Weimaraners are highly intelligent, loyal dogs that were developed to be a “Gentlemen’s Hunter”, quiet in the house and active in the field. These beautiful gray dogs are smart and very devoted to their people, but do they make good house pets?
Weimaraners make very good house pets for the right people. They are very smart and learn quickly. Weimaraners bond strongly to their family and prefer to be with them always. They require minimal grooming and are a generally healthy breed if acquired through a reputable breeder.
A lot of good can be said about these beautiful dogs, but they definitely aren’t a breed suitable for everyone. Do your research before deciding to bring a Weimaraner into your home. Weimaraners have a few non-negotiable needs and also a few strong personality traits that may not fit in with every lifestyle.
Weimaraners Are Very Active
Weimaraners are a high energy hunting breed that require a lot of exercise daily. Weimaraners need to run. A lot. They require a very active family, another dog to run with, or a fenced in yard to meet their daily physical activity needs. These dogs were developed to spend hours running in a field locating birds and other animals.
Make sure you are able to provide a suitable way for a Weimaraner to wear off its energy every day before deciding to add one to your family. Trust me, a tired Weimaraner makes a wonderful house pet. A bored, under exercised Weimaraner can be a total nightmare.
Do you love to hike, bike or go for daily runs? Do you hunt regularly? A Weimaraner may be the perfect fit for you. Weimaraners absolutely love being with their people and going places with them. Bringing him along while you enjoy these activities is sure to keep your Weimaraner happy and healthy.
If you are less active and like to do more low key activities, don’t give up on your dream of owning one of these dogs. An older Weimaraner may be a great fit for you. Exercise needs become less as a Weimaraner ages. If you are interested in adopting an older Weimaraner be sure to check your local Weimaraner Rescue for available dogs. The Weimaraner Club of America has a list of reputable local Weimaraner rescues here.
Weimaraners do best in homes that have a yard where they can go out and run and play regularly. Apartments are usually not suitable for this breed unless you work from home and spend a lot of time exercising outside with your pet.
If you have more than one Weimaraner it is not hard to meet their activity needs. A few hours outside together every day should be enough to use up excess energy so you will have happy, tired dogs ready to relax in the evening. If you only have one Weimaraner, plan on providing rigorous play like fetching a ball for an hour or so or taking them on your daily run to get their exercise in.
A Weimaraner that does not get enough exercise and activity can become a bit of a problem. Actually, it can be a big problem. A bored Weimaraner may bark a lot and can become destructive. Chewing up shoes, furniture or the trim on your walls and digging up your landscaping can become a fun activity for a bored Weimaraner with too much extra energy. A tired Weimaraner is a happy Weimaraner and happy Weimaraners are less likely to become a behavior issue.
Weimaraners Are Very Smart
Weimaraners are very smart dogs. They learn things quickly and retain what they learrn very well. This sounds great, doesn’t it? It actually is great when training your Weimaraner things you want it to learn. It is not hard to teach a Weimaraner tricks and basic obedience. It becomes not-so-great once you realize that Weimaraners learn things they aren’t actually taught.
Every Weimaraner I have owned has taught itself several things that I would have preferred it not to know.
Opening gates seem to be a common trick Weimaraners teach themselves. Every gate in our yard now has a clip to prevent the dogs from opening them. They don’t seem to open the gate to escape and run away, but rather to be with us wherever we are on the property. More on that trait later.
Another great trick our Weimaraners have taught themselves is how to open doors inside the house. This makes it very difficult to keep a Weimaraner in a particular room, or out of one. The pantry fits in the latter category. Our house now has big plastic child proof door handle covers that our dogs cannot manipulate. It doesn’t go with the decor, but it is functional.
Counter surfing, digging in the trash, jumping on tables and counters, escaping crates and climbing or jumping a fence are other tricks our Weimaraners have learned over the years. They know these things wrong and only do them when we aren’t paying close enough attention. They act like perfect little angels when we are with them. Weimaraners are smart enough to know when they can get away with things.
Weimaraners Require Proper Training
As discussed above, Weimaraners are very smart and learn quickly. It is so important that a Weimaraner learns how to behave properly. They are too smart to be left to their own devices. They need to know right from wrong and require a confident leader.
Anyone considering a Weimaraner must be willing to teach them using positive reinforcement. A heavy hand and harsh consequences do not work well with this breed. At all. Weimaraners require a partnership built on trust and mutual respect. Once you earn your Weimaraner’s trust, there is nothing he won’t do for you. Nothing.
Basic obedience and proper socialization is a must for Weimaraners. These dogs are big and strong and have a high prey drive. Training and socialization can prevent many problems from occurring. Being able to keep your dog calm and under control around other people and animals can prevent unfortunate accidents.
Crate training is very important with this breed, especially if you are getting a puppy. A lot of people think crate training is “mean” or “locking the dog in a cage”. It is not. Done properly, it is the exact opposite. If you are not willing to crate train, a Weimaraner is probably not right for you.
Crate training gives your dog a safe place to be. Puppies need to be supervised 100% of the time for their safety, just like a human toddler. When you can’t give them your undivided attention, the crate is the safest place to be. Chewing cords or small items can prove deadly to a puppy and can happen in an instant if you are not watching them carefully. Crating will prevent this.
Another reason crate training is imperative in the breed is it eases separation anxiety. Crating teaches your Weimaraner how to be by itself. This is so important. Your Weimaraner needs to spend time by itself in the crate every day, even if you rarely have to leave him home by himself.
Weimaraners Are Prone to Separation Anxiety
Weimaraners are very loyal dogs that bond strongly to their people. This is one of the things that many owners love most about their pets. The relationship between a Weimaraner and his people is like no other. You will not find a more loyal companion. A Weimaraner’s favorite place to be is by his owner’s side, no matter where that is.
This is great until you have to leave them home alone. Weimaraners are very prone to separation anxiety if not properly trained and socialized. Being alone seems terrifying to some Weimaraners. A lonely Weimaraner can quickly turn to destructive behaviors when by himself.
Separation anxiety is distressing to both the Weimaraner and his owner.
As discussed above, crate training at an early age is very important for this breed. Teaching your Weimaraner how to be alone will save him and you an abundance of stress. This is one of the most important things this breed needs to learn. If you are not willing to do this, a Weimaraner is probably not the right breed for you.
Conclusion
Weimaraners make wonderful house pets as long as you understand their unique needs and breed characteristics. I have had Weimaraners as pets for the past 30 years and can’t imagine my life without one in it.