My partner and i have fallen in love with weimaraners and are contempating getting a puppy. I have been researching this breed for the last four weeks to find out everything we need to know beforehand. I would be gratefull if any owners had any advice we would find valuble for our first puppy.  

Hi, If you can get to Crufts on 4/5/6/7 March then you will be able to discuss your questions with knowledgeable owners on the Discover Dogs stand or if you go Friday you will see plenty of them as it is gundog day!

You would be wise to visit owners/breeders WITHOUT puppies to see if you are comfortable with the adults (and so you don't make a rash decision) and get to know their quirks! 

Look for breeders who belong to either the Weimaraner Club of Great Britain and/or the Weimaraner Association as they must abide by a code of ethics which means all breeding stock (dogs and bitches) should be hip scored (breed average 13), no bitches to be serviced under 2 or whelp after 7, breeders to help with rehoming if necessary, no bitches to have more than 3 litters in a life time.

The Weimaraner is a very strong willed dog from the HPR group, (hunt point and retrieve) and requires a great deal of training from Day 1 if they are not to become self employed!  When mature (at around 2 - 3) they will need around 2 hours exercise a day (not pounding pavements).  Their hunting instinct is extremely strong therefore it must be controlled.

The link below will take you to a forum with very experienced help and advice.  They are a "hobby" dog and do best in homes where they can be involved in an activity such as field trials, working trials, agility etc. 

http://www.weimaraner-forum.org.uk/

There were over 2,900 bred in 2003 and a huge amount in rescue at the moment because of unscrupulous breeders and unsuitable owners.

HTH

Hi Tohme - you seem to know quite a bit about these. I was wondering the other day if (being short furred) they shed hair like a dalmatian does.

I am not sure what Dallies shed like :D

The shorthaired Weimis do shed their tiny little hairs all over the place; they tend to collect on skiring boards and stick to bath surrounds etc (God knows how as they never go near it) :D

The longhaired ones have hair that tends to form into tumbleweeds :D

Thanks I thought that might be the case. Incidentally dalmatians are one of the worst for it. I've got little white hairs all over my office chair - he's never been to work with me. All over the inside of both our cars - he's never been in one of them (unless he takes it without telling me). He's worth it though!

Tohme, I'd be surprised to find a breed that sheds more than dals! They seem to shed more hair each day than they appear to have on their bodies ... 

Do Dallie owners ever wear black? :D  At least grey does not show up too much :)

We might get away with wearing black for a short while in the shop, when we try it on! (Although even in changing rooms I have noticed white hairs on the clothes I haven't yet tried ) Black is not recommended - flecky colours are better! :D

I wear black trousers to work, spend the first ten minutes there picking off the hairs while I have a cup of coffee. 
Hubby moans they are on his car seats, even though the dog never goes goes near his car. 

My whole house has been designed around the Dally, leather suite, hard floors, no fabric anywhere in living area :rolleyes:

I remember last time I went into hospital I had Dally hairs on my pj's, we always take them on holiday with us, laying on the beach in Barbados one year, found them woven into my fabric beach bag.   Bless him, at least he made sure he wasn't forgotten.  :D

Sandra

Hello Guest
I will be at crufts with 2 dogs. Come find me up if you want to know anything about the breed.

Talking of dog hairs. A lot of policemen like Weimaraners as they dont shed great handfuls of hair on the uniforms. However they do get as Alison says little hairs everywhere. But normally a good brush whilst coating helps this.
Nutkin