Judging the Weimaraner

Judges have the future of any breed in their hands when they judge. Having said that, I will add that, in my opinion, as a breeder with a limited breeding program, who has produced the two All Time Top Winners in the breed and the All Time Top Producer, and as a Breeder Judge, I have been sorely disappointed in the quality of judging in the past few years.

Twenty-five years ago, if you gave me a list of 10 judges and asked me who I thought was a good judge, I would say 9 out of 10 were good judges. Today, my response would be much different. What is the difference? Again, in my opinion, it is that many judges do not know breed type.

I look out into a ring of 8 dogs; 1 or 2 have breed type, and the rest are generic. Not bad dogs, but they lack breed type. The 2 that have breed type look different from the generic dogs and are oftentimes ignored. I am hoping that this article will encourage judges to understand breed type in the Weimaraner.

BREED TYPE

I think the easiest way to establish breed type in your mind is to view silhouettes of Weimaraners and Vizslas—two VERY different breeds.

FRONT ASSEMBLY

The Weimaraner has a deep forechest. Although both standards call for the chest to the elbow, the Weimaraner standard calls for a well-angulated front-end assembly as opposed to the Vizsla standard, which calls for a moderately laid-back front assembly. This gives the Vizsla a straighter front and less forechest.

REAR ASSEMBLY

Again, the Weimaraner standard states well angulated, while the Vizsla standard reiterates moderate angulation.

TOPLINE

There is a significant difference in the toplines. The Weimaraner’s topline “sets in a straight line sloping slightly from the withers.” The Vizsla’s topline is “slightly rounded over the loin.”

Now that you have type set in your mind, it is time to think about movement. I won’t bore you with the down and back, which should be sound. The Weimaraner should have an effortless, ground-covering movement. No wasted motion, it should be smooth and effortless.

Balance is of the utmost importance. Front and rear angulation should match. Problems in the breed: straight fronts, lack of balance front and rear, lack of forechest, too short-backed, low tail sets, snipey muzzles, lack of underjaw, lack of rear drive.

Interpretation of the Standard

The Standard of any breed is a specification or blueprint for that breed. The writers of the Standards were interested primarily in working ability and wrote the Standard to describe the ideal temperament and conformation needed to perform the purpose for which the dog was bred. Anyone who is going to own, breed, or judge any breed should be familiar with the dog’s purpose and what conformation characteristics enable the dog to perform, with ease, the tasks for which he was bred.

An excellent reference is K-9 Structure and Terminology by Gilbert and Brown. The book is a study in anatomy and locomotion as applying to all breeds and explains the working parts beneath the surface with the mechanical laws governing them.

When interpreting the Weimaraner Standard, it is important to know that the Weimaraner is both a pointing dog and a retrieving dog. With the background knowledge of anatomy and the Weimaraner’s purpose, reading the Standard gives a clear picture of what the dog should look like.

GENERAL APPEARANCE

A medium-sized gray dog with fine aristocratic features. He should present a picture of grace, speed, stamina, alertness, and balance. Above all, the dog’s conformation must indicate the ability to work with great speed and endurance in the field.

HEIGHT

Height at the withers: dogs, 25-27 inches; bitches, 23-25 inches. One inch over or under the specified height of each sex is allowable but should be penalized. Dogs measuring less than 24 inches or more than 28 inches, and bitches measuring less than 22 inches or more than 26 inches, shall be disqualified.

Interpretation: A Weimaraner should convey the impression of grace and style, a dog who can work in the field all day. He should be of medium size, not too coarse nor too fine, as a coarse, heavy-boned dog or a fine-boned weedy dog could not endure a day in the field. Medium size with regard to height needs no explanation as it is clearly defined with a disqualification for those who deviate from this size.

HEAD

Moderately long and aristocratic, with a moderate stop and slight median line extending back over the forehead. Rather prominent occipital bone and trumpets well set back, beginning at the back of the eye sockets. Measurement from the tip of the nose to the stop equals that from the stop to occipital bone. The flews should be straight, delicate at the nostrils, and the skin drawn tightly. Neck clean-cut and moderately long. Expression should be kind, keen, and intelligent.

EARS

Long and lobular, slightly folded and set high. The ear, when drawn snugly alongside the jaw, should end approximately 2 inches from the point of the nose. Eyes: In shades of light amber, gray, or blue-gray, set well enough apart to indicate good disposition and intelligence. When dilated under excitement, the eyes may appear almost black. Teeth: Well-set, strong, and even; well-developed and proportionate to jaw with a correct scissors bite. The upper teeth protrude slightly over the lower teeth but not more than 1/8 of an inch. Complete dentition is greatly to be desired.

Interpretation: To complete the picture of grace and nobility, the head should be pleasing with a kind, intelligent expression. The head is similar to a Pointer head with the exception of the stop, which should be moderate as opposed to the pronounced stop of the Pointer. The ear set should be high rather than at eye level as in the Pointer. The trumpets, which are comparable to temples in humans, give the head a chiseled appearance. The flews should be straight, not pendulous, and taper to the nostril. They should not give the appearance of being snippy.

BODY

The back should be moderate in length, set in a straight line, strong, and should slope slightly from the withers. The chest should be well developed and deep with shoulders well laid back, ribs well sprung and long. Abdomen firmly held; moderately tucked-up flank. The brisket should extend to the elbow.

Interpretation: A Weimaraner should not be short-backed. He should have a long rib cage with well-sprung ribs, not slab-sided. The long rib cage gives the back its moderate length. The back should be straight (no rise over the loin, no sway) and should slope slightly from the withers to the tail, which is high set—a low-set tail being a major fault. The chest, when viewed from front and side, should be well developed and deep, as this gives the dog lung room when running in the field. The well-sprung ribs and deep chest also enable the dog to perform his duties as a retriever.

