Sporting group
Weimaraner
The “Grey Ghost” — a sleek, driven hunter with a clingy, clever heart.
Weimaraners are athletic, intelligent hunting dogs with a distinctive silver-grey coat and pale eyes. They are loving and loyal but demanding: they need lots of exercise, training and company.
- Height
- 23–27 in58–69 cm
- Weight
- 55–90 lb25–41 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–13 years
- Size
- Large
- Group
- Sporting
- Origin
- Germany
Coat: Short, smooth, sleek coat (a longhaired variety exists outside the AKC). Colours: Mouse-grey, Silver-grey, Blue-grey.
At a glance
Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.
Temperament
Weimaraners are affectionate, friendly and deeply attached to their people. They are bold, curious and playful, and many are good watchdogs.
They are also high-energy, strong-willed and prone to separation anxiety. Under-exercised Weims can be destructive and noisy. Their prey drive is intense, making small pets risky.
Living with a Weimaraner
Exercise
Needs two hours or more of vigorous exercise daily, including off-lead running where safe.
Grooming
Very low maintenance: weekly brushing and nail trims. Moderate shedding.
Training
Smart but can be stubborn; consistent, positive training from puppyhood is important.
Kids & other pets
Good with older children; exuberant with toddlers. Often best without small pets.
Time alone
Prone to separation anxiety; long periods alone often lead to destruction or barking.
Home fit
Best suited to a house with secure outdoor space; apartment living is hard on this breed and its neighbours.
Is a Weimaraner right for you?
Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a Weimaraner matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.
Health
With good breeding and care, a Weimaraner typically lives 10–13 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)
Weimaraners are among the breeds at highest risk; many owners consider a preventive gastropexy.
Hip dysplasia
Screened parents reduce the risk of joint disease.
Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD)
A painful bone disease in fast-growing puppies causing fever and lameness.
Spinal dysraphism
An inherited spinal cord defect affecting gait; a DNA test is available.
Hypothyroidism
An underactive thyroid; managed with daily medication.
Ask a breeder for
- Hip evaluation
- Eye examination
- Thyroid evaluation
- DNA test for spinal dysraphism
Sources: OFA CHIC breed requirements: Weimaraner; Weimaraner Club of America. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.
Cost to own
After the first year, expect roughly $1,500–$3,000 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).
- Food, medication and anaesthesia are dosed by weight, so every vet visit costs more for a big dog.
- Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
History
Weimaraners were developed in the early 1800s at the court of Grand Duke Karl August of Weimar, Germany, as all-purpose hunting dogs for large game such as boar, deer and bears.
The German breed club tightly controlled breeding. Weimaraners reached America in the 1920s and 30s, and the AKC recognised the breed in 1943. Photographer William Wegman made Weims famous with his portraits.
Did you know?
- Weimaraner puppies are born with stripes that fade within days.
- William Wegman’s Weimaraner photographs have appeared on Sesame Street.
- The breed is nicknamed the “Grey Ghost”.
Library guides for Weimaraner owners
Training
Come (Recall)
High chase drive makes a reliable recall essential.
Training
Heel and Loose-Leash Walking
A strong Weimaraner needs loose-lead manners early.
Exercise & Play
Fetch
A fast way to meet a high exercise need.
Exercise & Play
Dog Road Work
Structured conditioning for high-stamina dogs.
Exercise & Play
Hide and Seek
Brain work that tires busy minds.
Training
Place / Go to Mat
Teaching a settle helps dogs that struggle to switch off.
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
- Are Weimaraners good family dogs?
- Yes, for very active families who are home a lot. They are affectionate but demanding.
- Do Weimaraners have separation anxiety?
- Many do. Build alone time gradually and provide lots of exercise.
- Do Weimaraners shed?
- Moderately. Their short coat is easy to groom.