Weimaraner
威瑪獵犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Weimaraner is the 'Grey Ghost' — a large, sleek German gundog with a silvery coat, amber or blue-grey eyes and boundless stamina. Weims are friendly, fearless and very trainable, but they are intensely people-oriented, need to run hard every day, and are notorious for separation anxiety when left alone; a tired Weimaraner is a good Weimaraner.
Facts
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Height | 58–69cm |
| Weight | 25–41kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–13years |
| Breed group | AKC: sporting FCI: 7 |
| Role | Sporting |
| Coat | Short coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 90–180min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 5/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 4/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 2/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
Deep-chested dogs of this breed are at risk of bloat, a life-threatening emergency. Ask your vet about the warning signs and prevention options.
Behaviour
Family member, not a kennel dog
The CKC says the Weimaraner is friendly, fearless and obedient, easily trained, and is not happy when kennelled because it is accustomed to being a member of the family; the AKC quotes a breeder: the good news is Weims are smart, the bad news is Weims are smart — they learn good and bad habits fast.
Needs to run, not just walk
The AKC says Weimaraners have high exercise requirements and love a good run — walking is OK but stretching out at full speed is far better; the CKC notes the breed's stamina and driving power and that it appreciates lots of outdoor exercise.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 5/5 (very high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 5/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Weimaraner
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Weimaraner (Sporting Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Weimaraner
Breed characteristics (size large, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Weimaraner (standard no. 99, group 7)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's 'Living with a Weim' page describes them as perpetual two-year-olds — always underfoot, wanting to be involved, sleeping as close to you as possible — and warns that this need to be with people is exactly why they are hard to kennel and why separation anxiety is one of the most common reasons Weimaraners are surrendered to rescue.”
— Weimaraner Club of America — Living with a Weim via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Weimaraner — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Weimaraner — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Weimaraner — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Weimaraner — FCI standard no. 99 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Living with a Weim — Weimaraner Club of America — Weimaraner Club of America — Living with a Weim (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.