| Height | 25-27 inches (male), 23-25 inches (female) [1] |
|---|---|
| Weight | 70-90 pounds (male), 55-75 pounds (female) [1] |
| Life expectancy | 10–13+ years [1] |
| Temperament | Friendly / Fearless / Obedient [1] |
| AKC group | Sporting Group [1] |
| Origin | Germany [1] |
| AKC popularity (2025) | No. 54 of 202 [2] |
Traits at a glance
Scores are the AKC's 1–5 breed trait ratings. [1]
Exercise needs
Weimaraners have high exercise requirements. They need consistent exercise for their physical and mental well-being. They love a good run. [1]
Grooming
The biggest job in grooming the Weimaraner is keeping the nails short. This is important for the comfort and health of your dog and cannot be overemphasized. When nail length gets out of hand, it's difficult to get it back to a proper length. [1]
Health issues to budget for
Being a very active breed, Weimaraners get more than their share of accidental cuts, scrapes, sprains, and pulls. They love to chew, and that makes for mouth and gum injury. Be careful of them ingesting things that should not go down a dog' s throat. The most serious health issue in the breed is gastric torsion. [1]
AKC-recommended health tests for breeding dogs: Hip Evaluation, Cardiac Exam, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, Thyroid Evaluation, Spinal Dysraphism (SD) - DNA Test, Hypomyelination (HYM) - DNA Test, Hyperuricosuria (HUU) - DNA Test. [1]
Estimated costs
| Item | Estimate | Src |
|---|---|---|
| Typical vet bill for a large dog (median $640) | $308 – $1,224 | [3] |
| Emergency visit, large dog | $698 – $1,580 | [3] |
| Surgery when needed, large dog | $541 – $3,903 | [3] |
| Yearly cost of a dog, any breed (ASPCA 2021) | $1,391 | [4] |
| Average accident & illness insurance, dog (US 2025) | $836/year | [5] |
Breed-specific price data is rare. These figures are for dogs of this size or for the conditions above, not a quote for your pet.
Did you know?
- The AKC first recognized the Weimaraner in 1943. [1]
- It ranked No. 54 on the AKC's 2025 most-popular list, compared with No. 34 in 2015. [2]
- Its nickname is the “The Gray Ghost.” [1]
- The AKC lists Germany as the breed's country of origin. [1]
- The AKC breed page lists 7 recommended health screenings for breeding dogs, such as Hip Evaluation, Cardiac Exam. [1]
Good fit for
- ✅ Families with young children (AKC good-with-kids rating 5/5)
- ✅ Active owners who can give daily exercise (AKC energy 5/5)
- ✅ First-time trainers who want an eager learner (AKC trainability 5/5)
Common questions
How long do Weimaraners live?
The AKC lists a life expectancy of 10-13 years.
How big does a Weimaraner get?
AKC breed information lists height 25-27 inches (male), 23-25 inches (female) and weight 70-90 pounds (male), 55-75 pounds (female).
How much are vet bills for a Weimaraner?
Breed-specific bills are rare, so VetReceipt groups dogs by size. For large dogs like the Weimaraner, a typical vet bill runs $308 – $1,224 (median $640). The AKC notes health screening for this breed; see the cost guides linked on this page.