How Are Weimaraners With Other Dogs? (Explained!)

Similar to every other dog breed, Weimaraners need to be exposed to -people, sights, sounds, and experiences- from an early age. Socialization helps your Weimaraner puppy to grow into a friendly, active, and well-rounded dog.

But how are Weimaraners with other dogs in general? Do they get along right away or does it end up in a dog fight?

How are Weimaraners with other dogs?

Weimaraners can get along with any kind of dog breed with the right amount of supervision and proper introduction. It doesn’t mainly depend on the breed and it is more up to the individual dog’s personality. Socializing with other dogs can help their mental and physical health too.

Are Weimaraners good with other dogs?

As mentioned earlier, whether they can get along with other dogs depends more on how they are as an individual. Weimaraners should get along with other dogs but it can take some time.

Weimaraners are generally cautious of unfamiliar dogs. You might notice that your Weimaraner prefers not to approach other dogs and would rather stay with their owners and be on their own.

Some Weimaraners can be aggressive towards other animals. They can be dominant too especially towards dogs of the same sex.

This is why socialization from an early age is essential for them to get along with other dogs in the future.

Do Weimaraners get along with small dogs?

Weimaraners can get along with small dogs. But they are a jealous dog breed when it comes to the attention of their owners.

They are okay with sharing but don’t reduce your attention towards them when you get a new dog. Cuddle with both of them and take both of them out to play.

Weimaraners are known as hunting dogs and have a high prey drive too. This is why many people are afraid to introduce them to small dogs. But if you properly introduce them, all should be fine.

Furthermore, supervision is required when you take them out to play. Weimaraners are large and can easily hurt your small dog accidentally.

What dogs do Weimaraners get along with?

Weimaraners can get on well with most other dog breeds. They don’t socialize well with Akita and Chow Chow breeds.

They get on best with Bouviers, English Cocker Spaniels, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and other Weimaraners. Let’s get a more detailed view of some of the dog breeds.

Golden Retrievers:

Golden Retrievers tend to be welcoming to everyone whether they are dogs, cats, or any other animal. Hence, getting along with your Weimaraner is no big deal.

Labradors:

Similar to Weimaraners, they are hunting dogs as well. They are extremely friendly.

Bouviers:

Both Bouviers and Weimaraners have very similar characteristics. Both crave the attention of their owners and are very affectionate. But surprisingly, they can be best buds.

German Shepherds:

Both are friendly and energetic dogs that are suited for very active families. Many families keep both German Shepherds and Weimaraners in the same home.

Havanese or Miniature Poodles:

The Havanese and Miniature Poodles can be perfect companions for our Weimaraners.

Since many Weimaraners can be dominant, these small passionate and playful dogs should function well together. Havanese dogs are friendly in general to other dogs and non-canine pets.

How to introduce new dogs to your Weimaraner?

Don’t expect your Weimaraner to love the new company. They might not be best buds right away and can even be aggressive. It will take some effort and it’s okay if they just coexist.

Never introduce new dogs inside the house:

Take them for a walk instead of your home. For example, a playground or field. This is so that your Weimaraner doesn’t feel threatened over their territory.

Keep your Weimaraner in front of you and your new dog behind you. (Not side-by-side yet). First, keep them 10 feet away then slowly work your way walking closer together. After they both seem calm, allow them to sniff each other.

Let your Weimaraner welcome your new dog:

After coming home from the walk, do not take your new dog in the home first. Let your Weimaraner enter the home and wait to see if he/she welcomes the new dog or not.

Keep things slow:

Limit the time they spend together at first. Continue taking them for walks together. Your new dog will be under stress whereas your Weimaraner is still going to try to figure out why the new dog is in your territory.

Dog fights can occur during this time so keeping them separate at first is a good idea.

Divide the attention:

It’s obvious that your new dog will need more attention but don’t reduce the attention you usually give to your Weimaraner. Or else it will make them feel like you are replacing them with the new dog.

