Sunday, March 28, 2010

Weimaraner

The Weimaraner (also known as the ‘Weimaraner Vorstehund’, ‘Weim’, ‘Silver Ghost’, or ‘Gray Ghost’) originated in Germany in the 1800’s. It was bred from Continental pointing breeds, Bloodhounds, and mastiffs in an intentional effort to produce a noble looking, all-purpose gundog which could hunt prey of all sizes. The origins of the Weimaraner’s distinctive grey color are unknown, but it has been present for centuries. The Weimaraner is named for the Grand Duke of Weimer, whose court sponsored its breeding. Ownership of the Weimaraner was carefully restricted for decades; only members of the upper class German Weimaraner Club were allowed to own the breed. For this reason, most dogs were kept indoors and pampered, leading to a strong attachment to the family which continues to this day. A pair of Weimaraners was finally released to America in 1929, and the Weimaraner quickly became a popular hunter and show dog, achieving American Kennel Club recognition in 1943. Famous Weimaraners include Dwight D. Eisenhower’s dog Heidi, and Man Ray and Fay Ray, photographer William Wegman’s pets and photography subjects.
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This breed's short and very smooth grey coat and its unusual eyes give it a regal appearance different from any other breed. However, the breed has been deemed very similar to the Vizsla even though the Vizsla is a much older breed. The eyes of the Weimaraner may be light amber, grey, or blue-grey. The coat may range from charcoal-blue to mouse-grey to silver-grey, it has been elegantly described as "moonlight on chocolate". Where the fur is thin or non-existent, inside the ears or on the lips, for example, the skin should be a pinkish tone rather than white or black. Eyes are pale yellow or amber, though they are blue in puppies.
The silvery-grey colour is rare in dogs and is the result of breeding for a recessive gene. It has also lent the breed the nickname 'silver ghost' or 'grey ghost.' The coat is extremely low maintenance; it is short, hard, and smooth to the touch.

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According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) standard, a distinctly blue or black coat is an automatic disqualification, though a small white marking in the chest area only is permitted. However, dogs with blue coats are not disqualified from field competition and are recognized as purebred Weimaraners by the AKC. There is another variety that occurs now and then, the 'mark of the hound', where the dog is the usual grey colour, with faint tan markings (similar to Doberman). It's said that early in the breed this was a common colour that was selectively bred out and suggests that the colour is indeed a black dilution.

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There is a long-haired variety that is recognized by most kennel clubs around the world except in North America. The long-haired Weimaraner has a silky coat, with - contrary to the short coated variety - an undocked, feathered tail. The gene is recessive, so breeding will produce some long-haired puppies only if both parents carry the longhair gene.

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In November 2009 and January 1, 2010 the United Kennel Club (UKC) removed the disqualification from both Blue and Longhair Weimaraners. UKC now considers the blue colour to be an eliminating fault.

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Weimaraner

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Weimaraner Dog Club Directory
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- Provides member list, photos, and activities summary. Also provides a rescue program serving the local Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area including sections of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Includes list of available dogs, other rescue locations, adoption application, and articles on adoption, collars, crate training, dog CPR, general health, and housebreaking.
- Includes newsletter and archives, officers, photos, show information, adoption and rescue contacts, and related links for this group based in Sarasota, Florida.
- Provides details about specialty shows, hunt tests, field trials for this group in North Carolina. Also includes event calendar, membership information, newsletter, and rescue and adoption forms and applications.
- Includes news, breed standard and rescue services.
- A Czech Republic club meeting in Benesov and Prostejov. Provides general information about this club, its history, and contacts.
- Serves the greater Denver, Colorado area. Includes photos, events, breed information, member wins and placements, and membership form. Also provides rescue and adoption service, a group of rescue resource articles, and list of dogs available for adoption.
- Includes photos, breed standard, club rules, list of show judges, litter list, events, and related links. Holds a number of events including two breed shows: a Championship show in April and an Open show in November.
- Based in Connecticut and AKC licensed for conformation shows, obedience trials, and hunt tests. Includes officer list, calendar, photos, membership information and rescue program, and related links.
- Includes officer list, event calendar, breeder list, news, and membership information for this California group. Also includes articles and related links about hypomyelination, agility, confirmation, hunting, obedience, tracking, and therapy dogs.
- Includes breed summary, membership information, rescue and adoption tips, and articles on reputable breeders, breed behavior, and "Is this the dog for me?".
- Provides membership information, trials, hunting and ratings tests, specialty, calendar of events, breed standard, photos, vaccines, health, and related links.
- Based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Includes breed information, events, membership details, constitution, local training classes, rescue program, and related links.
- Includes membership information, photos, events, and contacts for this Australian club.
- Based in north and central Florida. Includes events, membership application, their rescue operation and application, and related links.
- Includes membership information, event calendar, logo merchandise, resources, and adoption and rescue services. Provides adoption application and photos and descriptions of available dogs. Located in Phoenix, Arizona.
- Provides club details including constitution, membership information, standings, officials, and show results. Also features breeders list, breed standard, suggested books, longhair FAQs, and related links. Offers rescue program with applications and contact information.
- Includes breed history, FAQs, articles on working trials, field events, and monster years. Also provides association photos, events, judging lists, code of ethics, and membership form for this United Kingdom organization.
- Features information for new owners, breed history, pictures, training, health issues, events, clubs, membership, weim calendars, and FAQs.
- Provides breed summary, membership details including application, club events, related links, and articles on general care and ownership. Also includes tips about rescue and adoption in the Columbus, Ohio area.
- Includes show and event signup and results, news, membership information, puppy lists, rescue service and list of dog to adopt. Also provides summaries of the breed standard, characteristics and history.
- Includes club information, event calendar, photos, message board, breed FAQ, and related links for this Missouri club.
- Includes breed standards, newsletters, meeting notices, officers, photos, code of ethics, and medical emergency information. Also provides list of rescued dogs ready for adoption.
- Includes breed information, activities, event list and photos, rescue list, and adoption application.
- Includes club history, officers, rescue services, articles about owning or adopting a Weimaraner, and reading list.
- Includes club policy, committee members, meeting details, event calendar, breeders register, membership form, and show results. Located in Brisbane, Australia.
- Information and advice on the Weimaraner breed. Club contacts
- Includes membership information, calendar, events, chat, members pages, and photos.
- Licensed for AKC specialty shows, field trials, hunting tests, and WCA ratings and provides a summary description of each. Includes membership application, events, local breeders, photos, related links, articles, and rescue program adoption list.
- Australian organization. Includes services offered, breed summary, calendar, events, downloads, breeder list, and health articles.
- Includes breeding guidelines, breeder directory, and constitution for this club in South Africa.
- Home of the Weimaraner Klub of the Transvaal. Includes constitution, officers, events, shooting ratings, breeders and puppies due list, photos, and rescue procedures.
- Includes meeting and membership information, breed standard, newsletter subscription, questions to ask a breeder, show results, and rescue program. Based in Federal Way, Washington.
- Message board for owners and breeders; registration required. Includes various topics and related links.
- Provides a history of the breed, email list, photo galleries, downloads, related links, and collected articles on crating, homevet, health topics, and training.
- Provides AKC standard description, color and markings, FAQs, history, photos, and video.
- Index of sites about the breed.
- Message board for breeders and owners. Also includes photos, events, and classifieds. [free registration, required]
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