COAT AND COLOR

Short, smooth, and sleek, solid color, in shades of mouse-gray to silver-gray, usually blending to lighter shades on the head and ears. A small white marking on the chest is permitted but should be penalized on any other portion of the body. White spots resulting from injury should not be penalized. A distinctly long coat or a distinctly blue or black coat is a disqualification.

LEGS

Forelegs: Straight and strong, with the measurement from the elbow to the ground approximately equaling the distance from the elbow to the top of the withers. Hindquarters: Well-angulated stifles and straight hocks. Musculation well-developed. Feet: Firm and compact, webbed, toes well-arched, pads closed and thick, nails short and gray or amber in color. Dewclaws: Should be removed.

TAIL

Docked. At maturity, it should measure approximately 6 inches with a tendency to be light rather than heavy and should be carried in a manner expressing confidence and sound temperament. A non-docked tail should be penalized.

GAIT

The gait should be effortless and indicate smooth coordination. When seen from the rear, the hind feet should be parallel to the front feet. When viewed from the side, the topline should remain strong and level.

Interpretation:
To ensure that the Weimaraner can endure a day in the field, its gait should be coordinated and effortless. If the front angulation is correct and the rear angulation is equal to the front, there should be no wasted motion. Padding, restricted movement, or fast, choppy movement is incorrect. A Weimaraner should cover ground with reach in front and drive in the rear, and this movement should be effortless and coordinated.

If shoulder angulation is correct, the back should remain level in movement without excess rise and fall of the withers. This indicates that the dog is put together correctly and is not putting undue stress on the shock-absorbing mechanism—the shoulders.

TEMPERAMENT

The temperament should be friendly, fearless, alert, and obedient.

REMARKS

It is impossible for a gray Weimaraner to have a black mottled mouth. Weimaraner color is a dilution, and therefore it is impossible for a dilute dog to have black markings.

Our local club holds Hunting Tests, WCA Rating Tests, and Field Training Seminars. It is always amazing to me to see dogs who have never been exposed to birds go out in the field and hunt, point, and retrieve. You can actually see the point at which their brain clicks on, and they start hunting.

If nature has seen fit to maintain the natural instincts of bird finding and retrieving ability, we as breeders and judges should strive to produce and reward a dog whose structure and temperament enable that dog to perform these duties.

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Romancing the Breed

In 1950, my father—a farmer, rancher, and avid sportsman—brought me a Weimaraner puppy. Daddy had English Setters, Pointers, and a Bulldog. Mother had a Poodle and a Standard Schnauzer. However, that Weimaraner ruled the house, the home place, and the ranch. His name was Quirt, and for twelve years, he was my constant companion and protector. He swam in the Gulf of Mexico with me, he ran next to me when I rode my horse, and he sat on the gun range for hours as we practiced trap, skeet, and live pigeon shoots. He nipped at me if I swam too far out, barked at me if I pushed the horse too hard, and put his life on the line when intruders broke into the house at Christmas in 1956.

The Weimaraner breed has come a very long way since 1950. The temperament, health, versatility, and popularity have all improved. I can remember going to the vet and Quirt not being allowed inside because the vet was afraid of him. Breeders have brought our Weims a long way—they’ve always been great family dogs, but now they are socialized and biddable.

One reason so many of us have Weimaraners is that they are extremely smart. They are said to be human-like in their ability to learn and do! But they can be stubborn and willful—with a mind of their own. This needs to be channeled through training. Training a Weimaraner means earning his love and respect.

A hard, tough hand is usually not met with success. A Weimaraner is not a kennel dog—nor is he happy to be distanced from his people—as he may become destructive and sometimes vengeful.

The AKC and other worldwide registries provide many venues for Weims—conformation, hunt tests (both pointing and retrieving), field trials, tracking, obedience, agility, fly ball, among others. Additionally, Weimaraners excel in being therapy dogs, service dogs, cadaver dogs, drug dogs—and I’m sure I’m missing some of their talents! The versatility of a Weimaraner is one of the main attractions to the breed. If you get a Weimaraner, you need to keep them busy and give them plenty of exercise and attention. Channel their energy and intelligence for a great companion. Ignore it—and you’ll be forever sorry.

The Weimaraner is often referred to as a gentleman’s hunting dog by many people. He hunts and retrieves for the hunter—he is bonded and loyal, working hard to please his companion. Normally not a big running, brush-busting field dog—he certainly can do that too. What does a versatile hunting dog do besides hunt? He retrieves. The Weimaraner Club of America and the Weimaraner Association of Canada have ratings tests which showcase the retrieving ability of Weimaraners—who can work like a Labrador Retriever! The Weimaraner can be a steady, reliable, hardworking retrieving dog.

Through the years, the Weimaraner has been prized for his tracking ability…and rightfully so. Many of us joke that it is almost “cheating” to do tracking with a Weimaraner. It is natural to them, and earning TDs and TDXs for young Weims is not uncommon.

That a Weimaraner has the energy to do many, if not all, of these is a testament to its versatility—which is a plus. But always remember—a Weimaraner is a breed that NEEDS to do SOMETHING—that is a fact. Every day Weims appear in rescue because the owner didn’t keep him busy…a tired Weimaraner is a happy Weimaraner.

Anyone who has ever had dogs has dozens of stories and a favorite dog or two. So, I would be remiss in not storytelling for a bit. Following are a couple of stories about specific dogs from my life—it always brings a tear to my eye when I talk about the favorites who have gone over the Rainbow Bridge—but they are the foundation of my love and passion for the breed.

