All about Weimaraners

Weimaraner is a rare and unusual animal species. This breed of dog is characterized by an unusual coat color, as well as expressive look. This luxury pet is considered not only a virtuoso hunter, but also an excellent home companion.

The origin of the Weimaraner dog breed is controversial. Accurate data on dogs have been available only since 1969, when the animal was recognized by the International Canine Federation. For the first time about this representative of the animal world was mentioned in the XVIII century, the information had a direct connection with the French king Louis IX. In addition to the high position in society, this man is famous for two failed Crusades. In the attack on Egypt, a detachment of crusaders was defeated in areas of the Nile River.

Louis fled along with the surviving warriors. After a four-year stay in Syria, the king returned to his homeland after his mother died. It was at this time, or rather, in 1254, with the ruler of the dog's profit, which were characterized unusual gray-blue coat.

Even after the death of the king, the dogs continued to live with royal status. Due to the unusual appearance of the French called pet "silver ghosts." As evidenced by the numerous mentions of the dogs, they were wonderful big animal hunters. In the XIV century, the population of representatives of this breed rapidly increased. In addition to being used for professional purposes, animals became part of the fashionable trend of the time.

Confirm the notable position of Weimaraner in the society paintings of the XVII century. On these canvases the dogs were sealed not as an accessory, but as loyal companions of people.

There is information that The animal's debut at the exhibition in Berlin was a failure, since the founders of the event did not notice any unique characteristics of the dog in its appearance, considering it to be a half-breed.

Weimar Pointer is a relatively large dog, which has special characteristics of appearance and character. Some ordinary people consider this animal to resemble Kurzhaars with a strange coat color, this is due to the fact that many German breeds of the team dogs have a direct resemblance to each other, especially on the “face”.

Weimaraner is a hunting breed of dog with medium body size and well expressed sex. The bitch is more elegant, sophisticated, she is more agreeable than a dog. The hound has certain standards of height and weight, namely:

• dog weight is from 30 to 40 kg, height at withers - from 62 to 67 cm;
• Bitch's weight can be from 25 to 35 kg, height at withers - from 59 to 63 cm.

With proper care and nutrition, the "silver ghost" lives from 10 to 14 years. Description of the breed according to the standard looks like.

• Head. The skull is of medium size, it is proportional to the trunk. On the rounded nape stands a small hill.A wide forehead separates the furrow, with a concentrated or stressed state, it becomes covered by skin folds.

The cheekbones and eye sockets are characterized by sufficient severity. When chewing, there is a good severity of the muscles, eyebrows are actively involved in the facial expression of the muzzle.

• Teeth. Weimaraner is characterized by a complete set of strong teeth with medium sizes. Scissor bite has no gaps. Strong and powerful jaws have a very strong bite.

• The nose has a large size and classic shape. Its ending protrudes beyond the lower jaw. The nose is characterized by dark liver pigmentation. The color fades to gray.

• Bodies of sight. According to the standard, the eyes of the animal are round, they are neat, medium in size. The outer corner of the eyelid is raised to the auricle. Body color or pigmentation according to the fur tone is inherent in dry eyelids. This animal is characterized by eyes with amber shades, in puppies it is usually bright blue color.

• Auricles. Weimar cop's large ears have a triangular shape and rounded edges. The organs of hearing of the dog have a high landing and close proximity to each other. The cartilage of the ears is moderately soft. During pet calm, the ears hang from the sides of the head, their ends are located at the level of the jaws. During concentration, the ears are lifted and turned forward.

• Body. The animal has a moderately elongated body shape, a rounded middle neck with a bend that is thickened towards the shoulder girdle and has a smooth transition to the withers. The latter is well expressed, the erect back is characterized by moderate width and rounded croup.

Breasts are inherent depth and small width, which contributes to the absence of interference when running or sweeping step. The skin is characterized by elasticity and moderate tension. The ribs are rounded, elongated and flat.

