All about Weimaraners-Standards US & UK & Origins.
In the Beginning:
Although American breed literature describes the breed as of late 19th-century creation of the Grand Duke Carl August, European fanciers consider it a very ancient breed. Rich color illustrations of tapestries and paintings document the breed's continuity, which is traced from the pack of silver-gray scent hounds known as the Chien Gris de Saint Louis (Gray Hound of Saint Louis) that Louis IX of France brought from Egypt in 1248. In the 18th century, Carl August made selective crosses of the ancient French hound with the bird-hunting strains to develop a versatile hunting breed, which retained the distinctive original traits (silver-gray color, flat cheeks, ear shape, unique tail, and superb tracking ability). The chapter continues with the breed's development in Germany and the early theories of its origin in the early 20th century.
America's Wonder Dog:
Imported by Howard Knight, the first Weimaraners reached the United States in 1929, though it was not recognized by the American Kennel Club until December 1942. This article traces the breed's development in America--the famous firsts and feats, the Crazy Years of over popularity in the 1950s, and the origin and controversy over the disqualified blue color.
The Weimaraner Club of America:
The Weimaraner Club of America (WCA) is among the most innovative of all national breed clubs. Following a summary of its history, objectives, and general activities, this chapter describes some of its special activities, with sections on The WCA Ratings (tests of hunting and retrieving ability), Versatility Ratings, The Futurity and Maturity Programs, The Breed Register of Merit, The Weimaraner Foundation Fund, The WCA Annual Photo Contest and Calendar, and the National Rescue Committee.
WCA Policy Regarding Vaccinations
Acute reaction to combination shots, auto-immune reaction, sometimes occur in a small number of Weimaraner puppies. The first modified live virus shot may go smoothly, but the subsequent shots cause a severe immune system reaction from the puppy. Lethargy is noted which is rare for a puppy. A rising temperature, elevated white blood count, plus a lack of interest in food; the puppy may eat much less enthusiastically or not at all. The fever continues and lymph nodes swell. Swollen joints and weakness make the puppy unable to stand. A trip to the veterinarian is imperative. Treatment varies from giving large amounts of steroids to giving aspirin with antibiotics.
The Board of Directors of the Weimaraner Club of America recommends when vaccinating Weim puppies, the Distemper and Parvo shot vaccines be administered separately, a two week interval between each vaccine. Any other vaccines should be administered separately as well. While this protocol helps, it does not prevent the auto-immune response in all puppies. The shot schedule is more time consuming, but worth the effort.
The Weimaraner Standard In the USA:
To facilitate discussion, the components of the Weimaraner standard have been rearranged into topical categories: (a) general features, (b) physical features, and (c) coat and color. The relevant faults (minor, major, and very serious) and disqualifications have been added to the portion of the standard being discussed.
Movement and Structure
It is said that a properly constructed dog always moves correctly, and lack of harmony between parts shows up in the gait. This short course on movement describes the canine gait, terminology and basic principles.
Color, Markings, and Coat:
The apparently simple Weimaraner color, markings, and coat is surprisingly complex, they are of a silver gray in color, with variations of lighter grays, silvers,and darker grays as well as blues.Including the longhaired coats, which are similiar to a retrievers coat in length, coloring varies in gray and light brown tones in coloring.Along with the darker color stripe down the middle of their back.Also No Pink Noses.You will also find that some have the dark nails, as well as others have the darker nails. Eye color is of an amber coloring, or a gold color. They are born with a beautiful saphire blue in color, which changes by the age of 8-12 weeks.
WEIMARANER STANDARDS IN THE U.K.-GERMANY
ORIGIN : Germany
UTILIZATION : Versatile Hunting, Shooting, Pointing Dog.
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 7 Continental Pointing Dogs
Section 1.1 Type - "Braque"
(Continental Pointer)
With Working Trial
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : There are numerous theories regarding the origin of the Weimaraner
Pointing dog. Only so much is certain : That the Weimaraner, which at the time still contained a great deal
of liam hound blood, was already kept at the Weimar court in the first third of the 19th century.
In the middle of the century, before pure breeding was started, breeding was mainly in the hands of professional
hunters and game keepers in central Germany, mostly in the regions round Weimar and in Thuringia.
As the days of the liam hounds passed, the dogs were crossed with the "Hühnerhund" and breeding was
continued with this cross.
