German hunter → family and sport dog
The grey ghost
Weimaraners are often called grey ghosts because of their silver coat and pale eyes.
Meet the parents and see their energy, how they settle and how they cope when left.
Weimaraner · Sporting
Weimaraner: temperament, training & exercise and alone time
The Weimaraner is a large German hunting dog with a sleek silver-grey coat and pale eyes. Most are loyal, bold and very energetic, and want to be with their people all the time. Life goes well with daily running, slow alone-time training, a taught settle and solid recall work.
- Job: German all-round hunting dog from Weimar.
- Energy: Very high; daily running.
- Home: Best with experienced, active owners who are home a lot.
First, the point
A Weimaraner is a strong, clingy hunting dog that needs hard exercise, slow alone-time training and solid recall
Public breed histories describe a 1800s German all-round hunting dog linked to the court at Weimar.
Most Weimaraners are loving and clingy. Typical struggles are worry when left, chewing, chasing and pulling.
In the first months I teach short alone time, a settle, recall and loose-lead walking.
- Height
- 23–27 in (58–69 cm)
- Weight
- 55–90 lb (25–41 kg)
- Energy
- Very high (run then rest)
- Coat / shed
- Short sleek grey coat — light shedding; feels the cold
- Job
- German all-round hunting dog from Weimar
Breed history
The grey hunting dog from Weimar
The Weimaraner was developed in Germany in the 1800s, linked in breed histories to the court at Weimar. It was bred as an all-round hunting dog that tracked, pointed and retrieved, and stayed close to its hunter. That job made a strong, fast, people-focused dog with a sleek grey coat.
Germany, 1800s → all-round hunting dog
A noble’s hunting dog
Public breed histories describe German nobles around Weimar keeping grey hunting dogs for large and small game.
Later the breed was used mainly to point and retrieve birds.
What the breed was bred for
Loyal, energetic and clingy
In plain trainer language: Weimaraners are bold, loving dogs that want to be with their people all the time.
The hard parts are worry when left alone, chewing, chasing small animals, pulling, jumping up and stealing food. Daily running, slow alone-time training and a taught settle help most.
- Daily running
- Slow alone-time training
- A taught settle
- Solid recall work
Public references: FCI 99, AKC Weimaraner, RKC.
Life together
A Weimaraner’s day is a long run and your company
Weimaraners need hard daily exercise. Afterwards, most want to be right next to you.
Garden · flowers
Nose in the flowers
Weimaraners love to sniff. Scent games tire them well.
See scavenging on walks.
Garden · point
Still on point
The hunting instinct is strong. Practise check-ins near birds.
See name check-in.
Park · lead
A sniffing walk
A strong dog needs loose-lead practice from puppyhood.
See loose-leash walking.
Park · run
Built for speed
Weimaraners chase. Use a long line where it is not safe.
See long-line recall.
Lawn · standing
Waiting for you
Build alone time slowly so the dog can cope when you leave.
See first absences.
Care and health themes
Monthly checks: skin, ears, weight and belly
A trainer’s checklist, not veterinary advice. See a vet for ear smell, limping, a swollen belly after eating or low energy. For urgent signs, see when to call the vet.
Skin
Check the short coat for cuts after walks.
Ears
Check for smell and seeds.
Weight
Keep lean; feed on a steady routine.
Nails
Trim regularly.
Health screening (not a diagnosis)
Ask the breeder which screenings the national breed club recommends, including hip scores and DNA tests, and see results for both parents.
Toxins
I do not publish toxin amounts. Call a vet or poison-control line if the dog eats something dangerous.
Lines and types
Short-haired or long-haired Weimaraner
Most Weimaraners have a short, sleek coat. Some kennel clubs also recognise a long-haired type.
Short-haired
- Sleek grey coat.
- Very little grooming.
- Feels the cold.
- Same energy.
The common type.
Long-haired
- Soft feathered coat.
- More brushing.
- Same grey colour.
- Same energy.
Rarer, same needs.
Socialization windows
What to introduce — and what not to overload — by age
AVSAB-aligned in spirit: short, clean exposures at a distance the puppy can still eat, with hygiene while vaccines finish. See the puppy socialization schedule.
Short absences
Introduce: tiny alone times, crate naps, handling, toilet routine.
Do not overload: never being left.
Lead and recall
Introduce: loose-lead walking, long-line recall, calm greetings.
Do not overload: off-lead near animals.
Strong teenager
Introduce: settle, chew routine, longer alone times.
Do not overload: pulling on a collar.
Adult running
Introduce: canicross, field work, tracking.
Do not overload: running hard before growth ends without vet advice.
Loyal adult
Introduce: refreshed settle and recall.
Do not overload: too little exercise.
Before you buy
Who a Weimaraner usually fits
A Weimaraner suits very active people who are home a lot and want a strong, loyal companion.
Good match
More likely a good fit if you…
- Run, cycle or hike daily
- Are home much of the day
- Want a dog that stays close
- Like an easy short coat
- Have experience with big dogs
Mismatch risk
A Weimaraner may be a poor choice if…
- Long hours alone are routine
- You have cats and no time to train
- Daily exercise is short
- You want a calm dog quickly
- You live in a small flat
If you are torn between breeds
Weimaraner vs Vizsla and German Shorthaired Pointer
Weimaraners are compared with Vizslas and German Shorthaired Pointers.
Colour
Weimaraner Grey.
Vizsla Golden rust.
Size
Weimaraner Large, strong.
Vizsla Medium, lighter.
Coat
Weimaraner Short grey.
German Shorthaired Pointer Short, liver or liver and white.
Alone time
Weimaraner Often hard.
German Shorthaired Pointer Often a bit easier.
Energy
Weimaraner Very high.