• Limbs. The front legs are characterized by dryness, sufficient length, evenness, they are put under withers. The strong hind legs are well developed muscles, their joints are firmly articulated. The hock, elbow, and metacarpus are parallel to the body. Brush dogs are going dense lump, they have strong fingers with powerful claws.

The color of the claws is gray. On the pads there is an elastic skin that is colored to match the pet's fur. The features of the Weimaraner front brush can be called the visual selection of the middle finger, which is longer than the others. Dewclaws should be removed at the earliest age of the animal.

• The tail of the dog is strong, thick, tapers off to the end. Has a low postav, in a state of excitement, it rises to the level of the spine. The tail is not inherent in bending and contact with the back.

Depending on the length of the coat "silver ghost" divided into the following types.

1. Shorthair Weimaraner. It has short bristle hairs with a large thickness, which fit tightly and are characterized by stiffness, hence the name.
2. Longhair Weimaraner. The hair of this pet is long (up to 5 cm), wavy, soft. On the head there is a dense short fur, and on the ears - a fringe. The tail is presented in the form of riding breeches, on the hind legs and between the fingers is a long hairline. The presence of the undercoat is not considered mandatory.

The Weimaraner is the rarest variety of these animals. The animal has a two-layer wool, thick undercoat, and upper hair with medium length. The strictly limited range of the Weimar Pointer fur color is the main indicator of the thoroughbredness of modern dogs. The standard provides 3 options for the color of the animal's fur:

• silver, smoky gray with a possible low-intensity copper tint;
• brown-gray, however if the pet is chocolate colored or has rich brown spots, it is not purebred;
• gray mouse.

Many representatives of this breed observed brown color wool that is washed out with a recessive gene. If crossbred dogs are crossed, puppies of brown, chestnut and black colors will be in the litter.

The following can be called the faults of this breed of hunting cops:

• roughness or lightness of the body constitution;
• failure, hunched back;
• barreling, underdevelopment of the back;
• excessive tightening of the abdomen;
• inverted elbows, the plane of the paws;
• constrained movements;
• sharpened short muzzle;
• concavity of the back of the nose;
• very fluffy fur;
• incorrect bite;
• the intensity of the shade of coat color, which replaces the gray color;
• cowardice, lack of temperament.

In addition to activity and friendliness, representatives of the breed Weimar dog have the following advantages:

• high mental development;
• good attitude towards children;
• attachment and loyalty to the master;
• the ability to easily learn and train;
• unusual appearance, in particular, coat color and eye color.

Among the minuses of this pet can be noted as follows:

• the need for frequent and long-term walking of the pet;
• poor tolerance of loneliness;
• the need for active leisure;
• predisposition to certain ailments;
• disobedience during the chase of the game.

Weimaraners are creatures who are very loyal to their owners, they prefer to always be near the person. Loneliness does not tolerate the animal. Pet is not characterized by aggression, he loves to spend time with children and is always ready to become their defense. The dog is a friendly, fun, fearless, fast and agile creature.. He should always be engaged in active entertainment, for example, sports or hunting.

Often, an animal is involved in pitch and go, frisbee, agility, kursing and other activities where it is possible to throw out the accumulated energy. Representatives of this breed are considered great hunters, with the help of the stand they indicate the location of the game. This dog is able to get a duck out of the water, find and raise a boar.. However, when living in an urban environment, hunting instinct can be a problem, for this reason the dog must always be on a leash.

Keeping an active large dog in a city apartment is not a good idea. The best option for the Weimar cop is a private house, around which there is a fenced area, ideal for walking the dog.

This animal needs regular walks in fresh air, as well as intensive loads. Together with the pet owner is a long walk, hunt, engage in training.