My first real show dog was Guapo. He was a mischievous, funny dog who made people laugh. From the obedience judge who caught him nosing through her purse and dragging out her lunch, to the hunt test judge who, after Guapo had seven points, told us to “pick that vacuum cleaner up before he clears the field,” to the tracking judge who told me to go “flush that pheasant and get back to tracking.” He made me think it was easy. He finished in about 10 shows and he taught me what it was like to train a Weimaraner. By the time he was 3 years old, he was an Am/Can CH with a title in every area a Weim could compete in—remember this was before the plethora of titles we have now. I remember once I submitted his name for a program of awards as Am/Can CH, JH CDX, TD, NA, NRD, SD, VX, CGC TDI—it showed up as AmCan CH Weimshadow’s Smooth Criminal ETC—all that work boiled down to an ETC!

Then there was Flirt. Any of the longtime Weim people know who you mean when you say “Flirt”—and many called her the “Win’k of an Eye” bitch. She is a WCA Hall of Fame dog—a busy bee who could easily have been a Weim who was returned to the breeder if not kept busy. I remember her coming out of the crate at the Houston airport in July 1992. Michael Kemp (I found out later who he was) was there picking up a bulldog puppy. When Flirt strutted out of that crate holding the teddy bear in her mouth—tail up and “here I am world” attitude, Mr. Kemp said to me, “That’s a Best in Show one there!” At 8 weeks he called it!

To this day, though, she was my heart dog—from 8 weeks old as a puppy, through a resounding show career, a Pedigree top producer, and an all-around performance dog—she taught me how to win, how to lose (you can’t point the finger at the judge), and what I wanted to do in the Fancy. She was Am/Can CH Bis/Biss Nani’s Win’k of an Eye VCD1 (TD CD NA NAJ) JH NRD VX CGC TDI HOF BROM—and she is the most titled AKC Best in Show Weimaraner.

Two stories about Flirt: She won the breed at the Host Specialty for the Nationals in Rhode Island from the Veteran Class—after receiving Pedigree Top Producing Dam and winning 1st place in the agility trial. She was 8 years old—and everyone was on their feet clapping and yelling as she took the victory lap—out in front at the end of the lead with her signature reach and drive. She ended her life as a service dog for my grandson Braden, who is a quadriplegic. She retrieved his toys, pushed him to an upright position, and was his constant companion. Twelve years was not enough with her. Funny, I still miss her—and her busy bee ways!

Fred was a sweet, loving, beautiful dog—and he was the last one I had who would have protected me to his very death. Who names a dog “Fred”? An 8-year-old child who watches The Flintstones, that’s who! Fred was officially Am/Can CH BISS Ashmore Win’Weim Royal Flush JH BROM. Fred was my real introduction to the huge responsibility of owning a stud dog. He was a Pedigree Top Producer, and in about 15 breedings had over 50 champions with over 60 performance titles. He produced five Best in Show winners—in the US, Canada, and Australia.

Fred taught me to say “No.” Probably 2/3 of the breeders who asked to use him, I said no. I worried so much about where the puppies would go, who was raising them, how to keep up with them, and if the breedings would be successful. We all make mistakes—mine was maybe saying ‘no’ too often—but the ‘yes’ breedings were so successful—and I have those breeders to thank who put up with me as the stud dog owner from hell. Thanks, Ready-Freddy! How do you end a discussion about a passion that has lasted for 62 years? It is a love. It is a romance.

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The Weimaraner

Active, intelligent, loyal, and versatile—these are all notable attributes of the Weimaraner breed. However, if you ask any Weimaraner enthusiast, you will likely discover that it was love at first sight with the breed’s striking appearance that got them hooked. With unique monochromatic coloration from eyes to toenails, regal features, a sleek coat, and a lithe, athletic frame, Weimaraners attract a lot of attention. New owners quickly find that they have not only a puppy but also a conversation piece on their hands.

After the inevitable “What color would you call that?” and lengthy discussions over whether they are taupe, gray, silver, or liver in color, the brilliant sapphire blue eyes of the puppy are surely remarked upon, followed by, “Did you know they are born with charcoal-colored stripes that fade after a few days?” While their eye-catching looks are the initial hook, the Weimaraner fancier’s fondness for the breed is sustained by the breed’s other traits, foremost among them the intensely powerful bond that Weimaraners form with their owners, giving them an uncanny ability to connect with their people. Weimaraners are clever, learning just as quickly the things you would like them to know as the things you would not.

They have remarkable determination and problem-solving ability and are game to engage in virtually any competitive or recreational pursuit their owner may contemplate, from search and rescue work to sled-dogging, duck hunting to agility. For a home that can provide the significant amount of attention, exercise, and mental stimulation required to keep a Weimaraner from becoming a delinquent of the worst kind, they make superlative companion dogs.

While the precise ancestry of the Weimaraner breed is unclear and remains a subject of conjecture, it is virtually certain that the unique color of the Weimaraner was significant then as it is now. The very early history of the Weimaraner is known to have included a blend of continental trailing hounds and various types of European pointing dog breeds, possibly under the direction of some members of the lower echelons of royalty. Weimaraners were regularly employed as gamekeeper’s dogs, a role that shifted them away from the kennel and into the home of their master. To this day, Weimaraners thrive in a home environment as part of the family and typically do not take well to extended periods of life in kennel runs.

The Weimaraner underwent a period of concentrated development in its namesake Weimar region of Germany during the latter half of the 19th century, becoming the breed we recognize today, culminating in the formation of the first breed club and the official proclamation of breed status in 1897. Many new Weimaraner owners, uncertain about how to pronounce the breed’s name, would have preferred their chosen breed to have originated in a place with a name more easily interpreted by English speakers!

