As a puppy, it has sky-blue eyes that later turn amber. This is what the FCI standard says, fitting a dog that attracts attention in other ways too. Beneath the silver-grey coat, however, is a working gundog intended to work before and after the shot, rather than a decorative companion.
| FCI | Group 7 (Pointing Dogs), Section 1.1 Continental Pointing Dogs, Braque type, Standard No. 99, with working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Germany |
| Height at the withers | Males 59 to 70 cm, females 57 to 65 cm |
| Weight | Males approx. 30 to 40 kg, females approx. 25 to 35 kg |
| Life expectancy | Median 12,8 years in a British analysis of 584.734 dogs (McMillan et al. 2024) |
| Coat | Short-haired (short, very dense, close-fitting, barely any undercoat) or long-haired (soft, long, straight or slightly wavy) |
| Colours according to the standard | Silver, roe-deer or mouse grey and shades between; a little white on chest and toes permitted |
Origins
The standard says only one thing is certain: it was already kept at the Weimar court in the first third of the 19th century. Breeding then passed to professional hunters and foresters in Thuringia, selecting for working ability. Planned breeding and studbook registration began around 1890. The standard therefore calls it probably the oldest German pointing breed bred pure since 1900.
Temperament
The standard describes a versatile, biddable, steady and passionate hunting dog with a remarkable nose, watchful without aggression. At home, it is often deeply affectionate and follows its people from room to room. Staying alone must be learned in small steps.
Exercise and activities
A Weimaraner needs several hours of exercise daily and tasks for its nose. It is happiest working as a hunting dog. Without hunting, tracking, mantrailing and dummy training are alternatives. Its hunting instinct is strong; off-lead exercise works only with very good training.
Grooming
The short coat is easy to care for; a weekly session with a rubber glove is enough. Long-haired Weimaraners need regular brushing, particularly ears, tail and breeches. For short-haired Weimaraners, the standard permits a tail shortened for hunting where legislation allows. In Germany, docking is generally prohibited under Section 6 of the German Animal Welfare Act. Exceptions apply only in individual cases.
Health
At a median of 12,8 years, it fares well for a large dog in the British analysis by McMillan and colleagues. Gastric dilatation-volvulus is a serious concern in deep-chested breeds. A cohort study followed 1.914 dogs from eleven large breeds, including Weimaraners: 5,7 per cent developed the condition during the study, and 28,6 per cent of affected dogs died (Glickman et al. 2000). Learn the warning signs: a swollen abdomen, retching without vomiting and restlessness. Go straight to an emergency veterinary hospital.
Who does the Weimaraner suit?
Hunters or very active people with dog experience, who have daily time for training and long outings.
Who should consider another breed?
First-time owners, people with long office days and no care arrangements, and anyone primarily seeking a beautiful grey dog.
Read how much work a Weimaraner really creates day to day in our in-depth Weimaraner breed portrait. The breed quiz can show whether it suits you; our book offers more detail: “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). For those first weeks with a puppy, try our free Puppy Starter Pack. Find a picture of your Weimaraner among all our dog portraits or immediately as a digital artwork to download.
Further reading
- Weimaraner: the beautiful hunting dog that never clocks off
- Leaving your dog alone: learning without drama, step by step
- Calculating your dog’s food portions
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 99 Weimaraner (fci.be, version dated 26.05.2015); McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024; Glickman LT et al., Incidence of and breed-related risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus in dogs, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2000.
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