Positive Reinforcement:

They will not get along right away. Your Weimaraner might try to dominate the new dog. But do not scold them. Instead, use positive reinforcement to encourage your Weimaraner to behave properly.

One at a time:

Don’t introduce several dogs at once. Keep it one at a time. Seeing more than 1 dog can overwhelm your Weimaraner. If you have more than 2 dogs, start with the friendliest and calmest dog first.

Keep supervising their interaction for at least a month. It can take time for them to be friends. It mostly depends on the temperament and personality of your Weimaraner. Do not leave the dogs alone. If you cannot supervise them, keep them in separate rooms or crates.

Interaction can go smoothly if you have a Weimaraner puppy. Make them meet different types of people regularly and take them to busy areas such as parks and stores that allow dogs.

This will help your Weimaraner enhance their social skills. You could even enroll him in a puppy kindergarten class.

Are Weimaraners friendly?

Most Weimaraners are friendly, loving, active, and smart dogs who love being around people. They make great companions. They love giving hugs especially standing hugs and love to sleep in the same bed as their owners.

They are extremely loyal and very protective of their owners which makes them great watchdogs.

However, they should be supervised when around small children or animals as they are large enough to knock them over. They are known to be clingy by nature and can be aggressive towards other dogs and animals.

Weimaraners also have a high hunting urge and it is their instinct to hunt. Unless they are friendly, keep them away from small animals. This is especially if you have other pets such as cats, rabbits, and other smaller mammals.

Are the Weimaraners better in pairs?

Many people say that two Weimaraners are better than one. There are several advantages and disadvantages behind this.

The main advantages are that you can have twice the fun and there will be a better all-around situation once they get used to each other.

They can bond and always be there for each other. Moreover, it can reduce their separation anxiety issues because they will have a companion with them.

Owning two Weimaraners is not for everyone. An obvious disadvantage is the expenses. Not just more expensive to buy, it’s also more expensive to keep and maintain them. You need to have a lot of patience for it to work.

This is why it’s not a good idea to get two at once. Some Weimaraners are too dominant to accept another one. It can lead to destructive behavior as well if you give all your attention to the new one.

It seems difficult but it’s not impossible. Many people have 2 or 3 or even more Weimaraners in their homes.

What to know before getting a Weimaraner?

They are a large dog breed:

Since they are typically large, they need enough space to move around comfortably. They’re not suited for small apartments and need a spacious home and garden.

They have high energy levels:

To keep your Weimaraners fit and under control, they need to exercise a lot.

You should be able to walk them for at least 2 hours a day. They need plenty of activity. You could give them a large toy to play with to burn off their energy.

Health conditions:

Most Weimaraners suffer from separation anxiety. This is why they are so clingy.

They also come with many genetic health issues which impact their lifespan and health. Before purchasing a Weimaraner, check out the breeder’s health testing protocols.

They can be expensive to purchase and train:

They are moderately expensive when compared to other dog breeds. They can be expensive to keep too.

They tend to have higher insurance than other dog breeds of the same size due to their health issues. They are also regarded as high maintenance for many owners. Some may need a professional trainer.

Do Weimaraners make good pets?

This can be calculated by rating their characteristics on a scale of 1 to 10. This is just an estimate and can vary depending on how your dog is and if they have health issues.

How playful they are: Very Playful. 8/10
Energy Level: High. 10/10
Activity and Exercise Required: High. 9/10
Training Difficulty Level: Very easy to train. 2/10
Grooming Needs: 1/10.
Caring for their owners: 8/10. They can be clingy.
How friendly they are: 5/10. Not friendly around small prey animals.

They are quite obedient but can become dominant and aggressive if locked up for long periods. They also need significant amounts of attention and are extremely energetic too.

Weimaraners are extremely capable dogs who can acquire many skills and talents as long as they are in the right hands. But they are not well-suited for everyone. Purchasing a Weimaraner might not be right for you if you are a first-time owner.

They need a fairly experienced owner to keep them grounded and to handle them properly. Otherwise, it can make them dominant and unhappy.