
    • Hocks: Stringy, almost vertical set.
    • Hind feet: Lumpy, strong, without dewclaws, otherwise like front feet.

• GAIT / MOVEMENT: Movement in all the paces is sweeping and smooth. The rear and front legs are placed parallel to each other. Creeping gallop with long jumps. The back remains flat at a trot. The amble is undesirable.
• SKIN: Strong. Tight, but not too tight.
• SHIRT
  • WOOL:
    • Short-haired variety: Wool is short (but longer and thicker than most similar breeds), healthy, very thick, smoothly covering outer hair. The undercoat is not, or it is very rare.
    • Long-haired variety: Soft, long top coat with or without undercoat. Straight or slightly wavy. Long, falling hair at the base of the ears. Velvety wool is permissible at the ends of the ears. The length of the coat on the sides is 3-5 cm. On the lower side of the neck, the front part of the chest and the abdomen as a whole is somewhat longer. Good lines and pants, but less long downwards. Tail with a good suspension in the form of a flag. Wool between fingers. The hair on the head is less long. A type of wool resembling a double coat: medium length, thick, tightly fitting outer coat, thick undercoat and moderately developed legs and pants — sometimes found in dogs of mixed origin.

  • COLOR: Silver-gray, light or dark, as well as the shades of these colors. Head and ears are usually slightly paler. Only small white markings on the chest and fingers are allowed. Sometimes there is a more or less identifiable belt along the back. For a dog with a tan, only a “good” mark can be given. Brown stain is a serious defect.

• Weimaraner height and weight:
  • Height at withers:
    Males: 59-70 cm (ideal height 62-67 cm). / P>
    Bitches: 57-65 cm (ideal height 59-63 cm).
  • Weight: Males: about 30-40 kg.
    Bitches: about 25-35 kg.

• DEFECTS: Any deviation from the above points should be regarded as a flaw or defect depending on the degree of expression.
• SERIOUS FAULTS (defects):
  • Clear deviation from type. Sex type is not pronounced.
  • Significant abnormal growth and proportions.
  • The front part: significant deviations, such as overdeveloped flew, short or pointed muzzle.
  • Jaws and teeth: the absence of more than two P1 or M3.
  • Eyes: light defects, especially weak and unilateral eyelid defects.
  • Ears: Definitely short or long, without crease.
  • Podbrudok (suspension), significant deviations in the neck in shape and muscles.
  • Back: definitely sagging or humpbacked back, high back.
  • Chest, belly: barrel-shaped chest, insufficient depth or length of the chest, selected belly.
  • Significant limb anomalies, i.e. insufficient angulation of articulation, twisted elbows, flat paws.
  • Pronounced barrel set or cow.
  • Bad movements in different gaits, including lack of freedom of movement forward or lack of push, amble.
  • Serious skin imperfections, i.e. skin is very thin or very rough.
  • Intermediate wool specified in the standard.
  • Lack of abrasion on the abdomen or ears. Widespread fluffy wool in the Shorthair Weimar Pointer or curls or rare turns in the long-haired variety.
  • Deviations from shades of gray, such as yellow or brownish. Tampers.
  • A serious deviation from the correct height or weight (for example, more than 2 cm from the measurements given in the standard).
  • Slight lack of temperament.
  • Other serious defects.

• DISQUALIFYING FAULTS (outside the breed):
  • Absolutely atypical addition, first of all too rough or too easy.
  • Complete disharmony.
  • Absolutely atypical head, for example, bulldog type.
  • The front part: Absolutely atypical, i.e. clearly arched back of the nose.
  • Jaws and teeth: Overshot, undershot bite, missing teeth, except for P1 and M3.
  • Eyes: Entropy, ectropy.
  • Ears: Absolutely atypical, i.e. separated from the head.
  • Very pronounced suspension.
  • Back: Saggy or humpbacked back. Marked vysokozadost.
  • Chest, belly: Severe barrel or underdeveloped chest.
  • The limbs are rickety or underdeveloped.
  • Constant lameness.
  • General constraint of movement.
  • Skin defects and underdevelopment.
  • Partial or complete absence of wool.
  • White markings in other places, except on the chest and paws.
  • Not gray color. Extensive brown spot.
  • Severe growth abnormality.
  • Other underdevelopment. Diseases that should be regarded as hereditary, such as epilepsy.
  • Defects in behavior, such as cowardice or nervousness.
  • The compilers cannot, of course, include in the list all the defects that occur, the above given are considered as examples.