Along with other continental pointing breeds established during the same period, the Weimaraner was developed to be a utilitarian gun dog, adept at pointing, tracking, swimming, and retrieving as the situation warranted and capable of working all manner of small game, including upland game birds, waterfowl, rabbits, and foxes. In addition, Weimaraners were selected for two distinctive characteristics. First, the ability to trail and corner big game such as deer or boar, often accompanied by a baying or yipping vocalization, a trait also utilized in blood tracking wounded game animals and in the pursuit of poachers, second, capitalizing on the breed’s strong bond to its master, Weimaraners were also charged with the task of protecting their master and guarding his possessions, including any game captured during the hunt.

To the great peril of the cats, squirrels, and deer inhabiting the neighborhood, Weimaraners have largely retained the constellation of traits representative of the breed’s historical purpose. Weimaraners are capable personal hunting dogs that typically love to swim and retrieve, are crazy about agility, and universally excel in any type of work requiring the ability to track. Though the personal protection function of the breed has been markedly de-emphasized over time, Weimaraners continue to make excellent watchdogs. From inception, the fortunes of the Weimaraner have fluctuated dramatically. The formative Weimaraner population in Germany was decimated during World War I but preserved from extinction by Major Robert Herber’s fervent promotion of the breed, for which he was later denoted ‘father of the breed.’ Consequently, the breed gained core support in Germany and Austria, with word of the breed’s existence eventually crossing the Atlantic and reaching the ears of sportsman Howard Knight, who was able to import the first pair of Weimaraners to America in 1929.

So impressed was he with the abilities of his imports afield that, despite significant setbacks—unbeknownst to him, the original pair of adult imports had been sterilized by radiation before leaving Germany, and the very next shipment of puppies contracted distemper, with all but one perishing—Knight persevered in acquiring a small group of foundation stock from Germany and became the breed’s first American spokesman. Weimaraner populations in Germany were once again ravaged during the World War II conflict, with further challenges presented in the aftermath of the war. For the first seven years of the occupation of West Germany by the Western Allies, severe restrictions placed on both hunting activities and the possession of firearms made field testing of Weimaraners difficult, and the division of Germany during the subsequent four-decade-long Cold War hampered communication and movement between East and West Germany.

Ironically, the major force in the recovery of the breed during the post-war period was the ready and eager market for Weimaraners provided by returning American and Allied Forces servicemen, one that also provided a welcome influx of new blood to American breeders. In fact, such was the demand for puppies at that time that the German Weimaraner club had to pass a resolution forbidding the selling of more than half of any litter of puppies for export, lest there be no Weimaraners remaining in the breed’s home country!

Due to the odd circumstance that America opted not to recognize the recessive long-hair coat variety that occurs in the breed and is otherwise recognized worldwide, a number of long-haired descendants of these exports that later cropped up in U.S. litters were welcomed back to the breed’s homeland. In his capacity as gun dog editor for Field and Stream magazine, Jack Denton Scott became acquainted with the newly-introduced-to-America breed and soon became the Weimaraner’s most ardent promoter. Scott’s pivotal 1947 Field and Stream article titled ‘The Gray Ghost Arrives,’ the article was filled with accolades for the remarkable hunting talents inherent in the breed, verifying claims of incredible feats performed both on and off the hunt field, including a Weimaraner leaping 30 feet off a bridge to retrieve a duck without encouragement and another finding a child that had been lost for days.

Subsequent articles in prominent magazines such as Look, Life, Argosy, and Sports Afield made similar grandiose claims, with the Weimaraner touted as being “America’s Wonder Dog,” a dog better than a pointer, retriever, and hound combined, one that was born trained for hunting and, heck, could even answer your telephone. The breed’s nebulous early history proved to be a publicist’s dream, with embellished depictions of the Weimaraner as a heavily guarded secret product of over a century of selective breeding in the Royal Court of Weimar, lending mystique to the breed. The publicity sparked an utter frenzy of demand that lasted well over a decade and resulted in Weimaraners being bred indiscriminately and puppies commanding exorbitant prices.

During this heyday, Weimaraners became status symbols and were owned by film and television star Roy Rogers, President Eisenhower, and Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco. While it’s true that individual German imports had indeed been capable of spectacular accomplishments afield and many had achieved distinction in competition, including earning Dual Championships, Best in Show wins, and a record-setting Companion Dog obedience title at just 6 months and 2 days of age, Weimaraners, of course, were not all superstars. The breed fell out of favor with the misled public and existed in relative obscurity for several decades. But then, one day, artist and photographer William Wegman trained his camera lens on his own dogs. Wegman’s quirky, captivating, and anthropomorphic photographs captured the personality and striking beauty of the Weimaraner, drawing critical acclaim and introducing a whole new generation to the breed.

With his images emblazoned onto everything from calendars to coffee cups by the turn of the century, Wegman was a household name, and another massive wave of Weimaraner popularity was underway, one from which the dust is just now settling. However, this time around, many smitten new owners were unaware that the Weimaraner was a hunting breed and that, in a few months’ time, their adorable floppy puppy would likely grow to be a cat-chasing marathon runner that was upset at being left home alone for 10 hours a day while they were at work. Rescue agencies were formed to rehome ever-growing numbers of Weimaraners that suffered separation anxiety or became destructive in the house or yard due to pent-up energy and boredom.

