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Maggie's FarmWe are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for. |
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Saturday, May 20. 2023Weimeraner
The story of the Weimaraner has all the elements of a Hollywood melodrama. It is a classic tale of how marketing, money and the vain pursuit of blue ribbons can turn a noble breed of hunting dog into a caricature of its former self. Fortunately, like any good melodrama, there’s a happy ending. " Trackbacks
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Weimaraners are great if you like to run 10 mile stretches several times a day.
Weisenheimers are good dogs, but temperamentally sometimes more difficult than a German Shorthaired Pointer, also are subject to more health issues than Shorthairs. Like egd mentioned, they have a high energy level, but again a Shorthair potentially has even higher energy, and keep it late into life. Most Weimeraners do tend to slow down a bit as they age while a Shorthair just keeps on going and going...
I loved my Weimaraner, Sterling, dearly but out of all the breeds I have owned he was the most neurotic dog ever and leaving him alone was a challenge. Many owners I talked to had the same problem. One guy I met came home and his entire couch was gutted and strewn all over the house. A strain of mental illness runs in the breed lol.
Best dog I ever owned was a Dogo Argentino. He was completely deaf. The person I adopted him from saved him from the gas chamber, as imported Dogos (at the time there weren't many being bred in the states) had zero value so the euthanized them. Smartest, most loyal and loving dog yet despite deaf. It actually made him better I believe. He was alert on a whole new level. One other thing about that Weimer. He was insanely in love with swimming. He would literally, no exaggeration, be in that pool 6 hours a day, more if you let him. I had to keep the doors closed or he would go swimming and then come running through the house. What a water dog, true the breed.
If you could put ChatGPT on a chip and implant it in a dog brain, your Weimaraner could be be a weisenheimer.
I am fascinated by the wide variety of dogs, by how we have taken a single species and evolved variations for specific tasks and behaviors. I've only known a couple of Weimeraners, but they were both crazy and not very bright, a bad combination. Quite alert though, and seeimngly with more energy than they knew how to manage. It was almost as if someone had slipped them a high-powered stimulant or something - they always seemed a little surprised at their own energy.
My two dogs are mostly Australian shepherd, papa was a working cow dog. They take 'alert' to a whole new level: They'll sit at attention in the yard and just watch the neighbor's kids, whatever they're doing in their yard. No barking, nothing aggressive, just......watching, with great interest. They've been terrific dogs, terrific with the grandbaby and always eager to please. Interesting comments. The subject is the Weimeraner, yet the commentary is largely disparaging of the breed and praising of Otherbreeds. Huh. I have had Weimeraners my entire life, and I am presently on my 71st trip around the bright orb. Each of my Weims has been the best dog I have ever had, Until recently I was active in field trials, hunt tests and bench trials, as well as upland and waterfowl hunting, so I have been around many other fine breeds of dogs that I admire and respect. My Weims have all been utterly loyal, fearless, wicked-smart, dependable, loving, and versatile hunters on a spectrum of good to legendary. Proper breeding and training make a difference. I would not wish to insult someone's choice and memories by implying that mine were better. But I can't imagine my life without a Weimaraner in it.
Dave, I meant no disparagement of the breed, they are one of my absolute favorites. Just noting some of the typical characteristics, it is essential that a breed like this be matched to the correct owner.
If the owner is not available to keep the Weimer active and engaged, or doesn't understand hunt dog training, these dogs are not well served and may act up. Weimers tend to bond strongly to their primary owner and trainer, but maybe not be as friendly to other people, while Shorthairs and Vizslas tend more to attach to multiple people. The ideal home is one like you have provided, and I'm sure you sought out dogs with good backgrounds for field and hunt. I'm happy that you loved your dogs and were loved in return. Charlie, I wasn't replying to anyone in particular. Your comment above is spot on, and your first comment was respectful. Thank you. The Weimaraner is not for everyone, but for those who understand the breed's personality and needs, and who do their homework, it is a match made in Heaven.
The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven, not man's. ~Mark Twain.
Me too. I hope they are both the same. There was an old Twilight Zone episode about that, titled "RIP", if I remenber correctly.
We have a Weimeraner - Rotweiler mix. Gorgeous dog. A little too protective -- it is a challenge to have people over. But a very sweet dog with us. She is old, now, and very gray around her eyes, muzzle, and feet. I love her, but her time with us is limited.
If I were a gazillionaire, I would get a bunch of rottweiler bitches and breed them with Weimaraner males. The portmanteau name is a challenge: Rottranner, or Weimerweiller? She is also very smart. I love her logic: She is not allowed in the kitchen, but she figures that if she keeps at least ONE paw outside the kitchen, she is not technically "in" the kitchen. I love it.
She is also a bit of a relief after having a lab for many years. My lab would eat anything. I don't want to calculate how much money I spent at the emergency vet because of what she ate. (One time, she got a hold of chocolate, and I looked at the clock and was relieved to note that her regular vet would be open by the time we got there.) It took forever to train her to NOT practically bite your hand off when giving her snacks. Anyhow, our rottraner/Weimerweiler is a very delicate eater: She doesn't trust what anyone gives her. Will take it gingerly in her mouth, drop it on the floor, lick it a little, and if it passes muster, will than eat it. |