The original Weimar Pointers appeared in the 19th century. They
were prized for their versatile hunting skills and remarkable
character. In the early part of the century, the Nobles of Weimar
were avid sportsmen and hunted a variety of big game. They required
of the Weimaraner an exceptional tracking ability, speed, courage
and durability. Their breeding programs developed these specific
traits and qualities. More likely by accident, they produced the
distinctive gray coat color that is the hallmark of the breed.
During the first century, the Nobles rigidly controlled the
availability of the dogs. To insure the future of the breed, the
German Weimaraner Club was formed. Membership was restricted and
members only were permitted to own and breed the dogs. Few outsiders
really knew much about the breed. Legends developed about the
great gray hunting dog. Type and temperament was refined and eventually,
during the latter half of the 19th century, the Weimaraner was
converted from a bear and dear hunter to a 'fur and feathers'
dog. However, much of the original hunting instincts remain today
and must be taken into consideration when deciding to buy a Weimaraner.
In 1928 a New England sportsman, Howard Knight, applied for
membership in the German Club. Despite his promises to protect
the purity of the breed, the club sent Knight two sterilized dogs.
He was determined to acquire foundation stock. Finally, in 1938,
three bitches and a puppy dog were sent to him: litter sisters,
Adda and Dorle v. Schwarzen Kamp; year old bitch, Aura v. Gaiberg;
puppy dog, Mars aus der Wulfsreide. Others joined Howard Knight's
efforts and in 1942, the Weimaraner Club of America was formed,
a standard was created for the breed. American Kennel Club recognition
was applied for and dogs began exhibition in obedience. At the
end of 1942, AKC recognition was granted and the breed had it's
coming out at Westminster in 1943.
An era of imports began in the forties. It may have been difficult
to keep dogs in wartime Europe, so many quality dogs were sent
to the states. The most outstanding of these was Aura v. Gaiberg
(bitch) , the first companion dog titlist. Her son, Ch. Grafmar's
Jupiter, UTD was the first to complete all the obedience degrees.
Thirty -six Grafmar dogs earned obedience titles in the next ten
years. Weimaraners began attending field trials in 1948.
The last half of the fifties brought fame, fortune and problems
to the breed. In some ways they were the glory years of the first
big bench winners, multiple Best in Show and big running flashy
field dogs. It seemed for a while, though, that all the hard work
and careful planning of the early years had gone for naught. A
Weimaraner was a status symbol and the more it cost to obtain
the more status it afforded. While the boom was going on, many
of the animals produced were ill bred, ill tempered and ugly.
The once rare Gray Ghost ended up "free to good home". The breed
quality survived among the concerned and dedicated people who
maintained breed standards of excellence. By the mid-sixties,
the breed began emerging from this devastating growth period and
breeders began working on correcting past abuses. Recovery, however,
would not have been possible without the original strong gene
pool.
Today, the Weimaraner is enjoying a renewed popularity. It ranks
forty-first in popularity in the United States. This is a drop
of two points from thirty-ninth for most of the past decade. There
has been a surge of the number of animals in rescue shelters and
foster care. A short number of years ago, there were only a handful
of dogs in need of homes, currently there are more than thirty
listed. The responsible breeders are carrying the burden of the
taking care of the animals unwanted by careless breeders and buyers.
While the over-popularity is not as extreme as the 1950's, both
breeders and buyers need to educate themselves about the Weimaraner
temperament and needs before selling or buying a friend for the
dog's life.
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