Weimaraner Breeders

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
anc84

anc84

Full Member
10+ Year Member
5+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2006
Messages
67
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Champaign, Illinois
  1. Pre-Veterinary
Members do not see this ad.
Hi, I was just wondering if anyone knows of good Weimaraner breeders in Illinois (or surrounding states, but Illinois is preferred). I have been trying to look into breeders and have contacted both the Weimaraner Club of Northern Illinois and the Weimaraner Club of America, but neither have responded to me. If anyone knows any breeders who are good or breeders to stay away from, please let me know. Thanks
 
to find a good breeder, try going to a local show. I know there is one in Dekalb the weekend of the 7th/8th of April and Crown Point, IN the 14th/15th of April (its right over the state line). Lemme check infodog.com to see if there's anything closer. I know there is a show in springfield in the fall. When are you looking to get a puppy? I live in NE IL, and I dont know anyone off the top of my head, but I will keep an eye out.

Anyway, if you go to a show, try to talk to some weimaraner people ringside (a lot of breeders will be there if there dogs are with pro handlers) right before or after they show. PM me for more info about show times. Even if the people you are talking to dont have puppies, chances are they will know someone who is planning a breeding sometime soon. Breed fanciers are a tight-knit group even if they do tend to tear eachothers hair out.

Oh, and for the record, responsible breeders show or field test or do some form of outside evaluation of their breeding program. Since you are asking about a specific breed, I am assuming that you want a weimaraner that actually looks close to a weimaraner, and not just a hunting dog. Show litters produce some "show quality" and some "pet quality" dogs based on intricacies of the breed standard, and even for people who want "just a pet" a breeder that shows (confo, obedience, field, etc) is more likely to be well-versed in health and temperament issues in the breed, familiar with strengths and weaknesses in pedigrees, and generally more knowledgable about the breed since they are heavily involved.

Additionally, in case you are interested, here's a link for Weimaraner rescue:
http://www.wcni.org/
 
Thanks for the info! I am planning on getting a puppy in December, but I wanted to make contact early so I can put in a deposit or whatever is necessary. I'm not looking to get a dog that has amazing show-quality features or anything- I just really like the breed, but it's going to be a normal pet with no other hunting or showing purpose. I'll try to check out one of those shows if I'm free. If you hear anything about good breeders in the meantime, please let me know. Thanks.
 
What about Petfinder.com??? You can usually find puppies of almost any breed, even purebred, and those dogs actually need homes.
 
Lots of those dogs are from breeders and I did check them out and am looking into them. Some of those breeders sound like they may be sketchy and a little like puppy mills though. I did think about adopting a rescue, but lots of those Weimaraners that I came across already have known health issues. Later when I'm a vet, I will be more than willing to take dogs like that in, but currently, I'm not looking to have guaranteed constant vet bills. If something arises in the dog I do get, I would take care of it and would never think of getting rid of it, but I'm not at a financial stage where I want those costs guaranteed upon getting the dog.
 
anc84 said:
Lots of those dogs are from breeders and I did check them out and am looking into them. Some of those breeders sound like they may be sketchy and a little like puppy mills though. I did think about adopting a rescue, but lots of those Weimaraners that I came across already have known health issues. Later when I'm a vet, I will be more than willing to take dogs like that in, but currently, I'm not looking to have guaranteed constant vet bills. If something arises in the dog I do get, I would take care of it and would never think of getting rid of it, but I'm not at a financial stage where I want those costs guaranteed upon getting the dog.
Click to expand...

The best place to look for breeders (good ones) is the breed club (AKC or other kennel club breed club). Go to the AKC website, click on your breed and it will take you to the link of the breed club. Most clubs have their breeders sign a statement of ethics or something of that sort. Not that that means anything...but these people are usually truly dedicated to improving the breed.
 
for sketchy backyard breeders. Not that their arent good ones on there too, but you have to be SUPER careful.

You absolutely want to see:
A) Contracts with spay/neuter clauses for pets
B) Health testing for conditions common to the breed, be it hip dysplasia, eye conditions, problems with the shoulders, stifle, etc. Not just vet checks, but OFA evaluations (www.offa.org). Contractual health guarantees (ie return on purchase price for genetic defects)
C) Some sort of independent evaluation to show that the breeder is not just in it for profit but rather to achieve some goal like dogs who excel in obedience, agility, conformation, field tests, etc.
D)Breeder committment from cradle to grave. A responsible breeder will require first right of refusal before you sell the dog or surrender the dog to a shelter. Not that you would ever use this, but a good breeder wouldnt let their dogs end up just anywhere.

