Trying to decide between a German Shorthaired Pointer and a Weimaraner? Well, there are a few differences to account for that could greatly impact your decision.
The German Shorthaired Pointer and Weimaraner are two German breeds of dogs originally developed around the 19th century for the purpose of hunting.
The two dogs are of very similar sizes and weight, though Weimaraners are slightly bigger. Both dogs are highly intelligent, bold, and full of energy.
For that last reason, they need vigorous exercise on a daily basis to stay fit and to prevent themselves from growing restless.
In spite of the many similarities between the breeds, the Weimaraner and German Shorthaired Pointer also have a number of significant differences which distinguish them apart. In this article, I will discuss some of the main differences.
Behavior Traits
First of all, I will be talking about the behavior differences of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Weimaraner.
Both breeds are very people-orientated and devoted companions to their families.
However, when it comes to strangers, the German Shorthaired Pointer tends to act more aloof and reserved toward them as opposed to the Weimaraner, who is often quite friendly with those he doesn’t know.
Both breeds alike make great guard dogs, but there is a difference in how the two dogs will behave when faced with a potential threat.
While the German Shorthaired Pointer is a very alert dog who will bark to inform his owner about the danger, a Weimaraner is more prone to acting toward that danger, even in spite of his generally friendly nature.
For that reason, a Weimaraner makes a great protection dog, as he can chase away or attack an intruder when he senses his family is in danger.
On the other hand, a German Shepherd Pointer can make an exceptional watchdog who is always on the lookout for danger.
Energy Levels Compared
When it comes to the energy levels of the two breeds, they are very similar and there is no major difference between them.
Both dogs need from 1 to over 2 hours of physical activity per day, especially in the case of a very hyper individual.
Regular exercise on a daily basis will help these highly vigorous breeds calm down in the home, as lack of can result in boredom and nervousness, which could thus lead to destructive behavior.
Temperament of Both Breeds
The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Weimaraner alike are dogs eager to please and work with their owners.
However, there is one main difference between the behavior of the German Shorthaired Pointer vs Weimaraner.
This difference is that Weimaraners do tend to be stubborn and assertive, and therefore may be more difficult to train than German Shorthaired Pointers.
Weimaraners could at times display an attitude or even over-confidence while training or performing various jobs, such as hunting.
German Shorthaired Pointers, on the other hand, are much more trainable and cooperative and are more likely to listen and obey when hunting or when we are training them.
German Shorthaired Pointers also do much better under pressure, while the Weimaraner can be immensely sensitive to nature.
They can be very reactive toward a number of things, including loud noises, disruptions, chaos, or even the mood changes or behavior of their owners.
Health Considerations
Out of the two breeds, German Shorthaired Pointers are usually healthier and prone to fewer health concerns than the Weimaraner.
While the German Shorthaired Pointer can develop Parvo, eye problems, and heart disease, the Weimaraner is prone to more frequent health issues such as bloat, eye diseases, thyroid problems, ear infections, skin infections, and more susceptible to acquiring wounds or sprains.
Hunting Ability
Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Weimaraner are dogs with high hunting potential.
They have a high prey drive, and will willingly chase and catch fleeing prey. They also have webbed feet, and are therefore great swimmers and will retrieve games that had fallen into the water.
However, German Shorthaired Pointers are easier to train to be great hunting dogs, because of their ability to work under pressure and their co-operativeness, as opposed to the more sensitive and stubborn nature of the Weimaraner.
As well as that, German Shorthaired Pointers do slightly better at tracking games than Weimaraners.
This is due to the fact that German Shorthaired Pointers have great smelling abilities and will use all of their senses when hunting to the fullest capacity.
Weimaraners also have good scenting abilities, but not as powerful as that of the German Shorthaired Pointer, who is often used as a sniffer dog in detection work.
When it comes to the strength of both of these dogs, the German Shorthaired Pointer is stronger than the Weimaraner.
On the other hand, the Weimaraner is more agile, and can be quicker and therefore more efficient in chasing down game during a hunt.
Family Life With Both Breeds
The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Weimaraner are both devoted and loyal family dogs, especially suitable for active or adventurous owners.
Not only are they immensely affectionate toward their family, but they will also guard their home and those they love.
Nonetheless, one major difference that there is between keeping a German Shorthaired Pointer vs Weimaraner as a family dog is that the German Shorthaired Pointer does better with children than the latter.
German Shorthaired Pointers are very gentle, good-natured, and playful dogs as of temperament. They get along well with children, which makes them ideal family dogs, playmates, and companions.
They can, however, be too rambunctious for very young children.
On the other hand, Weimaraners aren’t as good with any children, especially younger ones. This is due to their boisterous nature, and their tendency to chase children around.
They do best with older, calmer children, but they can also be fine with younger ones as long as they are properly socialized from an early age.
However, whilst the German Shorthaired Pointer is better with children, the Weimaraner is more pet-friendly, and will get along much better with other dogs and even cats.
Weimaraners do, however, get along best with dogs of the opposite sex as opposed to those of the same gender as them, as they can be averagely territorial and even be prone to dominance at times.
