Breed Standard for the Weimaraner (C K C)
Effective January 2008
Supplied by the Weimaraner Association of Canada

The Weimaraner is known to be of a very old breed type with early evidence dating back to the 13th century art and literature. The breed was standardized to its modern form at the court of the Grand Duke of Weimar in Germany from where it got its name. The 1800’s saw the Weimaraner developed into one of the prized continental hunting breeds that excelled in various types of game and hunting traits including tracking, searching, pointing, retrieving and indicating the location of downed large game. Unique to the Weimaraner was the retention of its need for kind handling and human companionship. As big game grew scarce due to encroaching civilization and with the introduction of guns to bird hunting, emphasis was placed on breeding in more pointing instincts. Germany recognized the Weimaraner as a breed in 1896 and in the first part of the 20th century, despite opposition from the German breed club, a few individuals came to North America and eventually the breed was recognized in Canada. The Weimaraner is now used on small furred and feathered game in its country of origin and almost exclusively on birds throughout North America. Today’s Weimaraner has retained its stamina, its hunting versatility, and its need for human bonding.

General Appearance: A medium-sized grey dog with light eyes, he should present a picture of great driving power, stamina, alertness and balance. Above all, the dog should indicate ability to work hard in the field.

Temperament: The dog should display a temperament that is keen, fearless, friendly, protective, and obedient.

Size: Height at withers-dogs, 25-27 in. (64-69 cm); bitches, 23-25 in. (58-64cm). Deviation of 1 in. (2.5 cm.) over and under this height is allowed, but should be penalized.

Coat: The Coat comes in two (2) varieties:

Long-hair variety: Top coat is flat and smooth or slightly wavy. Length on flanks 1 – 2 in. (3 – 5 cm), slightly longer under neck and on forechest, belly, ears and tail. Moderate feathering on legs, chest and underside. Colour: In shades of mouse-grey to silver-grey, usually blending to a lighter shade on the head and ears. Small white mark allowable on the chest, but not on any other part of the body. White spots that have resulted from injuries shall not be penalized.

Head: Moderately long and aristocratic, with moderate stop and slight median line extending back over the forehead. Rather prominent occipital bone and trumpets set well back, beginning at the back of the eye sockets. Measurement from tip of nose to stop to equal that from stop to occipital bone. The flews should be moderately deep, enclosing a powerful jaw. Foreface perfectly straight, delicate at the nostrils. Skin tightly drawn. Expression kind, keen, intelligent. Nose grey. Teeth well-set, strong and even; well developed and proportionate to jaw with correct scissors bite, the upper teeth protruding slightly over the lower teeth but not more than 1/16 inch (.2 cm). Complete dentition is greatly to be desired. Lips and gums pinkish flesh shades. Eyes in shades of light amber, grey or blue-grey, set well enough apart to indicate good disposition and intelligence. When dilated under excitement the eyes may appear almost black. Ears long and lobular, slightly folded and set high. The ear when drawn snugly alongside the jaw should end approximately 2 in. (5cm) from the point of the nose.

Neck: Neck clean-cut and moderately long.

Forequarters: Shoulder well laid on and snug. Forelegs straight and strong, with the measurement from the elbow to the ground approximately equaling the distance from the elbow to the top of the withers. Dewclaws allowable only on forelegs, there optional.

Body: The back should be moderate in length, set in straight line, strong, and should slope slightly from the withers. The chest should be well developed and deep. Ribs well sprung and long. The brisket should drop to the elbow. Abdomen firmly held; moderately tucked-up flank.

Hindquarters: Well-angulated stifles and straight hocks. Musculature well developed. Feet firm and compact, webbed, toes well arched, pads closed and thick, nails short and grey or amber in colour.

Should have a tendency to be light rather than heavy and should be carried in a manner expressing confidence and sound temperament. Short-hair variety should be docked and at maturity measure approximately 6 in. (15 cm.). Long-hair variety should be undocked and well-covered with hair, on top as well as underneath, with good plume.

Gait: The walk is rather awkward. The trot should be effort-less, ground-covering, and should indicate smooth coordination. When seen from the rear, the hind feet should parallel the front feet.

· Very serious- Deviation in height of more than 1 in. (2.5 cm.), over and under, from the standard. White, other than a spot on chest. Eyes any other colour than grey, blue-grey or light amber. Non-docked tail on a short-haired dog. Dogs exhibiting strong fear.

