Weimaraner

Weimar Pointer - a luxurious, large Pointer, possessing all the necessary qualities. This is not only a virtuoso of hunting, but also an excellent pet. Who is such a modern Weimaraner and who is suitable for such a four-legged friend?

Breed origin

There are many versions of where the Weimar cops originated, and, according to one of them, a pair of individuals were exported from Egypt by the French monarch Louis the Saints in the 13th century, when he made the Crusade to the lands of the Middle East. Another story is that the Weimaraners are descendants of barracks and Pointers who have already disappeared from the face of the earth.

The third version is considered to be the most plausible - in the beginning of the 19th century, selection work with hunting breeds was quite popular among the monarchs of Germany. For example, Karl Augustus, who is the duke of Weimar lands, was engaged in breeding German barracks and Pointers from England, crossing them, improving his pedigree qualities. In favor of this opinion speaks the fact that in a different way, Weimaraners are called Weimar marriages.

At the end of the 19th century, representatives of the breed began to actively exhibit, and in 1896 the first standard was approved. They have been recognized by many canine organizations of the international level and gained popularity in European countries, American states, Canada and Russia.

Weimaraner breed description

Dogs belong to the hound-like, continental type of "Brack" type and are subjected to tests for the identification of working qualities. Among its type it is the largest animals, the growth of males varies from 59 to 70 cm, females - 57-65 cm. Weigh males from 30 to 40 kg, females - 25-35 kg.

The standard offers the following description of individuals:

1. The head is of moderate size, proportional, with a rounded nape, which has a small knoll. The forehead is wide, with a pronounced separation groove, when the dog is working or concentrating, skin folds appear on it.
2. Chewing muscles are well developed, with mobile eyebrows. Stop moderate, goes into a smooth nose with a little crotch at the very lobe. Lips tightened, no pronounced bryl.
3. The mouth is strong, with a full complement of medium-sized teeth, forming the correct bite like a scissors. Weimaraners have a strong grip, this contributes to a strong, developed muscles.
4. Nose is large, dark pigmented in the liver palette.
5. The eyes are medium in size, neat, rounded in shape, with a slightly elevated outer corner and dry eyelids, flesh-colored or tinged to the coat. In puppies, they are bright blue, in adult dogs - amber.
6. Auricles - large, triangular, rounded, located high and relatively close, on moderately soft cartilage. When the dog is calm, they hang down the sides of the head, when the dog focuses, they rise up from the cartilage and turn slightly forward.
7. The body is of a fairly moderately elongated format, with a round neck of medium length, which thickens towards the shoulders and with a smooth line passes to a well-expressed withers. The back of a decent width, straight, goes into a short waist and croup, rounded when going to the hips.
8. The thorax is deep, not wide, allows the dog to move boldly, with a powerful keel and moderately rounded ribs. Externally, the ribs look flat and stretched. The body is covered with elastic, moderately taut skin.
9. Limbs front - long, with dry muscles, located under withers. The back is more muscular, with large joints that have harmonious joints.
10. The location of the metacarpus, elbows and hock joints is parallel to the body. The hands are collected in a tight lump, with strong fingers and curved claws. A feature of this breed is the structure of the hand on the front paws - the middle finger is longer and externally stands out. This is not a drawback, but the removal of dewclaws is necessary, since their presence is not welcome.
11. The tail is slightly thickened at the base, tapering towards the end. When the dog is calm, low, the excited animal rises at the level of the back or slightly higher. It should not bend, touch the back or throw on the croup.

Coat and possible colors

There are several varieties of the Weimar Pointer: with short, long and tough coat. The color of wool can vary from silver-copper to gray shades. On the head and ears, it is of a lighter tone.

In some cases, the presence of white markings in the chest and fingers. Defects include brown spots.

Characteristics and temper Weimaraner

The nature of the representatives of this breed depends on the upbringing and training, and the host’s relation to his four-legged friend is also of great importance. With the right approach, weimaraner grows obedient, loyal pet with a docile nature. He is a true aristocrat of the canine family.

Without socialization, parenting can grow hyperactive or problematic. By their nature, these cops are more similar to hounds or pinchers than to their dog dogs, although traits are present from those of others.

Weimaraners are very human-centered, they quickly become attached to family members, overly devoted. For his master such a pet will go to any place or journey, not doubting for a second.

There are individuals who feel affection for only one family member, but this is more likely an exception. Cops can be quite affectionate, follow the owner and even interfere, distracting in every possible way. Loneliness is such a pet carries hard. Weimaraner treats strangers detached and wary. A dog without socialization may show timidity, fearfulness or aggression.

A pet does not immediately accept new people, it takes patience and time to come together. Although he is not very happy strangers, the dog will not become a guard, because for this he lacks innate territoriality and malice towards man. But notifying about the approach of strangers by barking, the cop is quite likely.

Weimaraner combines the qualities of a hunter and a companion. Most of the thoroughbred representatives get along well with children, they love to spend time together, play and run. Childish pranks say goodbye, the dog will not bite back. But too intrusive attention of babies can cause discomfort in an animal. If there is a small child in the house and an grown-up puppy with a gun-dog - you need to be alert, an overly active animal can knock down or drop a baby.

