Volume 12 | Issue 2 Article 2

1950 The eimW araner Robert Friedell Iowa State College

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Recommended Citation Friedell, Robert (1950) "The eimW araner," Iowa State University Veterinarian: Vol. 12 : Iss. 2 , Article 2. Available at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/iowastate_veterinarian/vol12/iss2/2

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Iowa State University Veterinarian by an authorized editor of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Weimaraner

Robert Friedell, V.M. 3

THE WEIMARANER has been sub- spotted or have dappled brown spots or jected to an intense publicity pro­ brown under the ears, tail and legs. Ac­ gram in the last few years that has cording to the by-laws of the Weimar­ brought the breed to the attention of a aner Club all mismarked or cross-bred considerable portion of the American puppies under the jurisdiction of a mem­ public. That this program has been highly ber must be destroyed. There is a strik­ fUc:.:essful is evidenced by the wide­ ing similarity in conformation attesting spread interest in the breed and the con­ to the careful selective German breeding. tinued demand for comparatively high Nearly all individuals exhibit a greater priced puppies. Two years ago Weimar­ length of back than is common in the ,mer show entries were a rarity and other sporting breeds, but it is not con­ their appearance elicited much comment. sidered a fault. Weimaraners also exhibit Today show entries are approaching those a greater depth of chest and the sternum of the more common hunting breeds and protrudes somewhat more than is ob­ they are recognized by many people on served in the Pointer. The eyes may vary sight. The enthusiasm of some writers from grey to blue to light amber. The in describing the prowess of the breed stai1dard calls for a medium broad head has been responsible for creating an exag­ balanced by a good length of muzzle with gerated conception of their capabilities. ears set rather high, and long and soft. It has also resulted in a considerable The general comformation consists of amount of confusion concerning the avail­ good bone structure, well arched toes, ability, membership in the Weimaraner deep pads, a strong well muscled body Club, ownership, and in the mind of the and a good length of neck. Tails are amateur dog fancier, about their hunt­ docked to two-fifths of their length of 1 % ing ability and intelligence. Undoubtedly, in. before the puppies reach three days small animal practitioners will be ap­ of age. This provides a tail 5-6 in. long at proached with questions concerning these maturity. problems, hence it is the purpose of this article to attempt to clarify these points. Origin of Breed The Weimaraner is a comparatively large breed. Males are 25-29 in. and The breed was originated in the Pro­ b,itches 22-26 in. at the withers. Males vince of Weimer, Germany, about 1810. weigh from 65-85 Ibs. and bitches 55-65 The foundation stock is generally con­ Ibs. The standard permits any shade of sidered the product of a Schweissehundle grey ranging from a very light silver to a and Spanish Pointer cross. The Schweis­ dark grey or silver taupe. There are, at sehundle is an old German blood hound present, a very few true blue-greys re­ and the Spanish Pointer blood can be sembling the silver-blue mink mutation traced in nearly all pointing breeds. The which are particularily striking. A white breed has been kept pure since its origin star is permitted on the chest provided it and the breeding very carefully controll­ is not tinged with yellow or brown. Occa­ ed· in Germany by a system of breed sionally off-color dogs occur, which are stewards. Records indicate that their

66 Iowa State College Veterinarian A Typical Weimaraner numbers probably never exceeded 1500 mendation that the new owner be ac­ in Germany. cepted for membership to the Board of The first American importer was How­ Governors of the club. It has apparently ard Knight, Providence, Rhode Island, been the practice of the Board to accept who is the retiring president of the Wei­ all such applicants. The yearly dues are maraner Club. The first imports were a $10.00 payable upon application for mem­ sterilized male and female brought to bership. this country in 1929. Mr. Knight was Some publicity has created in the later able to bring in a bred bitch which minds of many people an exaggerated whelped the first litter in this country impression of the Weimaraner's capabil­ in 1938. The first all American bred ities. Most writers in describing the litter was not whelped until 1943. breed have accumulated a variety of Contrary to the impression created in incidences in which a Weimaraner ex­ some articles, Weimaraners are available. hibited some outstanding accomplishment During the past year bitch puppies sold with the resulting idea that all Weimar­ for $350 and males for $300 and older aners could answer the telephone, run dogs and brood bitches for proportion­ 38 miles an hour or outwit a wounded ately higher prices. Most puppies are duck at 10° below zero. Without doubt still being reserved in advance, how­ the Weimaraner is a highly intelligent ever. According to the rules of the club dog and is easily trained as attested by a breeder can only dispose of a dog to their record in the obedience ring. Most a member of the club. However, at the pedigrees contain several holders of time the sale is made the breeder sub­ obedience titles and a record was set by mits a signed application and a recom- a Weimaraner pup which can only be