Fortunately for the breed in America, there has always remained a stalwart group of committed breeders that have picked up the pieces and sustained the breed over the long haul, probably none more so than the late Virginia Alexander, a geneticist by trade, breeder for well over 50 years under the Reiteralm prefix, staunch advocate for the Weimaraner, mentor to untold numbers of Weimaraner owners and breeders, and primary author of the definitive encyclopedia of the breed ‘Weimaraner Ways.’ The breed is also well-represented by its parent club, the Weimaraner Club of America, a club that actively supports and celebrates the Weimaraner in all of its versatile roles.

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Judging the Weimaraner

In judging the Weimaraner, we must remember to seek type, as type is what distinguishes this breed from all others. The outline of the dog, sound movement, and head are of great importance. Our opening statement in the Breed Standard, ‘Above all, the dog’s conformation must indicate the ability to work with great speed and endurance in the field’ should be foremost in your mind once you determine that the dog has the correct outline. First, consider the side view from a distance. Is the outline of the dog rectangular? Why rectangular and not square or off-square? Because the back is moderate in length and you also have a well-developed and deep chest in front of those well-laid-back shoulders.

The rather prominent prosternum protrudes beyond the point of the shoulder, and there is a wonderful return of the upper arm, so the dog stands well over himself with balance, front-to-rear and withers-to-elbow-to-leg (equal lengths). These features give the dog a lovely half-circle from the withers to the prosternum and around to the elbow, which is directly under the withers. This, along with the moderate tuck-up in the flank, in addition to the well-sprung and long rib cage, gives the dog its rectangular outline and are the hallmarks of the breed.

As you approach the dog from the front, do so with purpose. Look at the feet (firm, well-arched, thick pads), the chest (good fill to the elbow), oval in shape. Does the dog stand well over himself (with elbows against the body)? After checking the teeth (FS), move to the side of the dog and, using a gentle but firm hand, examine the remainder of the dog, considering the need for a slightly sloping topline, strong loin (not long), well-angulated stifles, straight hocks with musculature well-developed.

Once you place your hands on the dog, let your hands move continuously over the back, chest, loin, tail set, and rear, and only remove your hands when done with the entire exam, including checking the testicles. I find the top view (coming down the line from behind) to be very helpful in sorting out a lineup of very good dogs. If you wish to check something on the dog, turn and approach him from the front rather than laying your hand from behind when he is not aware that you are approaching.

This view is frequently overlooked, but it tells all! As you walk down the line from the rear to the front, you can see if the neck is of sufficient length to balance with the body, if the shoulders lay back and lie down so that there is a smooth transition from the neck to the body, and if there is sufficient length and spring of ribcage (not slab-sided, not barrel-chested). Is there a waist at the loin (but not so much as to be wasp-waisted)? Are there well-developed first and second thighs? And is there a good butt, with the tail as an extension of the spine—preferably carried at one o’clock?

Finally, turn and look at the line-up from the front to have a final look at the heads, moderately long and aristocratic. The planes should be parallel, equal length of muzzle and skull, good chiseling, and although the muzzle tapers on the sides, it should have a squared-off finish to accommodate the large nostrils and well-developed teeth. The eyes are lighter than with most breeds.

Occasionally they remain blue, but most of the time, adults have amber or blue-gray eyes. Eye shape is not defined in the standard, but consider two points: 1.) A round eye, and little to no brow expression along with a light eye, will give you a very stark look. 2.) A light but oval eye with a soft brow presents with a softer expression and still has the intensity of a pointing breed rather than a spaniel. Consider the desire for aristocratic features.

This comes from the smooth body with no bumps and dips as well as from the regal expression. Of course, the dog then needs to move as it stands, indicating the ability to work with great speed and endurance. As the dog moves around the ring, remember that most of the Major Faults listed in the Weimaraner breed standard bring you to the conclusion that a sound dog is of great importance, both coming and going as well as in side-gait. Considering the Very Serious Faults: A gray dog is a dilute color and cannot have a black-mottled mouth.

It could have a gray mottled mouth and this is ok. If the dog has a black nose, you would be excusing it for a color not allowed, and if the coat was black or blue, the dog would be disqualified. I surmise they left this in to remind you that a purebred Weimaraner cannot have black. The Weimaraner is a single-coated dog. Their un-docked tail is very long, like a whip. This long tail has no protection from the brush and trees that it hits while hunting. It can become very damaged. Docking the tail is a preventative measure. The United States is the only country that does not accept the longhaired variety. I have judged longhairs in other countries. Personally, I feel they do not retain the same aristocratic features that we look for in the United States.

To my knowledge, our Weimaraner Standard is the only one that asks for aristocratic features. Within every breed, there will be differences in style from kennel to kennel. We do not pursue style, but if used within the confines of the breed standard to produce better dogs, it allows for latitude in the expression of qualities that make up type.

In the Weimaraner, these qualities are: 1. Rectangular Outline; 2. Prominent and Deep Forechest (Balanced with the Rest of the Body), Including a Well Laid Back Shoulder and Matching Return of Upper Arm; 3. Neck, Clean-Cut and Moderately Long; 4. Ability to Work with Great Speed and Endurance in the Field. Weimaraners were developed from the St. Hubert Hound. Remember that hound characteristics are the ‘drag of the breed’—level underline, ears too long, bone too heavy, excessive skirting in the loin area, thick tail, tan markings as in a black and tan dog, and pendulous flews.

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Mirabel – My Super Girl

Our day on November 2, 2023 began with Scott going in for a revision nose surgery and all went as planned. We were back home around lunchtime and he was going to rest, so I took all the dogs with me to the backyard to clean up poop and give Scott some peace and quiet.

