Please can someone help...... we are looking to purchase a weimaraner and keep getting conflicting information on the breed.  I have previously had dogs and would be attending training classes with our new dog.  The dog would be left at home for 2x 4 hours a day.......would the dog be destructive?  Some people say that the dog would be fine but others say that it would pine?  Also how much exercise do they actually require?  They are so similar to the German Short Haired pointers and yet the 2 breed requirements are totally different!
Would appreciate any help on the matter.
Thanks

The requirements for both the breeds you mentioned are the same in my opinion. Both are active, hunting dogs that need mental stimulation and firm handling. If they do not get mental stimulation and training, then you end up with noisy, destructive, out of control pain in the posterior. The weimaraner is known for being slightly more differcult than the german shorthaired pointer but both breeds are not for the faint hearted. Can you clarify that you wish to leave the dog (or puppy?) alone for 8 hours a day with an hour off in between or are you looking at a longer period when someone will be available for company? I do not see a problem with leaving an adult alone for 4 hours at a time, as long as you are prepared to put the time and effort in when you do get home. Leaving a puppy alone for two shifts of 4 hours is asking for trouble, again in my opinion. I am sure Weims will be along shortly and advise you more thoroughly on the weimaraner.

I would agree with Admin, Weims and GSPs are both HPRs and are very similar in nature.  Certainly would not leave a puppy alone for more than two hours as you cannot housetrain it otherwise, also they need HUGE amounts of socialisation and training in the first few months.  Skimp on this and you can hardly ever make it up!

http://www.weimclubamerica.org/weimaraners/rightforyou.html

That describes a lot of their temperament. I wish I knew how to get these copied things on the board so you could just click on it. How do you do that?

But, I would read a bunch about them before getting one. I spent about a year reading every day for hours about Doberman Pinschers and how to find a reputable breeder before jumping into it. They don't sound too unlike a Doberman in many ways. It will take some real, active, involvement to make a nice dog....they seem to be quite head strong and very active.

But good luck....keep checking into it some more. Eight hours though is a long time to leave any puppy alone.

Carrie

Carrie, look here to do this

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I would say 2 hours tops for a puppy. 4 hours tops for an adult. You would need a good house cage too so that you could leave your dog in a safe area. Or you could come home to destruction. I knew a Weimaraner that would eat through the window board in 10 mins if the owners left him on his own. So it is true what people are telling you, odd Weims are naughty. Others are not as bad. It depends on what you do with your dog, and how you stimulate his mind. If you really mean that you will not be around for 4 hours, but really it could be a bit more than that then dont get one.
What you should also bear in mind is that Weimaraners do not have the best toilet habbits. It is very difficult to train a dog if you are not around. The Weimaraner soon grows fast and you soon have a large pile of yuk to clear up.
After saying all that I adore Weimaraners and would never be with out one. :-)
Nutkin

I have an English Pointer that has just turned one.  The vet. told me a few months ago that the exercise needs of our English Pointer are in the same class as the Weimaraner.

Although, I have adjusted.  The exercise needs of our pointer were not what I expected.  I am a new dog owner.  Honestly, I thought a lot of exercise meant strolling along side of me on a lead while I walked a couple of miles each evening.  And, hey she would have ample access to our backyard.

I had that wrong.

My vet politely explained that our pointer needed off lead running time everyday...rain, sleet, snow...  And she needed about an hour a day (less for young pups).  And, she needed a little stroll around the block at another time of the day. 

I have young children.  Here is the adjustment I am talking about.  We have a small yard, and I did not think it was until our pointer grew.  So, each day I have to drive to a "safe" park or woods for the pointer to run...really run freely/sprint.  In the winter and rainy spring...days I would have never been outdoors...now I am.  And, if the children are not in school, they have to come too...rain, sleet, or snow.

I am not trying to turn you off to this breed.  My pointer is my first dog.  From what I have seen of the Weimaraners, they are very attractive.  But, I did not really understand the commitment for exercise time.

Once we improved the exercise plan for our pointer, her temperment also improved meaning not so excitable and always looking for something to do.  And, if we miss just one day of exercise she is back to her old ways. 

My family loves this pup to pieces (including me most days), but I have to be honest it can be tough to drag a couple of children out in foul weather to run the dog.

There are many more experienced owners here that can give you more detail on the exercise needs.  Looking back, I wished I had better understood.  But, Sadie is here with us now, so we are working through it.  And we are all happier with her.

just curious...what did you decide?