Weimeraners, stubborn, noisy, destructive, not an easy pet? Discussions

http://www.weimaranerclubofgreatbritain.org.uk/wcthebreed/characteristics.shtml

http://weimaraner-association.org.uk/character.php

The Weim I lived next door to was mad as a hatter. She used to jump the fence to come say hi to Shadow and Wolf then get frightened and just lie on her back until someone got a leash out and then she'd happy dance and get most upset when we only walked out of our front garden and into her front garden She was noisy at times but never aggressive to anyone or anything that I saw and I used to walk my dogs with her almost every day.

There's a HUGE male Weim lives near me now and although I've not had much to do with him he seems nice enough. He and 3 other dogs mobbed Rupert a few weeks ago and although he had a growl when Rupert smacked one of the dogs with his muzzle he was definitely not aggressive. Have to admit I was a little worried as the other male Weims I've met have been terrible with other male dogs.

Like all dogs they need exercise - mental and physical, or they will become destructive, but they are a large, intelligent hunting breed and one lap of a playing field isn't going to tire them out.

They can be stubborn, in that they want to know what's in it for them if you want them to do something and they hate repetition.

They can be aloof, but it depends on the personality of the dog IMO. I know several Weims who are PAT dogs and if they didn't like people they wouldn't enjoy it, but it's a job and they like to have a job.

One of mine couldn't care less about being fussed over by strangers, there are far more important things to do, but if he sees somebody he knows he'll adore them for a few minutes and then get bored. He can also be dog aggressive, but that is partly my fault for not socialising him properly as a puppy.

My younger Weim loves being stroked by anyone who is willing, he is fine with other male dogs but doesn't particularly like to play unless he knows them well.

They are wonderful pets, they like to be close to you, preferably laying on top of you or on your bed, but that doesn't mean they are dominant. Weims love to be with people (their own family) and involved in everything that is going on.

They all have their own personalities like every dog and my two are so different thankfully!

Training in a village hall is ok to a certain extent but for a hunting breed I think you really need to train outside as early as possible with the distractions and smells. Their prey drive can be transferred to anything that moves, such as cyclists and joggers and I've had to train both of mine to stop chasing.

You can do some gundog training and teach them to hunt under your direction, rather than bogging off on their own when they pick up the scent of a deer, pheasant, rabbit etc. or you just avoid areas where you are likely to see them like I do! My older Weim has a much stronger prey drive than my youngest and I sometimes wonder if he would have been better in a working home. My younger one is a bit of a mummy's boy and doesn't like to be too far from me, plus, he's too lazy to bog off for ages hunting!

If you don't want to see your dog kill a rabbit and parade around with it in front of the rest of the people at the park and eat it, then perhaps a Weim is not for you!

After reading this... I'm not looking forward to doing the breed profile well I am and I aren't

yes, but I know someone with working spaniels, they still dont go picking up birds on their own say so though, I think the Weim's sound far more independant
I am thinking its a bit like most dogs/breeds though, in the sense that early socialisation, training, rules etc is the important thing?

you could get SB to do it

Weimaraners can easily be trained NOT to kill rabbits and parade them in front of people.

Repetition is not a problem, unless of course it is BORING repetition.

I usually find the statement "This breed hates repetition" says more about the owner than the dog.

It has never been an issue with mine, and of course it is amusing to find that the dog that hates repetition in TRAINING, seems to LOVE repetition on other areas especially where bad behaviour is concerned.

If I had to avoid areas where there were no deer, rabbits, hares or other game, I would not get much walking done!

If you buy a Weimaraner hopefully you read the breed standard which clearly states:

Hunting Ability of Paramount Concern.

Ignore this at your peril

It should do what it says on the tin, that is what it is bred for, if you do not like dogs with high initiative designed to hunt, better buy something more "pedestrian".

My Weimaraners have never shared my bed or laid on top of me, not sure whether that makes them unlucky or me lucky!

The desire to hunt is one of the main characteristics which differentiate them from Dobermanns.

When I have done Discover Dogs with my current bitch etc it is the one thing I stress when people say "we are thinking of a Dalmation, Dobermann or Weimaraner", the former two have nowhere near the hunting desire as the latter.

Same size (ish), same energy levels, but totally different outlook on life.

Very interesting thread.

I've only met three Weimaraners. One was an older male dog and he was an absolute sweetheart; used to come up to me in the park and let me hug him and he'd just stare into my eyes. He was a beautiful dog. Sadly he passed away a few months ago.

The other Weim at the park is a younger female and incredibly energetic. She's not interested in either people nor other dogs and when Dexter tried to interact with her she sent him packing!

The third Weim I've met was a female and had an owner who had literally not taught her a single command. The dog was the most 'nervy' dog I have ever met - but I'm guessing that's at least partly because of lack of training and boundaries and not simply a breed issue.

I think they are beautiful dogs and very intriguing.

Thanks. This is the characteristic that is very different for me. For me I am thinking prevention is better than cure, so not allowing chasing from the start (unless its their toy) and a good 'leave' I'm now wondering if there is something I would be missing here? Something else I need to think about?

I am also assuming that a puppy would be ok to live with cats? Or if the insinct to chase would be a bit too much?

With Loui I brought him in on a house line which I used at first around the cats and so on (though my older cat done an ok job of teaching him what was acceptable he is sadly not with us anymore and the younger ones can be 'flighty' by comparison)

I have met loads of Weimis who have as much hunting instinct as a nightdress case, and many others who have loads.

It is not necessary for the latter to work as gundogs etc, it just means you provide other parts and/or opportunities to fulfil the prey drive eg chasing balls, tracking, running and jumping in agility etc etc

All my Weims would like to destroy cats, but if they are in a house with house cats, they are told this is not permitted and ignore them.

Nature abhors a vacuum so you need not to STOP chasing but redirect the chase onto acceptable items ie from joggers, bikers, cats, rabbits onto balls etc.

I think if you know what you are letting yourself in for, and are willing to put the work in, especially in the early days, they are absolutely fantastic dogs. Yes they can have a stubborn streak, but they also want to please, they are very very loyal to their owner and love to be close...preferably sat on your lap!!!

I grew up with the breed and my parents bought the first and were very very ignorant to the requirements of the breed, for the first 2 years it was very much a love hate relationship with the dog, the second was so different as they had learnt from their mistakes.

I love the breed, but the last boy smoke was so special, its hard to imagine having a dog that would be a patch on him, and for that reason im not sure if i will ever have one again.

cool, this is sounding familiar
I had to do this with Loui, so at least I know I have done/can do this, perhaps just need to be a bit more focussed on this from earlier with a Weim.

I like to plan ahead!