We have a large yard, and so, clean up takes some time. As I was cleaning I felt a bad hot flash coming, so I stopped for a bit and enjoyed watching the dogs play. My “hot flash” was not getting any better and I began to feel nauseous and thought that maybe I should sit down. As I did, I saw Weimaraner Mirabel come running from the other side of the yard. I then began to feel dizzy and had some deep chest pain. Mirabel began licking my face and bouncing off my legs.

She isn’t a dog that kisses, so this was odd for her and she had a look about her that was intense. She ran to the back door and gave me a look as if to say, “Hey, you need to go in the house.” She ran back to me and I asked her, “Do we need to go in for a break?” She headed for the door, and I got up and went in. I sat down on our entry room bench as Mirabel sat on my feet, looking at me.

Scott woke up from his nap and told me that my face was bright red and asked if I was okay. I told him I couldn’t shake the hot flash as my chest pain had gotten worse. He brought me an ice pack to put on my neck and it helped to cool me off, but the pain kept increasing and started to go down my arms. This whole time, Mirabel had not moved from my feet and her head was in my lap. The pain felt like my sternum was being pushed into my heart. I could not catch my breath and my hands started to tingle. I began to understand something was more wrong than I wanted to admit. Scott took me to the hospital where they told us I was having a heart attack.

I was hooked up to two IVs and was given nitroglycerin to see if it would help. I had five nitro pills before the pain went from an 11 to an 8. The doctor started me on more medication and started my transfer to our local heart hospital. When we arrived at the next hospital, they rushed me straight to the Cath lab. My pain started to lesson slightly, and I watched as they dropped the dye into my heart and talked with the doctor about what he was seeing.

After a night in the hospital and tons of tests, we were told I had a SCAD (spontaneous cardiac artery dissection). It’s a heart attack that women have in their younger years; most are menopausal and it is a direct result of stress and overexertion. My heart muscle is otherwise healthy, but it could not handle all the factors that caused this to happen. What happens is the artery splits into layers inside itself and blood gets between those layers causing damage. There is really no blood clot that causes this, like most heart attacks. I will heal with cardiac rehab and new meds.

Mirabel has always been a gift, but her given name sure means a ton more now.

I am sharing this story so that others can learn from my experience. Don’t brush off the symptoms and pay attention to your body. I have a lot of stresses in my life right now and I need to find a way to unload that. Please do the same for yourself—it’s not worth the possible outcome.

I also want all the pet owners to pay attention and listen to your pets. They know things that we cannot explain. Your special relationship may just save you too.

Mirabel has always been a gift, but her given name sure means a ton more now. She is carrying on a medical alert trait that her mother and grandmother also possess. She is my super girl! Mirabel is by my side, always and forever.

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Interview with Steve Basson

How long have you competed in AKC Agility? How did you discover the sport?

Steve Basson: I’ve been competing in Agility since 2005, and with “Hogan” since Aug 2016.

Did you have a strategy for competing with “Hogan” at the AKC Agility Invitational this year?

Steve Basson: My strategy at the Invitational was “risk minimization.” Hogan is fast, so I do not have to push ground speed. If there was an off-course obstacle, I made sure that I was in a good position to keep it out of play. Also, I wanted to emphasize contacts. I felt that if he ran clean, time would not be an issue.

My strategy at the Invitational was “risk minimization.” Hogan is fast, so I do not have to push ground speed.

Do you compete in other dog sports? If so, which sports appeal to you and why?

Steve Basson: The “other” sport that appeals to me is Obedience, because Agility is all about teamwork—and this needs to start in Obedience. Most folks don’t do any serious Agility training until the dog is around a year old. With Obedience, you start on “day one” and get the teamwork part of the equation going. We’re also getting into Hunting Trials now.

If you Google “Hogan Agility” you will see an interview we did recently with WFSB in Hartford, Connecticut.

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Origin and Purpose

The Weimaraner breed dates back to 13th century art and literature. The Grand Duke of Weimar, for whom the breed is named, is responsible for standardizing the breed to its modern form. The Weimaraner developed into one of the prized continental hunting breeds during the 19th century, excelling with various types of game.

They exhibited instinctive hunting abilities such as tracking, searching, pointing, retrieving, and locating downed large game. What made the Weimaraner unique was its need for human companionship and kind handling. With the decline of big game, along with the introduction of guns to bird hunting, Weimaraner breeders placed more emphasis on pointing instincts.

In 1896, Germany recognized the Weimaraner as a breed. Despite opposition from the German breed club, a few individual dogs came to North America in the first part of the 20th century. The breed was eventually recognized in the United States and Canada.

The Weimaraner is now used in Germany on all furred and feathered game. In North America, they are used almost exclusively on birds. The modern Weimaraner has maintained its stamina, hunting versatility, and need for human bonding.

Weimaraner Breed Standard: Approved December 14, 1971

General Appearance

A medium-sized gray dog, with fine aristocratic features. He should present a picture of grace, speed, stamina, alertness and balance. Above all, the dog’s conformation must indicate the ability to work with great speed and endurance in the field.

Weimaraner Breed Standard: Height

Height at the withers: dogs, 25 to 27 inches; bitches, 23 to 25 inches. One inch over or under the specified height of each sex is allowable but should be penalized. Dogs measuring less than 24 inches or more than 28 inches and bitches measuring less than 22 inches or more than 26 inches shall be disqualified.

Medium size with regard to height needs no explanation as it is clearly defined with a disqualification for those who deviate from this size. When compared to people and objects of known proportion, the medium size of the Weimaraner is apparent. Height is always measured from the withers to the ground.

Weimaraner Breed Standard: Head

Moderately long and aristocratic, with moderate stop and slight median line extending back over the forehead. Rather prominent occipital bone and trumpets well set back, beginning at the back of the eye sockets. Measurement from tip of nose to stop equals that from stop to occipital bone. The flews should be straight, delicate at the nostrils. Skin drawn tightly.

