A silver-grey Weimaraner in a field
Borelandn · CC0
A Weimaraner standing outdoors
Rufus46 · CC BY-SA 3.0
A Weimaraner on alert
Holger Müller · CC BY-SA 3.0
Gundog/Sporting

Weimaraner

Also known as: Weimaraner Vorstehhund, Grey Ghost

LargeGermanyEarly 19th century (Weimar court)AKC: SportingFCI #99

The striking silver-grey "Grey Ghost" - a powerful, athletic German pointing breed that bonds intensely to its family. Weimaraners are highly intelligent, loyal and responsive, combining a sleek, distinctive appearance with the drive and trainability that make them outstanding partners for experienced, active owners.

Origin and purpose

The Weimaraner was developed in early 19th-century Germany, associated with the court of Weimar, as an all-round hunting dog for big game and later birds. Bred for stamina, courage and a close working partnership with the hunter, it became known for its distinctive silver-grey coat and pale eyes.

Temperament

Breed authorities describe the Weimaraner as fearless, friendly, obedient and intensely devoted to its people — courageous in the field and bonded closely at home, to the point of struggling with isolation. It needs firm, kind training and abundant activity. As for any breed, the individual dog matters more than the label (Morrill et al., Science 2022).

Health and longevity

The Weimaraner carries several heritable conditions. Buy from breeders who screen hips and eyes.

Common health conditions

As a deep-chested breed the Weimaraner is at meaningful risk of GDV. Feed two or three smaller meals per day using a slow-feeder bowl and restrict vigorous exercise for 90 minutes around mealtimes. Know the warning signs: a distended abdomen, unproductive retching, drooling and restlessness.

Living with a Weimaraner in Johor Bahru

This section is specific to Johor Bahru (Department of Veterinary Services (DVS Malaysia)). The rest of this guide applies to the breed anywhere.

PSPCA Johor / local JB rescue groups: Not eligible

This breed is not eligible for PSPCA Johor / local JB rescue groups.

Licensing

MBJB dog licence required for JB city (Local Government Act 1976): ~RM 10–50/year; annual rabies vaccination required. Iskandar Malaysia areas: confirm local authority (MPJBT etc.) for your address. Source: MBJB; DVS Malaysia.

Climate & exercise in Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru is equatorial; hot and humid year-round (27–34°C); similar climate to Singapore 1km across the Tebrau Strait; sea breeze at Danga Bay provides relief in mornings and evenings. walk before 8:30am or at Danga Bay waterfront from 5:30pm where sea breeze is consistent; avoid midday — pavement surfaces reach 50°C+ in direct sun. JB's equatorial climate is essentially identical to Singapore's — year-round heat and humidity, with heatstroke risk for brachycephalic and double-coated breeds at any time outside the early-morning window. Cross-border vet access requires DVS and AVS permits (see OurPetCircle JB care guide) — know your local JB emergency vet in advance.

Parasite prevention

Plan for year-round heartworm and tick prevention essential; peri-urban areas (Tebrau, Tampoi, Skudai) adjacent to palm oil plantation and secondary forest have high tick density; Ehrlichia canis and Babesia species documented across Johor; leptospirosis risk in flood-prone residential drains.

Cost of ownership in Johor Bahru

Local Weimaraner cost figures for Johor Bahru are being verified. Budget for purchase or adoption, initial setup, food, grooming, routine veterinary care, parasite prevention and pet insurance. Figures are quoted in RM.

Health & longevity

Responsible breeders health-test their breeding dogs. Ask to see current certificates before committing.

Nutrition note: Lean athletic build; deep-chested — split meals and avoid exercise around feeding to lower bloat risk.

Known breed conditions

ConditionPrevalenceInheritanceScreening test
Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)deep-chested riskowner awareness; prophylactic gastropexy discussed
Hip dysplasiaoccasionalpolygenicOFA hips
Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD) & vaccine sensitivitybreed-associated in young dogsvet guidance on vaccination protocol
Entropion & other eye conditionsoccasionaleye exam

DNA & screening panel

TestWhen advisedBody
Hip evaluationbefore breedingOFA / BVA-KC
Ophthalmologist eye exambefore breedingOFA / ECVO
Thyroid panelbefore breedingOFA

Cost of ownership

Setup
approx. S$2,500–4,500 SGD equiv.
Monthly
approx. S$300–520 SGD equiv.
Lifetime est.
approx. S$45,000–68,000 SGD equiv.

FLAG: indicative Singapore estimate only — large active breed; daycare/enrichment and any bloat surgery add cost.

Registries

FCI#99Group 7AKCSportingKC (UK)GundogANKCGroup 3 (Gundogs)

Sources & references

  1. AKC — Weimaraner breed standard & traits[Breed standard / registry]
  2. The Kennel Club (UK) — Weimaraner[Breed standard / registry]
  3. Merck Veterinary Manual — hereditary and breed-associated disease[Veterinary reference]
  4. Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) — breed health screening / CHIC testing[Peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA]
  5. NParks/AVS — Pets in HDB flats (approved small breeds; ≤55 cm shoulder height)[Breed standard / registry] · checked June 2026
  6. Morrill et al., "Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics…", Science 376 (2022) — breed ≈ 9% of behaviour[Peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA] · 2022

Source tiers: 1 = breed standard / registry authority; 2 = peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA; 3 = veterinary reference; 4 = encyclopaedic. OurPetCircle cites only tiers 1–4 and never blogs or e-commerce pages. Behavioural traits carry low confidence — breed explains ~9% of individual behaviour variation (Morrill et al., Science 2022).

Image credits