The long-haired Weimaraner: coat, recognition, temperament and where to find one
The long-haired Weimaraner is the same breed with a longer, softer coat, recognised by the FCI and UK but not shown in the US. What differs and what does not.
A long-haired Weimaraner is a Weimaraner with a long, soft coat, feathered ears, legs and tail. It is not a separate breed in most of the world: the FCI and the Royal Kennel Club describe it as a coat variety within the one breed standard. The big exception is the United States, where a distinctly long coat is a disqualification in the show ring. This guide, part of the breed hub, explains what the standards say about the coat, what is and is not different about long-haired dogs, and how people find one.
Key takeaways
- Same breed, same standard, longer coat: the FCI and the UK recognise both coat varieties.
- In the US the long coat is a show disqualification, but long-haired dogs can take part in other AKC activities.
- Look for one through the breed clubs: see clubs and rescues.
What makes a Weimaraner long-haired?
The coat. Everything else in the standard (size, build, colour, temperament) is the same for both varieties.
The coat, as the standards describe it
The FCI standard describes the long-haired coat as a "soft, long topcoat with or without undercoat", smooth or slightly wavy, with long flowing hair at the base of the ear (Source: FCI Standard 99). It gives a coat length on the flanks of 3 to 5 cm, somewhat longer on the underside of the neck, the forechest and the belly (Source: FCI Standard 99). It asks for good feathering and breeching, a tail "with good flag", and hair between the toes, with shorter hair on the head (Source: FCI Standard 99).
The Royal Kennel Club standard gives a similar picture: a coat 2.5 to 5 cm long on the body, somewhat longer on the neck, chest and belly, with the tail and the back of the limbs feathered (Source: Royal Kennel Club breed standard). Dogs Australia's Weimaraner (Longhair) standard uses the FCI's wording, including the 3 to 5 cm flank length (Source: Dogs Australia, Weimaraner (Longhair) standard).
The colour rules do not change with the coat. A long-haired Weimaraner should be the same silver, roe or mouse grey as a short-haired one (Sources: FCI Standard 99, Dogs Australia, Weimaraner (Longhair) standard). Our guide to Weimaraner colours explains the shades.
How it is inherited
The Weimaraner Club of America (WCA) says there is a DNA test that shows whether a dog is a long-hair "carrier", and encourages breeders to test before they breed (Source: WCA, How To Choose A Weimaraner Breeder). "Carrier" means a short-haired dog can carry the long coat without showing it, which is why a long-haired puppy can turn up in a litter from two short-haired parents. Ask the breeder about the parents' test results if the coat matters to you.
How long it has been around
The FCI standard's history section says that, apart from the short-haired Weimaraner, a long-haired variety has occurred, "if only singly", since the turn of the 20th century (Source: FCI Standard 99). It is not a modern designer variation.
Which registries recognise the long-haired Weimaraner?
| Registry | Position on the long coat |
|---|---|
| FCI | Recognised: the standard describes both "Short-haired" and "Longhaired" coats |
| Royal Kennel Club (UK) | Recognised: two coat types, smooth and long-haired; the long-haired is "much less numerous" |
| Dogs Australia | Recognised, published as its own breed entry, the Weimaraner (Longhair), in the Gundog group |
| AKC (US) | "A distinctly long coat is a disqualification" in the show ring |
Sources for the table: FCI Standard 99, Royal Kennel Club breed information, Dogs Australia Weimaraner (Longhair) standard and AKC standard.
The US position
The AKC standard lists "a distinctly long coat" among its disqualifications (Source: AKC standard). The WCA explains what that means in practice: the long-haired Weimaraner "is accepted in every country except the USA", the coat is a disqualification for a bench championship, and the dog "may, however, compete in all other AKC (American Kennel Club) activities" (Source: WCA, How To Choose A Weimaraner Breeder). The WCA adds that a long-haired dog can enter WCA rating tests with a disqualification number from the club's national office, if it is spayed or neutered (Source: WCA, How To Choose A Weimaraner Breeder).
So a long-haired Weimaraner can be a registered, purebred American dog that hunts, does obedience or tracks. It just cannot win in the US conformation ring.
Are long-haired Weimaraners different in temperament or health?
