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 Quezon City

This section is specific to Quezon City (Quezon City Veterinary Department / Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)). The rest of this guide applies to the breed anywhere.

PAWS Philippines / CARA Welfare / QC City Pound: Not eligible

This breed is not eligible for PAWS Philippines / CARA Welfare / QC City Pound.

Licensing

Dog registration required under the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 (RA 9482): register with Quezon City Veterinary Department or your Barangay; annual rabies vaccination mandatory; fees PHP 100–500/year. Philippines is NOT rabies-free — annual vaccination is a legal requirement.

Climate & exercise in Quezon City

Quezon City is tropical maritime; hot dry season March–May (32–36°C); rainy/typhoon season June–November; cool dry December–February (22–28°C); Metro Manila urban heat island effect pronounced in Quezon City's densely built barangays. walk before 7:30am or after 6pm year-round; March–May peak heat — limit walks to before 7am; UP Diliman and QMC provide shade cover for midday emergencies but avoid pavement in direct sun. Quezon City's tropical heat peaks March–May with extreme humidity — heatstroke is a genuine risk for all dogs and particularly dangerous for brachycephalic breeds. Typhoon season (June–November) brings flooding especially in low-lying barangays near Diliman Creek and San Juan River — keep dogs away from floodwater due to leptospirosis risk.

Parasite prevention

Plan for year-round heartworm prevention essential; tick-borne disease (Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis/gibsoni) high risk year-round — Rhipicephalus sanguineus endemic; annual rabies vaccination legally required (RA 9482); leptospirosis risk from floodwater during typhoon season June–November.

Cost of ownership in Quezon City

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

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