Origin
The Weimaraner is a handsome dog with their lovely silvery coats and light coloured eyes. They are native to Germany where they have always been highly prized for their hunting skills and the fact they make such wonderfully loyal family pets. Today, Weimaraners are often used as assistance dogs throughout the world thanks to the fact they are so intelligent and good natured. Often referred to as Weims, these elegant dogs have found their way into the hearts and homes of many people here in the UK and are becoming a big hit in the show ring too.
The history of the Weimaraner remains a bit of a mystery although similar looking dogs are depicted in paintings by Van Dyke that date back to the 1600's. There are those who believe the breed could be a relative to the German Shorthaired Pointer and that both breeds share a common ancestry. It is also thought the breed came about by crossing Schweisshund breeds with Bloodhounds.
They take their name from the Grand Duke of Weimar and were once the preferred dog of nobility on the hunting field where they were used to track down large prey. This included wildcats, deer, mountain lions, bears and wolves. However, by the 1800's large game became rarer in Germany which led to Weimaraners numbers falling too.
For many years, not much was known about their breeding because the Germans kept this a close secret. However, in 1929, the first Weim was taken over to America and a few years later in 1943, the breed was recognised by the American Kennel Club. Today, they are a popular choice as rescue and assistance dogs for the disabled. In many parts of Europe, the Weimaraner is used by the Police and over the years, they have proved themselves to be reliable and trustworthy companion dogs and family pets which has helped the breed gain popularity both in the UK and elsewhere in the world.
