Weimaraner
The Grey Ghost — bred for nobility, built for the chase, devoted to a fault.
On these lists: Dogs for runners · Dogs for hunting
Vital stats
| Size | Large · 57–70 cm |
| Weight | 25–40 kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–13 years |
| Energy | Very high — 2 hours/day |
| Shedding | Low–moderate, year-round |
| Coat | Short sleek coat · silver to mouse grey |
| Group | Sporting · FCI №99 / AKC |
| Origin | Weimar, Germany |
| FCI group | 7 — Pointing Dogs · FCI 99 |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
The Weimaraner by the numbers
The Weimaraner facts owners search for most — price, lifespan, weight, shedding and colours, in one place.
Widely bred, so you can usually find a litter from a registered breeder without a long wait. Ongoing costs run high — more food, bigger doses at the vet, and pricier insurance.
We don't quote a single figure: the real price swings with breeder, region, bloodline and health testing — and a rescue costs a fraction of a breeder's litter. Adopting is almost always the cheapest route.
Temperament
Created for the Grand Dukes of Weimar to trail boar and deer, then repurposed for birds, the Weimaraner hunts with real drive and comes home needing you. It learns fast and forgets nothing — under-exercised or left alone too long, that intensity turns to mischief and mournful howling.
Habits & quirks
The Weim lean
Full body weight against your legs — this is affection, delivered at 35 kilos.
Shadow protocol
Follows you from room to room, including the bathroom. Especially the bathroom.
Counter patrol
Tall enough to survey every worktop, and opportunist enough to act on it.
Under the duvet
Thin coat, little insulation — many Weims burrow into bedding like oversized silver cats.
Health
The Weimaraner's headline health issue is its deep chest: like other big, deep-chested breeds it's prone to bloat (GDV), a fast, life-threatening twist of the stomach, so feed calm, split meals and learn the warning signs. The other risk is in its head, not its body — this breed bonds so hard that separation anxiety is common, and a distressed Weimaraner does real damage. Keep it lean, feed it carefully, and don't leave it alone for long days.
Nutrition
| Exercise | Two hours daily, some of it off-lead running or field work — a walked Weimaraner is an under-exercised Weimaraner. |
| Company | Genuinely prone to separation anxiety; build alone-time tolerance early and don't plan on long empty days. |
| Training | Quick to learn and quick to test — give it jobs, structure and early socialisation. |
| Health | Deep-chested and bloat-prone: feed calm, split meals and learn the signs of GDV. |
Feed a Weimaraner measured meals to keep it lean and hard-muscled, and count treats into the day's total. The deep chest matters most here: split the food across the day rather than one big bowl, keep mealtimes calm, and leave a clear gap between eating and hard exercise — all of it aimed at lowering the bloat risk this breed carries.
Puppy guide
A Weimaraner puppy is clever, bold and growing into a big, powerful dog, so set the rules early and kindly. The single most useful thing you can do is teach it to be alone in small, calm steps from the start, because this is one of the breeds most prone to separation anxiety. Keep exercise moderate while the joints form, socialise hard, and start recall young — the hunting drive is real, and a Weim in full chase has stopped listening.
Training
Weimaraners learn fast and test faster: give one a job, a clear structure and early socialisation and you have a brilliant partner; leave it bored and under-exercised and that intelligence turns to mischief and howling. Keep sessions upbeat and reward-based, stay consistent, and channel the drive into scent work, gundog training or dog sports. The training only sticks on a properly tired dog.
Known health issues
No breed is problem-free. These are the conditions most worth knowing about for this breed — with what a good breeder screens for and what an owner watches. General guidance, not a substitute for your vet.
Bloat (GDV)
A sudden, life-threatening twisting of the stomach, mostly in deep-chested breeds — a true emergency. Good breeders screen: Ask about family history; discuss preventive gastropexy for high-risk lines. Watch for: A swollen belly, unproductive retching, restlessness — go to a vet at once.
Hip dysplasia
A poorly fitting hip joint that wears early and can cause pain and arthritis, most common in larger breeds. Good breeders screen: Hip-scored parents (BVA/OFA/FCI). Watch for: Stiffness, a bunny-hop run, or reluctance on stairs.
Life expectancy
Weimaraners live 10–13 years. Keep a Weimaraner lean, well-exercised and free of the stress of long lonely days and it's a sturdy, healthy dog. The deep chest is the thing to stay ahead of — feed split, calm meals and know the signs of bloat — and buying from a breeder who health-tests stacks the odds in your favour.
Popular Weimaraner mixes
Weimardoodle
A tall, athletic cross bred for a lower-shedding coat and the Weimaraner's devotion. High-energy and people-focused; it needs plenty of exercise and hates being left alone.
Labmaraner
A lean, driven gundog cross for an active home — friendly and trainable, with energy to burn. Bonds hard to its people and does best when it isn't left alone for long.
Similar breeds
Breeds with a similar build and background — worth a look if this one isn't quite the fit.
Breeds that look like this
Common questions
Can Weimaraners be left alone?
Not happily, and not for long. They bond intensely and are among the breeds most prone to separation anxiety — plan for company or invest seriously in training it.
Are Weimaraners good family dogs?
With active families, yes — affectionate, playful and protective. Their size and bounce can flatten toddlers, so supervision and manners training matter.
How much exercise does a Weimaraner need?
Roughly two hours a day, ideally including free running, scent work or gundog training. A quick lead walk barely registers.
Does the Weimaraner shed a lot?
Moderately. The Weimaraner sheds a fair amount, steadily through the year with heavier seasonal patches. A weekly brush keeps most of the loose hair off your floors and clothes.
Is the Weimaraner hypoallergenic?
Not really. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, and the Weimaraner's shedding coat releases plenty of the dander that sets off allergies. If someone at home is allergic, this isn't the easiest breed to live with — spend time around one first.
Is the Weimaraner easy to train?
Yes. The Weimaraner is one of the more trainable breeds — quick to learn and keen to work with you, which makes reward-based training straightforward. Start early, keep it positive, and it picks things up fast.
