Weimaraner

Nineteenth-century noblemen at the court of Grand Duke Karl August in Weimar developed the breed to track and hold deer, boar and even bear, prizing its keen nose, boldness and stamina in the field. As big game became scarcer in Germany the breed's role shifted toward smaller quarry and general bird work, and its versatility as a pointer, retriever and all-round gundog kept it in demand long after its original purpose faded. Ownership was tightly controlled by the German Weimaraner Club for decades, with export restricted to protect the breed's working quality.

Living with a Weimaraner means committing to serious daily exercise; this is a breed built for a full day's hunting and it becomes destructive and anxious without enough physical and mental outlet. It is intensely bonded to its family, sometimes to the point of separation anxiety, and it is intelligent enough to be trained to a high standard by an owner willing to put in consistent, structured work. Its short, sleek coat is easy to maintain but offers little insulation, so it feels the cold and is not an outdoor dog in a British winter. Its striking pale eyes and silver coat, sometimes called the Grey Ghost, have made it as popular in the show ring and as a family companion as in the shooting field.

Today the Weimaraner is a genuinely dual-purpose breed, still worked by shooting enthusiasts and kept by families able to meet its considerable exercise needs, though it is a poor match for anyone wanting a low-energy, easily left-alone dog.