WHAT IS TEMPERAMENT?
Temperament is the inherited predisposition for a dog to react socially and to the environment in a given manner. It is determined
by a combination of inherited behavioral traits and early life experiences. Temperament is firmly established by the age of 3
months and remains relatively constant throughout the life of the dog. Some indicators of a pup's final temperament can be tested
for at 7 weeks of age by a puppy aptitude test (PAT) along with observation other personality tests. The predispositions that a pup
inherits will determine what its aptitudes will be - which types of work and activities it is likely to succeed at and to enjoy doing,
and how sociable and trainable it is likely to be. Of course, appropriate socialization, exposure and training will be required to bring
these natural abilities to fruition.
Some of the inherited traits that make up canine temperament are common to all breeds. These include the tendency to: - be more
or less sensitive to environmental stimulation (hyper or lethargic) - react more actively ('fight') or passively ('freeze' or 'flee') when
threatened - be more or less socially dominant or submissive to authority - be more or less independent or sociable
In order for a dog to be able to cohabit and thrive in the company of people and dogs, a dog must have a 'sound' (also referred to
as 'stable') temperament, that is - not displaying any of the above characteristics in the extreme and having a nature which allows
it to behave safely and predictably in the company of people and other dogs. Other of the inherited traits which make up canine
temperament do not exist in all breeds, but have been selectively bred to serve the breed's working purpose.
The Weimaraner was developed to be a multi-purpose gun dog for: - hunting small furred game and upland birds, - pointing upland
birds, - retrieving upland birds, waterfowl and small furred game, - trailing live running or wounded birds or game and, - protecting
the owner. Producing dogs that are capable of handling this varied workload required selective breeding to produce dogs with
strong hunting, pointing, retrieving, trailing and protective instincts. In order for a Weimaraner to be useful and trainable for its
working purpose, it must have a 'correct' temperament, that is - displaying all of these instincts, as well as a 'sound' base
temperament. A tall order to fill!
OPTIMAL WEIMARANER TEMPERAMENT
A Weimaraner should have both a sound temperament, and the correct temperament for the breed. A Weimaraner with a sound
base temperament is both adaptable and trainable. The job that Weimaraners were originally bred for determines where on the
continuum of each of the four traits common to all breeds their temperament should lie.
1. Excitablitity vs Inhibitability This refers to the inherited tendency to make a dog more or less responsive to external stimuli such
as novel sounds, sights, smells, and touch. A dog that reacts actively, with gusto and limited self-control, to touch or novel sights,
smells, and sounds is very excitable. A dog that ignores such stimuli is inhibited and a dog that responds with a startle and
withdrawal from such stimuli is very inhibited. This type of dog may be referred to as 'touch-sensitive', 'sight-sensitive' or
'sound-sensitive'. A balance between the two extremes produces a poised, calm, assured dog. In the inherited tendency to be
excitable or inhibited a Weimaraner should be midway between the two; alert, bold, and confident in its environment without being
shy, hyper, or skittish.
2. Active Defense Reflexes vs Passive Defense Reflexes This refers to the inherited tendency to make a dog react, when
personally threatened, by either fighting back, freezing, or fleeing. A dog that readily fights back when threatened by biting has very
active defense reflexes. A dog that flees or freezes and will only bite when cornered or in other instances of extreme duress has
very passive defense reflexes. In the inherited tendency to display more active or more passive defense reflexes a Weimaraner
should have relatively passive defense reflexes - it should handle game with a soft mouth and should require strong provocation in
order to overcome its inhibition to bite.
3. Dominance vs Submissiveness This refers to the inherited tendency of a dog to attempt to have authority over members of its
'pack' or to willingly sumit to the leadership of others. A dog that displays a lot of mounting, mouthing, marking, and posturing
behaviours to people or other dogs is strongly dominant. A dog that willingly cedes authority to other dogs and people by nudging,
pawing, rolling over or other pacifying behaviours, is strongly submissive. In the inherited tendency to be more dominant or more
submissive, a Weimaraner should be midway in between, it should not constantly challenge the authority of people or dogs senior
in age to it.
4. Independence vs Social Attraction This refers to the tendency of a dog to keep a greater social distance from people or dogs, or
to desire a closer contact and more frequent interaction with them. This is often also referred to as 'pack drive'. In the inherited
tendency to be more independent or more sociable, a Weimaraner should be midway in between the two, it should not be so
sociable that it is unable to work away from people or other dogs yet it should desire it's masters approval and guidance.
