6 Tips For Looking After A Weimaraner

Weimaraners can be challenging to look after for any first-time dog owner. But for those who have had one dog before and are prepared to open their hearts and homes to this incredibly loving, energetic and clever dog, will find their perfect companion. They will soon wonder why they ever had any other breed of dog.

The Weimaraner offers many great adventures, laughs and other fun times. But they can be a handful when not cared for properly. To help you stay on your Weims good side we have created this list of 6 tips for looking after a Weimaraner.

1. Take your Weim on regular walks

Weimaraners have a lot of energy. They were bread as hunting dogs meaning they had to outrun and out last their prey. This means that they need a good walk, at least an hour a day, preferably more. Use a long leash to give your Weim the opportunity to run around and get extra exercise. Take your Weimaraner on a morning run or take him hiking, he will love it.

Another key element to exercising your Weimaraner is play time. Weims love chasing things so ensure that you and your family take turns playing with him, allowing him to run after tennis balls or other throwable furry objects.

2. A good diet is key

As Weimaraners are large dogs a lot of new owners are unsure as to how much they should feed them. The amount of food will depend on the age of your Weim. As an adult dog it is a good idea to feed them twice a day, generally 2 to 3 cups of food at each meal. Puppies you should feed 3 times a day with 1 and a half cups of food. It is always a good idea to consult your vet for exact amounts as they vary from dog to dog.

You should provide your Weim with lots of water and some good quality food. The food should be high in protein and fat. Weimaraners will attempt to eat anything, but it is important to avoid feeding them foods that may be toxic for dogs and to only treat them for good behaviour. If you are unsure on what to feed them, consult a vet.

3. Ensure that you take them to the vet for check-ups

For the first few weeks of ownership it is a good idea to take your Weim to the vet for a general check-up, vaccinations and spraying/neutering. This is also the perfect opportunity to ask any questions regarding feeding, exercise, care, or any other questions you may have.

As they continue to grow it is always a good idea to schedule occasional check-ups with the vet. Often these will already be scheduled for any vaccination boosters your Weim may need. Here you can make sure that your dog is healthy and that his diet is correct.

4. Grooming is still important for short-haired dogs

The Weimaraner has a brilliant coat. Not just because of its silvery grey colour but because dirt seems to just fall off of it. They are incredibly easy to clean. But that doesn’t mean you should simply not bother to. They should be brushed weekly and bathed fortnightly. Weimaraners love to roll around in the dirt and will get quite dirty if you skip out on bath time.

It is also important that you get their nails clipped. Long nails can be painful for dogs.

5. Train your Weimaraner

Unless you want your Weimaraner to steal food when it wants, bite and chew whatever it wants, and have its own way around the house, you will need to train your Weimaraner. Training is necessary for any dog, but it is especially important for making life with this clever, but stubborn, breed easy.

Take your Weim to puppy training school. Ensure that they learn not to chase small animals (they are a hunting dog so will tend to do this with an intent to kill), train them out of any separation anxieties they may have and ensure that they are obedient to you. Weimaraners are stubborn and will try to test your boundaries from time to time.

6. Keep them company

Weimaraners are social dogs. They thrive when they are apart of a pack, their family. As you are now their adopted family, they will need a lot of love and company. Weims tend to stick close to their owners, earning them their nickname “the grey ghost”. He will be right behind you wherever you go, and at your feet in patting range whenever you stop.

This loyalty is a big part of a Weimaraners charm. However, it does come with a downside. They do tend to get separation anxiety when left alone for too long. In this state they will become destructive and may even try to escape. If you do need to leave them alone during the day it is a good idea to train them out of these anxieties as best you can by getting them used to alone time as a puppy.

Conclusion

Adopting a Weimaraner into your family is a decision that you will be glad you made. They are an incredibly loving breed that provides countless hours of fun and are great for pat and snuggle time too. A Weim will be your cheery dopey best friend. Just make sure you look after him properly and follow these tips.

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask them on our forum! However, it is always a good idea to take your vets advice before our own.