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Country of Origin: Germany.
All additional information is in Purple Text
A
SHORT HISTORICAL OVERVIEW:
There have been numerous
theories cited over the origins of the Weimaraner.
One fact remains certain, that the Weimaraner at that
time had much Leithund blood (leash/lead dog). These dogs were
kept during the first third of the 19th Century at the
Court of Weimar. 
Towards
the middle of the century, before the beginning of our
pure breed, the dogs were found almost exclusively in
the hands of professional hunters and forest officials
in central Germany, especially in the regions of Weimar
and Thuringia. These dogs were usually bred only
for performance, and when the days of the Leithund ended,
these breeders crossed their dogs with Huhnerhund (refers
to Pointers and Setters) and continued these matings
further. From approximately 1890, more systematic
breeding methods began and were recorded in the stud
book.
Besides
the shorthaired Weimaraner, even before the turn of
the century, there appeared a longhaired variety, although
only now and then.
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The
Weimaraner has remained a pure reed and basically free
of crossbreeding, especially to Pointers, ever since
it was first recorded in the official breed stud book.
Therefore, the Weimaraner is, no doubt, the oldest German
pointing breed, and has been pure bred for around 100
years.
GENERAL
APPEARANCE:
A medium to large, versatile hunting
dog, of a functional working type. Pleasing in
shape, sinewy, with powerful musculature.
The male and female types, respectively, must be clearly
defined.
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Important Proportions:
Body length to height at withers
in the ratio of, approximately 12:11.
Proportionate length of head: From tip of nose to stop
slightly longer than from the stop to the occipital
bone.
Front legs: From the elbow to the mid pastern (metacarpus)
approximately equal to the distance from the elbow to
the top of the withers.
CHARACTERISTICS:
Use: Versatile hunting dog (Pointing Dog).
(See also under General Appearance and Temperament)
TEMPERAMENT
:
Versatile, easily trained, steady, and a passionate
hunting dog. Persevering in search, however,
is not too lively. Remarkable ability to pick
up scent. Ready to seize game and other prey;
also able to do man work, yet not aggressive.
Reliable pointer and worker in water. Remarkable
inclination to work after game is shot.
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The diagram shows the various body postures and facial expressions by which the dog communicates, giving the consecutive changes from the normal stance to submission. |
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HEAD
AND SKULL
Skull:
In harmony with the body size
and the foreface. Broader in dogs than in bitches,
however, in both sexes, the relative broadness of the
skull should be in proportion to the total length of
the head. A median line extending back over the
forehead. A slight to moderately prominent occiput.
Zygomatic arches easily traceable behind the eyes.
Very moderate stop.
Foreface:
Nose:
Surface area large, protruding over the lower
jaw. Dark flesh coloured, gradually changing to
grey towards the rear.
Muzzle:
Long and, especially in the male, powerful,
in profile almost appearing angular. Canine and
molar regions of the jaw about equally strong.
Bridge of muzzle is straight, often slightly arched,
but never dish faced.
Lips:
Moderately deep and pinkish, flesh-coloured, the
same as the palate. Small mouth fold.
Jaw:
Powerful.
Cheeks:
Muscular and clearly defined. "Dry" head
(skin tightly drawn).
EYES:
Amber coloured, from dark to light, and of intelligent
expression. Round, only slightly obliquely set.
Skyblue in puppies. Eyelids well fitting.
EARS:
Broad and rather long, should reach approximately
the corner of the mouth; rounded at the tips; set on
high and narrow; folded; when attentive turned slightly
forward.
MOUTH:
Bite:
Complete, regular and strong dentition.
Incisors should touch with a correct scissor bite.
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Scissor Bite
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Level Bite
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Overshot Jaw
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Undershot Jaw
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Wry Mouth
Teeth
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NECK:
Noble appearance and carriage, upper profile is slightly
arched. Muscular, almost round, not too short.
Dry. Strengthening towards the shoulders, and
flowing harmoniously into the backline and chest.
FOREQUARTERS:
Front legs:
General: Legs "high", sinewy, straight
and parallel, but not standing too far apart.
Upper Arm:
Set at an angle with sufficient length and
strength.
Elbows:
Lying free and straight. Turning neither
in nor out.
Forearm:
Long and straight.
Pastern (Metacarpus):
Sinewy, slightly sloped.
Shoulders:
ell angulated, long and well fitting, strongly
muscled. Good angulation of the shoulder blade
and upper arm joint.
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Normal, straight, gun barrel front |
Pidgeon toed front |
Narrow front |
Wide front |
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East West feet, French front |
Bandy, bowed or out in elbows front |
Chippendale, fiddle or cabriole front |
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BODY:
Topline:
Flowing harmoniously from the arched neckline
to the well defined withers into the relatively long,
firm back.
Withers:
Well defined.
Back:
Strong and muscular; not sway backed; not overbuilt
behind. A slightly long back is a breed characteristic
and not faulty.
Croup:
Pelvis long and moderately sloped.
Chest:
Strong, not excessively broad with sufficient
depth and length, descending almost to the elbow.
Ribs long, well-sprung but not barrel-shaped.
Forechest well developed.
Underline:
Sweeping up slightly, however, belly not
tucked up.
HINDQUARTERS:
General:
High on leg, sinewy or well muscled.
Stands parallel, turning neither in nor out.
Upper Thigh:
Sufficiently long, strong and well
muscled.
Stifle:
Strong and taut.
Lower Thigh:
Long, tendons clearly visible.
Hock:
Strong and taut.
Rear Pastern:
Sinewy, almost vertical when standing.
