12 Incredible Weimaraner Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
By Adam Mann
Updated on
The Weimaraner isn’t the most well-known dog breed out there, but the more you learn about them, the more you want to know! They’re extremely intelligent and high-energy working dogs that get along great with kids and families. But when it comes to the Weimaraner, that’s just the tip of the iceberg with tons of incredible facts for you to learn about.
The 12 Weimaraner Facts
1. They Come From Germany
“Weimaraner” sounds German, so it’s not a huge surprise that’s where these pups get their roots. However, they did not become prevalent outside of Germany until the early 1940s.
Until then, it was nearly impossible to get these dogs anywhere else in the world, and if you did import one, you still could not breed them since they would only send sterile dogs.
2. Their Nickname Is the Gray Ghost
Between their color and their unique and outstanding hunting ability, the Weimaraner more than earns their nickname as the Gray Ghost. While many dogs charge straight ahead and make a ton of noise while hunting, the Weimaraner prides itself on stealth.
They’re lightning-quick when they need to be, but they’re also extremely sneaky. Most of their prey will never see them coming, and that’s a great skill to have as a hunting dog.
3. The Puppies Have Stripes
While Weimaraner’s stripes don’t last long, when they’re born, they have brilliant tiger stripes across their entire body. But as they mature, these stripes quickly disappear and they develop a solid coloring throughout.
You can find Weimaraners with bicolor coats, but they don’t come with an AKC registration.
4. They Know How to Relax
If you’re getting a Weimaraner, be ready to have a very high-energy dog. But if you’re meeting all their exercise needs, they also love to cuddle up at the end of the day and just relax. Unlike many high-energy dogs that don’t have an off switch, the Weimaraner does. However, you’ll only be able to access this switch if you’re meeting all their exercise needs.
5. Their Eyes Change Color
When you look at a Weimaraner’s eyes when they’re a puppy, you’re going to notice a bright blue color. But as they get older, this blue starts to fade into a light amber, gray, or blue-gray color. It’s still a striking color, but it’s not the original blue they were born with.
It also means that if you know what you’re looking for, you can often tell a Weimaraner’s general age simply by looking at their eyes.
6. They Almost Always Mask Their Scent
The Weimaraner is a hunting dog through and through, and they’re incredibly smart. They recognize that if they can pick up on their prey’s scent, their prey might be able to smell them too. To help combat this, the Weimaraner will seek to actively hide their scent whenever they get the chance.
Unfortunately for their owner, this usually means they’re rolling around in something they shouldn’t. It might mask their scent and be useful during a hunt, but it also means they might need a bath before you let them back in your home.
7. You Can Find Long-Haired Weimaraners
While the long-haired Weimaraner is rare and not an AKC-recognized breed, they do exist. This variety of Weimaraner excels in hunting waterfowl, and their long coat gives them an extra layer of insulation for these situations.
You’ll have to work at trying to track one down, but if you can, they’re phenomenal waterfowl hunters.
8. They Participated in the Cold War
When you think of the Cold War, dogs don’t come to mind. But the Weimaraner played a pretty significant part. Scientists specially trained these dogs to track down missile parts so they could recover and study them, and a Weimaraner named Dingo was among the best in the business.
9. Grace Kelly Owned a Weimaraner
Academy Award-winning actress Grace Kelly is one of the most famous owners of a Weimaraner. Grace Kelly won the Academy Award in 1954. Grace Kelly’s brother Jack gifted her a Weimaraner for her wedding when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956.
10. They’re Extremely Clever
Some people call the Weimaraner the “human-brained dog,” and when you sit back and watch a Weimaraner, it’s not hard to see why. They’re extremely intelligent and clever dogs that think in much the same way as humans.
This is an extremely beneficial trait for a hunting dog to have, and it’s why so many hunters swear by the breed.
11. President Dwight D. Eisenhower Had a Weimaraner
If you’re looking for the most famous person that’s owned a Weimaraner, that distinction has to go to former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. President Eisenhower’s Weimaraner was Heidi, and according to the Eisenhower Presidential Library, she lived at the White House for some time and was a favorite among tourists and guests. However, Heidi only lived at the White House for a short time before moving to the Eisenhower Farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
12. They’re Extremely Loyal
If you’re looking for one of the most loyal dog breeds out there, you have to consider the Weimaraner. They’ll do just about anything for their owners, although sometimes they can be a bit too clever for their own good.
They want to please you and are pretty easy to train, but because of how smart they are, they’re also prone to picking up bad habits if they’re around another dog that’s displaying them.
Conclusion
When it comes to the Weimaraner, there’s no shortage of interesting facts out there. They’re simply an incredible breed that’s a joy to own, just ensure you have plenty of space for them and give them ample opportunities to burn through their energy. If you do, they’ll reward you with tons of affection and loyalty, making a great companion throughout their entire life!
Featured Image Credit: BIGANDT.COM, Shutterstock
