Ever since I was a girl I have loved the Weimaraner. This year is the first time in my life I have been at a point where I know I can provide a good home for one. What I want to know is this - Is there any requirements for buying a pup? I don't want a dog for show or to breed, I am looking for a domestic dog only. When I mentioned it to someone they said I would have to go for interviews and such before I could get a pup.

Please could someone in the know tell me exactly how buying a pup works.

Buying a weimaraner is no different than buying another sort of breed.  All good breeders of any type will want to assess your suitability for having one of their precious puppies that they may have put a lot of time and trouble into breeding.

Weimaraner Rescue is unfortunately full at the moment.

If you want further information you can talk to experienced Weimaraner owners on http://www.weimaraner-forum.org.uk/ who will gladly share their knowledge with you.

The two main weimaraner breed clubs in the UK have codes of ethics and conduct to which members abide.  They agree not to mate a bitch before it is two years old, or to use their stud dog on a bitch less than two years old.  Bitches do not have more than 3 litters in their lifetime and responsible breeders hip score their breeding stock (breed average is 13).

http://www.weimaraner-association.org.uk
http://www.weimaranerclubofgreatbritain.org.uk

You need to think carefully about whether you want a shorthair or a longhair, bitch or dog, docked or undocked.  Reputable breeders tend to have waiting lists. Those who produce puppies merely as cash crops do not!

If you need any further help, please feel free to pm me.

HTH

I will be looking for a dog, shorthair and not docked (if possible). I've never actually had a pedigree before so I have no idea whats involved in getting one. I've only ever had mixed breeds and we all know its not difficult to get one of those.

So say I found a breeder not too far from where I live and I contact them. What sort of questions will I be asked? Will I have to provide anything or do anything other than buy the pup? Like I said I don't want to breed (unless I have to?) or show the dog, I would just like one as a companion as I am head over heels in love with these dogs.

Thanks

It is up to you whether you decide to breed of not. No one can force you to. :)

The sire and dam should be hip scored and the breed mean score (Average) for Weimaraner hips is 13 (a total of both hip added together).

By and large Weimaraners do not have eye problems and have nothing listed under the BVA/KC/ISDS eye test scheme. It would be nice if they had been tested but you will almost certainly find that they have not been.

Good luck with your puppy hunting.

Best wishes, John

Hello Sadie,

Weclome to the board and hopefully to Weimaraner ownership :) I have a 19 month old male Weim and he certainly keeps life interesting :D He's fast asleep on the sofa at the moment recovering from the shock of seeing his "favouritest-ever-in-the-whole-wide-world" doggy football floating down the river (I'm not the best thrower in the world, oops!). Didn't tempt him to get his feet wet though, think he's a mutant actually, most Weim's seem to relish a dip. Me, I've got a HPR who's scared of ducks! Oh well, we all love him, bags of character and fantastic with my two kids, 7 & 8. They're not good at being left alone though so please bear that in mind when you do get one, they just want to love you for ever all the time, even if it's only resting their head or a paw on your sweaty foot (sweaty from being out in soggy fields for hours throwing poxy balls into the river!) . You've probably read up and found out lots about them as you've been an admirer for so long so I'll stop waffling now.

One thing though, have you got your heart really set on purchasing a puppy or would you consider a rescue? They have some youngish dogs in there who need re-homing for things like marriage break-ups etc. They're not all monster-dogs! Was just thinking that if you don't want to show or breed then you'd have the joys of owning a Weim with none of the "nasty" bits like toilet-training. If you did decide you wanted to "do" something with him, other than enjoy him just as a loyal companion, you could give agility a bash. Although you can't show a rescue dog I'm pretty sure you can compete in agility. Tohme is very well versed in most things Weim (and writes some excellent articles re. nutrition too, even in the WCGB Newsletters!) so if she happens along again, try to nab her if you are interested.

Good luck in whatever you decide and I hope you get more years of enjoying a loving companion than you do of tearing your hair out and turning prematurely grey

The best thing to do is contact the Weimaraner Association and/or the Weimaraner Club of Great Britain who will put you in touch with reputable breeders (go see some without puppies) :D.  If possible attend a few shows to see what "type" you like.  The world is not going to run out of Weimaraners (over 2900 registered with the KC in 2003) however it costs just as much if not more to keep a poorly bred specimen as it does a puppy from a well thought out breeding by those who have a deep interest in the breed as a whole rather than " a litter".

If you can, speak to those who also "work" theri dogs, either in the field, agility, Working Trials or obedience who may give you a different slant on their character.

If you are specifically looking for a male be aware that they are physically and mentally extremely "strong" dogs and go through a totally ghastly "Kevin" stage from 10 - 24 months or so when they can be quite a pain.  Bitches, in general, tend to be easier to handle.

If you are looking for an undocked specimen there are one or two reputable breeders who do not dock but still have their stock hip scored etc (as opposed to those who don't dock to save money) or, alternatively, some breeders will leave a tail on one of their pups if you pay up front/put down a substantial deposit.

Again the questions you will be asked are the usual ones that pertain to all dogs eg do you have a dog proof garden (weims are more than capable of leaping 6ft in a single bound), what are your domestic arrangements eg will the dog be left all day, can you give the dog the exercise it needs (when mature a weim requires a minimum of 2 hours free running a day), are you prepared to put in the training required to prevent it becoming a pain to others (they are a strange mixture of stubborness and sensitivity, confrontational methods do not work on them) etc etc etc.

The majority of weimaraners go to "pet" homes however it would be true to say they are not exactly a couch potato! :D

Rescue is full of nice dogs that have been surrendered because the small, grey dog with the big ears and blue eyes turned into what it was bred for! 

Be aware that the standard says "hunting instinct of paramount of importance", if this is not correctly channelled and controlled from a very young age you may find that your dog is at risk of being run over as it chases a rabbit/cat/squirrel etc.  They were bred to hunt, point and retrieve and they do!  If brought up with cats they are usually fine with them but everyone elses may be fair game.

Hope that helps! :D

I think it is definitely best to attend any Weimaraner training classes near you, and if thats not possible, attend shows and speak to people to find out exactly what the breed is like.  They are highly energetic and need a lot of attention (well mine are anyway) so any breeder you approach to buy a pup would want to know that you are aware of their personality, etc, and that you're lifestyle is suited to living with a Weim.

Hi Sadie,

I work with weimaraner rescue and I am more than happy to chat with you about weims.  I am owned by 5 weims in total ages ranging from nearly 10 yrs to just over a yr old.  I have brought up kids with weims.  I am a member of the Weimaraner Club of GB and do the rescue work for them.  if you want to e mail me at kidmal.weimaraners@ntlworld.com I am more than happy to provide you with either my number or if you want to give me yours I will ring you.  Whether you want a puppy or a rescue I am sure I can point you in the right direction.

Kind regards
Lynn