Perhaps no other dog breed’s pedigree throughout canine history has been so jealously guarded as that of the Weimaraner dog! Originally known as the Weimar Pointer or the Weimaraner Vorstehhund, this dog breed that has also gone by the name of Greydog as well as the mystical appellation of Grey Ghost was bred as a sporting dog capable of hunting both small and large prey.

Breed development of the Weimaraner was pioneered by the court of the Grand Duke Karl August of Weimar of Germany in the early 19th century. The plan was to breed a gundog of exceptional quality whose purpose was to hunt big game such as deer, wolf, bear and boar. However when the numbers of those wild animals started to fade the direction of Weimaraner dog breed development was restructured to turn the breed into an efficient bird dog as well.

It is believed that the Weimaraner’s forebearers included the:

• Bloodhound
• Red Schweisshund
• Various Pointer Dog Breeds
• Various French Hounds

The manner in which the Weimaraner dog breed acquired its very distinctive silver-grey coat (steel grey according to some) is not readily apparent but the characteristic color is perhaps the single most defining feature of the breed.

A Dog Destined For Nobility

The Weimaraner was specifically created and bred as a dog breed designed for the nobility and not the general public. To that end a very exclusive Weimaraner club was formed circa 1897 a good while after the Weimaraner dog breed had attained purebred status approximately around 1810.

With the formation of the Weimaraner Club of Germany came strict breed control guidelines which foremostly stipulated that only select members of the club would be allowed to own one of these most exclusive of dogs! On the rare occasion that club protocol was broken and for some reason or other they were compelled to part with one of their beloved Weimaraner specimens, the dog was secretly sterilized before being handed over to the hapless new owner in an effort to preserve the breed’s genetic heritage.

It was strictly forbidden to sell Weimaraner dogs to nonmembers and quality control of the breed’s genetic heritage was religiously and rigidly observed such that any litters that were determined to be genetically inferior were dispassionately and expeditiously culled. Club rules were enforced by one Major Herber and the nature of their severity extended to the point that even amongst club members the cross-mating of their Weimaraner dogs was strictly forbidden without the prior approval from a breed master or breed committee. It was in this manner that the Weimaraner remained one of the most selective and exclusive of all dog breeds for over a century!

Article on Weimaraner written by Kayye Nynne