Not as far as the sources go. The FCI and the Royal Kennel Club each publish one standard for the breed, with the same temperament and working description for both coats (Sources: FCI Standard 99, Royal Kennel Club breed standard). We found no study comparing the temperament or health of long-haired and short-haired Weimaraners.
That means the advice in our temperament guide applies to both. A long-haired Weim is still a high-energy hunting dog that wants to be with its people. The softer look does not mean a softer exercise need or a calmer dog.
Long-haired dogs are a small minority, which matters when you look for one. In the WCA's 2012 owner survey of 482 dogs, fewer than 1 in 100 had a long coat (Source: WCA 2012 health survey), and the Royal Kennel Club describes the long-haired variety as much less numerous (Source: Royal Kennel Club breed information). A small population is a reason to ask breeders the same health-testing questions you would for any Weimaraner; our guide to health tests explained lists them.
How do you groom a long coat?
With more brushing than a short-haired Weim needs, mostly on the feathering. The short coat needs little work; the long coat, with its feathered ears, breeching and flag tail, can tangle and collect burrs and mud on walks. The hair between the toes, which the FCI standard asks for (Source: FCI Standard 99), also picks up debris.
In outline:
- brush the feathering on the ears, legs, belly and tail regularly, and after muddy or wooded walks
- check between the toes and behind the ears, where knots and seeds collect
- keep nails, teeth and ears in the same routine as any Weimaraner
- let a professional groomer show you the coat the first time, if you are new to long coats
If you notice sore, red or flaky skin under the coat, or your dog is scratching more than usual, ask your vet. Our grooming guide sets out the weekly routine for both coats, and a guide to grooming the long-haired Weimaraner is planned.
How do you find a long-haired Weimaraner?
Slowly, and through the breed community. Because long-haired dogs are less common (Source: Royal Kennel Club breed information), you may need to join a waiting list or travel further than you would for a short-haired puppy.
- Start with the breed clubs. National and regional Weimaraner clubs know which members breed long-haired litters. Our clubs and rescues guide lists them by country, and our guides to finding a Weimaraner in the United Kingdom and Australia, where the long coat is recognised, cover the local routes.
- Use the same checks as for any breeder. Health tests on both parents, a contract, a breeder who asks about you. The responsible breeder guide covers each one.
- Ask about the coat honestly. A breeder who tests for the long-hair carrier status can tell you whether a litter is likely to include long-haired puppies, but not guarantee one.
- Think twice about importing a puppy. Travel, quarantine and registration rules vary by country; check your government's rules first and talk to your vet. A guide to importing a Weimaraner is planned.
- Consider an adult. Breed rescues occasionally rehome long-haired Weims; see rescue and adoption.
A higher price for a long coat is not a mark of quality. The questions that matter are the same for both coats: health, temperament and how the puppies were raised. If you are still deciding whether the breed is right for you, the breed-fit quiz and the right-for-me guide are places to start.
Common questions
Is a long-haired Weimaraner purebred?
Yes. The FCI and the Royal Kennel Club describe it as a coat variety of the Weimaraner, and the WCA says it is accepted in every country except the USA, where the long coat is a show-ring disqualification.
Can two short-haired Weimaraners have a long-haired puppy?
Yes, if both parents carry the long coat. The WCA says a DNA test shows whether a dog is a long-hair carrier.
Do long-haired Weimaraners shed more?
We have not found a source that compares the two coats. Expect to brush a long coat more often to keep the feathering free of tangles.
Are long-haired Weimaraners calmer?
There is no evidence that they are. The standards describe the same temperament for both coats, so plan for the same exercise, company and training.
Can I show a long-haired Weimaraner in the US?
Not in AKC conformation, where a distinctly long coat is a disqualification. The WCA says long-haired dogs can take part in other AKC activities.
Sources
- FCI Standard No. 99: Weimaraner (2015)
- Royal Kennel Club: Weimaraner breed standard
- Royal Kennel Club: Weimaraner breed information
- Dogs Australia: Weimaraner (Longhair) breed standard
- AKC: Official Standard for the Weimaraner
- Weimaraner Club of America: How To Choose A Weimaraner Breeder
- Weimaraner Club of America: WCA 2012 On-Line Health Survey, initial results (Health Matters, Nov 2012)
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