A Weimaraner with the correct temperament for its breed is useful for the purposes for which this breed was developed and will
show strong evidence of all of the following characteristics from puppyhood:
Hunting instinct - the inborn tendency for a dog to range out away from their owner to explore their environment. In any new or
natural environment a Weimaraner's curiosity and nose should lead them into the unknown without requiring game to hunt, toys,
or another dog to draw it out.
Pointing instinct - the inborn tendency for a dog to 'freeze' on the scent and/or sight of game. Expression of this trait does not
necessarily require exposure to birds or other game - puppies will often point plastic bags fluttering by, songbirds, or cats.
Retrieving instinct - the inborn tendency for a dog to bring tossed or found objects and game back to their owner. It must be noted
that a good retrieving instinct includes BOTH the desire to hold and carry objects and/or game, AND the desire to deliver them
voluntarily to their owner.
Trailing instinct - the inborn tendency to follow a human or animal track with nose to the ground. In Weimaraners, trailing of furred
game is often accompanied by 'giving voice' when on the trail.
Protective instinct - the inborn tendency to protect their owner, his or her family and their possessions. This trait is generally not
apparent until later puppyhood, and Weimaraners, while never aggressive, should show good judgment to bark or bite in those
situations which warrant protection.
BREEDING TO THE STANDARD FOR WEIMARANER TEMPERAMENT
Just as a Weimaraner ideally has the 'look' which conforms to the breed conformation standard, so too should it 'act' with a sound
and correct temperament which will allow it to be adaptable and trainable and to excel in the purposes for which the breed has
been developed. The temperament qualities referred to in the breed standard required for a conformation and field championship
are: bold, confident, fearless, independent, alert, keen, intelligent, obedient, friendly, kind, protective. Viciousness, strong fear,
shyness, and nervousness are listed as severe faults.
Until the relatively recently, temperament was the deciding factor in determining which dogs would be bred. For example,
Weimaraners which had keen noses, ran fast, hunted hard, took direction well, pointed staunchly, got along well with people and
other dogs, and were healthy, were the ones which were most useful in putting food on the table and therefore were bred.
Unfortunately, in recent years, many breeders have placed much more emphasis on the physical appearance of their dogs and
much less emphasis on temperament in selecting breeding stock. Most breeders do not fully assess temperament in their
breeding stock, and some do not assess it at all. The result? A deterioration in temperament, with far too many cases of
'lawn-ornament' Weimaraners, who may have the chest depth, front and rear angulation, topline, foot structure and size which, as
it says in the breed standard, 'above all...indicate the ability to work hard in the field', but which do not hunt, point, trail, or retrieve,
or are too hyper, too skittish, too dominant, or too submissive to be trainable, or which lack the boldness and independence
essential for usefulness in the field.
A Weimaraner that lacks either a sound temperament or a correct temperament for the breed is no different than a dog which
fails to meet the breed standard by having severe cowhocks, a roached back, or being grossly oversized, dysplastic, or missing
teeth. A Weimaraner with both a sound temperament and a correct temperament for the breed is a pleasure to live with, easy to
train, and a useful hunting partner. If the goal of a breeder is, as it should be, "improvement of the breed", temperament
characteristics should be given equal weight with both conformation characteristics and health characteristics, in planning a
breeding.
Temperament is the inherited predisposition for a dog to react socially and to the environment in a given manner. It is determined
by a combination of inherited behavioral traits and early life experiences. Temperament is firmly established by the age of 3
months and remains relatively constant throughout the life of the dog. Some indicators of a pup's final temperament can be tested
for at 7 weeks of age by a puppy aptitude test (PAT) along with observation other personality tests. The predispositions that a pup
inherits will determine what its aptitudes will be - which types of work and activities it is likely to succeed at and to enjoy doing,
and how sociable and trainable it is likely to be. Of course, appropriate socialization, exposure and training will be required to bring
these natural abilities to fruition.
Some of the inherited traits that make up canine temperament are common to all breeds. These include the tendency to: - be more
or less sensitive to environmental stimulation (hyper or lethargic) - react more actively ('fight') or passively ('freeze' or 'flee') when
threatened - be more or less socially dominant or submissive to authority - be more or less independent or sociable
In order for a dog to be able to cohabit and thrive in the company of people and dogs, a dog must have a 'sound' (also referred to
as 'stable') temperament, that is - not displaying any of the above characteristics in the extreme and having a nature which allows
it to behave safely and predictably in the company of people and other dogs. Other of the inherited traits which make up canine
temperament do not exist in all breeds, but have been selectively bred to serve the breed's working purpose.
