The Story Behind The Rare Long Haired Weimaraner

You’ve probably heard of or seen a Weimaraner before. They are sleek, silvery, athletic, short-haired dogs with bright, dazzling eyes. If you’ve been around one before, you’d definitely know it! But, have you ever heard of the little-known long-haired Weimaraner? If you’re a silver ghost admirer like us, this is definitely a unique look to keep your eyes peeled for!

In this article, we take a look at the history of the Weimaraner, and discover why the long-haired variation of the breed is so rare. Let’s dig in!

What Is a Weimaraner?

A Weimaraner is a large breed of dog that originated in Germany in the 1800s. They were used as hunting dogs. The breed is thought to be a mix of an English Pointer, Great Dane, and the silver-gray Huehnerhund.

Weimaraners are known for their distinctive gray coat. Sometimes referred to as the “Gray Ghost”, males stand 25 inches to 27 inches at the shoulder. And females are 23 inches to 25 inches tall. A Weimaraner weighs between 55 pounds and 80 pounds.

They’re energetic, obedient, loyal, protective, fearless, friendly, and intelligent and make great pets. Due to their hunting endurance breeding and athleticism, a Weimaraner usually requires a lot of exercise. With their job-oriented mindset, they need training and socializing at a young age. They need regular mental stimulation to keep them fulfilled and relaxed.

What Is a Long Haired Weimaraner?

If you didn’t think the Weimeraner could be any more beautiful, you might have to think again. The long-haired Weimaraner is a variation of the breed with a recessive gene, making it rare. It has a long, silky coat in contrast to the more well-known short-haired Weimaraner. The coat can be straight or wavy with blue, gray, or silver-gray coloring.

Why Are Long Haired Weimaraners Rare?

Long hair is a recessive genetic trait in the breed. A Weimaraner’s parents both need to have the fur-length recessive gene, FGF5, to pass it along to their offspring. Even then, not all puppies of a litter will have long fur.

So, what if you breed a long-haired Weimaraner with one carrying the dominant gene, a short-haired Weimaraner? Some of the puppies will have short hair but carry the recessive gene. In these cases, breeders wouldn’t know what was being bred into their lines.  

The long-haired Weimaraner is recognized separately from the short-haired Weimaraner of the breed in most kennel clubs, except for the American Kennel Club. This is because coat length is the only difference between the breed variations. 

The Coat of the Long Haired Weimaraner

While the name “long-haired” mentions hair, the coat of a long-haired Weimaraner is still fur. They are average shedders and should be brushed regularly at the starts of the summer and winter seasons in particular. Plus, you’ll want to get the most out of its gorgeous coat.

A long-haired Weimaraner has a medium-length double coat. And its tail, ears, and legs have feathery-like fur. The ears are very soft to the touch.

Their fur can be straight or wavy. Blue, gray, brown-grey, or silver-gray are their color variations. And their enchanting eyes range from amber to blue-gray.

What Is the Temperament of a Long Haired Weimaraner? 

Long-haired Weimaraners, like their more common short-haired variants, are playful and smart. As we’ve said, they require a lot of movement throughout the day. So, if you get this breed, plan on several walks a day, and having a large yard or area for them to run is beneficial. 

The good news is that Weimaraners are smart and usually easy to train. They are protective and loyal to their owners, but with some practice, they warm up to strangers and other dogs. Even though they’re large dogs, they do great with children and are affectionate.

Are Long Haired Weimaraners High Maintenance?

Weimaraners, including long-haired ones, sometimes get a bad rap for being high maintenance. Well, it depends on which way you look at it. But the bottom line is that if your lifestyle and schedule fit with a Weimaraner’s needs, they can be relatively low maintenance. 

So, let’s look at some of the breed’s characteristics that can help you determine if it’s right for you.

Separation Anxiety

Weimaraners can struggle with separation anxiety due to their loyalty and connectedness with their owners. They often hate to be left alone. However, remember, they’re very trainable, and separation anxiety is a training issue. 

It’s possible to lessen your dog’s anxiety with proper training. You can find training videos and advice online. Or asking for help for a professional is a great option.

Require Tons of Exercise

A long-haired Weimaraner is a high-energy dog. And the best way to release all that energy is with exercise. If you don’t have time in your schedule to be active with your dog on a daily basis, this breed may not be for you.

Walks are crucial to keeping Weimaraners happy. Even better, they would love to run through a field or backyard. Or if you can find an agility course, they can show off their skills. These strong dogs are workhorses and prefer to play for long periods of time.

Aggressive Chewers

Weimaraners are large dogs with a lot of energy, which can lead to aggressive chewing. Unfortunately, they’re even known to chew and sometimes swallow rocks. It can not only damage their teeth but could be fatal if not addressed right away. 

It’s important to keep an eye on this breed when outdoors and away from rocks. Training can help, especially when started at a young age.

Compatibility With Cats and Other Small Pets

Remember, this breed was developed for hunting. This means that when they see a small animal, their instinct is to chase it. Unless brought up with cats and other small pets like rabbits or guinea pigs as puppies, Weimaraners may have a hard time distinguishing between a small pet and prey.

Smart and Can Be Strong-Willed

Weimaraners are the twenty-fifth smartest dog breed in the world for obedience and working intelligence. But they also know what they want. Their strong will can come across as high maintenance. 

Again, they’re a breed that’s adaptable and willing to learn, so you’ll be able to correct issues with proper training. 

How Much is a Long Haired Weimaraner?

The average cost of the rare long-haired Weimaraner in North America is between $1,500 to $3,000. Prices do vary depending on the age of the dog, the breeder, and other factors. Since the long-haired variation of the breed can be difficult to find, the cost is significant. You may also find you’re on a long waiting list for a puppy.

Where Can I Find Long Haired Weimaraners For Adoption?

If you’re extremely lucky, you may find one of these diamonds-in-the-rough at a shelter. There are several Weimaraner breed-specific rescues throughout the nation you can also look into who occasionally have long-haired Weims searching for new homes. We recommend checking out For example, Northern California Weimaraner Rescue, Weimaraner Rescue of Texas, Weimaraner Rescue of the South, and Great Lakes Weimaraner Rescue.

You can also do an online search for rescues near you. We also recommend checking out our guide to the best dog adoption websites. You’ll find various breeds that need adopting as well as foster programs.

Keep Your Eyes Peels for the Rare Long Haired Weimaraner

Seeing a long-haired Weimaraner will be a treat! Keep your eyes peeled for one. If you do have the privilege of meeting one, a selfie may be in order. Please tag @petrics.pets, as we’d love to see more of the long-haired Weims out there!

Weimaraners make great family pets. As long as you’re prepared to provide them with lots of daily exercises, their intelligence and loyalty will likely win over your heart quickly. 

Have you spotted a long-haired Weimaraner? Let us know in the comments!