Neck clean-cut and moderately long. Expression kind, keen and intelligent.

Ears—Long and lobular, slightly folded and set high. The ear when drawn snugly alongside the jaw should end approximately 2 inches from the point of the nose.

Eyes—In shades of light amber, gray or blue-gray, set well enough apart to indicate good disposition and intelligence. When dilated under excitement the eyes may appear almost black.

Teeth—Well set, strong and even; well-developed and proportionate to jaw with correct scissors bite, the upper teeth protruding slightly over the lower teeth but not more than 1/16 of an inch. Complete dentition is greatly to be desired.

Nose—Gray.

Lips and Gums—Pinkish flesh shades.

Weimaraner Breed Standard: Body

The back should be moderate in length, set in a straight line, strong, and should slope slightly from the withers. The chest should be well developed and deep with shoulders well laid back. Ribs well sprung and long. Abdomen firmly held; moderately tucked-up flank. The brisket should extend to the elbow.

Weimaraner Breed Standard: Coat and Color

Short, smooth and sleek, solid color, in shades of mouse-gray to silver-gray, usually blending to lighter shades on the head and ears. A small white marking on the chest is permitted, but should be penalized on any other portion of the body. White spots resulting from injury should not be penalized. A distinctly long coat is a disqualification. A distinctly blue or black coat is a disqualification.

Allowable white on the chest may be in the form of a spot or blaze, giving the appearance of being small and should not dominate the chest. Color should not give the appearance of being brown, liver or black. Coat color resembles a grayish–taupe and varies from very light shades to deep rich shades; all have the distinctive grayish–taupe tone, never a true brown or blue color. Lighter shading on the head and ears is referred to as the “Grafmar Cap,” and is more prominent with age. A distinctly long coat or a distinctly blue or black coat is a disqualification.

Weimaraners are avid sun bathers; their dilute coat color is easily sun bleached giving it a more brownish cast. In addition, a breed trait while shedding is a “bulleted/spotted” or mottled pattern, which will disappear with the new coat.

The Weimaraner coat color is a dilute; therefore, it is genetically impossible for a correctly–colored, gray Weimaraner to have a black–mottled mouth; it may have a gray mottled mouth.

Weimaraner Breed Standard: Forelegs

Straight and strong, with the measurement from the elbow to the ground approximately equaling the distance from the elbow to the top of the withers.

Weimaraner Breed Standard: Hindquarters

Well-angulated stifles and straight hocks. Musculation well developed.

Weimaraner Breed Standard: Feet

Firm and compact, webbed, toes well arched, pads closed and thick, nails short and gray or amber in color. Dewclaws—Should be removed.

Weimaraner Breed Standard: Tail

Docked. At maturity it should measure approximately 6 inches with a tendency to be light rather than heavy and should be carried in a manner expressing confidence and sound temperament. A non-docked tail shall be penalized.

Our standard is vague with regard to correct tail set, citing only that a low tail set is a major fault. The set–on of the tail correlates with the contour of the croup and pelvic angle. A low tail set indicates a steep pelvis which will result in restricted rear extension. A flat croup will result in the most rear extension but may cause excessive rear kick and wasted motion. A slightly angled croup will result in less extension but increased agility and endurance. Please do not confuse “tail set,” (an expression of structure) with “tail carriage” (an expression of temperament). Faults of docking are entirely man-made, thus incorrect length is only a minor fault.

The subtle differences illustrated here demonstrate the range of acceptable tail sets which reflect the range of pelvic angles.

A pelvic angle of 40 degrees or more would result in a steep croup and low tail set which is a major fault.

Weimaraner Breed Standard: Gait

The gait should be effortless and should indicate smooth coordination. When seen from the rear, the hind feet should be parallel to the front feet. When viewed from the side, the topline should remain strong and level.

To ensure that the Weimaraner can endure a day in the field, his gait must be smooth, coordinated and effortless. If his front angulation shaped by well laid back shoulders is correct and the rear angulation with well bent stifles is equal to the front, there should be no wasted motion. If front and rear angulation is not in balance, one end compensates for the other, resulting in inefficient movement.

A Weimaraner should easily cover ground with good reach in front and good drive in the rear. Restricted movement in any form is incorrect.

When viewed on the down and back, the Weimaraner’s legs converge toward a center line beneath his body in order to achieve balance; the greater the speed, the closer the legs come to tracking on a straight line.

Weimaraner Breed Standard: Temperament

The temperament should be friendly, fearless, alert and obedient.

Minor Faults

Tail too short or too long. Pink nose.

MAJOR Faults

Doggy bitches. Bitchy dogs. Improper muscular condition. Badly affected teeth. More than four teeth missing. Back too long or too short. Faulty coat. Neck too short, thick or throaty. Low-set tail. Elbows in or out. Feet east and west. Poor gait. Poor feet. Cowhocks. Faulty backs, either roached or sway. Badly overshot, or undershot bite. Snipy muzzle. Short ears.

Very Serious Faults

White, other than a spot on the chest. Eyes other than gray, blue-gray or light amber. Black mottled mouth. Non-docked tail. Dogs exhibiting strong fear, shyness or extreme nervousness.

Disqualifications

Deviation in height of more than one inch from standard either way. A distinctly long coat. A distinctly blue or black coat.

The entire Illustrated Standard as well as the Breed Standard Presentation can be found on our website under Resources and Judges Education.

Understanding the Weimaraner Breed Standard – Showsight Magazine December 2020 Issue
Photos courtesy of Weimaraner Club of America, Illustrations by Linda J. Shaw and Lorna Godsill.

