Great Weimar (Great Dane & Weimaraner Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts

To say that the Great Weimar is a lot of dog is an understatement. It is both large and generous in the love that it will lavish on its family. He is affectionate with his people and will share his attention with some strangers. Both the Great Dane and Weimaraner bring desirable traits to the hybrid. They are trainable with a high degree of energy. Think of it as momentum to move his massive frame.

As you may expect, the Great Weimar needs exercise and has a healthy appetite to support it. He is easy to groom because of his smooth coat. However, the Great Weimar needs to feel like he is a part of the family. He will return your efforts with loyalty and friendliness. The Great Weimar is as gentle as he is big. Training and early socialization are essential.

Great Weimar Puppies – Before You Welcome One Into Your Family..

It’s always wise to understand the big picture when making a decision as crucial as the family pet. As you may expect, the Great Weimar is not an apartment dog. He needs his space. While he is outgoing, he needs lots of activity. Fortunately, he loves to please and will make it a bit easier. However, he is not the best choice for the novice pet owner.

The Great Weimar is intelligent but sensitive to harsh reprimands. He loves being active but doesn’t like cold weather. You may think that he is independent, but he loves attention to the point of being a fault. He’ll need daily exercise with two or more walks a day. It’s safe to say that owning a Great Weimar is a commitment.

3 Little-Known Facts About Great Weimar

1. The History of the Great Dane Goes Back to the Egyptians

This gentle giant has a history that goes back about 5,000 years. The Great Dane was a tough breed from the start as a hunter of bulls, boars, and bears. Despite this violent past, this dog is a sweet and friendly companion that can become a beloved member of your family.

2. The Weimaraner Is the Ultimate Hunter

The origin of the Weimaraner rests with the Nobles of Weimar. They had high expectations of this sporting dog as a hunter. They selectively bred them to excel in speed and tracking, which were necessary to hunt bear and deer. The breed went from the nearly inevitable decline during World War II to one of the most popular breeds of the AKC.

3. The Comic and Animation Worlds Have Two Famous Great Danes

The pouting but adorable face of the Great Dane inspired many artists. You may recognize this loving pooch in comics and animation as Scooby-Doo from the Hanna-Barbera cartoons and Astro of the Jetsons. You may also recognize Marmaduke from the comic strips and Fang from the Harry Potter novels.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Great Weimar 🧠

The Great Weimar comes from good stock. He is a sweet dog, even if his size seems intimidating. He is affectionate and not a pet to merely let outside to roam the backyard. This pooch needs love and attention to be happy. He will not tolerate being left alone. The Great Weimar is an active hybrid that brings a youthful enthusiasm to play and exercise.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Both the Great Dane and Weimeraner are affectionate family members. They are loyal and loving to everyone, even the kids. The problem is that they may not know their strength and might knock down a toddler not because they are aggressive, but because they are so rambunctious. There is nothing mean-spirited about the Great Weimar.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The size of the Great Weimar is a red flag when it comes to other pets. Both parent breeds have a hunting history. That means a high prey drive, whether it’s a rabbit running across the yard or the family cat racing through the yard. They also have a strong wanderlust instinct that will encourage them to see the chase through to the end. Besides, they have little understanding of how big they are.

Things to Know When Owning a Great Weimar:

You must look beyond the Great Weimar’s large size to understand what makes this hybrid tick. He is a contraction. He may look mean, but he’s not. You might think he’s a couch potato, but his energy will surprise you. The Great Weimar is smart, a trait cultivated from his hunting history. He’s also a sensitive dog that won’t handle disappointing you easily.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Large dogs like the Great Dane and Weimaner mature slower than small breeds. That also applies to its metabolism. Therefore, there is a difference between foods formulated for these different sized pets. You must get a product meant for large and giant breeds. That way, you know that the serving size is appropriate for their particular dietary needs.

Keep your pet on a regular feeding schedule. It’s an excellent way to keep track of his appetite and make sure he’s meeting his nutritional needs. You should adjust it, depending on his activity level.

Exercise 🐕

Owning a Great Weimar means that you will walk every day if just to keep him happy. Plan on two or more long walks a day. Though he isn’t prone to weight gain, he needs the time outdoors and with new experiences to keep him mentally sharp. He has an intensity to his exercise that matches his size. Be prepared to spend some time working on his leash manners.

Training 🦮

Their intelligence is a good start for trainability. He’ll pick up on new tricks and commands quickly. There are some challenges. The Great Weimar has a tendency to bark and a keen wanderlust. You must take an active role in his training. His large size means that you must also socialize him early to help him learn his strength. Unfortunately, he also is nippy, which will require you to take a proactive stance.

Grooming ✂️

The Great Weimar does shed. He also has a tendency to drool. You can use a rubber hound mitt to keep his coat in good shape. It’s almost like a puppy massage. It will help with blood circulation, which can even help keep it in control. Feeding him a high-quality diet can also keep the hair loss under control. We’d suggest checking his skin when you brush him to look for skin problems.

Health and Conditions ❤️

A PennHIP or Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) evaluation for hip dysplasia is imperative when considering a dog of this size. It is a devastating condition that has profound impacts on the pup’s quality of life. The OFA also recommends an eye exam from an American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists-certified veterinarian.

Male vs Female

There is an evident sexual dimorphism between male and female Great Weimars. The boys tower over the girls. However, it doesn’t affect the temperament of the two. Both male and female Great Weimars will reward you with lots of attention. If you don’t want to breed your pet, get him or her altered. It will cost more for the female Great Weimar, but it won’t affect their behavior.

Final Thoughts

There’s so much to love about the Great Weimar. He brings the best of both parent breeds to the mix. He is a lovable giant. Although his size appears intimidating, he wants your love. He is as affectionate as he looks. There are, of course, the usual health concerns with a large breed. However, this hybrid is relatively healthy. It’s essential that he gets his exercise and a high-quality diet for optimal nutrition.

After all, there is a good reason that both parent breeds of the Great Weimar rank high on the AKC popularity list. They are friendly and loyal. That’s saying nothing of how adorable the Great Weimar is. We dare you not to fall in love, too.

Related Reads:

• Shorgi (Corgi & Shih-Tzu Mix)
• St. Weiler (Saint Bernard & Rottweiler Mix)
• Smooth Poxer (Smooth Fox Terrier & Pug Mix)

Featured Image Credit: Pxhere