Weimaraner quick answers

Say it VY-muh-RAH-ner, with the stress on "rah"; Merriam-Webster also lists WY-muh-RAH-ner (Source: Merriam-Webster). Duden, the German dictionary, also puts the stress on the "ra" syllable (Source: Duden).

W-E-I-M-A-R-A-N-E-R: think of the German city, Weimar, then add "-aner". Owners often shorten it to Weim.

From Weimar in Germany: the Royal Kennel Club says the breed was developed at the court of Grand Duke Karl August of Weimar in the early 19th century (Source: Royal Kennel Club). Our Weimaraner breed guide has more on where the breed came from.

The Royal Kennel Club puts the nickname down to the silver-grey coat, and the AKC says it also comes from a stealthy, catlike hunting style (Source: AKC). See how the standards describe the colours.

It is classed with the gundogs, though the names differ: FCI Group 7 (pointing dogs), the Royal Kennel Club's Gundog group, the AKC's Sporting Group and Dogs Australia's Group 3 (Gundogs). The glossary explains the FCI and the breed standards.

Grey only: the FCI standard allows silver, roe or mouse grey and shades of these, and the AKC standard asks for mouse-grey to silver-grey (Source: FCI standard No. 99). Weimaraner colours explained covers the rest.

Dogs with a distinctly blue-grey coat do exist, but the AKC standard disqualifies a distinctly blue coat and the FCI standard lists blue colouring as a disqualifying fault (Source: AKC standard). Read what to know about blue Weimaraners before you buy.

Puppies have sky-blue eyes, and the FCI standard describes adult eyes as amber, dark to pale (Source: FCI standard No. 99). The AKC standard allows light amber, grey or blue-grey.

Yes: the FCI and Royal Kennel Club standards include a long-haired variety, though the AKC standard disqualifies a distinctly long coat (Source: AKC standard). Read more about the long-haired Weimaraner.

The AKC standard says so, describing the feet as "firm and compact, webbed" (Source: AKC standard). The FCI and Royal Kennel Club standards describe firm, compact feet with arched toes and do not mention webbing.

The FCI standard gives a height at the withers (the top of the shoulders) of 59 to 70 cm for males and 57 to 65 cm for females (Source: FCI standard No. 99). How big Weimaraners get compares the standards.

Their tails were docked as puppies: the AKC standard calls for a docked tail, while the FCI standard allows docking only where the law does (Source: AKC standard). In England, docking is illegal except for certified working dogs no more than five days old (Source: Animal Welfare Act 2006).

Yes: the Royal Kennel Club lists the breed as one that sheds and suggests grooming once a week (Source: Royal Kennel Club). See shedding, coat care and allergies.

No breed has been shown to be hypoallergenic: a 2012 study found no evidence that so-called hypoallergenic breeds leave less of the main dog allergen in homes (Source: Vredegoor et al.). If someone in your home has allergies, talk to their doctor before you commit, and read our guide to shedding and allergies.

It varies from dog to dog, and barking usually means something: boredom, frustration, alarm or distress at being left. Our guide to barking and whining looks at each.

Many live happily with children, but they are big, fast and bouncy, so supervision matters, and the RSPCA advises never leaving a child alone in a room with any dog (Source: RSPCA). Read Weimaraners and children.

Some do, especially when raised with one, but this is a hunting breed, so introductions need care and patience. See Weimaraners with cats and other pets.

The Royal Kennel Club suggests a large house and a large garden for the breed (Source: Royal Kennel Club). Daily exercise and company matter more than floor space, as our guide to apartments and small homes explains.

A lot: the Royal Kennel Club says more than 2 hours a day for an adult (Source: Royal Kennel Club). Read how much exercise a Weimaraner needs, including for puppies and older dogs.

Many dogs find it hard: the RSPCA says research suggests 8 out of 10 dogs struggle to cope when left alone (Source: RSPCA). Start with alone-time foundations.

It can be, for a first-time owner with the time, energy and patience the breed asks for. Our honest guide, is a Weimaraner right for me?, helps you decide.

Prices vary by country and breeder and change quickly, so WeimLife does not publish a figure of its own. What matters more is what the price pays for, which our puppy price guide sets out, with the one breed-club figure we could find.

Look for health-tested parents, a written contract, honest answers and a breeder who will take a dog back at any age. Our guide to choosing a responsible breeder has the full checklist.

Yes: breed clubs and breed rescues in several countries rehome Weimaraners, and general rescues sometimes have them too. See rescue and adoption.

It depends on the country's schemes; in the US, the Weimaraner Club of America's CHIC profile asks for hip, eye and thyroid evaluations and DNA tests including HUU (Source: Weimaraner Club of America). Our guide to health tests explains each one.

Yes: registries, breeder laws and rescue routes differ by country. Start at Find a Weim, which links our guides for the United States, the UK and Australia.

The AKC gives a life expectancy of 10 to 13 years, and the Royal Kennel Club says over 10 years (Source: AKC; Royal Kennel Club). Our guide to Weimaraner lifespan looks at what the studies say.

There is no fixed birthday: AAHA's life stage guidelines define a senior dog as one in the last 25% of its estimated lifespan (Source: AAHA). Read what changes in a senior Weimaraner, and ask your vet where your dog is.

No simple formula holds up, and AAHA's guidelines do not use one; they describe life stages instead (Source: AAHA). The glossary and our health section cover the changes of later life.

Our health section points you to the breed clubs, kennel clubs and veterinary bodies that cover the breed's health. Your vet is the person to ask about your own dog.

Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is a rapidly progressive, life-threatening condition in which the stomach swells and can rotate (Source: ACVS). If you are worried, call a vet straight away; our health section lists where to get help.

Hunting: the FCI standard describes a versatile hunting dog for work in field, wood and water, before and after the shot (Source: FCI standard No. 99). See field work and hunt tests for what that means today.

Fast, but we have not found a reliable published top speed for the breed, so we do not quote one. If you want to time your own dog, the AKC's Fast CAT is a timed dash after a lure (Source: AKC); see dog sports for Weimaraners.

Plenty: scent work, rally, agility, canicross, dock diving, lure coursing and hunt tests all suit the breed's nose, speed and stamina. Our scent games guide is an easy place to start at home.