The Weimaraner was developed to be a multi-purpose gun dog for: - hunting small furred game and upland birds, - pointing upland
birds, - retrieving upland birds, waterfowl and small furred game, - trailing live running or wounded birds or game and, - protecting
the owner. Producing dogs that are capable of handling this varied workload required selective breeding to produce dogs with
strong hunting, pointing, retrieving, trailing and protective instincts. In order for a Weimaraner to be useful and trainable for its
working purpose, it must have a 'correct' temperament, that is - displaying all of these instincts, as well as a 'sound' base
temperament. A tall order to fill!
OPTIMAL WEIMARANER TEMPERAMENT
A Weimaraner should have both a sound temperament, and the correct temperament for the breed. A Weimaraner with a sound
base temperament is both adaptable and trainable. The job that Weimaraners were originally bred for determines where on the
continuum of each of the four traits common to all breeds their temperament should lie.
1. Excitablitity vs Inhibitability This refers to the inherited tendency to make a dog more or less responsive to external stimuli such
as novel sounds, sights, smells, and touch. A dog that reacts actively, with gusto and limited self-control, to touch or novel sights,
smells, and sounds is very excitable. A dog that ignores such stimuli is inhibited and a dog that responds with a startle and
withdrawal from such stimuli is very inhibited. This type of dog may be referred to as 'touch-sensitive', 'sight-sensitive' or
'sound-sensitive'. A balance between the two extremes produces a poised, calm, assured dog. In the inherited tendency to be
excitable or inhibited a Weimaraner should be midway between the two; alert, bold, and confident in its environment without being
shy, hyper, or skittish.
2. Active Defense Reflexes vs Passive Defense Reflexes This refers to the inherited tendency to make a dog react, when
personally threatened, by either fighting back, freezing, or fleeing. A dog that readily fights back when threatened by biting has very
active defense reflexes. A dog that flees or freezes and will only bite when cornered or in other instances of extreme duress has
very passive defense reflexes. In the inherited tendency to display more active or more passive defense reflexes a Weimaraner
should have relatively passive defense reflexes - it should handle game with a soft mouth and should require strong provocation in
order to overcome its inhibition to bite.
3. Dominance vs Submissiveness This refers to the inherited tendency of a dog to attempt to have authority over members of its
'pack' or to willingly sumit to the leadership of others. A dog that displays a lot of mounting, mouthing, marking, and posturing
behaviours to people or other dogs is strongly dominant. A dog that willingly cedes authority to other dogs and people by nudging,
pawing, rolling over or other pacifying behaviours, is strongly submissive. In the inherited tendency to be more dominant or more
submissive, a Weimaraner should be midway in between, it should not constantly challenge the authority of people or dogs senior
in age to it.
4. Independence vs Social Attraction This refers to the tendency of a dog to keep a greater social distance from people or dogs, or
to desire a closer contact and more frequent interaction with them. This is often also referred to as 'pack drive'. In the inherited
tendency to be more independent or more sociable, a Weimaraner should be midway in between the two, it should not be so
sociable that it is unable to work away from people or other dogs yet it should desire it's masters approval and guidance.
A Weimaraner with the correct temperament for its breed is useful for the purposes for which this breed was developed and will
show strong evidence of all of the following characteristics from puppyhood:
Hunting instinct - the inborn tendency for a dog to range out away from their owner to explore their environment. In any new or
natural environment a Weimaraner's curiosity and nose should lead them into the unknown without requiring game to hunt, toys,
or another dog to draw it out.
Pointing instinct - the inborn tendency for a dog to 'freeze' on the scent and/or sight of game. Expression of this trait does not
necessarily require exposure to birds or other game - puppies will often point plastic bags fluttering by, songbirds, or cats.
Retrieving instinct - the inborn tendency for a dog to bring tossed or found objects and game back to their owner. It must be noted
that a good retrieving instinct includes BOTH the desire to hold and carry objects and/or game, AND the desire to deliver them
voluntarily to their owner.
Trailing instinct - the inborn tendency to follow a human or animal track with nose to the ground. In Weimaraners, trailing of furred
game is often accompanied by 'giving voice' when on the trail.
Protective instinct - the inborn tendency to protect their owner, his or her family and their possessions. This trait is generally not
apparent until later puppyhood, and Weimaraners, while never aggressive, should show good judgment to bark or bite in those
situations which warrant protection.
BREEDING TO THE STANDARD FOR WEIMARANER TEMPERAMENT
Just as a Weimaraner ideally has the 'look' which conforms to the breed conformation standard, so too should it 'act' with a sound
and correct temperament which will allow it to be adaptable and trainable and to excel in the purposes for which the breed has
been developed. The temperament qualities referred to in the breed standard required for a conformation and field championship
are: bold, confident, fearless, independent, alert, keen, intelligent, obedient, friendly, kind, protective. Viciousness, strong fear,
shyness, and nervousness are listed as severe faults.