Before you bring a Weimar Pointing puppy into your home, you will need to perform the following activities:

• organize a place to rest in the form of a comfortable and soft lounger;
• to prepare a place for eating food, a large bowl is suitable for eating a purebred pet, preferably with the ability to adjust the height;
• make the room safe for the dog: remove objects that are beating, are under electrical voltage, as well as small objects;
• buy accessories, clothes for each season, and also equip a small aviary for keeping at home.

The issue of feeding Weimaraner dogs is quite responsible. To decide on the type of pet food is even before it appears in the house. The diet of the dog has significant differences from the human. The rules of feeding representatives of this breed are very similar to the nutrition of dogs of other breeds.

The basic rules of nutrition Weimaraner look like.

1. Hunters and athletes need a more high-calorie diet. In this case it is worth taking into account the activity of the dog, its lifestyle, weight, age.
2. When choosing a natural food it is worth remembering that a dog needs more food than other dogs with the same weight. The reasons for this are accelerated heat exchange and pet metabolism.

Weimaraner puppies need at least 1 liter of food per day, and adults need 1.5-2.5 liters or one kilogram.

Pet is undesirable to feed from your table. In the diet of the dog must adhere to the full value and balance. The owner can give preference to feeding the animal a dry industrial feed of the highest class or independently prepared food. Holistic and quality feed fully satisfy the needs of the dog in all the necessary components to it.

Brand products are perfect for puppies. Orijen Puppy Largefor adult representatives of the breed - Platinum Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Acana Heritage Adult Large Breed Grain-Free for a hyperactive animal suitable food Acana Heritage Sport & Agility Grain Free,

The following ingredients should be present in the pet's diet:

• cheese, cottage cheese and kefir;
• beef and lamb;
• buckwheat;
• vegetables, fruits, greens;
• special bones from a pet shop;
• offal in the form of a spleen, trachea, rumen;
• boneless sea fish.

Puppies of this breed should be taught to all products from an early age. After a while, an adult pet will be happy to eat raspberries or carrots. Homemade food is the best option for Weimaraner feeding, but mineral supplements should be included. If the animal is properly fed from an early age, then many health problems can be avoided.

Also, the owner should be aware of the list of products that are prohibited to feed the dog. These include:

• bones of tubular type;
• grapes in fresh and dried;
• chocolate;
• garlic;
• beet;
• corn, wheat, soybean, white rice;
• bow.

The frequency of feeding dogs of this breed:

• puppy in 2-3 months - about 6 times a day;
• pet in 3-4 months - 4 times a day;
• dog in 4-9 months - 3 times a day;
• from 10 months of age, you need to feed the dog 2 times a day.

Weimaraner's host should remember that the beast can not be fed immediately after walking or training with a dog handler. The animal should rest for about 30 minutes, after which water is poured into a bowl. Food dogs give about an hour after exercise. In the hot season, the dog can be fed once a day. With two meals a day more nourishing and high-calorie foods should be served in the evening.

Peculiarities of nutrition for puppies that are contained on household products.

Food that is put in a dog bowl should have a moderate temperature.If foods are too cold or hot, then the pet may temporarily or permanently lose its scent.

The animal should spend a lot of time walking in the fresh air, while it should return to a warm room. Shorthair Weimaraners do not have undercoat, so they do not need to be combed, it will be enough to clean the fur with a rubber glove or a brush. To remove dead hair, it is necessary to brush the pet in the direction from the head to the tail. This procedure should be done every 7 days.

Weimar Pointer with long hair It is worth combing every day, using a brush with a long pile.

If you keep your pet clean, you can avoid the development of a lot of ailments. Weekly, the dog must cut its claws, using a claw cutter. Shorthair "silver ghosts" should be bathed no more than once every 30 days. However, an active animal can quickly become contaminated, and therefore it may require an additional water treatment.

Long-haired representatives of this breed require more care, as their wool is special and shedding is more noticeable. When bathing dogs should use a special veterinary shampoo.

The most common animal pathologies that should be feared may be.

