Breed Standard
The Kennel Club of Great Britain define all dog breed standards in a certain way. The 'Breed Standard' for the UK Weimaraner is summarised below for your convenience.
The Weimaraner is described as a medium-sized dog of grey colour with light coloured eyes. It presents a picture of power, stamina and balance.
A paramount consideration is it's ability to hunt. Its temperament should be alert and fearless whilst being friendly, protective and obedient. The head and skull should be moderately long and aristocratic with moderate stop and slight median line, extending back over the forehead. A rather prominent occipital bone should be evident. The measurement from the top of the nose to the stop should be equal to the measurement from the stop to the occipital prominence. The flews should be moderately deep, enclosing a powerful jaw. The foreface must be straight and delicate at the nostrils with the skin drawn tightly around a grey nose.
The Weimaraner eyes should be medium-sized, circular and display shades of amber or blue-grey in colour. The eyes will be situated far enough apart to indicate a good disposition, should not protrude excessively or be deeply set. The dogs facial expression should be keen, kind and intelligent.
The long, lobular ears should be slightly folded and set high on the head. When the ears are extended alongside the jaw they should end approximately 2.5 centimetres (1 in) from the point of the nose. The jaw should be strong with a perfectly regular and complete scissor bite, (the upper teeth should closely overlap the lower teeth). The lips and gums should be pinkish in colour with a complete dentition highly desirable. The neck should be clean-cut and moderately long.
The dogs forelegs should be straight and strong and the measurement from the elbow to the ground should be equal to the distance from the elbow to the top of the withers. The length of the body from the highest point of the withers to the root of the tail should be equal to the measurement from the highest point of the withers to the ground. It should display a top line level, with a slightly sloping croup. The chest should be well developed and deep, with strong well laid shoulders. The ribs should be well sprung with the ribcage extending well back. The abdomen will be very firm with a moderately tucked-up flank and the brisket should drop to the elbow. The dogs hind quarters should be moderately angulated, with well turned stifle. The hocks should be well let down and turned neither in nor out whilst the muscles should be well developed.
The Weimaraner paws should be firm and compact. The toes well arched with close thick pads and the nails should be short and grey or amber in colour. The dew claws may be removed. The tail has traditionally been docked and may still be for working dogs, but is not essential. If the tail is docked there should be sufficient length remaining so that it covers the scrotum in dogs and vulva in bitches. The thickness of the tail should be proportional to the body of the dog and should be carried in a manner which expresses confidence and a sound temperament. If long-haired, the tip of the tail may be removed. If the tail is not docked, it should be moderately set and of thickness in proportion to the body, whilst tapering towards the tip and it's length should reach down to the hocks. The dog will carry the tail below the level of the back when relaxed, but the tail may be raised when the animal is animated. The tail should never curl over the dogs back and it should show good hair coverage.
When walking or running the movement should appear effortless with good ground coverage, indicating totally smooth co-ordination. When seen from behind, the hind feet should look parallel to the front feet and when seen from the side, the top line should remain strong and level. The coat should be short, smooth and sleek. In the long-haired variety, the coat may be from 2.5-5 centimetres (1-2 ins) long on the body and somewhat longer on the neck, chest and belly. The tail and the back of the limbs will be feathered.
The colour of the coat should be silver grey with shades of mouse or roe grey being permissible, providing it blends to a lighter shade on the head and ears. A dark eel type stripe often occurs along the back and is acceptable whilst the whole coat should present the appearance of a metallic sheen. The presence of a small white mark on the chest is permissible and any white spots resulting from injuries are also acceptable. The height of a dogs at the withers should be between 61 and 69 centimetres (24 to 27 ins), whilst bitches should be 56 to 64 centimetres (22 to 25 ins).
Any variance from the above description should be considered a fault and the seriousness to which the fault should be regarded will be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
The exact wording of the 'Weimaraner Breed Standard' may be viewed by clicking here.