These are the hallmarks of a responsible breeder
 
I've decided to rescue instead of getting a new puppy. I contacted the Weimaraner Foundation Fund rescue and received information in the mail yesterday. I already answered the questionnaire and am about to print it up and send it! 😀 I'm really happy about my decision because I felt bad getting a purebred puppy when there are so many animals in shelters. Now, I'm doing a compromise of both!
 
Anc,

I suggest go for the rescue...my guess is not all Weimaraners will have health issues. It's sad but people will get a puppy only bc it's cute and do no research on the breed and be suprised that it gets bigger, or will want to chew!

I adopted from Rottweiler Rescue during my undergrad days down there at Illinois so I am pretty biased towards rescing. I have to say I lucked out with Sasha, especially with my previous aversion to the Rottweiler breed and the thought that you may not know what you are getting into with a rescue - she has a great temperment and is very very sweet, plus only 62lbs. She is more of a "not"weiller - only shares the colorings, has the shape of a shephard. As for health issues, I must have lucked out - she will outlive me. She has no issuses, except a strong predator/prey instinct (hates squirrels); but thats from living on her own for weeks before I got her.

Good luck making the decision...if you have any other questions about rescuing...let me know.
 
To clarify regarding Petfinder, for anyone who may be interested:

There are several functions within the site. There are rescues/shelters etc listed, and their animals come up when you do a search (using the Pet Search function - on the left side of homepage)... but they also allow classified ads, which can be placed by anyone & their cousin.

The rescues/shelters who are listed have been verified (in order to register you must submit a copy of your groups 501c3 (non-profit status) and letters of recommendation from vets who have worked with your organization etc). This doesn't mean these groups are perfect {by ANY means} but they are NOT back-yard-breeders. . .

The classified ads, however, are placed by a combination of sketchy people and sub-par owners, for the most part.

Regardless, Petfinder is a FANTASTIC network/resource for people looking to find a new pet. If you contact them, they will send you random petfinder stuff to set out in your office etc. (bookmarks, bumper stickers, etc). They've also joined with Animal Planet and have some great ad campaigns going on - we'll likely see more of PetFinder in the future, and that is a GREAT thing.
 
marion1891 said:
Anc,

I suggest go for the rescue...my guess is not all Weimaraners will have health issues. It's sad but people will get a puppy only bc it's cute and do no research on the breed and be suprised that it gets bigger, or will want to chew!
Click to expand...

We've actually gotten some fantastic Weimaraners at our shelter surrendered for those very reasons - they "just got too big" and people "have no time to take care of them." They get snapped up by rescue almost instantly. Good luck ANC84 - I'm sure you'll find a great dog no matter what route you take! :luck:
 
haha too much stress. Petfinder is a good site and a great resource for shelter/rescue organizations. I was thinking puppyfind.com. That's the one I meant was full of BYBs and puppymills. WHOOPS!
 
Heh, I was actually thinking the same thing as you when I posted my reply and I since realized I was thinking of the wrong site. Anyway, I am officially rescuing (if they find a match for me). You fill out a questionnaire and they try to find a rescue that needs adoption. Anyway, I already sent my papers in, so I just have to wait. 😀
 
that's really great! I bought a pet this time instead of rescuing because I thought that a rescue would be too hard for a first dog, but since then I have begun volunteering with akita rescue, and I realize how wrong I was. A lot of these dogs come trained and housebroken and are super sweet and they just have stupid idiot owners who cant figure out that a dog is a lifetime responsibility.
 
Hey,
i know this thread was a few months ago, and you may have already found a dog. But if not and you were still interested there is a really cute adult weimerander up for adoption at the Washington Animal Rescue league. Here is the website http://www.warl.org/animals/index.php so you can check her out. She looks so fun. Congrats if you already found a dog. I am adopting an adult dog as well at the end of the summer.
 
sorry i just tried the link and it wasn't quite right . the correct link is http://www.warl.org/animals/index.php If it doesn't work again, she is a large dog named Greta (so you can search yourself). sorry for the double post (appearantly that is taboo)
 
Thanks for the tip, but I already found a Weim to adopt- Illinois has a Weimaraner rescue. I've had him for a little over a week now and he's a great dog for the most part! Maybe you should look into adopting Greta if you're going to get a large dog soon. Weims are very smart and great companions.
 
that's great. glad the adoption worked out. I'm actually getting a cavalier king charles spaniel at the end of the summer from a breeder. I love large dogs (our family has a newfoundland) but i think at this time in my life I need the flexiblity that a small dog can offer (meaning it can be happy if i have to live in an apartment in vet school). Plus cavaliers have great personalities, i'm very excited about my new boy. But thanks and congrats on your new weimerander
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
How do you feel about breeders
Replies
39
Views
4K
JerseyisCutest
J
Top Bottom