Weimaraner
Breed Profile
The Weimaraner is a robust dog that was originally bred for hunting in the early 19th century. Early Weimaraners were popular with the royalty and used for hunting large game such as boar, bear and deer. As the popularity of large game hunting began to dwindle, Weimaraners were used for hunting small animals like fowl, rabbits and foxes.
Temperament
The Weimaraner is a hunting dog which brims with energy. It is indeed prized for its physical endurance, stamina, along with its strong, instinctive prey-drive. Cats should fear the breed as it usually follows its penchant to hunt cats no matter how long it has known a particular cat. Also, it is likely to chase and kill any small animal that enters the garden.
Color & Coat
This breed’s short coat and outlandish eyes confers it a distinctive majestic appearance. The coat is very low-maintenance, short, hard, and smooth to the touch, and may range from charcoal-blue to mouse-grey to silver-grey or even blue-grey. This breed does not have an undercoat, so it will not fare well in extreme cold.
Health
As a deep-chested dog, the Weimaraner is particularly prone to bloat or gastric torsion, a condition which can be fatal if left untreated. One way to help prevent bloat is to spread out the Weimaraner’s feedings to at least twice daily. and to refrain from any vigorous exercise an hour before or after meals. Skin allergies are prevalent among Weimaraners. Owners should consult a vet if a dog starts to lose hair, itch excessively or develop rashes as parasites can provoke an allergic reaction in addition to the normal irritation resulting from bites.