From about 1890 on, the breed was produced according to a plan and regarded as suitable for inclusion in a stud
book. Apart from the short haired Weimaraner, a long haired variety occurred, if only singly, since the turn
of the century. Since being admitted to the stud book, the Weimaraner has been pure bred, remaining
mostly free from crosses with any other breeds, in particular, Pointers.
Therefore the Weimaraner is likely to be the oldest German "pointing" breed, which has been pure bred
for about a hundred years.
GENERAL APPEARANCE : Medium to large size hunting/shooting dog, functional working type, pleasing in
shape, sinewy and muscular. Difference in type between dogs and bitches easily distinguished.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : Length of body to height at withers approximately 12 : 11. Proportions of the
head : From tip of nose to stop slightly longer than from stop to occiput. Forehand :Length of elbow to
pastern and length of elbow to point of withers about equal.
BEHAVIOUR AND CHARACTER : Versatile easily trained, steady and passionate hunting / shooting dog.
Persevering in search, yet 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.
HEAD : Cranial Region : In balance with size of body and facial region. Broader in dogs than bitches,
yet in both, the relationship between width of cranial region to total length of head must be in good proportion.
Median groove in forehead. Slight to moderately protruding occipital bone.
Zygomatic arches easily traceable behind the eyes. Stop extremely slight.
Facial Region : Nose : Noseleather large, protruding over the underjaw. Dark flesh colour, merging
gradually into gray towards the back.
Muzzle : Long and, specially in the male, powerful, appearing almost angular. Region of canines and carnassial
teethes equally strong. Bridge of nose straight, often slightly arched, never with a down-ward curve.
Flews : Moderately deep, flesh coloured, as are the gums. Tight fitting.
Jaws : Strong.
Cheeks : Muscular,clearly defined. Definitely "clean" head.
Teeth : Complete, regular and strong. Top and bottom incisors touching (scissor bite).
Eyes : Amber colour, dark to pale, with intelligent expression. Sky-blue in puppies. Round, barely slanting.
Lids well fitting.
Ears : Lobular, broad and fairly long, just reaching to corner of mouth. Set on high and narrow, forming
a rounded off point at tip. In alertness, turned slightly forward, folded.
NECK : Noble appearance and carriage. Upper line arched in profile. Muscular, nearly round,
not too short, clean cut.
Becoming stronger towards the shoulders and merging harmoniously into the back and chest.
BODY : Topline : From the arched neckline, over the well defined withers the topline merges gradually into the
relatively long, firm back.
Withers : Well defined.
Back : Firm and muscular, without a dip. Not running up towards the rear. A slightly long back, a breed
characteristic, is not a fault.
Rump : Pelvis long and moderately sloped.
Chest : Strong but not unduly broad, with sufficient depth to reach almost to elbows and of sufficient length. Well
sprung without being barrel-shaped and with long ribs. Brisket well developed.
Belly Line : Rising slightly, but belly not tucked up.
Tail : Set on slightly lower than with other similar breeds. Tail strong and well coated. Carried hanging down in
repose. When alert or working, carried level or higher.
LIMBS : Forequarters : General : High on leg, sinewy, straight and parallel, but not standing wide.
Shoulders : Long and sloping. Well fitting, strongly muscled. Well angulated shoulder joint.
Upper Arm : Sloping, sufficiently long and strong.
Elbows : Free and lying parallel to median plane of body. Turned neither in nor out.
Fore Arm : Long, straight and vertical.
Pastern joint : Strong and taut.
Pastern : Sinewy, slightly sloping.
Front Feet : Firm and strong. Standing straight in relation to median plane of body. Toes arched. Longish middle
toes are a breed characteristic and therefore not a fault. Nails light to dark gray. Pads well pigmented, coarse.
Hindquarters : General : High on leg, sinewy i.e. well muscled. Standing parallel, turning neither in nor out.
Upper Thigh : Sufficiently long, well muscled.
Stifle : Strong and taut.
Lower Thigh : Long with clearly visible tendons.
Hockjoint : Strong and taut.
Hock : Sinewy, almost vertical in position.
Hind Feet : Tight and firm, without dew-claws, otherwise like front feet.
GAIT / MOVEMENT : Movement in all gaits is ground covering and smooth. Hind and front legs set parallel to each other. Gallop long and flat. Back remains straight when trotting. Pacing is undesirable.
SKIN : Strong. Close, but not too tight fitting.
