 |
Weimardale |
|
He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Germany <> Great Britain -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Weimardale |
| The Weimardale is a hybrid dog. Its parent breeds are the Weimaraner and the Airedale Terrier. Courageous and intelligent, the Weimardale is a born hunter. It's an excellent dog for novice owners, and also perfect for families with children. He's not really suited to apartment living; he's happiest in a house with a fenced-in garden to play in. He's prone to chewing and digging, two natural Terrier habits. He may need moderate grooming to keep his coat clean and healthy. Overall, he's a wonderful addition to any family, and is happiest when participating in family activities. |
History of the Weimardale |
| The Weimardale is a rare hybrid dog, and relatively little is known about its development. To better understand this dog's history, it's important to study the origins of its parent breeds. |
A little of the Weimaraner |
||
| The dog we know as the Weimaraner Pointer was developed in the 19th century in the Weimar region of Germany. The Weimar Pointer was an extremely intelligent and agile bloodhound. It normally stayed close to its human hunting partner and remained a faithful companion even when not hunting. In 1897, an exclusive club was founded by Weimaraner Pointer owners; it is said that no one could own a Weimar Pointer without being a member of this club. In 1929, an American hunting enthusiast, Howard Knight, became a member of the Weimaraner Owners' Club and bought two Weimaraners, which he brought back to America with him. The Weimaraner Club of America was founded in 1942. The Weimaraner is also a presidential dog. President Eisenhower brought a Weimaraner to the White House for the duration of his stay. | ||
 |
||
| Standard of the Weimaraner |
A little of the Airedale Terrier |
| The Airedale Terrier is the result of crossing a black and tan wire-haired Terrier with an Otterhound. The aim of this cross was to obtain a dog capable of hunting rats and mice on land, but also of hunting otters in nearby rivers. The result was a dog that could swim and smell game both on land and in the water. At the time, the dog was known as the Waterside Terrier or Bingley Terrier. In 1879, a group of breeders got together and decided to change the dog's name to Airedale Terrier, in tribute to the Aire Valley where the Terrier was first developed. The Airedale Terrier was a popular show dog for a number of years, and became popular in England. During the First World War, the Airedale Terrier served as a Red Cross dog, messenger, scout and in many other capacities. Although we don't know exactly how the Airedale Terrier was introduced to America, we do know that it was immensely popular. Presidents T. Roosevelt, Harding and Coolidge all owned Airedale Terriers. |
 |
| Standard of the Airedale Terrier |
Appearance of the Weimardale |
| The Weimardale is a large dog. They weigh around 27 kilos when fully grown. It measures nearly 61 centimeters at the shoulder. Of course, its exact size is determined by the breeds of its parents and the genetics of the dominant parent. They come in a variety of colors. He can be fawn with the black back characteristic of the Airedale. It can be gray, silver, black, fawn or brindle. The coat is likely to be medium-length and wavy. It may or may not be coarse. It may have the characteristic beard of the Airedale's parent breed. His ears are likely to be floppy and need a little extra care. The tail is probably of medium length and slightly curved at the tip. His muzzle is probably elongated and his nose black. It may have feathers on its legs, particularly on the lower half of the paws. |
Temperament of the Weimardale |
| The Weimardale is a very intelligent and courageous dog. It is good with all members of the family, but is particularly good with children. Some owners report that the Weimardale is very protective of young children. Weimardales don't like to be alone, and are happiest when surrounded by their loving family. If his family is away for long hours, he may be prone to separation anxiety. This means his tendency to chew or dig can cause him problems. For this problem, you can kennel train him. Get him used to the kennel, place some of his favorite toys inside the kennel and he'll begin to understand that the kennel is a safe place that belongs exclusively to him. He gets on well with other dogs, but you'll need to socialize him early on to other types of pets. He's ideal for all types of owners, including first-time dog owners. |
Needs and activities of the Weimardale |
| The Weimardale is a moderately active dog. He'll need half an hour to forty-five minutes of playtime a day to keep him happy and healthy. He'll enjoy outings to the dog park, and will certainly appreciate interaction with other dogs. He'll also be happy to accompany you on brisk walks around the neighborhood. The Weimardale is a great swimmer, and will gladly jump into the water with you. Don't forget, however, that it's a hunter at heart. A Weimardale should never be left outside unsupervised. He needs a fenced-in area to play outside. Although an electric fence can keep the Weimardale in its garden, this fence won't prevent foreign dogs from entering this hybrid's territory. Your Weimardale will be happy to snuggle up to you at the end of the day. |
Maintenance of the Weimardale |
| The Weimardale doesn't require much maintenance. However, as it's a large dog, it's a good idea to start a grooming regime with it from an early age, so it knows what to expect at grooming time. Brush him weekly to remove dead hairs and dander. However, he doesn't shed very often. Brush his teeth two or three times a week to prevent tartar build-up and bad breath. If you want to avoid cavities and tooth loss, brush his teeth every day. Trim his nails every two weeks, unless he wears them out on his own. Long nails are more likely to tear and crack, which can be painful for your dog. |
English (United Kingdom) 
Comments