• NOTE: Males should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Breeding history

Weimar Pointer is a breed bred in Germany for hunting purposes. The task of the Weimaraner was originally the intimidation and aportation of feathered game. German hunters started and used these dogs from the 17th century. Weimaraner participated in the hunt for a boar, bear, elk. When the popularity of such a game fell, the breed began to be used in the extraction of foxes, hares and game birds.

By the end of the 19th century, dogs of this breed were kept at the court of the Weimar Duke. It was during this period that the silver-colored cop breed got its modern name, after the name of the city where the castle of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach was located.

Smooth-haired Weimaraners officially registered as a separate breed in 1896. In 1935, thanks to the English writer Ludwig von Merey, the long-haired specimens, which were previously considered culling, were recognized as a type of breed.

Appearance, breed standards and photos

The Weimaraner breed of hunting dogs has an average or above average height at the withers — from 56 to 68.5 centimeters. The weight of an adult individual is 32-39 kilograms. There are two types of breed: sleek and long-haired.

• Body - proportionally folded. The figure is tall, wiry, with straight, long limbs. The chest is massive, moderately wide, deep. The ribs are long, elegantly rounded. The back is muscular and strong.
• The neck is long, beautifully set, muscular. Extends to the shoulder girdle and smoothly passes into the chest.
• The tail is set below the strong croup. Powerful, medium length. In a wary state, held horizontally.
• Paws strong, tight. Claws short, gray.
• The head is dry, proportional to the body size. The forehead is flat, the transition to the muzzle is not pronounced. The back of the head protrudes weakly above the skull.
• Muzzle is long. Upper lip hanging down, covering the bottom.
• Nose dark meat color, rolling in gray.
• Eyes - blue in puppies, amber - in adult dogs.
• Hanging ears, long, wide, set high.
• The coat is of two types: short, thick, adjacent to short-haired, long, straight, slightly wavy, and falling - long-haired.
• The color is dark or light gray with a silvery sheen. On the head and ears are much paler. Small white markings on fingers and chest are allowed. Brown spots are recognized as a serious defect.

Weimaraner refers to hunting dogs.

The disadvantages of the breed are:

• Deviations in growth and body proportions.
• Developed flea.
• Short or sharp muzzle.
• Barrel chest.
• Lack of hair on the abdomen, ears.
• Wavy, fluffy hair in short-haired species.
• Sagging or convex upward back.

The nature and characteristics of the breed training

Weimaraners are obedient and intelligent. A more sociable and active dog is unlikely to be found. Weimaraner gets along well with small children and other animals. There is not a drop of aggression in the breed. But at the same time the dog, if necessary, will defend the owner. Weimaraner does not trust outsiders.

Weimaraner loves vigilant runs.

Breed loves long runs, active gamesso it would be best to feel in a country house with a large plot.

In training, the breed is easy, but you need to begin to teach the order of the puppy at an early age. Small Weimaraners are like children, so you should not indulge them, but you also cannot prohibit all pranks. Playing a puppy is better to distract with a treat or other occupation. The method of changing affection and rigor will lead to positive results of training.

The first thing puppy begin to accustom to the nickname and the team "to me." This should be done in the courtyard or room so that an unaccustomed puppy will not chase after the first prey and not get lost.

One and important is the command "place". Too much restraint of a young dog is not worth it, but sometimes a playful puppy can become too active in the apartment and can smash everything around.