COAT : Make Up of Coat :
A. Short Hair : Short (but longer and thicker than with most comparable breeds), strong, very dense,
smooth lying top coat. Without or with only very sparse undercoat.
B. Longhaired : Soft, long topcoat with or without undercoat. Smooth or slightly wavy.
Long flowing hair at ear set on . Velvety hair is permissible on tips of leathers.
Length of coat on flanks 3 - 5 cm. On lower side of neck, chest
and belly, generally somewhat longer. Good feathering and breeching, yet less long towards ground.
Tail with good flag. Feathering between toes. Hair on head less long.
A type of coat similar to a double-coat (Stockhaar) with
medium length, dense, close fitting top coat, thick undercoat and moderately developed feathering
and breeching, sometimes occurs in dogs of mixed ancestry.
COLOUR : Silver, roe or mouse grey, as well as shades of these colours.
Head and ears generally slightly paler.
Only small white markings on chest and toes permitted. Sometimes a more or less defined dark eel stripe occurs
along the back. Dogs with definite reddish-yellow marking may only be given the classification "good". Brown
marking is a serious fault.
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT :
Height at withers
Dogs: 59 - 7O cm (ideal measurement 62 - 67 cm)
Bitches: 57 - 65 cm (ideal measurement 59 - 63 cm)
Weight : Dogs : about 3O - 4O kg.
Bitches : about 25 - 35 kg.
FAULTS : Any departure from the above points is to be regarded as a fault whose seriousness is to be
regarded in exact proportion to its degree.
-Clear deviation from type. Untypical sexual characteristics.
-Gross deviation from correct proportions.
-Slight deficiency in temperament.
-Gross deviations from size and proportions.
-Facial region : Gross deviations e.g. too strong flews, short or pointed muzzle.
-Jaws and teeth : Lack of more than two P1 or M3.
-Eyes : Light faults in eye lid above all light and unilateral faults.
-Ears : Definitely short or long, not turned.
-Throatiness (dewlap), great deviation in neck shape and muscle.
-Back : Definite sway or roach back. Rump higher than withers.
-Chest, Belly : Barrel shaped chest. Insufficient depth or length of chest. Tucked up belly.
-Sexual organs : distinct departure from normal in testicle shape, size or consistency.
-Gross anomalies in stance i.e. lack of angulation, out at elbows, splay feet.
-Pronounced bow legs or cow hocks.
-Bad movement in different gaits, also lack of free forward movement or drive, pacing.
-Serious deficiencies i.e. skin very fine or very coarse.
-Mixture of coat varieties defined in the standard.
-Lack of feathering on belly or leathers. Widely spread woolly coat in short hair Weimaraner or curly or
sparse feathering in long hair variety.
-Departure from shades of gray, such as yellow or brownish. Brown marking.
-Strong departure from correct height or weight. e.g. more than 2 cm from average.
-Other serious faults.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS :
-Completely untypical, above all too heavy or too light in build.
-Completely out of proportion.
-Faulty temperament i.e. shy or nervous.
-Absolutely untypical bulldog - type head.
-Facial Region : Absolutely untypical i.e. completely curved nose bridge.
-Jaws and teeth: Overshot, undershot, missing further teeth other than quoted.
-Eyes : Entropion, Ectropion.
-Ears : Absolutely untypical, i.e. stand-off.
-Particularly pronounced dewlap.
-Back : Severe sway or roach back. Pronounced run up at croup.
-Chest, Belly : Markedly barrel shaped or malformed chest.
-Sexual Organs : Monorchidism, Cryptorchidism.
-Legs rickety or malformed.
-Hip dysplasia.
-Totally restricted movement.
-Skin defects and malformations.
-Partial or total hair loss.
-Colour other than gray. Widespread brown marking.
-White markings other than on chest and feet.
-Definitely over or under size.
-Other malformation. Illnesses which must be considered hereditary, i.e. Epilepsy.
The compilers can, naturally, not list all faults which occur, the above are to be regarded as examples.
N.B. : Males should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
ounced bow legs or cow hocks.
-Bad movement in different gaits, also lack of free forward movement or drive, pacing.
-Serious deficiencies i.e. skin very fine or very coarse.
-Mixture of coat varieties defined in the standard.
-Lack of feathering on belly or leathers. Widely spread woolly coat in short hair Weimaraner or curly or sparse
feathering in long hair variety.
-Departure from shades of gray, such as yellow or brownish. Brown marking.
-Strong departure from correct height or weight. e.g. more than 2 cm from average.
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