Poodles are a popular breed for creating designer dogs, and this has become all the more true in the last few decades, and the Weimardoodle is one of them. A mix of the Weimaraner and Poodle, this dog’s gentle and loving character comes from the best traits of both parent breeds.
Height:
20–27 inches
Weight:
45–70 pounds
Lifespan:
10–13 years
Colors:
Brown, red, apricot, white, black and white
Suitable for:
Active singles or couples, families with children
Temperament:
Affectionate, active, loyal
This breed is more suited to active families, as both parents are known for being high-energy pooches. They’re also great for owners looking for low-shedding dogs, as the Poodle heritage typically means the Weimardoodle will likely have the same or similar trait. While they are also known for being somewhat protective of their families, they are usually great with children and other pets.
Weimardoodle Characteristics
Weimardoodle Puppies
Finding a Weimardoodle puppy can be tricky, as this mixed breed is rarely purposely bred. That said, you can look online in classifieds, or, even better, check out your local shelter. Poodle hybrids are becoming more and more popular, so your chances are fairly good.
If you decide to go the breeder route, make sure the person is reputable. If attention is not carefully paid to the parent’s breeding lines, there is a chance of inherited diseases being an issue. Be sure to ask for the health information of the parents, and if possible, go and visit the parents and puppies to get a good gauge of their health and personality.
Weimardoodle Origin & History
Since this is a relatively uncommon and new breed, there is not much history known about it. However, there is plenty of information around on both the Poodle and Weimaraner.
The Poodle is thought to have originated in Germany as a duck-hunting dog, and the Weimaraner was also developed in Germany as a hunting dog, although used more for tracking bears, boar, and other large game in densely forested areas.
Image Credit: Left: Tosha174, Shutterstock . Right: Richard Chaff, Shutterstock
Temperament & Intelligence of the Weimardoodle
Typically, Weimardoodles inherit many of the most desirable traits of their parent breeds. This makes them active, loyal, and affectionate dogs. They love to be around their family, and since they have hunting origins, need a fair bit of regular activity to keep them happy. They are also excellent watchdogs as they are alert, perceptive dogs that will quickly alert you to any strangers nearby.
These dogs also need a fair bit of attention and will certainly not do well with being left alone for extended periods. With their hunting history, they are also typically highly intelligent and thus not too much of a challenge to train.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🧑🧑🧒
Yes! These dogs are great for families as they love attention, love playing, and love being around their humans. That said, they can be energetic and boisterous at times, and since they are by no means small dogs, they may be a bit much for very young children.
If you have young toddlers, it’s a good idea to be careful when your Weimardoodle is close by. In fact, no matter how old your child is, it’s best to carefully supervise any play sessions.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
When raised with other dogs from a young age, these dogs typically get along great with other pets and are not known for being aggressive in any way. Of course, with the hunting heritage in their genes, they may view smaller pets as prey, so it’s best to keep small pets such as hamsters far out of reach.
With the correct socialization and training, these dogs typically get along very well and will benefit from having other dogs around. Cats shouldn’t be an issue if, again, they are socialized properly.
Things to Know When Owning a Weimardoodle:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Weimardoodles don’t have any special or unique dietary requirements. That said, they are somewhat active dogs, and so should be fed accordingly. High-quality, age-appropriate kibble, wet, or fresh food is ideal. If you’re going with kibble, they will typically need 2–3 cups per day depending on their weight, divided into two or three meals.
Of course, always make sure that fresh, clean water is available at all times.
Exercise 🐕
These dogs are fairly energetic, but only need around 60–90 minutes of exercise per day. We’d recommend a brisk walk or jog every day, followed by an interactive training or play session in the yard. These dogs will love playing games such as frisbee or fetch, and even swimming can be great exercise for your pooch.
Training 🎾
Since these dogs are both intelligent and highly eager to please their owners, they are typically a breeze to train. We recommend positive reinforcement techniques during training, as harsh reprimands or punishment will only frighten your dog and jeopardize your close relationship. Use both treats and vocal praise while training and ignore any negative behavior while praising good behavior. With their hunting genes, they may be somewhat stubborn and independent at times, but with patience and consistency, basic training should go fairly smoothly.
It’s important to remember that dogs need mental stimulation too. Play and training are a great way to keep your pooch mentally stimulated, and training is best done after a long walk or run as they will have burnt off some energy.
Grooming ✂️
The Weimardoodle’s parents have very different coats, so the grooming requirements will vary depending on which parent they predominantly inherit their coat from. If your pooch inherits the Poodle’s curly, longer coat, they will need daily brushing and occasional trimming to avoid any matting. Weimaraners have short, low-shedding coats, so are much less grooming-intensive.
Either way, your Weimardoodle should have a low-shedding coat, so you won’t have to worry much in terms of having hair all over your home.
Additionally, make sure you keep a close eye on your dog’s ears and keep them dry and clean to prevent infections. Also, brush their teeth every few days to prevent dental disease, and clip their nails every month or so or as required.
Health and Conditions 🏥
As a hybrid breed, these dogs are typically healthy and don’t suffer from any major issues. That said, they can inherit some of the issues of their parent breeds, as well as common health issues that many dog breeds suffer from. It’s important to feed your dog the healthiest diet possible and make sure they get regular exercise, required vaccinations, and annual vet checkups.
Minor Conditions
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Luxating Patella
Von Willebrand Disease
Hip Dysplasia
Serious Conditions
Skin Issues
Entropion
Thyroid Issues
Male vs Female
In general, there are very few differences between male and female Weimardoodles, both physically and in personality. If your dog is not spayed or neutered, there may be some territorial tendencies in males, and females can be somewhat independent at times. Males may also be a bit larger than females, but this is not always the case.
It’s important to remember that your dog’s personality is far more influenced by their upbringing and environment than by their sex. Therefore, when deciding to bring one of these dogs home, you should base your decision on the personality of the dog you meet, rather than their sex.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Weimardoodle
1. They come in varying sizes.
Depending on the size of the Poodle your Weimardoodle is bred from, these dogs come in varying sizes. Poodles come in toy, miniature, and standard sizes, but Poodle mixes are typically bred using standard Poodles.
2. They are fast!
Both the Poodle and Weimaraner are known as fast dogs, and thus your Weimardoodle is likely to be a fast dog too. Weimaraners can run between 30 and 35 miles per hour, and Poodles can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.
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3. They have amazing scenting abilities.
Weimaraners are naturals when it comes to scenting. They have long been used for tracking and sniffing out game and excel when it comes to tracking events. Poodles are no slouch either and are known for their excellent noses in hunting and tracking. With these traits in the parent breeds, your Weimardoodle should have similar scenting talents!
Final Thoughts
Weimardoodles are great dogs, whether you have a family or are looking for a running partner to exercise with. They are fairly easy to train, suffer from very few health issues, and are low-shedding dogs that are easy to care for. This makes them ideal for novice dog owners, and they will adapt well to almost any living environment.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-care-for, affectionate, and energetic pooch, the Weimardoodle is a fantastic choice.
Featured Image Credit: Blumqvist, Shutterstock.jpg