Weimaraner - quick-witted dog. He can sometimes be cunning and try to dominate the owner. If you want to get an obedient pet, it is impossible to prevent this, since it will be very difficult to rehabilitate the dog.

Keep a dog and care for her

The best place to keep Weimaraner - a country house with a fenced plot. This active dog needs long active walks. In a city, walking a dog can only be on a leash. The free running Weimaraner can easily fall under the wheels of a car.

Keep this breed in an unheated street booth can not, so outside the city for it you need to find a corner in the house, build a soft bedding in a place closed from the draft. The dog’s place must be positioned so that it can observe the family members. As a bed you need to use an orthopedic children's mattress. The Weimaraner sleeping place should be elevated above the floor and serve as a good support for a muscular and rather large body.

Weimaraner need long walks.

Weimaraner needs physical activity. Long walks, preferably outside the city. Therefore, it is worth to start it active owners. Sit all day alone in a city apartment, this breed can not.

Main dog care activities: daily combing with a special brush, bathing - once a month special shampoos, cleaning the ears and teeth, clipping claws. For the prevention of infection with insect parasites need to treat wool with protective agents.

In the summer, the dog can be bathed in the open water - the Weimaraner loves to swim. After swimming in the river, the wool should be rinsed with tap water in order to wash off microorganisms and sand.

Important. For walks in the cold season, the Weimaraner needs to buy a special jumpsuit, in the rain it is better to protect the coat with a waterproof raincoat. This breed has almost no undercoat, and in the cold it can catch a cold.

Weimaraner Catering

Proper feeding is an important condition; the content of the Weimar Pointer, only a dog receiving a sufficient amount of nutrients and vitamins will preserve the beauty of the figure and wool.

The dog should receive:

• Proteins - cottage cheese, meat, cheese, cottage cheese.
• Fats - meat products.
• Carbohydrates - Greek If there is no allergy, you can give the dog rice.
• Vitamins - fruit, greens.
• Fiber - vegetables.

All items must be present in the diet daily. Natural food must be supplemented with special vitamin-mineral complexes. Once a day, add a spoonful of vegetable oil to a bowl with food to prevent constipation.

It is very convenient to feed the Weimaraner with premium or super premium dry food. A suitable option would be the brand Akana, Hills, Proplan, Probalans. When feeding with dry food, it is necessary to strictly observe the dosage recommended by the manufacturers, since weimaraner cannot be overfed.

Important. The dog is physically active, so it should always have clean drinking water in a bowl.

Do not give chicken and tubular bones.

You can not feed the dog remains of the master's food. It is forbidden to give Weimaraner:

• Grapes, raisins.
• Bow.
• Sweets, chocolate is especially contraindicated.
• Fat meat.
• Spice.
• River fish.
• Bones, especially tubular.
• Chopped meat.
• Pasta.

Health, life expectancy and how the disease is predisposed breed

Weimaraner has a lifespan of 11-12 years. The breed has a sufficiently good health, and most individuals can live their whole life without suffering from serious diseases. But the breed has a predisposition to certain diseases.

Weimar cops may suffer from the following ailments:

The origin of the breed

The first mention of "silver dogs" refers to the XIII century and is associated with the history of the Crusades. After losing the battle of Mansur, King Louis the Holy was forced to return to France. Together with the remnants of the crushed troops of the Crusaders in 1254, unusual silver-haired dogs arrived in Europe. They immediately received the status of a royal pack, and their descendants, known as Chiens gris de St.Lois, the dogs of St. Louis, were described in detail by Gaston de Foix in an opus on hunting dogs (dating back to the mid-14th century).

Judging by the reviews from the sources, the cops showed excellent results in the hunt for large game. Due to this, as well as a tribute to fashion, the “ghost” dogs were kept at the courts of the nobility, their livestock grew rapidly, and the popularity of animals spread beyond France, to neighboring Flanders and Germany. This continued until the 17th century, after which gaps followed in the history of the breed.