1. Morella-Barlow disease. This is a disease of fast-growing dogs of large breed. The affected animal has long bones. Recognize the disease can be by lameness, poor appetite, lethargy.
2. Dysplasia of the hip joints. The disease is manifested by degeneration of the joints in the pelvic and femoral areas. In this case, it is observed that the animal wags its backside while walking, its croup is lowered. Sick pet refuses to descend and climb the stairs.
3. Von Willebrand disease manifested in blood clotting disorders. In this disease, the animal has spontaneous nasal bleeding, as well as blood present in the urine. The injured dog has significant blood loss.
4. Intestinal inversion - This is a broken structure of the intestinal loops. The disease may manifest prolonged constipation. In the absence of proper treatment of this disease, death can occur.
5. Diseases of the organs of vision. The most common are retinal atrophy, volvulus, additional ciliary row.
6. Expansion and torsion of the stomach. This pathology affects extremely large dogs. For the disease is characterized by rapid development, as well as the possibility of the death of a pet.
7. Hypothyroidism - This is an impaired functioning of the thyroid gland. A sick dog may experience obesity, sterility, mental retardation.
8. Myasthenia. This neurasthenic pathology manifests itself in muscle weakness. During the course of the disease in an animal, there may be a loss of voice, the ability to swallow and blink. Sick dogs do not tolerate physical exertion.
9. Degenerative myelopathy - This is a disease that destroys the brain. Often they are sick elderly pets. The disease can manifest itself in the form of loss of coordination, weakness in the legs. Sick dog when walking can sway and fall sharply.

To protect against dangerous diseases, the host must promptly vaccinate the Weimaraner. Instill "silver sign" should be from the following ailments:

• rabies;
• parainfluenza;
• plague carnivores;
• trichophytosis;
• leptospirosis;
• paravirus enteritis;
• coronavirus;
• infectious hepatitis.

Engaging in the training of the Weimar Pointer is an uncomplicated exercise that will bring a lot of positive emotions. Thanks to the attentiveness of dogs and their stable psyche, these pets are diligent and attentive students. A puppy can easily master the standard working teams, as the blood of a hunter flows in its veins. Training a dog should be based on his need to have a companion. Weimaraner has a great desire to be near a person and to please him, therefore he understands all his requests.

Sometimes, high intelligence and the desire to be independent can interfere with the training, as well as the desire to escape and chase prey at any moment. When educating Weimaraner should heed such advice:

• it is worth starting a puppy upbringing from the moment it appears in the house;
• you can not change the rules: initially setting the boundaries of permissibility, it is worth adhering to them on an ongoing basis;
• it is strictly forbidden to use violence and physical punishment in relation to a pet of this breed;
• it is better to train the dog in a quiet place where there are few people and other animals so that the dog is not distracted;
• in the eyes of the dog, it is worth being a leader and not losing your authority;
• It is possible to train a puppy on the playground for dogs only after it gets used to the smell and noise of the street;
• for training to active games, you can use the inherent natural activity of the dog.

Weimaraners are intelligent and self-willed creatures that are not very common at present. According to the reviews of the owners of these animals, a pet is not enough simple walks with a man, an active puppy needs constant running and chasing for prey. The pet gets everything that it catches his eye, it can be frogs, neighboring cats, pigeons. In these creatures there is a lot of energy that you need to constantly send somewhere.

"Silver ghosts" are not toys for people, but clever and interesting animals.. The dog requires proper nutrition and timely vaccination to lead a long and happy life. The dog also needs attention, competent training and responsible attitude on the part of the person.

Weimaraner is an ideal pet for active and inquisitive people who are prone to long walks. The owners of dogs of this breed have already appreciated the loyalty of regular companions who are able to fully participate in any adventures and adventures, as well as protect the owner if necessary. These cops can not leave indifferent any dog ​​lover, as they are characterized by elegance, aristocratic unusual appearance and excellent character.

More information about this breed can be found in the following video.