Until the relatively recently, temperament was the deciding factor in determining which dogs would be bred. For example,
Weimaraners which had keen noses, ran fast, hunted hard, took direction well, pointed staunchly, got along well with people and
other dogs, and were healthy, were the ones which were most useful in putting food on the table and therefore were bred.
Unfortunately, in recent years, many breeders have placed much more emphasis on the physical appearance of their dogs and
much less emphasis on temperament in selecting breeding stock. Most breeders do not fully assess temperament in their
breeding stock, and some do not assess it at all. The result? A deterioration in temperament, with far too many cases of
'lawn-ornament' Weimaraners, who may have the chest depth, front and rear angulation, topline, foot structure and size which, as
it says in the breed standard, 'above all...indicate the ability to work hard in the field', but which do not hunt, point, trail, or retrieve,
or are too hyper, too skittish, too dominant, or too submissive to be trainable, or which lack the boldness and independence
essential for usefulness in the field.
A Weimaraner that lacks either a sound temperament or a correct temperament for the breed is no different than a dog which
fails to meet the breed standard by having severe cowhocks, a roached back, or being grossly oversized, dysplastic, or missing
teeth. A Weimaraner with both a sound temperament and a correct temperament for the breed is a pleasure to live with, easy to
train, and a useful hunting partner. If the goal of a breeder is, as it should be, "improvement of the breed", temperament
characteristics should be given equal weight with both conformation characteristics and health characteristics, in planning a
breeding.
AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB BREED STANDARD
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
A medium-sized grey dog, with fine aristocratic features. He should present a picture of grace, speed, stamina, alertness and
balance. Above all, the dog's conformation must indicate the ability to work with great speed and endurance in the field.
HEIGHT:
Height at withers - dogs, 25-27 inches; bitches, 23-25 inches. One inch over or under the specified height of each sex is allowable
but should be penalized. Dogs measuring less than 24 inches or more than 28 inches and bitches measuring less than 22 inches
or more than 26 inches shall be disqualified.
HEAD:
Moderately long and aristocratic, with moderate stop and slight median line extending back over the forehead. Rather prominent
occipital bone and trumpets set well back, beginning at the back of the eye sockets. Measurement from tip of nose to stop to
equal that from stop to occipital bone. The flews should be straight, delicate at the nostrils. Skin tightly drawn. Neck clean-cut and
moderately long. Expression kind, keen and intelligent. Ears long and lobular, slightly folded and set high. The ear when drawn
snugly alongside the jaw should end approximately 2 inches from the point of the nose. Eyes in shades of light amber, grey, or
blue-grey, set well enough apart to indicate good disposition and intelligence. When dilated under excitement the eyes may appear
almost black. Teeth well-set, strong and even; well developed and proportionate to jaw with correct scissors bite, the upper teeth
protruding slightly over the lower teeth but not more than 1/16 inch. Complete dentition is greatly to be desired. Nose grey. Lips
and gums pinkish flesh shades.
BODY:
The back should be moderate in length, set in straight line, strong, and should slope slightly from the withers. The chest should be
well developed and deep with shoulders well laid back. Ribs well sprung and long. Abdomen firmly held; moderately tucked up
flank. The brisket should extend to the elbow.
COAT AND COLOUR:
Short, smooth, and sleek, solid color, in shades of mouse-grey to silver-grey, usually blending to a lighter shade on the head and
ears. A small white marking on the chest is permitted, but should be penalized on any other part of the body. White spots that have
resulted from injuries shall not be penalized. A distinctly long coat is a disqualification. A distinctly blue or black coat is a
disqualification.
FORELEGS:
Straight and strong, with the measurement from the elbow to the ground approximately equaling the distance from the elbow to
the top of the withers.
HINDQUARTERS:
Well-angulated stifles and straight hocks. Musculation well developed.
FEET:
Firm and compact, webbed, toes well arched, pads closed and thick, nails short and grey or amber in colour. Dewclaws should be
removed.
TAIL:
Docked. At maturity it should measure approximately 6 inches (25cm) with a tendency to be light rather than heavy and should be
carried in a manner expressing confidence and sound temperament. A non-docked tail should be penalized.
GAIT:
The gait should be effortless, ground-covering and should indicate smooth coordination. When seen from the rear, the hind feet
should parallel the front feet. When viewed from the side, the topline should remain strong and level.
TEMPERAMENT:
The temperament should be friendly, fearless, alert and obedient.
MINOR FAULTS:
Tail too short or too long. Pink nose.