Again about the "silver ghosts" started talking in the 50s of the XIX century. The passionate hunter and connoisseur of dogs, the Duke Carl Augustus of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenachsky set out to create a multifunctional breed, the representatives of which, being hardy on the field, could work effectively and at speed, and also have the necessary qualities of a companion dog.

It is interesting! It is assumed that in order to make the plan come true, the silver dogs were infused with the blood of other breeds - the German Hound and the Yellow Pointer.

The result of this bribery work suffered a complete fiasco at the Berlin exhibition: experts considered the “ghosts” to be metis, not seeing in them individual breed traits. Such a verdict insulted the German breeders and forced them to find new resources to improve the breed: selection of producers became more rigorous, and again fresh blood was required. This time in the selection work were used:

• The Burgos Pointer (Spanish Braque), tracking, picking up and aportiruyuschaya bird on land and water,
• Hünerhund, Pointer, working on water and land,
• Schweyshund, hound, working on the blood trail of a wounded game.

This is how a unique working friend dog appeared, known today as the Weimaraner - hardy, fast, energetic, dexterous, tough in field work and focused on the submission to the owner.

All born puppies should remain in the kennel: neither donation nor their sale were allowed even to persons close to the duke. "Isolation" led to the fact that the minimum distribution of the breed was the cause of its maximum purity. Only in 1896, after the recognition of the "ghosts" as a separate breed, did their purchase become available.

But even then the right to purchase a dog was ensured only by membership in the German Hunting Club Weimaranerov. This closeness of the community explained the low prevalence of the Weimar cops outside Europe. The breed standard was created in 1925, and it took another 44 years for the strict club policy to ease, opening the way to wider acceptance of the Weimaraners.

Today, puppies "silver ghosts" can be bought not only in Germany. But it should be noted that nurseries, where the emphasis in breeding work is to preserve the working qualities of a dog, are extremely reluctant to transfer their graduates to countries with insufficiently high living standards.

Weimaraner Pointer Description

The general impression of the Weimaraner is a proportionally built, with strong muscles and free movements, an active, energetic dog. The breed is recognized by canine organizations AKS, ANKS, SKS, FCI, KCGB, UKS.

Breed standards, appearance

Depending on the type of coat, the standard identifies two breeds of Weimaraner:

• smooth-haired, with a characteristic short, thick, hard, well-fitting bristle hair,
• длинношёрстную, с длинной (от 3 до 5 см), мягкой, немного волнистой остью, образующей «бахрому» на ушах, хвосте, бёдрах.

Наличие подшёрстка для обеих линий не имеет значения при оценке. Strictly limited colors are one of the indicators of the purity of the modern Weimaraner breed. The standard allows three variations of color:

• silver, with a possible light copper tint,
• brown-gray
• mouse gray.

Important! Due to the fact that in some individuals there is a dark band along the spine, which contrasts with the general color, such dogs can be used in breeder work only with exceptional hunting qualities.

On the head and ears, the color is usually slightly lighter than the main one.. Small white spots are possible on the paws and chest. Chocolate color or the presence of spots of intense brown color is unacceptable. Regardless of the breeding line, the exterior of the Weimaraner must meet the following requirements.