· Serious-Poor gait. Very poor feet. Cowhocks. Faulty back, either roach or sway. Badly overshot or undershot jaw. Snipey muzzle. Short ears. Yellow in white marking. A long-hair with excessive coat or a coat that is curly, wooly, silky or fluffy. Any grooming of the long-hair coat with the exception of neatening of ears and feet.

· Faults-Doggy bitches. Bitchy dogs. Improper muscular condition. Badly affected teeth. More than four missing teeth. Back too long or too short. Faulty coat. Neck too short, thick or throaty. Low tail-set. Elbows in or out; feet east and west.

· Minor -Short-haired tail docked too short or too long. Long-haired tail docked. Pink nose.

Disqualification: A distinctly blue or black coat.

   
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Official Breed Standard for the Weimaraner (Canadian Kennel Club) 
(the old standard before 2008)

 General Appearance: A medium-sized grey dog with light eyes, he should present a picture of great driving power, stamina, alertness and balance. Above all, the dog should indicate ability to work hard in the field. 

 Temperament: The dog should display a temperament that is keen, fearless, friendly, protective, and obedient.

 Size: Height at withers-dogs, 25-27 in. (64-69 cm); bitches, 23-25 in. (58-64cm).  

 Coat and Colour: Short, smooth and sleek coat in shades of mouse-grey to silver-grey, usually blending to a lighter shade on the head and ears. Small white mark allowable on the chest, but not on any other part of the body. White spots that have resulted from injuries shall not be penalized.  

 Head: Moderately long and aristocratic, with moderate stop and slight median line extending back over the forehead. Rather prominent occipital bone and trumpets set well back, beginning at the back of the eye sockets. Measurement from tip of nose to stop to equal that from stop to occipital bone. The flews should be moderately deep, enclosing a powerful jaw. Foreface per-fectly straight, delicate at the nostrils. Skin tightly drawn. Expression kind, keen, intelligent. Nose grey. Teeth well-set, strong and even; well developed and proportionate to jaw with correct scissors bite, the upper teeth protruding slightly over the lower teeth but not more than  1/16 inch (.2 cm). Complete dentition is greatly to be desired. Lips and gums pinkish flesh shades. Eyes in shades of light amber, grey or blue-grey, set well enough apart to indicate good disposition and intelligence. When dilated under excitement the eyes may appear almost black. Ears long and lobular, slightly folded and set high. The ear when drawn snugly alongside the jaw should end approximately 2 in. (5cm) from the point of the nose.    

 Neck: Neck clean-cut and moderately long. 

 Forequarters: Shoulder well laid on and snug. Forelegs straight and strong, with the measurement from the elbow to the ground approximately equaling the distance from the elbow to the top of the withers. Dewclaws allowable only on forelegs, there optional. 

 Body: The back should be moderate in length, set in straight line, strong, and should slope slightly from the withers. The chest should be well developed and deep. Ribs well sprung and long. The brisket should drop to the elbow. Abdomen firmly held; moderately tucked-up flank.   

 Hindquarters:  Well-angulated stifles and straight hocks. Musculature well developed. Feet firm and compact, webbed, toes well arched, pads closed and thick, nails short and grey or amber in colour.   

 Tail:  Docked. At maturity it should measure approximately 6 in. (15 cm) with a tendency to be light rather than heavy and should be carried in a manner expressing confidence and sound temperament.  

 Gait: The walk is rather awkward. The trot should be effort-less, ground-covering, and should indicate smooth co-ordination.  
When seen from the rear, the hind feet should parallel the front feet. 

Faults:   

Serious-Poor gait. Very poor feet. Cowhocks. Faulty back, either roach or sway. Badly overshot or undershot jaw. Monorchidism. Snipey muzzle. Short ears. Yellow in white marking. Undersize. 

Faults-Doggy bitches. Bitchy dogs. Improper muscular con-dition. Badly affected teeth. More than four missing teeth. Back too long or too short. Faulty coat. Neck too short, thick or throaty. Low tail-set. Elbows in or out; feet east and west. 

Minor-Tail too short or too long. Pink nose. Oversize should not be considered a serious fault, providing correct structure and working ability are in evidence.