Weimaraner at a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height
- 56–69 cm
- Weight
- 25–40 kg
- Life expectancy
- from 10 years
Typical for the breed, not a promise about any one dog. Not assessed yet: Shedding.
Is the Weimaraner right for you?
Like every breed, the Weimaraner is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:
May suit you if…
- You enjoy long walks and an active, outdoor life.
- You would like a coat that is fairly easy to look after.
Consider another breed if…
- The dog would regularly be left alone for long working days.
- You cannot offer well over an hour of exercise every day.
- You live in a flat or a small home.
- You have young children at home.
How would the Weimaraner fit your lifestyle?
Choose a few details for a general, non-guaranteed view.
About the Weimaraner
The Weimaraner is a large, athletic gundog with a striking silver-grey coat and pale eyes, which have earned it the nickname the "Grey Ghost". It has power, stamina and balance, and is typically loyal, loving and highly intelligent, forming very strong bonds with its family.
Key characteristics
General breed tendencies, not a prediction for an individual dog.
- Size
Large
A large dog.
- Exercise
Very high
Usually needs several hours of activity or work a day.
- Energy level
Very lively
Very lively and usually keen to be busy.
- Grooming
Weekly
The coat usually needs brushing about once a week.
- Shedding
Not assessed yet
Our sources do not say enough yet.
- Trainability
Moderate
Generally trainable with patience and consistency.
- Good with children
Older children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
- Good with other dogs
Can be selective
Can be selective about other dogs.
- Good with cats
Strong chase instinct
Often has a strong instinct to chase small animals.
- Suits first-time owners
Experienced owners
Best with an experienced owner.
- Barking / vocality
Barks sometimes
May bark at visitors or unfamiliar sounds.
- Time alone
Prefers company
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
The breed was developed in the early 19th century at the German court of Grand Duke Karl August of Weimar, as a pointing dog for the nobility, although a dog of Weimaraner type appears in a Van Dyck portrait about three centuries earlier. The nobility wanted to keep the breed exclusive, and a club enforced strict rules on breeding and ownership.
The breed only became better known outside Germany around the Second World War, with exports to the USA and the UK, and it was first seen in the UK in the 1950s. It has since become popular in the show ring and admired for its skills in the hunting field. There is also a much less common long-haired variety.
Weimaraner temperament
Weimaraners are usually loving, loyal dogs that thrive in active families. They are devoted to their owners and are rarely far from their side. They can take time to warm to new people, but once they do they are friends for life.
They can be a little wilful and are known to try their luck, so they do best with owners who know the breed. They can sometimes be highly strung, and good early socialisation helps them grow into relaxed adults. They are not known as big barkers, but may become more vocal if bored or left alone too long, and they can develop separation anxiety, so it is best to have someone with them for most of the day.
Size and appearance
Weimaraners are large dogs. Adults typically stand 56–69 cm and weigh around 25–40 kg.
The usual coat is short and smooth, and there is also a long-haired variety. Breed standard colours are mouse grey, roe grey and silver grey. As they get older, their eyes can sometimes change from light blue to grey-blue or amber.
How much exercise does a Weimaraner need?
A Weimaraner needs at least two hours of exercise every day, including long walks and plenty of chances to run and play off lead in a secure area. They do not tire easily, so two hours really is the minimum. Agility and similar activities are a good outlet, and puzzle games and training help keep their minds active.
Many love water and are strong swimmers, so keep a firm hold of the lead near water and only let them swim where it is safe. A large house with a large garden suits them best.
Training a Weimaraner
Weimaraners are very intelligent and pick things up quickly, but they learn bad habits as fast as good ones and can be strong-willed.
- Start positive, reward-based training as early as possible.
- Set clear boundaries from day one, and make sure everyone at home follows the same rules.
- Socialise them with a wide range of people, dogs and experiences from a young age.
- If you are new to the breed, consider accredited training classes.
Weimaraner grooming
The short coat is very low maintenance, and a weekly brush is usually plenty. Weimaraners shed all year round, with a bit more in spring and autumn.
Living with a Weimaraner
Weimaraners are fairly good with children and enjoy playtime, but their size means they can accidentally knock small children over, so they are not usually recommended for families with younger children. Teach children to treat the dog with respect, and learn to read your dog's body language so you can step in before things become stressful.
Whatever the breed, dogs and young children should never be left alone together, and an adult should supervise every interaction.
Children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
Other dogs
Can be selective about other dogs.
Cats and small pets
Often has a strong instinct to chase small animals.
Flats and smaller homes
Usually needs a roomy home.
Garden
A garden is helpful.
Being left alone
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
First-time owners
Best with an experienced owner.
Weimaraner health
Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.
Some conditions are recognised in Weimaraners. Knowing about them helps you ask the right questions; it does not mean every Weimaraner will be affected.
Hip dysplasia
The hip joint does not fit together perfectly, which will eventually lead to arthritis. The Royal Kennel Club recommends hip testing under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme before breeding.
Elbow dysplasia
Abnormal development of the elbow joint. The Royal Kennel Club recommends elbow testing under the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme as part of best-practice screening.
Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV)
The stomach bloats and twists around on itself, which can be fatal. Leaving a gap between eating and exercise is thought to reduce the risk.
Distichiasis
Small eyelashes grow on the inner surface or very edge of the eyelid and rub on the eye, causing irritation. Separately, the Royal Kennel Club recommends eye testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme for breeding dogs to screen for inherited eye conditions.
Cancers
Weimaraners can be prone to certain cancers.
What health checks should you ask about?
Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Weimaraner home, it is reasonable to ask about:
- Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
- Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
- Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
- Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.
How much does a Weimaraner cost to own?
There are two costs: bringing a Weimaraner home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.
Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 10 years, not just the first year.
Buying a Weimaraner
If you have decided the Weimaraner suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.
- Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
- Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
- Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
- Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.
Adopting a Weimaraner
Weimaraners do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.
Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.
Weimaraners looking for homes
Live from Mypetzilla, updated as pets are listed.
Find Weimaraner adverts for sale and for adoption on Mypetzilla now.
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Weimaraner FAQs
Is the Weimaraner good with children?
Usually better with older, calmer children. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Can the Weimaraner live in a flat?
Usually needs a roomy home. Exercise and company matter more than floor space.
How much exercise does the Weimaraner need?
Very high: usually needs several hours of activity or work each day. Puppies and older dogs need less structured exercise.
How much grooming does the Weimaraner need?
Typically: about once a week.
Is the Weimaraner easy to train?
Generally trainable with consistency. Kind, reward-based training works best.
Can the Weimaraner be left alone?
Usually copes only with short periods alone. Build up time alone gradually.
Does the Weimaraner bark a lot?
Barks sometimes. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Is the Weimaraner good with cats?
Often has a strong instinct to chase small animals. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
How long does the Weimaraner live?
Typically from 10 years. Lifespan varies with genetics, weight, care and luck.
How big does the Weimaraner get?
Adults typically stand 56–69 cm at the shoulder and weigh 25–40 kg.