MAJOR FAULTS:
Doggy bitches. Bitchy dogs. Improper muscular condition. Badly affected teeth. More than four missing teeth. Back too long or too
short. Faulty coat. Neck too short, thick, or throaty. Low tail set. Elbows in or out; feet east and west. Poor gait. Poor feet.
Cowhocks. Faulty back, either roach or sway. Badly overshot or undershot jaw. Snipy muzzle. Short ears.
VERY SERIOUS FAULTS:
White, other than a spot on the chest. Eyes any other colour than grey, blue-grey or light amber. Black, mottled mouth.
Non-docked tail. Dogs exhibiting strong fear, shyness or extreme nervousness.
DISQUALIFICATIONS:
Deviation in height of more than one inch from the standard either way. A distinctly long coat. A distinctly blue or black coat.
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
A medium-sized grey dog, with fine aristocratic features. He should present a picture of grace, speed, stamina, alertness and
balance. Above all, the dog's conformation must indicate the ability to work with great speed and endurance in the field.
HEIGHT:
Height at withers - dogs, 25-27 inches; bitches, 23-25 inches. One inch over or under the specified height of each sex is allowable
but should be penalized. Dogs measuring less than 24 inches or more than 28 inches and bitches measuring less than 22 inches
or more than 26 inches shall be disqualified.
HEAD:
Moderately long and aristocratic, with moderate stop and slight median line extending back over the forehead. Rather prominent
occipital bone and trumpets set well back, beginning at the back of the eye sockets. Measurement from tip of nose to stop to
equal that from stop to occipital bone. The flews should be straight, delicate at the nostrils. Skin tightly drawn. Neck clean-cut and
moderately long. Expression kind, keen and intelligent. Ears long and lobular, slightly folded and set high. The ear when drawn
snugly alongside the jaw should end approximately 2 inches from the point of the nose. Eyes in shades of light amber, grey, or
blue-grey, set well enough apart to indicate good disposition and intelligence. When dilated under excitement the eyes may appear
almost black. Teeth well-set, strong and even; well developed and proportionate to jaw with correct scissors bite, the upper teeth
protruding slightly over the lower teeth but not more than 1/16 inch. Complete dentition is greatly to be desired. Nose grey. Lips
and gums pinkish flesh shades.
BODY:
The back should be moderate in length, set in straight line, strong, and should slope slightly from the withers. The chest should be
well developed and deep with shoulders well laid back. Ribs well sprung and long. Abdomen firmly held; moderately tucked up
flank. The brisket should extend to the elbow.
COAT AND COLOUR:
Short, smooth, and sleek, solid color, in shades of mouse-grey to silver-grey, usually blending to a lighter shade on the head and
ears. A small white marking on the chest is permitted, but should be penalized on any other part of the body. White spots that have
resulted from injuries shall not be penalized. A distinctly long coat is a disqualification. A distinctly blue or black coat is a
disqualification.
FORELEGS:
Straight and strong, with the measurement from the elbow to the ground approximately equaling the distance from the elbow to
the top of the withers.
HINDQUARTERS:
Well-angulated stifles and straight hocks. Musculation well developed.
FEET:
Firm and compact, webbed, toes well arched, pads closed and thick, nails short and grey or amber in colour. Dewclaws should be
removed.
TAIL:
Docked. At maturity it should measure approximately 6 inches (25cm) with a tendency to be light rather than heavy and should be
carried in a manner expressing confidence and sound temperament. A non-docked tail should be penalized.
GAIT:
The gait should be effortless, ground-covering and should indicate smooth coordination. When seen from the rear, the hind feet
should parallel the front feet. When viewed from the side, the topline should remain strong and level.
TEMPERAMENT:
The temperament should be friendly, fearless, alert and obedient.
MINOR FAULTS:
Tail too short or too long. Pink nose.
MAJOR FAULTS:
Doggy bitches. Bitchy dogs. Improper muscular condition. Badly affected teeth. More than four missing teeth. Back too long or too
short. Faulty coat. Neck too short, thick, or throaty. Low tail set. Elbows in or out; feet east and west. Poor gait. Poor feet.
Cowhocks. Faulty back, either roach or sway. Badly overshot or undershot jaw. Snipy muzzle. Short ears.
VERY SERIOUS FAULTS:
White, other than a spot on the chest. Eyes any other colour than grey, blue-grey or light amber. Black, mottled mouth.
Non-docked tail. Dogs exhibiting strong fear, shyness or extreme nervousness.
DISQUALIFICATIONS:
Deviation in height of more than one inch from the standard either way. A distinctly long coat. A distinctly blue or black coat.
WEIMARANER STANDARD & TEMPERMENT