The presence of other pets can cause a number of problems. Socialized Weimaraners, although they will not experience love, can politely treat other dogs. If 2 puppies grow up in the house, especially of a different sex, then they get used to each other. However, males are usually not so rosy relations, as by nature they are quite dominant. They will not fight to the last drop of blood, but conflicts are inevitable.

To other animals, the cops, as befits hunting dogs, are aggressive. They were originally intended for hunting, and the dog will always show the instincts donated by nature, no matter who he chose as a prey - a guinea pig or a deer.

Very often cats suffer from Weimaraner, and there is practically no chance to survive in such a situation. Even being brought up in the same house and considering the cat representative to be a member of the pack, the dog may suddenly break loose.

Training and education

In his field of Weimaraner - AC, he has excellent working qualities, and training in this direction is practically no difficulty. Also, the pet is able to learn the basic skills program. But he is not given to perform specific tasks, that is, you should not make a shepherd, a guard, or a bodyguard from a gunman.

It is impossible to use physical strength during class, shouting, the dog may completely refuse to interact. It requires a positive consolidation and praise, since, although the representatives of this breed love people, they do not seek to obediently obey and please.

The dog is smart - he almost immediately understands what will happen to him, and what does not, the pet's behavior is based on this. He is able to be stubborn and behave willfully. If a dog goes into denial, it is almost impossible to force him to execute commands. Cops can do everything wrong or ignore the request of the owner.

Weimaraner will be obedient only to the person whom he perceives as a leader, leader, and this is not about complete submission and ideal obedience. As soon as the owner gives up the slack, the dog takes a dominant position and it is not worth waiting for him to execute commands.

It is impossible to call Weimaraners unteachable; with certain efforts and patience the dog becomes ideally obedient and docile. Such a pet can be an excellent athlete, marriages are successful in obedience and agility.

Beginners to start a similar four-legged friend is not recommended. If you do not socialize the dog, do not train it and do not become an authority for it, then you can face a lot of problems.

These dogs are active, mobile, tireless, the owner will have to devote a lot of time to walking, activities, games. The dog can run for a long time for the bike, is an ideal companion for jogging and other physical activities.

Care and health

To care for the Weimar marriage is simple, it is quite unpretentious animal. But, as an adult, it is important to keep the puppy clean. Keep your baby safe so that he does not have access to outlets, chemicals, and other items that are dangerous.

From the first days of stay in the house, the pet should be provided with separate dishes, bedding, toys. To walking a puppy should be taught from childhood. During the winter period, the Weimaraner needs to be clothed in warm clothing — even long-haired cops do not have an undercoat capable of protecting against frost.

Dog combed regularly - every 2-3 days, using a special brush. Cleaning the ears and teeth is carried out weekly, the claws are cut every 2 weeks.

Breed diseases

The average life expectancy of the Weimar Pointer is 11 years. Most often, the representatives of the breed identified the following diseases:

• idiopathic osteodystrophy ("skeletal scurvy");
• inflammatory processes in bone tissue;
• hip dysplasia;
• tumor formations of different origin - lipomas, fibrosarcomas, melanomas, mastocytomas);
• twists (gastric and intestinal);
• dystrophic changes of the cornea;
• volvulus century;
• inflammation of the interdigital skin;
• demodicosis;
• von Willebrand disease.

In addition, in Weimar cops there is a risk of an autoimmune reaction to certain immunobiological preparations. To reduce the risk, veterinarians recommend vaccinations against the plague of carnivores and parvovirus at 2-week intervals.

Often in the litters of cops appear puppies with full or partial cryptorchism. Such an abundance of possible pathologies is due to the fact that for a long time the selection was aimed at achieving the best aesthetic data. Modern breeders are more working to improve the health of these animals.

Feeding regime and diet

Proper nutrition for Weimaraner is a good physical shape and beautiful coat. When fed naturally, the dog should receive the following products:

• meat, offal, fish;
• kefir, cottage cheese;
• cereals - buckwheat, if the dog does not suffer from allergies, then rice porridge;
• vegetables, fruits, greens.

The food of the animal must be balanced, in addition to the pet give vitamin supplements. To improve the bowels, it is recommended to flavor the dishes with vegetable oil.

A convenient option is to feed your pet with dry feed, but this should be premium or super premium quality products. It is necessary to adhere to the recommended dosage, it is not recommended to overfeed Weimar cops. It is important to provide a pet with plenty of clean drinking water - these dogs consume a lot of fluids, regardless of the type of feeding.

Conditions of detention

It is not recommended to lock up such a pet in the aviary - it needs freedom and communication. A dog can live in an apartment, but a bored weimaraner, which is not receiving adequate load, is a threat to the interior.

Ideal conditions is a country house. In this case, the dog will be able to walk in the local area. But in any situation with the dog you should regularly walk and practice, especially if he does not participate in the hunt.

It is necessary to keep the pet on the leash on the street - the animal can, seeing a cat or another animal, feel excitement and run away.

Weimaraner photos

Weimaraner Video

Buying a puppy

Breed is not common, and when buying a puppy, difficulties may arise - the owners will have to search for a nursery or an experienced breeder, and often the baby must be reserved in advance.

On average, puppies with a pedigree cost about 30,000 rubles, the offspring with minor deviations from the standard are somewhat cheaper.

Weimaraner is a showy, hardy dog ​​with good physique. But this is not a sofa option - such a pet needs a strong hand and increased physical exertion.