• Based on height and weight criteria. The breed standard refers to the Weimaraner middle and upper middle dogs. In males, height at withers is from 59 to 70 cm, weight - from 30 to 40 kg. Girls are more miniature: with height in withers from 57 to 65 cm their weight ranges from 25 to 35 kg. In this case, the values ​​of the extreme limits of the standard are undesirable.
• Head. When viewed from the top has a wedge shape, its size is proportional to the total addition. The skull part is slightly convex and narrow, with a moderately prominent occipital protuberance. The forehead, divided by the furrow, is rather wide, actively participates in facial expressions, becoming covered with folds, if the Weimaraner is concentrated. The transition from the forehead to the nose - smooth.
• Nose. With a flat back and a small crotch next to the lobe, a rather large, classic shape. The earbone is pigmented in the liver palette with a smooth transition to the gray color corresponding to the shade of hair on the nose bridge.
• Lips. Not heavy, taut, upper lip covers lower, moderately hanging down and forming a small fold in the corner of the jaws closing. Pigmentation of the mucous membranes of the mouth (palate, gums and edges of the lips) - body-pink.
• Jaws. With a full set of teeth, strong enough to hold a big game when aportirovanii. Scissor bite, without undershot. The cheekbones are well defined.
• Eyes. Medium size, round shape, with an outer corner raised towards the ear. Flesh-colored, well-fitting eyelids or tonal coat. The color of eyes in adult animals is from light to dark amber in color, and in puppies it is sky-blue.
• Ears. Large, triangular, with rounded ends, set high and close. At weinmaraner in a quiet state, the ears, hanging loosely on the sides of the head, reach the corner of the mouth. In dogs that are alert or focused, their ears are raised at the base and turned forward.
• Neck. Strong, with a distinctly pronounced nape, harmoniously moving into the line of the back.
• Chest. Not too wide, with depth reaching the elbow joints. The ribs are long, sufficiently curved.
• Wide and strong back. Without deflection, which provides good transmission when moving the hind limbs. The abdomen is slightly elevated.
• Relatively low set tail strong, thick, tapers to the tip, well covered with hair. Weimaraner in a calm state, it hangs down, with concentration - raised.
• Front limbs. Dry, set parallel to the withers, with long and distinctly shaped shoulders, well-fitting elbows. The obliquely set pasist performs the function of a shock absorber when moving.
• Hind limbs. They are set straight, parallel to the body, muscular, with a developed, harmoniously articulated bone. Hock joints clearly expressed.
• Brushes. Svodistye, with oval legs. Fingers are strong, bent, with tufts of wool between them in long-haired Weimaraners. Pigmentation of powerful claws corresponds to the basic color tone.

Important! The peculiarity of the breed are well-marked, longer than the neighboring, middle fingers of the anterior brushes. This is not considered a vice, in contrast to the dewclaws (polydactyly), which are removed from the Weimaraner at a puppy age.

Weimaraner

The character and psycho-emotional type of Weimaraner are defined as balanced and stable. In most cases, weimaraners are attached to one person, but in general they are oriented towards friendly relations with all family members.

Forced loneliness pets suffer badly, suffering from separation from the owner. At the same time, the company of another dog is not a way out of the situation: the need to be close to a man at the Weimaraner is comparable only with his passion for hunting. In relation to new people, the Weimar cops, as a rule, are on their guard, but they do not show extreme aggression (although, depending on the criticality of the situation, they can protect the owner).

For this reason, representatives of the breed are not used for the guard and guard service. Other pets, especially those with whom they grew up nearby, are considered members of the pack by the Weimaraners, however, displaying dominant behavior. With the free range of the Weimar Pointer, small animals can become a victim of her indomitable hunting instinct.

Lifespan

The purity of the breed and the inherited good state of health primarily affect the lifespan of the Weimaraner, which averages from 9 to 15 years. Proper quality of food and care, ensuring the necessary motor activity, timely vaccination, and disease prevention will help a dog to a great age to a great age.

But the content in the aviary, where the Weimaraner will be deprived of constant direct contact with the owner, will negatively affect his emotional state and, as a result, his physical health, which can shorten the life of the pet.

Weimaraner content

Home ownership with a large fenced garden plots - ideal conditions for keeping Weimaraner, allowing you to realize the need of dogs in active movements. An animal will feel no less comfortable living in a city apartment if it is provided with a sufficient movement mode - about two hours a day of intense load with a combination of jogging, passing an obstacle course, pitch go and other available types of training.

Care and hygiene

Normal grooming is not difficult.