Both compares All need a lot.
Ownership without surprises
What a Weimaraner costs to keep
Prices vary by country. These are the spending themes, not figures.
Dog walker or daycare
For days you are out.
Health checks
Ask which screenings the national breed club recommends.
Chews
Strong jaws need sturdy chews.
Food
A large, active dog eats a lot.
Training
Classes and field clubs.
Insurance
Consider it early.
With a Weimaraner, care while you are out is the biggest regular cost.
Before day one at home
What to prepare for a Weimaraner puppy
A Weimaraner puppy is bold and clingy. Start tiny absences, chew toys and naps early.
Tiny absences
See first absences.
Chew toys
See chewing.
Crate naps
See crate training.
Gentle mouths
See biting and nipping.
Toilet routine
Follow potty training.
Short walks
See walk length by age.
If the dog is already yours
Training a Weimaraner takes energy and patience
Weimaraners are smart and keen, but strong and pushy as teenagers. Be consistent and kind.
My core list: alone time, a settle, recall and loose-lead walking.
Tracking, canicross and field work are great outlets.
Load balance
Hard exercise, a chew, then quiet
Most Weimaraners cope better at home after a hard outing and a long chew.
Track Run Chew Crate Quiet
Tracking, running, a sturdy chew and quiet crate time suit most Weimaraners.
A Weimaraner that has learned you always come back is easier to live with.
Coping alone
How to help a Weimaraner cope when you go out
Use a crate or gated room, a sturdy chew and tiny, boring departures.
- 01
Tire the body and nose
Running and tracking.
- 02
Safe space
Crate or gated room.
- 03
Sturdy chew inside
Only for alone time.
- 04
Boring departures
Keys, door, back again.
- 05
Longer over weeks
Watch for stress signs.
One scene close-up
Why your Weimaraner chews the door when you leave
Weimaraners were bred to hunt beside one person and dislike being shut away.
Make the crate or gated room a good place, with meals and chews inside.
Pick up keys, leave for a moment, come back quietly, and repeat on many days.
Typical household scenes
Where Weimaraner owners most often need help
A breed page is only a starting point; the fix depends on health, environment, and the dog in front of you. Each row opens a step-by-step guide.
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
Alone time
Worry when left.
Chewing
Strong jaws, bored dog.
Chasing
Cats and small animals.
Pulling
Strong and fast.
Jumping up
Big, bouncy greetings.
Counter surfing
Tall and food-keen.
Restlessness
Slow to switch off.
Sudden change
A swollen belly, limping or low energy — vet first.
Practical view
“With a Weimaraner, I plan exercise and alone time before the puppy comes home. We build short absences, a settle and loose-lead walking — because a strong, clingy dog needs both.”
Sessions cover real scenes: worry when left alone, chewing, chasing, and pulling. I am a trainer, not a veterinarian. No invented reviews.
Andrew Darov Professional dog trainer and instructor
WhatsApp consult Talk through your Weimaraner
Describe age, living setup, and where the dog breaks first — worry when left alone, chewing, chasing, or pulling on the lead. Opens WhatsApp to Andrew.
Short answers
FAQ
Is a Weimaraner a good first dog?
It is a big challenge; best for experienced, active owners.
Are Weimaraners good with children?
Usually loving but bouncy; supervise.
Do Weimaraners shed?
A little, all year.
How much exercise does an adult need?
A lot: daily running.
Can Weimaraners be left alone?
Only with slow, careful training.
Are Weimaraners good with cats?
Some learn to live with them; many chase.
Can a Weimaraner live in a flat?
Hard; possible with lots of exercise.
Why are they called grey ghosts?
Because of their silver coat and pale eyes.
What about health?
Ask which screenings the national breed club recommends and see the parents' results.
What is the typical lifespan of a Weimaraner?
Public breed references often give about 10 to 13 years. Individual dogs vary.
Weimaraner or Vizsla?
The Weimaraner is larger and stronger; the Vizsla is smaller and softer.
If a Weimaraner is too much dog
If you want a large, gentle, short-coated dog that sprints then rests, consider this one.
Labrador Retriever
A friendly, food-loving retriever that needs daily exercise, training and a job for its nose and mouth.
Golden Retriever
A fetching, people-facing sporting dog whose gold coat does not lower the daily mileage.
Vizsla
An affectionate, sensitive Hungarian pointer that needs daily running, slow alone-time training and a taught settle.
Greyhound
Gentle, quiet sighthound that sprints, then rests.
More Sporting group breeds
Other guides from the same group in the breed library. Same group does not mean same dog: read the fit and the failure modes, not only the outline.
Welsh Springer Spaniel
A loyal, active red and white Welsh spaniel that needs daily sniffing walks, slow alone-time training and calm social outings.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
A friendly, loyal rough-coated gundog that needs daily walks and swims, slow alone-time training and regular coat care.
American Cocker Spaniel
A gentle, affectionate American spaniel with a long silky coat that needs kind handling, regular grooming and ear care.
Brittany
A keen, friendly French bird dog that needs daily running, long-line recall training and a taught settle at home.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
A tough, loyal American water retriever with an oily wavy coat that needs early socialising, clear rules and plenty of swimming.
Clumber Spaniel
A heavy, easy-going white English spaniel that needs sniffing walks, kitchen manners and careful weight control.
Need a read on your exact situation?
Describe your Weimaraner’s age and the scene that repeats most: worry when left alone, chewing, chasing, or pulling on the lead. We check safety first, then pick the first skill.
Written by Andrew Darov, professional dog trainer. Not veterinary advice and not a diagnosis.
Not a kennel club. No invented reviews. No vaccine schedules or toxin doses. Photo credits in
/images/breeds/weimaraner-guide/credits.md.