Spring, 1950 67 equaled, but never beaten ,when he won which has exhibited intermittent diarrhea his CDX title at 6 months and 2 days of since its acquisition, and observation of age. The hunting and pointing instinct several brood bitches in a nearby kennel. is inherent in the breed, but these char­ Weimaraners seem particularily sus­ acteristics as in the pointers and setters ceptible to upper respiratory tract infec­ must be developed by proper training tions. The writer's observation are again if a satisfactory hunting dog is to result. limited to one case of an acute infection The Weimaraner style of hunting quali­ which was diagnosed as caused by Hemo­ fies them for the shooting dog stake in philus organisms and several cases of field trial competition. In those trials in chronic infections in both mature dogs which they have been entered amateur and puppies. All cases responded readily trained and handled dogs have placed at to streptomycin therapy. Dr. Craige (1) or near the top in each instance. also reports a limited experience with As a bird dog, the Weimaraner is gen­ respiratory infections and has had con­ erally close ranging, rather slow, but siderable success in treating non-febrile very thorough in covering the ground. bronchitis with human upper respiratory This factor coupled with an exceptionally bacterin containing H. pert'Uss'Us and H. keen sense of smell, results in finds which influenzae. have been missed by faster, wider rang­ A chronic vaginitis characterized by a ing breeds. The retreiving instinct is also slight discharge and inflamed vaginal well developed, and most Weimaraners mucous membranes is common among will retrieve naturally with a little en­ female puppies, but is apparently almost couragement. They are exceptionally universal among Weimaraners. Refer­ strong swimmers and some have been ences have been made to this condition trained exclusively for this type of re­ by other breeders who have evidenced trieving. Their cold-trailing ability is still some concern and have been unable to strong in most individuals, the breed find a satisfactory treatment. The condi­ having been originally developed as a big tion apparently has no serious conse­ game hound. One breeder has used them quences and gradually disappears as the successfully on mountain lion and another bitch matures. A vaginal douche of 5 oz. on wild boar. Some individuals have of a saturated solution of boric acid and proved exceptionally capable in trailing 1 oz. of glycerine prescribed by Dr. C. A. humans, one dog in particular having Covault (3) proved to be a successful acquired a reputation for finding lost treatment for this condition. persons. References Breed Susceptibility 1. Craige, John E., Seaside, Calif. Personal com­ munication. Weimaraners are apparently more than 2. Craige, John E., J.A.V.M.A., 113: 343(1943). normally susceptible to at least three 3. Covault, C. A., Personal communication. pathological conditions: chronic enteritis, upper respiratory infection, and vagin­ itis among young females. Hookworm Therapy Dr. John E. Craige (1) has reported All pathological changes in hookworm treating approximately 20 Weimaraners disease, expect intestinal hemorrhage affected with low grade intestinal infec­ and eosinophilia, disappear following tions in recent months. The etiological treatment of the patient with iron. The factors varied from case to case, but con­ protein factor and the red blood cells sisted in many instances of mixed infec­ are reconstructed by the body if iron tion [Proteus, Spirochetes, Giaradia, is supplied in the form of ferrous sulfate, (2) ]. These disorders were found to pre­ even in the presence of hookworms. This dominate in Weimaraners even in kennels obviously suggests that iron sulfate where other breeds were maintained. should be used in conjunction with the This report coincides with the writer's treatment of choice for the elimination limited observations in a personal dog of hookworms. Veterinary Excerpts.

68 Iowa State College Veterinarian