Weimaraner...Pros vs. Cons.

[Offalot]

I have always been thinking about getting a hunting dog but have never been able to pull the trigger so to speak. Well my wife seen a picture of a Weimaraner and she thought that it would be a good dog to have around the house. I don't know much about them and was wondering what kind of personality they are prone to have, and are they good around kids. As far as hunting goes the dog will be used for Pheasants and Grouse. Thanks.

[jbdragon17]

For the best grouse/pheasant/house/family dogs...Look no further than a Red or English setter . I am biased, but they are hard to beat. I have NEVER been around a more pleasant family dog than either of my Red Setters, and they are absolutely AWESOME on grouse. Plus...They have tails!!

[Eric Wettschreck]

I do not own a wieme, but I have a pal that has one. His is a VERY nice dog. It's good with the kiddos and it hunts fairly well for the ringnecks. It's got a lot of energy so I'd hope you have a yard or someplace for it to get out and stretch it's legs.

[uphill]

I don't know anything about a Weimaraner but I would go with a German Wirehaired Pointer.

[ruster]

Off,

I have hunted behind a couple of Weims in the past and they can be a very good dog. The individual dogs I have known were gentle, well mannered dogs, a little on the soft side for me. I would suggest that you and the wife find a breeder in the area and take a look at one in person, she may be surprised at how big they are. they are a tall rangy dog that will require a significant amount of space(yard) to raise. as far being good with kids, I have always found that to be a trait of individual dogs, not the specific breed. A dog that is around kids from puppyhood will learn how to behave around children. The dogs that have never been around kids can develop problems when exposed to them. In fact when my kids were little, my childless dog owning friends would bring their pups over for some play time to help with socilization. Just my .02

[jigging-matt]

I would second the notion of looking at some breeders. My neighbor has one and it is a very nice dog. Rather large, but a nice dog. Have never hunted behind it but have heard it does very well. Everybody has their own preference, find the kind you like. Good luck in the search.

[LABS4ME]

My Uncle used to raise them in S/W Wisconsin... Very friendly dogs... did well on pheasant and very well on grouse. That was in the 70's into the early 80's... I remember him complaining about how they were wrecking the breed back then. He also had a hunting Irish Setter... lot's of complaining about what happened to them too. With that said....

MAKE SURE YOU RESEARCH YOUR BREEDERS!!! I can't say that loud enough. There are many breeders of pet and show Weims out there... Make sure it is from true working stock. They are neat looking animals... seem to be more methodical and a bit slower than a lot of the trial pointers out there... this bodes well for the walking hunter. As others have pointed out, they are rather large... especially the males.

As jbdragon said... you may want to look into a Setter too. Great family dogs and also beautiful on and off point. Someday in my 'old state', I may even wander over to the 'dark side' ( ) and get a pointer... I'd definitley lean Setter.

Good Luck!

Ken

[Offalot]

Uphill, Not to start a dog war but I've got a friend that his German Wire hair can get a little aggressive around people on bikes. Or around their kennel, children or adults.

[Grant Pearson]

Weime's are great dogs to have. They are very well mannered dogs and are very affectionate. They are large (Up to 70+ pounds) yet are wonderful around kids. they can be territorial around someone they don't know, but just bark. They are wonderful dogs and have yet to see a bad one. Although, I would agree by saying an English Setter would be a better choice as they're smaller (up to 40 pounds), have a great temperament, yet are a VERY high energy dogs. They are great around kids, also. I grew up around the, literally. I got my first one at age 7 and have had one in the family since. And, having a little one on the way, I feel confident that there won't be any problems. You can pull their tails and ears and they'll sit there and take it. They're great for pheasants and grouse, too. I do a lot of hunting over my setter and she's wonderful. If you would like info on a breeder for setters, e-mail me at

[Note from Admin. - Please read forum policy before posting again]

[ruster]

Off,

Please don't attribute the behavior of your friends' GWP to the entire breed, that is just one dogs behavior problem and is not indicative of the GWP's personality in general. I don't like to see a breed get a bad rap because of 1 dogs problems. There are aggresive individual dogs in every breed, from poodles to great danes.

[Grant Pearson]

I agree that you shouldn't pin a whole breed on one dog. My neighbor has a Golden retriever that will bite your arm off if you get too close to him. Is that indicative to the breed? absolutely not. I'm not implying anything about anyone, but I think a lot of it has to do with the way it was raised and trained.

[catnipmn]

Pros vs Cons

Pro,

Great family dog and also around kids but start early. The dogs nose is awesome and they work slow in the field which you may like. Will go at it all day long you will a break before the dog. Does not shed alot. Also very smart and does have the looks.

Cons,

The dog does have some energy so if in a kennel all day be ready to play run or work with when you get home or your home may become a racetrack! Very smart and will play you. They are soft but that can be a pro also. YOU can't be lazy and you will love this dog.