FEET:
Front:
Compact and strong. Standing straight in
relation to the median plane of the body. Toes
arched. Longer middle toes are a breed characteristic
and therefore not faulty. Nails light to dark
grey. Pads well pigmented and tough.
Hind:
Compact and strong, without dewclaws; otherwise
as for front feet.
TAIL:
The tailset is a little lower under the topline than
in other comparable breeds. Tail strong and well
covered with hair, hanging down when relaxed.
Carried horizontally or somewhat higher when at attention
or when working.
GAIT/MOVEMENT:
Movement at every pace is ground covering and flowing.
Hind and fore legs are placed parallel. The gallop-stride
is long and low. During the trot, the back remains
level. Pacing is undesirable.
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Straight: Normal |
Single track |
Out at Elbows: paddling |
Toeing-out |
Weaving, crossing over, plaiting, knitting, dishing or toeing-in |
Bandy, moving wide in front |
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Straight: Normal |
Close behind |
Cow-hocked |
Bow-hocked, bandy, moving wide behind |
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COAT:
Skin:
Strong. Well fitting, but not too tight.
Qualities:
(a) Short-haired: Short, (but longer and more
dense than in most comparable breeds), strong, very
dense, sleek topcoat. Without, or with very little
undercoat.
(b)
Long-haired: Soft, long topcoat, with or without undercoat.
Smooth or slightly wavy. Hair at base of ear long
and flowing. On the ear tips velvety hair is permissible.
Hair length on the sides 3-5 cm (1½- 2 ins),
usually a little longer on the underside of neck, the
forechest and on the belly. Good feathering and
breeching, however the hair is shorter towards the lower
parts. Tail with good flag. Hair between
toes. Shorter hair on head. Double Coat (Stockhaar),
with medium long, dense and well fitting topcoat, thick,
woolly undercoat and moderate feathering and breeching
occasionally occurs in heterozygotic (of mixed coat
type ancestry) dogs.
COLOUR:
Silver-, roe deer- or mouse-grey, as well as shadings
between these colour tones. Head and ears usually
a little lighter. Small white markings are only
permissible on the chest and toes. Occasionally,
along the middle of the back, a more or less well defined
"eel stripe" may be seen.
Dogs with distinctly red-yellow "markings" may be awarded
no higher than the grading of "Good" in conformation.
Brown markings are a serious fault.
SIZE:
Height at Withers: Dogs: 59-70 cm (23½
- 27½ ins)
(Ideal: 62-67 cm (24½ - 26½ ins))
Bitches: 57-65 cm (22½ - 25½ ins)
(Ideal: 59-63 cm (23-25 ins))
Weight: Dogs: approx. 30-40 kg (66-88 lbs)
Bitches: approx. 25-35 kg (55-77 lbs)
FAULTS:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be
considered a fault and the seriousness with which the
fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion
to its degree.
Major Faults:
General Appearance:
Distinct deviation of type. Untypical
sexual characteristics.
Serious deviations from the correct proportions.
Temperament: Slight character defects.
Head and Skull: Skull: Serious deviations in size and
proportions.
Foreface: Serious deviations, such as lips too thick;
short or snipy muzzle.
Eyes: Slight lid defects, especially when also one-sided.
Ears: Decidedly short or long, not turned forward.
Mouth: Missing more than two P1's or one M3.
Neck: Dewlap. Great deviation in shape and musculature
of neck.
Forequarters: Very incorrect stance, such as lacking
angulation, out at elbow, splay feet.
Body: Back: Distinctly dipped or roached. Loins
higher than withers.
Chest, Belly: Barrel-shaped chest; insufficient depth
or length of chest. Tucked-up belly.
Hindquarters: Severely bow-legged or cow hocked.
Feet: Open feet.
Gait/Movement: Poor movement in any particular gait;
lacking reach and drive; pacing.
Coat: Serious defects, such as very thin or very coarse.
Blending of the coat varieties defined in the Standard.
Lacking hair on belly or ears (ear leathers), patches
of woolly hair in the Shorthair. Very curly or sparse
in the Longhair.
Colour: Deviations of grey tones such as yellowish or
brownish.
Brown markings.
Size: Great deviations in size and weight, such as more
than 2 cm (4/5th ins) in stick measure.
Further: Other serious defects.
Sexual Organs: Distinct deviations of the testicles
in shape, size or consistency.
* The list of Serious Faults can naturally not cover
all faults that occur; it is to be taken as an example.
Disqualifying
Faults:
General Appearance: Absolutely untypical, especially
too heavy or too light in build. Completely out
of proportion.
Temperament: Character defects such as shy or nervous.
Head and Skull: Skull: absolutely untypical, such as
Bulldog-like.
Foreface: Absolutely untypical, such as dish-faced.
Eyes: Entropion, ectropion.
Ears: Absolutely untypical, such as standing off.
Mouth: Overshot; undershot; missing further teeth other
than quoted.
Neck: Very pronounced dewlap.
Forequarters: Rickety or deformed legs.
Body: Back: Extremely dipped or roached. Loins considerably
higher than withers.
Chest, belly: Chest decidedly barrel-shaped or mis-shapen.
Hindquarters: Hip Dysplasia.
Gait/Movement: Movement totally restricted and unsound.
Coat: Skin malformations and defects. Part or
total hairlessness.
Colour: Colour other than grey. Widespread brown
markings.
White markings except on chest and feet.
Size: Extremely over- or undersize.
Further: Other malformations. Diseases which must
be presumed to be hereditary, such as epilepsy.
Sexual Organs: Monorchidism; cryptorchidism.
NOTE
- Male animals must have two apparently normally developed
testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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Home of Quality Weimaraners
for Show Work and Play
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