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Sharon has a few things that kind of bug her about Weims and the direction things are going with them. I think she is a little on the long-winded side but here she is.
My background (credentials):
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I have been breeding Weimaraners for over 35 years. I currently own 23 adults. My kennel is open to the public every Saturday from 12:00 - 4:00 EST, excluding major Holidays, so that you can meet some Weims and learn more about them.
What are the best things about your breed?
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A versatile dog, a jack-of-all trades. He does many things well, but is not "ABSOLUTELY THE MOST GREAT" at anything. He is an attentive companion, good at on-foot hunting (keeps you in site), OK in obedience - learns very fast but some days just doesn't want to do it (same for agility work), can do search-and-rescue work, visit the sick and elderly....the list goes on and on. But the thing he does best is to be your best buddy!
He gives unconditional love and devotion. He wants to be with you at all times. When I go to the restroom, he follows. When I open the door after taking a bath, he is sitting there patiently waiting for my attention. If I have had a bad day, he offers consolation (head on my lap).
Weims love their owners, but unlike some breeds that love all, the Weim is selective. You have to earn his devotion. For the family members, all it takes is your presence. For those outside the family, the Weim looks to his owner to see if the person is OK and acceptable.
What are the "worst" things about your breed a prospective buyer should know?
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If not trained properly at an early age, the Weim can suffer from separation anxiety. The very aspect of the breed that make us love them, if not handled properly, can make them hard to live with. That aspect is their devotion to family. They don't like to be left alone. You probably have heard horror stories about holes chewed in walls, tile lifted from the floors, curtains torn down and furniture eaten. However, this (in my opinion) only occurs because the owners did not teach their dogs to be alone. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to crate train a Weim at 8 weeks of age. Crate training not only helps with house breaking. IT TEACHES YOUR WEIM TO BE ALONE. If he learns to calmly wait for your return, you need not experience any of the destructive problems.
Weims are natural leaders. It is important for you to understand pack dynamics and have every family member assume a leadership role.
What are the health problems in your breed?
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Currently, my breed is experiencing an Immune Deficiency disorder that manifests itself in many ways. If you think about it, the immune system keeps us healthy. If this process goes bad, the result can be disastrous.
Currently the Weimaraner Club of America recommends that the dog's shots be broken up so that the dog's immune system has only to deal with one immunization at a time. Dogs with poor immune systems, given shots for multiple diseases, can get very sick and sometimes die.
I feel that this recommendation is doing a dis-service to the breed. Of course, if you are going to neuter or spay your pup, and are buying your pup from a different breeder, don't take a chance, break up the shots. However, if you buy your pup from us you can feel confident that your puppies immune system is in good shape and you can give him the full 6-way combo (under 6 months of age) or 7-way combo (6 months and older). If you plan on using a pup for future breeding, WHAT BETTER WAY TO TEST HIS IMMUNE SYSTEM than to give him the full combination shot. If he has a bad reaction to the vaccination, DON'T USE HIM FOR BREEDING!!! If every breeder did this, we could eliminate the immune problem from our breed. I have.
Most large breeds can have hip dysplasia. Make sure that all breeding stock is x-rayed. OFA and GDC are certification boards that will evaluate hip x-rays and certify the outcome. But that's all they do....an OFA/GDC rating does not make the hips of the dog any better. Some breeders are content to have their vets evaluate the x-rays, and not get an OFA/GDC certification.
What testing is recommended in your breed?
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Hips - Certainly. We currently get OFA prelims on dogs under two years of age and OFA certification of dogs over two years of age.
Eyes - We occasionally have pups with extra eyelashes that are easily and permanately removed with laser. Routine eye exams have shown that no other genetic eye problems exist in my line.
Thyroid - I have never experienced any problems in this area. If other breeders have, then testing might be necessary.
What type of person/situation is a great match for your breed?
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A person that loves animals and has a basic understanding of dog pack behavior. The Weim should be raised as a family member. The Weim owner can work but must spend most of his free time with the dog (not necessarily in dog related stuff...just allow the dog to be with him)
What type of person/situation would not be a successful match for your breed?
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A person that wants to tie his dog up outside and just feed it once a day. A person that cares more for his leather shoes than his best buddy (the Weim). The Weim is a VERY intelligent animal and most Weims would like to see themselves as pack leaders. So, a very passive, permissive person, one that cannot discipline bad behavior and maintain a leadership role, might not do well with a Weim.
This page updated on 02/01/2001