• For hair, special care is not needed: a fairly regular, 2-3 times a week, cleansing with a massage brush. During periods of molting daily combing is necessary.
• Bathe Weimaraner at least once every three weeks or as needed. The animal's hair dries quickly even in cold weather, but in winter it is better to replace the usual washing with dry shampoo or bran.
• The eyes of a healthy dog ​​are clear, with no signs of souring and tearing. Once a week, as a preventive measure, the eyes and the area around them are gently wiped with a cloth, moistened with chamomile decoction.
• Weimaraner's hanging ears are poorly ventilated, so they need to be inspected regularly in order to notice the onset of inflammation, excessive sulfur emissions. Once a week, the inner part of the auricle is treated with a cloth moistened with chlorhexidine.
• Most often, weimaraners have no problems with their teeth. To prevent dental diseases, it is necessary to brush the teeth once a week. To reduce the risk of plaque and tartar, you can use a treat - artificial bones from dried veins.
• Claws grind off naturally if the dog walks quite a lot. With intensive growth, they are cut off twice a month with special claws for large breed dogs.
• After each walk, the pet's paws are washed or wiped with a damp sponge and examined for wounds, cracks, scuff marks. If the dog lives in the city, care for the paws in winter should be more thorough in order to prevent licking of the anti-icing agents.
• It is obligatory after each walking to check for ticks and other ectoparasites, even if the animal wears a frightening collar and regularly undergoes anti-parasitic treatment.

What to feed Weimaraner Pointer

First of all, the Weimaraner owner should choose one of two types of pet feeding.. The so-called homemade food: meat and dairy organic foods, fish, cereals, vegetables, vegetable fats. The indispensable conditions for this type of nutrition are the variety and balanced ratio of basic nutrients and mineral-vitamin substances.

• It is advisable to choose one or two types of meat from the allowed list: beef, lamb, poultry, rabbit. Once a week in the meat menu, you can include offal, scar.
• Fish, which is useful as a source of trace elements, should not be fat and contain bones.
• Rice porridge, buckwheat, oat flakes should be boiled in water.
• Vegetables must be present in the diet, but you should avoid their exotic, sweet, brightly colored species and varieties.
• Dairy products should be presented cottage cheese and kefir.

When feeding finished industrial food should pay attention to its brand and class. Croquets and pouches of the premium, super premium, and holistic classes have proven themselves well.

These wishes concern healthy dog ​​feeding.. If you have problems with the gastrointestinal tract or in connection with the special physiological status of the animal, you may need a diet food in accordance with the recommendations of the veterinarian.

Important! Inversion of intestines - a dangerous phenomenon that often occurs in dogs with deep breasts, which include Weimaraner. Most often, the twisting of the viscera occurs after eating.

Prevention of the problem should be feeding the animal in several small portions instead of one large per reception. In addition, the dog should avoid activity immediately after eating.

Diseases and breed defects

The most common ailments in Weimaraner:

• twisting bowel,
• degenerative myelopathy - dystrophic processes in the spinal canal channels leading to compression of the spinal cord and loss of the motor functions of the hind limbs,
• dysplasia - a violation of the development of the hip joint, leading to lameness
• myasthenia is a disease of a neurological nature, the cause of muscle weakness and loss of control over them,
• ophthalmologic problems - corneal atrophy, volvulus of eyelids, excess eyelashes and growing eyelashes, third-century inflammation,
• malignant neoplasms - fibrosarcoma, melanoma, mastocytoma,
• dermatological diseases - demodicosis, pododermatitis.

This list may seem long and frightening, but good hereditary data of dogs, full care, the implementation of preventive measures minimize the risk of developing diseases.

Experts consider serious breed vices:

• lack of reformism - well-defined external sex,
• noticeable deviations from the extreme values ​​of height, weight and proportions provided by the standard,
• pronounced bryl, too short or pointed muzzle,
• incomplete set of teeth
• eyelid defects,
• ears without crease, too short or long,
• deviations from the correct shape and length of the neck,
• humpbacked or sagging back,
• barrel-shaped or too tight belly,
• high set,
• limb abnormalities,
• too thin or, on the contrary, rough skin,
• curling or sparse hair on long hair in long-haired Weimaraners, the presence of adorning hair in short-haired individuals,
• yellow or intense brown shades, the presence of tan in the color,
• deviations from the correct movements on different gaits, including the amble, insufficient push.

