So you think you want to own a Weimaraner… WELL… maybe not.
You would think that we would not try to talk anyone out of a Weimaraner and in fact, try to talk you into getting one. The fact is, we are more concerned that our puppies will get to live in a home where they will get loved till the end of their days.
Frankly, it is a fact that every dog – no matter how big or how tiny – will be dominant in any home where the humans are not. If you are willing to be the master of your home, you will not find a better friend than a Weim. They are loyal. They are so smart that you can tell them what you want them to do and they understand most of what you mean. They can compete in absolutely every AKC event. They will stay by your side. On the other hand, if you are the type that just can not say no and you tend to let the dog make the rules – get another breed. We can tell you all kinds of horror stories – that all start the same way: “I never took him to obedience, but I meant to.” or “I got him from rescue and he had such a hard life already I didn’t have the heart to correct him” and even “I don’t believe in correcting a dog because I am his guardian, not his master.” If you are one of those do not bother asking us for a puppy.
Don’t get the wrong idea here. We are not telling you to beat your dog. You can be the pack leader just by making sure that YOU are the first one out of the door when you go for walks and by not allowing the dog to pull on the leash. You can’t let the puppy bite on you and jump up on you in that cute way that a cute little puppy wants to do – because that puppy will grow up and when the dog is 50 pounds that cute bite and jump is not going to be so cute any more. If you take charge in the beginning, the puppy will learn what is acceptable in your pack and what is not.
You see, dogs are like kids. They want to know what is expected of them. They want to be good and the only way is to know the pack rules. If you don’t set the rules, they will.
We feel so strongly about this that we will help you pay for your first obedience class. In fact, we will also help you pay for your first advanced obedience class too! If you are not willing to take the dog to an obedience class so that your family can live with your new puppy (or demonstrate that you have the experience to do it yourself) you probably do not need to own a Weimaraner.
Weimaraners were bred to be the Master’s companion as much as the Master’s favorite hunting dog. When the Master went hunting he would take his kennel dogs and his Weim. At the end of the hunt the other dogs went back into the kennels, but the Weimaraner came into the house and sat by his chair. This is in your puppy’s genes. Your new puppy will want to be with you all the time. Every minute of every day. If you want a dog to keep in the back yard, get a different breed.
One last item for your consideration is the use of a crate. Every dog, even a toy poodle, has wolf in them. They like dens. You need one. Our dogs have crates and the doors stand open almost all of the time – yet the dogs go into the crate and sleep. Why? Because it is natural, they feel safe and they like it. It only looks like a cage to you. To them it is a warm clean den that is all theirs. When you have to leave your puppy to go to work, shopping, or a date with your spouse – crate your puppy. Anything they soil or chew will be the things that you decide is OK and leave in the crate – and that list will not include your sofa or dining room chairs and rug.
As with most things in life, the end product is a result of the ingredients plus careful, timely, dedicated handling of those ingredients. The quality of the Weimaraner you will be sharing the next 12-14 years of your life with is directly related to two things:
(1) The quality of the genes that produced him.
When you buy from breeders like us who are planning the breeding to provide ourselves with quality dogs to show, hunt behind and to do performance events with, you get the benefit of that knowledge, research and planning in your puppy –even if he will just be your couch potato buddy.
(2) The manner in which he is raised and trained.
If you do not have the time or inclination to spend time in the first year of your puppy’s life taking him to training classes, the park, friends houses, etc., then you might think about getting an older dog. We may occasionally have such a dog for purchase, but some rescue programs have older dogs who may adapt much faster than a puppy and make wonderful pets. Of course there are a few considerations to make before you take on a rescue dog. You may want to read our stand on rescue before you choose this option.
If you still want a puppy and you are really ready to dedicate the effort it takes to own a Weimaraner then take a look at our pages about choosing a breeder or getting a rescue dog. Then Contact Us to reserve your puppy.