THE WEIMARANER
A
By Shirley Nilsson
ctive. Intelligent. Loyal. Versatile. All notable attributes of the breed but ask any Weimaraner enthusiast and you will likely discover that it was
certainty that the unique color of the Wei- marnaer was of significance then as now. Th e very early history of the Weimaraner is known to have included a blend of con- tinental 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 mas- ter. 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. Th e Weimaraner underwent a period of concentrated development in its namesake Weimar region of Germany during the lat- ter half of the 19th century to become the breed we recognize today, culminating in formation of the first breed club and o ffi cial proclamation of breed status in 1897. As
they stumble over which syllable to stress and uncertain about long vowel sounds or short ones and whether to Anglicize or keep to Germanic pronunciation, many new Weimaraner owners would certainly have preferred their chosen breed to have origi- nated in a place with a name more easily interpreted by English language speakers! Along with the other continental point- ing 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 work- ing a all manner of small game including upland game birds, waterfowl, rabbits and fox. 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 bloodtracking wounded game animals
a simple case of love at first sight with the Weimaraner’s striking appearance that got them hooked on the breed. It’s true, with unique monochromatic coloration from eyes to toe nails, regal features, sleek coat, and lithe, athletic frame Weimaraners tend to attract a lot of attention. In fact, new Weimaraner owners quickly find that they have not only a puppy but also a conver- sation piece on their hands. After “What color would you call that?” and lengthy rumination over whether they are taupe, gray, silver, or liver in color well then, 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 eye-catching looks are the hook, the Weimaraner fancier’s fondness for the breed is sustained by the breed’s other traits, foremost among those the intensely powerful bond that Weimara- ners form with their owners, giving them an uncanny ability to connect with their people. Weimaraner’s 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 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 the home that is able to provide the significant amount of attention, exercise and mental stimulation that is required to keep a Weimaraner from becoming a delinquent of the worst ilk, Weimaraners make superlative companion dogs. While the precise ancestry of the Wei- maraner breed is unclear and remains a subject of conjecture, it is a virtual
250 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , F EBRUARY 2014
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