Hunting conditions have changed. The aristocratic, finely-tuned, high performance, racing machines have lost their field of action. New evidence in genetics and behavioral science, as well as, ethical animal protection laws are gaining greater influence. The extensive game bird hunts from the turn of the century are past. Animals which have adapted to civilization, i.e. ducks, doves, rabbits, foxes, hares and in some areas pheasants are the primary hunting game.

The longhaired Weimaraner variety has without question proven excellence in free-ranging field abilities, tracking wounded game and search/retrieve strengths during water work. It is a versatile, well-mannered hunting partner. The ideal hair length is between long and shorthair in the range of the original coarse. It should be smooth and thick with a water repellent undercoat, resistant to weather and thorns. At the same time, it should not be too sensitive to dirt and burrs.

Definitions and differences in coat types:

(*)Longhair-W.W. Denlinger:"The long-haired Weimaraner has been described as conforming to the Standard for the short-haired dog in every respect except for the length of coat. At birth, the coat of the SH Weimaraner is inclined to be rather crisp, with definite stripes which disappear within a short time.That of the LH Weimaraner is soft and wooly at birth, and has no stripes. The coat of the mature dog, no longer wooly, has a silky texture, and is straight or slightly wavy. On the upper part of the body, the coat is tighter than on the SH dog; on the lower part, it is not so tight. The outer sides of the ears are covered with long, soft, silky hair. The tail, which is not docked as is that of the SH Weimaraner, is heavily feathered so that in the field the dog appears to have a graceful plume-like flag.There is soft feathering on the backs of the legs, and between the toes."

Stockhaarig: The Germans cannot breed a "pure" stockhaar Weimaraner. Stockhaar only appears in breeding dogs with longhair genes. Therefore, there is no recessive gene responsible for stockhaar. There has never been a "real" stockhaar in Weimaraners. Occasionally observations occur which represent a mixture between longhair and shorthair, ie. medium top coat with a light undercoat. Therefore, the registration number is followed by (LK) indicating long/short coat. LH breeders favor occasional breedings to LK to improve quality and resilience of longhair coats. Necessary permissions must be obtained. A "real stockhaar" can be seen in the German Shepard (shorthair variety) or the Dingo. In the "new" FCI Weimaraner standard, there is no mention of a stockhaar-Weimaraner.

Drahthaar:During the 1960's, people in Czechoslovakia crossbred the Weimaraner and the wirehaired Pointer (Griffon, deutsch Drahthaar, Stichelhaar, etc.) and obtained some gray wirehaired dogs. The German Weimaraner Klub did not recognize these dogs as "Weimaraners," because they were NOT purebred Weimaraners. Today, dogs exist in Tschechia and Slovakia appearing as brown, some gray and gray with darker plates. But, this breed is not declared as "Weimaraner." The breed is referred to as the "Slovensky Hruborstsy stavac" - Slovensky Wirehaired Pointer.

Rauhaar: Coarse coat with wooly,coarse undercoat.

Hirsute: French term. Covered with black hair- -shaggy, tousled in appearance.
**For further coat type information, please refer to the article entitled, IRON CURTAIN"S HIDDEN GUNDOGS, by Bruce Fogle, published in the WCA Magazine, August 1997.

contents | introduction | early history | characteristics | hunting temperament
hunting temperamentII | coat types | photos | wordtmann study