weimeraner

[shotgunandy 2]

hi all

i am looking at buying a gundog in the next year or so and am weighing up my options. i have found a wealth of info regarding labradors and spaniels but im also looking at other possibilities ie a weimeraner. i was wondering if anybody could give me some info on this breed eg what they are like as a working dog, how easy they are to train and what problems i am likely to encounter. any help would be greately appreciated.

atb

andy

[Garypco 2]

i work and breed vizsla's and weimaraners... the vizsla over all can be a better dog,quieter less dominant that a weimaraner but i like both breeds anything you wanna know just as il do what i can to answer you [bANNED TEXT]!!! check out some of my older threads ive got a few bits on about the breeds!!! the search facility can save alot of time!!!!

[mackay 3,049]

I've got two, had four altogether, retired two to pet homes, they all trained easily enough, very loyal one man dogs, not as wide ranging as pointers but that suits me.

Downsides, coat obviously and they can sometimes take the protective thing to far, IE get away from my master, bird, car etc, ideal for one man/dog situation but need to be watched if it's a shooting day with lots of other dogs. Mine anyway.

[shotgunandy 2]

thanks guys. like i say just weighing up options. need a good all round dog and one that is easy to work with if that makes sense.

[theferreter 311]

german pointers a good dogs mate be a far better breed and easier 2 train than the weminear which arnt the easiest dog 2 train 2 the gun there very head strung springer still best gun dog out there

[nfp20 0]

Working a Weimaraner really depends on the sort of person you are and what you want from your dog.

 

If you need an easy to train kennel dog ready by a year and don't want to reiterate your training then its not the dog for you as you do have to keep them in check and they need more time for growth and development. If you do the socialising from day one try and avoid them getting a kicking from another dog as pups and aren't too heavy to start on the obedience vs hunt exposure you'll end up with a nice dog, they have big hearts and will work their socks off for you. Excellent on duck and blood track (deer, boar) once you've done the training, will work a beating line but best if you can do ends so that they get a chance to stretch their legs rather than middle of the beat. Sod on hare will course. Good for rough shooting, mine will sort a fox which is part of what they were bred for fox and feral cat dispatching.

 

I prefer bitches but my dog works and chooses it over fighting or bitches in season (although you can see the pain of his face making that decision)you can get sharp lines but get some advice and you'll be fine. Longhairs are better if you want a dog that can take a bit of rough and tuble without too much damage the short coats do ok but I'm forever picking out thorns. They will take an injury without too much fuss but depends on the dog some are really soft.

 

What they aren't is a spaniel or lab so don't expect them to be, they don't tolerate picking them up by the scuff and skin on the back end like a spaniel there isn't enough to spare your likely to get bit, they'll clear a good 6ft fence or 4ft barbed wire without too many issues just stick your coat across to avoid the barbs, they will do dense cover but size can be an issue, match it up with a cocker or a springer and you get a great team one to point one to push in and flush. Theres always plenty of them on a shoot so if you don't want one of your own borrow a mates.

 

In the house so long as they are exercised well they are good dogs but can be very people dependant which is a pain if your not used to having a dog follow you around (well known for following to the loo and waiting till your done), they do build a strong bond with their family so if you can be inclusive great if not choose another breed as they can be a pain.

 

I've got three of my own plus one I borrow for working my spaniels are much easier to live with despite the hair but I would never not have a Weimaraner in my home. Rescue often get dogs that have come from pet homes that should have been in working homes and are ready for training its worth getting in touch with the WCGB rescue to see what they've got in. Margarita Bookers (whose the rescue contact) dogs have always been worked on deer as they stalk so she knows whats required of a worker. Don't be put off by rescue they learn very quickly.

[Holland 0]

What you need to think about is what sort of shooting you do and what sort of terrain you shoot over.

Here in the south of England, lowland Pheasant shooting, a HPR is of little or no use. These dogs need open terrain such as moorland where they can work at long range. for woodland work, either beating or picking up a Spaniel or Lab would be better suited

[Garypco 2]

What you need to think about is what sort of shooting you do and what sort of terrain you shoot over.

Here in the south of England, lowland Pheasant shooting, a HPR is of little or no use. These dogs need open terrain such as moorland where they can work at long range. for woodland work, either beating or picking up a Spaniel or Lab would be better suited

never seen a decent one used then [bANNED TEXT]!!! i work mine in the hardest woodland and cover in and around wales they dont work like spaniels.... however they dont walk past game!!! if anything theyre better at it! iv gone from spaniels to hpr's because i beleive theyre a better dog!!!