Walking and accommodation

Walking with them should be about 2-3 times a day for 50-60 minutes. But walks must be filled with physical activities in the form of games with a stick or frisbee. For puppies, the number of walks should be about 5 times a day for 30-40 minutes.

Therefore, it is imperative to buy suitable clothes for the season so that the animal does not freeze during the cold season.

Nutrition of the Weimar Pointer, as well as the nutrition of all domestic animals, can be divided into two large groups: natural and store. Natural food is understood to be those products that the owner gives from the table, and under the store - production dry and wet food and canned food.

The basis of the dog's diet should be meat

You can not mix these two systems of food, because the store feed contains all the necessary nutrients. If you add to them natural food, then there is a high risk of imbalance of these substances, which leads to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

As for the industrial supply, there are a large number of brands in which there are special lines for large breeds.

If the owner decides to feed the pet with the help of industrial feed, then nothing more should be added to it. The optimal portions are indicated on the food package and depend on the sex and weight of the pet.

If we talk about natural nutrition, it does not have bright features and differences from the nutrition of other breeds. The basis of the diet should be raw meat - chicken, lamb, beef, turkey and rabbit meat (pork should be excluded). Fish (carefully boned) is also great for them. Sometimes fermented milk products (kefir, cottage cheese) and vegetables (except potatoes) should be added to the diet.

Eating puppies should include small portions. The first time, if the owner feeds the dog with natural food, meat should be passed through a meat grinder to facilitate his digestion. You should also give more kefir or yogurt.

Grooming

Weimaraners are shed twice a year - in the fall and spring. In short-haired individuals, this process takes place almost imperceptibly due to the structure of the wool. The frequency of combing dogs depends on the length of hair: short-haired Weimaraners enough 2-3 times a week, long-haired must be combed every day. It is necessary to bathe these dogs 3-4 times a year using a special shampoo.

Weimaraner's beautiful hanging ears require increased attention.

Character of the weimar dog

• Communicative.
• Active.
• Playful.
• Get along with the kids.
• Kind.
• Devotee
• Smart.
• Easy to train.

• It happens stubborn.
• With distrust and suspicion refers to strangers.
• Does not get along well with other animals.
• Irritable.

Weimar Pointer Training

Thanks to their hunting past, weimaraners are fairly easy to train and it is a pleasure for the owner to engage with them. Begin to train dogs should be from the very puppy age. But it is important to remember that pets can be allowed outside only with a full set of necessary vaccinations.

In the process of training it is important not only to train the dog for new teams, but also to work out the already passed

And, while the puppy is not sufficiently protected, the training should be carried out at home. Such training should include the ability to perform the most banal commands: sit, lie down, place, voice, and so on. Also, which is especially important for a hunting dog, the weimaraner must respond to its name. To do this, it is less likely to use diminutive nicknames, and more refer to the dog by nickname.

In order to distract the dog from unnecessary things you need to offer her something in return: a new game or sweetness. But at the same time, it is necessary to show her dissatisfaction with what she was doing. So the pet will respect, but not be afraid of its owner.

Because puppies that grew up in cramped conditions, in the future have a less toned and athletic body and poorer health than their brothers in the wild.

Dog health

In general, the Weimar Poleman has no diseases characteristic of its breed. Their life expectancy depends on the conditions of detention, physical activity, nutrition and genetics. But, there are a number of diseases to which this breed is more susceptible than the rest:

• skeletal scurvy.
• inflammation in bone tissue.
• hip dysplasia.
• gastrointestinal diseases (intestinal torsions).
• eye disease (volvulus, change in the cornea).
• inflammation of interdigital skin.
• demodicosis.
• von Willebrand disease.

