Weimaraner...yes or no?

[drivinmecrazy]

We're thinking of getting a Weimaraner in about a year.
My parents had one, Bella, who sadly passed two years ago so know all about the breed.
We loved her emotional intelligence and the attachments she had with us all. She grew up with my DDs and was a wonderful play mate for them.
My eldest was three when they got her and have wonderful memories of them swimming together, running in the fields or along the beach as well as snuggling with her watching a movie.
Now we feel it's our turn.
We were planning on waiting until DH retires in around ten years but are now thinking there's no reason to wait.
I'm at home all the time, DD2 hopefully beginning sixth form next year and DD1 away at uni.
Are we mad?
Would you?

I would, assuming the high exercise needs are fine by you and you can work with their tendancy to hate being left alone.

But then I love almost all the gun breeds and go gooey for them. So I might not be the most balanced of judges

Yes but do your research and get on the waiting list of a reputable breeder. Depending on breeding the temperament can vary and poorly bred and raised Weimaraner can have an aggressive streak.

Hopefully as you have experience you will be well on top of the exercise levels and - more importantly - the training required.

I would also be very sure to find a breeder where you are happy with the temperament of their dogs. I don't know if it's a local breeder round here, or the wrong homes, but have to say I'm very glad I don't meet many of them, because I've never met a friendly one out walking!

Thanks for the response.
Definitely agree re gun dogs!
We know the level of exercise and mental stimulation so have pretty realist expectations.
Great to hear some one being so positive. Most people we've mentioned it to have been quite negative.
I guess you get out what you put in.
I know with Bella that if she was worked and exercised plenty she was a pretty chilled dog, more so than some smaller breeds

Finding the right breeder is why we've accepted it might take 12 to 18 months to find one.
Hoping to get one from the same line as Bella so it could be a long wait

I think people can be negative because they are not a breed that typically fits into what many people want from pet dogs:

• they need plenty of good exercise
• they can hate being left alone/be a bit clingy
• they can be sensitive so noisy/chaotic homes are not always a good fit

But all breeds have traits that can be seen as negatives in the wrong home. My Gran used to say: there's no such thing as a weed, it's just a plant in the wrong spot. I think the same is probably true for dog breed

I personally love a fun, loving, playful, interactive, clever and loyal dog who is always up for a good hike and the gun breeds also tend to fulfil those criteria.

Friends have one; such a beautiful dog. They love being outdoors and have the time so the exercise is not an issue. But the dog hates being left alone so someone always has to be home. Not an issue these days but they were finding it very tying before lockdown.
They also had the embarrassing experience of it killing another friend's chicken. Faults on both sides in that situation though.

TastyTicklemore couldn't agree more.
My Mum also has a German pointer who is sadly at the end of a very long life.
He shares plenty of the same traits but was not as receptive to training.
I always dreamt of Rollie and Bella breeding, they would have been fine looking pups

I love mine more than almost anything and I’ll be bereft when he goes. Having said that... I’ll never get another Weim. He was bombproof until the age of about seven then one day decided he couldn’t be left alone. And that was that. We worked with behaviourists, vets, spent a fortune on distraction toys and plug ins but four years on, he still cannot he left alone without getting incredibly distressed. Gorgeous dogs but the SA is draining.

Oooh, I do love Pointers too (did I mention I was gooey for the gunners?)

I had one that was a rescue, she was about 18 months old when I got her. She was a lovely dog but really suffered health wise. The vet said it was common of the breed and honestly it was heartbreaking. I had her for five years, her seizures near the end were horrendous.

I also couldn't leave her at all, I work from home mostly but my dad used to take her for the days I was actually out for work. As much as I loved her I wouldn't have the same breed again.

I think if you're around all the time and have the time to give it lots of exercise, why not?

Weimaraners are lovely dogs, they just have high exercise needs and don't like being left, so I would make sure you have a back-up plan in place in case you have to leave her - maybe a family member, kennels or a sitter? The ones around here who have working owners all go to doggy daycare in the day.

They are beautiful though - good luck!

They are beautiful dogs. I have always wanted one, but when the time came the facts that they are not great alone and not great with cats stopped me.

We got a Braque d'Auvergne instead (a sort of French pointer) many of the same traits but good with cats and no particular problems being left. She's only 4 months so we can't be sure but so far those 2 points are going well as is the training.

Nice looking dog @FrenchFancy!

Does anyone on this thread have experience with Korthals Griffons?

I would go for it :)

I made the mistake of Googling Braque d'Auvergnes.

This is a disaster. I am in love.

Does anyone want a wayward springer and something small and scatty that we jokingly refer to a as a Chi-wolly (DNA suggest half chi, half collie)? I need the space for a new, and better, dog

I have only met one, both he and his owner were utter cunts.
Really dangerous dog, stood stock still staring at my dog and attacked her as she walked away from him.
Same dog stalked her across a field but fortunately gave up following us, I assume with the intention of attacking her again.
I don’t like them at all.
They always seem very ‘intense’ and high energy.
I think they are quite ugly as well

But we all like different things I suppose.
If you are set on one I don’t suppose it matters all that much what others think.

Another gundog lover here...

From what I have gathered, German shorthaired pointers are usually easier to train than Weims, who can be stubborn and and like to think things are their idea rather than yours. That said, I know a VERY stubborn GSP!

You obviously understand the need for exercise and mental stimulation, but what do you want to do with the dog? Pet or working? If pet, you might want to avoid a pedigree high in field trial champions, because puppies from that sort of background are likely to be more intense and driven and Bloody Hard Work.

@Frenchfancy, a friend of mine has a Braque d'Auvergne. She is absolutely lovely, such a gentle dog, but with a lot of working drive.