Weimaraner Dog Breed Magazine

Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.

Read and learn more about the fearless Weimaraner dog breed with articles and information in our Weimaraner Dog Breed Magazine.

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The Weimaraner comes by its inherent versatility honestly. From the very start, the Weimaraner was designed to be a versatile breed. Developed by the German aristocracy in the early nineteenth century, the goal was to have the ultimate, multi-talented hunting partner. Were there “designer dogs” in the early 1800s? The answer is “yes” if you’re talking about the Weimaraner.

While there are many theories on the various European breeds that were used to develop the Weimaraner, there’s no denying that an all-purpose sporting dog was the desired end result. Most theories of the Weimaraner’s origins lean toward the crossing of pointing-type dogs to the existing German hunting dogs. The result combined strong hunting instincts with the ability to point, retrieve, and track. The Court of Weimar was very successful in developing such versatility. They kept ownership of these prized dogs strictly to themselves and made sure that only a relatively small number were bred. This was their blueprint for versatility, and they were not inclined to share.

As the nineteenth century progressed, hunting with firearms took a firm hold with the German aristocracy. As large game became less prevalent in their territories, there was a need for a different type of hunting companion. The hunting of birds and small game required skills very different from the old days of boar, bear, and deer hunting. Versatility enabled the Weimaraner to make a transition as hunting changed.

For the balance of the nineteen century and into the early twentieth, the existence of the Weimaraner was kept “close to the vest” by its German developers. They prized their newly designed breed, bred it to strict standards, and restricted who could own one. Weimaraners were a rare commodity and its developers endeavored to keep it that way. It was not until the late 1920s that two specimens were brought to the US. This importation took Herculean efforts by the American sporting enthusiast Howard Knight. Unbeknownst to Mr. Knight, this first pair of imported Weimaraners had been sterilized in Germany before they were released to his ownership. It took almost ten years of persistence before he was finally able to obtain initial breeding stock and bring them to the US.

The Weimaraner made its debut in the late 1930s amid public relations hype that would have made P. T. Barnum blush. The versatility of the breed was pumped up from the time a few were first brought to the US. The breed pushed celebrities off the covers of magazines and was credited with super hunting prowess, uncanny intelligence, and trainability. The Weimaraner arrived as a novelty, was ballyhooed as the new wonder dog, and became the
“dog-de-jour.”

As with many over-blown exaggerations, reality sets in with the passage of time. Tall tales fade away and what is left, in this case, is the reality of a marvelous, multi-talented Sporting breed. The Weimaraner received AKC recognition in December of 1942 and the public first got to see them make a splash at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in Madison Square Garden in 1943.

It was not until the post-World War II years that any substantial number of Weimaraners entered the US. In the 1950s and ‘60s, Weimaraners racked up impressive wins in bench, field, and obedience competitions. The Weimaraner was embraced by its enthusiasts, and its abilities were developed, honed, and celebrated.

The Weimaraner Club of America (WCA), in recognition of the multi-faceted abilities of the breed, established the new parent club titles of Versatile and Versatile Excellent in 1972. To earn these designations of “V” and “VX”, a dog had to have a combination of accomplishments in field, bench, and obedience. Recognition was given for American Kennel Club (AKC) titles and WCA field ratings by assigning point values. The more difficult the accomplishment, the higher number of points were assigned. For example, an AKC bench championship was awarded more points than those for a dog that had won some championship points but had not attained the title of Champion. The Versatile Excellent title (VX) required more points than the Versatile (V) title.

As the number of dog sports continued to expand, the WCA’s Versatility titles were revised to include Tracking and Agility. Weimaraners more than rose to the occasion and demonstrated abilities that were only limited by the training ability, degree of interest, and available resources and time of their owners. There are so many possible activities, and owning the versatile Weimaraner puts no limits on which competitive activities can be pursued.

Earning Versatility titles takes a great deal of training and effort on the part of the owners. It requires not only versatility on the part of the dog, but also by the owners. You would think that there are few people willing and able to undertake the pursuit of versatility titles. Looking at the WCA’s awarded Versatility titles over the past ten years, on average, 56 are bestowed each year. Considering the multiple talents that are required for a Versatility title, only a breed with a wide variety of inherent aptitudes could accomplish this.

Just how much is Versatility valued by the Weimaraner Club of America and its members? It is so important that it is featured as a special event at the National Specialty where a “Most Versatile Weimaraner” award is given. Entrants get to compete at the National in up to eight possible venues; Agility, Conformation, Obedience, Rally, Tracking, Shooting Ratings, Retrieving Ratings, and Hunting Tests. To be eligible for the Versatility Award, a dog must successfully compete in at least three of the activities. (Think of it as the Weimaraner triathlon.) A schedule of points is applied to each dog’s performance and the dog with the highest score is awarded the coveted “Most Versatile
Weimaraner” award.

While Weimaraners excel in competitive activities, their innate versatility goes even deeper into our lives. Above all, Weimaraners are our companions. They can take on many roles, like being the guardian of your property, visiting hospitals as Therapy Dogs, being trained for search and rescue, and constantly amusing you with their antics. Need an over-the-top greeting every time you come home? Yes, that’s in their repertoire too. Their personality and intelligence guarantee that Weimaraners are happiest when you include them in your daily activities and they can be your constant partner.

Without a doubt, the Weimaraner is a versatile breed. Owners have given so many roles to Weimaraners, and they constantly rise to the occasion. They are loyal hunting partners, athletic Agility competitors, dazzling show dogs, gentle Therapy Dogs, and loyal companions. The versatility of the Weimaraner and their need for activity to expend their physical and mental energy is a hallmark of the breed.

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