Cheryl Lent, former WCA Judges' Education Chair WEIMARANER Hallmarks of the
B R E E D C H A R A C T E R Weimaraners should present as friendly, fearless, alert and obedient. They were bred in Germany to be a close ranging gun dog on the hunt and the devoted protector of family and hearth at home. Weimaraners are extremely intelligent and aristocratic in nature. Unique to this sporting breed is their ability to hunt and track fur and feather as well as a natural love of water and retrieving. Simply put, a Weimaraner is a pointer and a retriever. Substantial in bone to perform these varied functions, you will see a dog that is supremely confident, with grace and nobility. He is calmly waiting for his next adventure to begin. Weimaraners require your respect and attention and reward you with complete devotion and constant vigilance of your safety and welfare. The devotion these grey dogs share with their owners is legendary. Weimaraners do not adapt well to a kennel environ- ment or separation from their family. They thrive as a fully involved family member. S I L H O U E T T E The Weimaraner’s silhouette is uniquely it’s own. Looking at the make and shape of this breed one should immediately see the stylish outline of an athletic, noble gun dog. Your impression should be of a medium sized* gun dog that could work in the field all day. The height at the withers should be of equal propor- tion from elbows to ground. Slightly longer than tall, the Weimaraner should never give the appearance of a square body or one of excessive length. The Weimaraner has a visible pro ster- num and keel. The scapula is well laid back with equal length and return of upper arm presenting a front set well under the dog. The chest should be deep and blend into a strong smooth body with length coming from the rib cage. The topline is smooth and flowing with a neck blending into a straight slightly sloping back line and tail set on high. A low tail set is a major fault. No rise or sway should be seen in the back line. The under- line should be firmly held by the abdomen, and the tuck up should be moderate. The body blends into a strong and angled rear assembly conveying the impression of strength and driving power. Balance is essential to perform the Weimaraner’s varied tasks as a pointer and a retriever. Substance is a must, but never coarse nor too fine. Grace, speed, stamina, alertness and balance should be apparent immediately. H E A D The Weimaraner head should be aristocratic with parallel planes and moderate stop compared to a Pointer, with a slight median line extending over the forehead. There should be a rather prominent occipital bone with well set back trumpets (temple area in humans) beginning at the back of the eye socket. The eyes are a unique color of blue gray, gray or light amber. They are set well enough apart to indicate intelligence and a good disposition. This presents a pleasing, chiseled aristocratic look. The measurement from the tip of the nose to the stop and
from the stop to the occipital should be equal. A strong under jaw is needed to carry large game. Depth of muzzle should never appear snipey. Straight tight flews, never appearing pendulous, should be delicate at the nostrils. The nose is large with open large nostrils, which serve the Weimaraner well in the field or track. The ears are set on high, the leather is medium and the shape long and lobular with a slight fold. When measured along the muzzle the ear tips are approximately two inches from the point of nose. Ears should never give a houndy appearance. Teeth should be strongly developed with a scissors bite. More than four missing teeth is a major fault. As in all sporting dogs, full dentition is greatly desired. Looking at a Weimaraner, the head should con- vey a kind, keen, alert expression; never harsh or fearful. M O V E M E N T Gait should be smooth, effortless, elastic with no wasted ener- gy or motion. A properly built Weimaraner should exhibit ground covering reach and drive. A Weimaraner on the move should mimic a finely tuned athlete in peak physical condition. The topline should remain straight and level on the “go-round”. Remember, this is an aristocratic gun dog that should be able to work the field all day long. Wasted motion or stilted reach and lack of drive will not portray balance and serve our dogs in the field. One should expect a clean down and back with a natural convergence to the center of gravity as speed increases. When in doubt, judge them on the go around. C O A T The Weimaraner coat can vary from shades of mouse grey to silver grey. It often blends to lighter shades of grey on the head and ears. A small white spot is permitted on the chest. White hairs resulting from injury should not be penalized. Coat should be short and sleek with sheen to indicate good health. A distinct- ly long or a distinctly blue or black coat is a disqualification. *Weimaraners have a DQ for height at either end of the stan- dard, and we encourage judges to measure if there is a question on height. We recognize the phrase “medium size” means differ- ent heights in different Sporting dog standards. The Weimaraner’s height is clearly stated in our standard, and there should be no prejudice at either end of the height range.” Below are outlines of a Weimaraner, German Shorthaired Pointer and Vizsla. WEIMARANER
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88 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE • A PRIL 2010
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