These dogs should be vaccinated against:

Usually, all vaccinations are given in the complex, and the dog receives maximum protection after one or two shots.

If you want to get a healthy dog, before buying, ask how things are with its parents.

The first vaccination puppies do in two months. Then repeat at three months and at six. Upon reaching the year, the dog is vaccinated once a year. All vaccinations are prescribed by the attending physician. 2-3 weeks before the procedures it is necessary to conduct degelmentization (give the dog anthelmintic). It can be purchased at the zoo pharmacy and given on its own, or it can be done at the vet.

The discovery of this smell is a symptom of a disturbance that goes to the dog in the body. Therefore, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Puppy cost

Weimar Pointing Dog is quite a popular breed at dog shows. Therefore, the cost of a puppy will depend on its role in the life of the owner:

• 48-60 thousand rubles. So much will cost a puppy with a good pedigree, claiming to participate and win exhibitions.
• 30-40 thousand rubles. These puppies differ from the first only by the presence of a more modest pedigree. But they have the same characteristics. Not to participate in exhibitions.

When choosing a dog to participate in exhibitions, you should pay attention to the absence of such defects as:

• Vysokozadost.
• Hunchbacked back.
• Poorly developed muscles.
• Отклонения от официального окраса шерсти.
• Пятна.
• Слишком тонкая или слишком грубая кожа.
• Слишком короткие или слишком длинные уши.

Наличие этих качеств у породы закрывает для неё мир выставок.

You can also purchase an animal that will be a faithful friend and companion in nurseries (but prices will be high there) or with hands (for example, Avito).

Thanks to their remarkable character, the Weimar Poles will become a true friend for any family in which they will find affection and care.

Weimar dog puppies need early socialization

These magnificent dogs with a rich and interesting history will not leave anyone indifferent and will awaken bright and kind feelings in everyone who has ever communicated with them.

What to look for

Diligent breeder always willingly tells and shows in what conditions his dogs are kept. A tidy room, well-groomed, well-fed, mother of babies not exhausted by childbirth and feeding is already a positive indicator.

Puppies themselves must be active, playful. To guard the appearance of the puppy should:

• thinness
• swollen belly,
• visible bumps on the ribs and swollen joints of the limbs,
• purulent eyes
• wounds, rashes, flea bites on the skin,
• baldness on wool,
• dirt and signs of inflammation in the anus,
• sluggish, apathetic behavior, lack of reaction to a stranger.

If the puppy is acquired for further participation in the show, you can evaluate and even measure the parents' statistics (having previously studied the breed standard), as well as get acquainted with their show diplomas. If something in the behavior and appearance of the baby causes misunderstanding or suspicion, do not hesitate to ask for explanations from the breeder.

Weimaraner dog price

The price of the Weimar Pointer is determined by the breed class of the animal and ranges from $ 100 to $ 1000 depending on the status of the breeder (nursery). The most budget option, potentially entailing a lot of unpleasant problems with the health of the pet, is buying a puppy without documents, from hands or on a spontaneous market. Usually the price of such animals is $ 100- $ 250. A charming four-legged companion and pet of a family without a starry future can be purchased for $ 500. Weimaraner excellent blood, the winner of the championships in the future, costs about $ 1000.

Owner reviews

Regardless of the purpose for which the Weimaraner was chosen and acquired, the happy owners are unanimous in their opinion about the breed.

• This is an incredibly beautiful, strong and hardy dog.
• Teaching and educating her is a pleasure, she is a rare clever.
• Intellect and the instincts of Weimarz are admirable: sometimes the intuitive actions of a pet are ahead of the host team.
• Weimaraner is a passionate, thoughtful and systematic hunter who perfectly adapts to any terrain and to any conditions, combining high efficiency and elegant style in his work.

And the most important thing is a faithful, loyal, sincere and undivided loving friend.