Weimaraner
The Grey Ghost — bred for nobility, built for the chase, devoted to a fault.
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 |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
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.
Care
| 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. |
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.