Weimaraners seem like unearthly canines. They are large dogs with ghostly, shimmery silver-grey coats. The elegant yet imposing appearance of these large dogs can raise questions like “are Weimaraners aggressive dogs?” or “are they safe to be around?”
Let’s take a look if these hunting dogs get along well with people and other pets.
A Friend to All or Not?
The Weimaraner is an affectionate pooch despite his large size. He may be a hunting breed, but he is also well known for being a Velcro dog. He loves his family deeply to the point that he cannot leave them alone.
But what about people outside the family? Are Weimaraners vicious towards strangers? No, they are not hostile when meeting outsiders. However, they will be watchful, alert, and vigilant in case these people mean harm to their families.
Research conducted by Scot E. Dowd in 2006 involves testing the aggression of different dog breeds. Canines that participated were subjected to various environments, people, and sound exposure.
According to the results, the Weimaraner is one of the breeds that has the highest pass rate. The Weim reacted less aggressively compared to other dog breeds during the situational tests.
Moreover, the Weimaraner was able to keep calm and maintain composure within 5 seconds. But this does not mean that the breed doesn’t have it in his bone to be aggressive.
No matter the breed, any dog is prone to aggression if they are a product of poor breeding, socialisation, and care.
Are Weimaraners Good Guard Dogs?
The Weimaraner’s temperament is friendly and obedient yet protective and fearless. This brings out the question: “Are Weimaraners territorial too?” The breed is not at the top of the list when it comes to territoriality.
However, many Weimaraner owners can confirm that their dogs possess this trait. Weimaraners ages 1–3 years of age are prone to exhibit strong protectiveness of their turf.
Most Weimaraners are ready to bark at strangers who try to trespass their domains.
With all these characteristics, are these large Weimaraner dogs suitable as guard dogs? No, they are not the best pick for this role. Although they are protective and territorial, most of the time, their friendliness overpowers these traits.
Weimaraners are better off as watchdogs since their size and loud barks are enough to keep trespassers at bay. Make sure to properly socialise and train your Weimaraner as it will prevent him from barking at anyone who approaches your home.
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Are Weimaraners Aggressive towards Other Animals?
The Weimaraner is primarily bred to hunt large game, including bears and wolves. Later on, he was used for hunting smaller game such as foxes and rabbits. Thus, he has a high prey drive, which strongly compels him to chase and takedown small pets like cats.
Weimaraners have also shown aggressive behaviours towards same-sex dogs. Weim dogs exhibit this behaviour due to their territorial instincts. Thus, it is not a good idea to add them to a multi-pet household.
But Weimaraners who grew up together with other animals have good chances of getting along well.
Owners should always be present to supervise whenever their Weimaraners are spending time with other pets. Do not lower your guard, as it can lead to dangerous and heartbreaking consequences.
Some Weimaraner dog owners surrendered their dogs to animal shelters and rescue groups after they have unintentionally killed other family pets.
Should You Get a Weimaraner as a Pet?
The Weimaraner is a wonderful companion dog for the right owner. Because of his hunting prowess and extremely high energy, he can be too intense for beginners.
The Weimaraner can be hyperactive and rambunctious in his early years. Thus, he should undergo obedience training to eliminate undesirable behaviours before they turn into serious behaviour problems.
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Are Weimaraners Easy to Train?
The answer is yes if you are experienced in handling these breeds of dogs. Weimaraner puppies love to push boundaries and challenge their owners. They will strive to be on top of the hierarchy in the household.
Common problems that you may face when training your Weimaraner are his refusal to follow commands and ignoring your presence. Being a patient and assertive alpha leader is important for him to respect and heed your instructions.
Weimaraners are easily distracted by the sights, sounds, and smells around them. It requires a great deal of experience for you to keep his attention during the entire dog training session.
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How Do I Stop my Weimaraner from Biting?
Weimaraners are mouthy dogs, and they bite a great deal. Most of the time, these are just playful and harmless nips. Nonetheless, their sharp teeth can be a discomforting feeling on your skin. Solve Weimaraner biting problems by taking note of these tips:
- Firmly say “no” when your Weim bites you. Stop whatever activity you are doing with him. If he continues to nip you, leave him alone for a couple of minutes.
Doing so will teach your Weim that whenever he bites you, playtime stops. Be consistent when applying this method so that he will quickly catch on. - Be calm whenever you are interacting with your Weimaraner puppy. If you exude anxiety or anger, he may feel your emotions. This can make him high-strung and more likely to bite you.
- Avoid playing games with your Weim that involve roughhousing and wrestling. These types of close-contact activities will trigger your puppy to nip you playfully. Choose games that don’t require physical contact, such as hide-and-seek or tug of war.
- High-energy dogs like Weimaraners also need a great deal of exercise. This should be addressed, or else they will display behaviour problems such as constant biting and nipping.
- Use a taste deterrent. Spray it on the parts of your body where your Weim often nips. Its bad flavour will make him think twice about biting you again.
Sometimes biting can be a sign that your Weimaraner has a health problem. Bring him to the vet for a check-up if you suspect that he is sick.
If your Weim is free from health issues and you still have great difficulties in stopping him from biting, seek help from a professional dog trainer. Serious behaviour disorders may cause your Weimaraner’s biting issue.
Weimaraners are not inherently aggressive. But due to some genetic factors like being territorial with a high prey drive coupled with environmental factors like how they were raised can lead them to display aggressive behaviour.
Early socialisation and training will help in curbing the aggressive tendency in Weimaraners. Most of all, what the dogs need is a great deal of care and patience from their owners.