By Lori Fusaro

Weimaraners, for those unfamiliar with the breed, are the gorgeous blue dogs with the soft floppy ears made famous by artist William Wegman. Who wouldn’t want to bring one home? But the way a dog looks is hardly the way to choose a dog – especially considering that they will be part of the family for many years to come.

So what do you need to know about these beautiful dogs? Kelly Elder has always admired weims, as lovers of the breed affectionately call them. When it was time to find a dog, she knew no other breed would do. The things that attracted her to this stately dog included their loyalty, athletic ability and playfulness. Learning they were highly trainable and needed very little grooming were just icing on the cake. “I have always loved the breed and was looking for a running partner. I wanted a dog that would be good with children and be a protector. I met Blu at Barks of Love Rescue and because I had already done my research, adopted him immediately.”

It’s vital to research not only the pros of your breed of choice, but the cons as well. Most animals live 10 years or more, so the commitment is huge. Knowing what to expect can go a long way in preventing unwanted situations. Weimeraners have a few challenges associated with the breed – the most alarming and potentially life-threatening are bloat and torsion (gastric dilatation-volvulus, or GDV). Simply put, bloat is when the stomach becomes abnormally enlarged or distended. Torsion is when the stomach flips over and gets twisted.

Dr. Dean Gebroe of the Culver City Animal Hospital says, “This deadly affliction is caused by eating too fast, drinking too much water or exercising after eating. GDV is a true emergency. Immediate decompression of the stomach or surgery is necessary to save the dog's life. Clearly, prevention is the preferable treatment and lies in maintaining a healthy digestive system. Feeding two to three times a day instead of only once will prevent eating too fast. Limiting exercise after eating will also help.”

This breed is very loyal and that can lead to separation anxiety, which can often result in property damage and possibly the dog being hurt in the process. They are also very intelligent, which can lead to disobedience. They need constant training and exercise. And of course being bred for hunting, they have a high drive to prey and will chase and eat small animals.

Finding a reputable breeder or a rescue organization knowledgeable about the weimaraner is important. You never will know the true temperament of the dog until you meet it and learn about what makes it tick, but relying on others can help in making your decision. Just like with people, personalities are different and being a specific breed doesn’t automatically mean the dog will exhibit all the breed traits. Elder says, “I will be honest in saying, initially, it was Blu’s stunning looks that attracted me. But after I got over his physical traits, I learned of his gentle spirit. He is a hard worker and so willing to please. He is goofy, silly, funny, loving, intelligent, athletic and just embodies everything I ever wanted in a dog.”

Lori Fusaro has been voted the best portrait photographer by FoxTV two years in a row. She lives in Culver City with her husband, four cats, and dog. Contact: Lori@FusaroPhotography.com or FusaroPhotography.com.