Is the Weimaraner hypoallergenic? Beautiful, obedient, and a family-friendly pooch, but, no, the Weimaraner isn’t hypoallergenic. This breed sheds a moderate to high amount all year round and will lose more fur during the spring and fall.
Weimaraner Quick Facts
Dog allergies can be devastating for dog lovers wanting to bring a furry friend into their life. If you’re sensitive to dogs, you can suffer from several unpleasant symptoms, and living with a canine companion may feel like an impossible dream.
Common complaints include:
- Coughing.
- Nasal congestion.
- Itchy nose.
- Red and watery eyes.
However, hypoallergenic dogs reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.
While these breeds aren’t completely allergen-free, they’re far better than other breeds. The 100% hypoallergenic dog is a myth — all dogs carry allergens. However, hypoallergenic dogs don’t release as many allergens into the air.
For a more detailed look at these dogs, check out What Is a Hypoallergenic Dog?
One of the most striking qualities of the Weimaraner is their sleek, gray (borderline silver) coat. These beautiful dogs have a short and smooth single coat and are nicknamed the ‘Gray Ghost.’
The Weimaraner’s coat is often found in their signature gray color, but is also found in blue or silver. Typically these dogs will have a coat made up of hair that’s one solid color, but occasionally they may have a small patch of white on their chest.
They only have a short, single coat, but do Weimaraners shed a lot? You could be forgiven for thinking that the Weimaraner is a low-shedding breed. Their short hair is nothing like the thick coats of many other dogs, like the Newfoundland or Akita, but Weimaraners still shed a moderate amount all year round.
Weimaraners shed at a similar pace to the Bloodhound and Greyhound. This will be enough to trigger an allergic reaction, but not so much to leave your home covered in clumps of fur.
This breed sheds all year round, but you will notice an increase during the spring and fall. Weimaraners are seasonal shedders, so you’ll spot more fur around your home for a few weeks — as your dog loses their old coat and grows a new one for the change in temperature.
There is nothing you can do to completely halt the Weimaraner from shedding. Hair loss is a normal part of a dog’s natural hair growth cycle, and no fancy dog shampoo will stop this process completely.
However, if you want to minimize the amount of fur in your home, there are steps you can take to manage your canine’s hair loss.
1. Good Diet Equals Good Fur
If your dog has an unbalanced diet, you can’t expect their coat to be in the best condition. Feeding your Weimaraner quality dog food will keep their skin healthy and their hair follicles strong. Avoid foods containing unnecessary fillers and instead feed your pooch protein-rich food (preferably one that includes omega fatty acids).
2. Don’t Forget To Brush!
The Weimaraner has an extremely low-maintenance coat. Their short hair doesn’t need to be clipped or styled, and frequent trips to the groomers aren’t a necessity.
That said, brushing your pooch regularly helps to keep their shedding under control. It will catch all those dead hairs. Plus, if you do this outside, it will further lower the hair loss in your home.
3. Occasional Baths
Bathing your dog too frequently can cause dry skin and make shedding worse. However, giving your Weimaraner an occasional bath can help to reduce hair fall.
Use a quality dog shampoo and massage it into your furry friend’s coat before rinsing it away. Bathing your dog will not only keep their fur clean, but will also improve the health of their skin and hair.
4. Offer Omega Fatty Acids
You’ve heard of omega fatty acids, right? Well, many pet parents choose to give their dog omega 3 and 6 supplements to keep their coat strong and healthy.
Omega fatty acids help to maintain the integrity of a dog’s skin and keep it well-moisturized and in good condition. Fish oil capsules and chewies won’t stop your Weimaraner from shedding entirely, but they can help to prevent any extra hair loss caused by dry skin.
5. Check for Fleas!
Anything that causes your dog to scratch and nibble their skin may result in excessive shedding. Make sure you’re treating your pooch for fleas regularly and check for ticks and other parasites. The more your Weimaraner is scratching, the more fur they’re going to shed.
For allergy sufferers who are fond of this playful and friendly dog, hearing that there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic Weimaraner will be disappointing. This breed is an obedient and affectionate family dog, but they shed far too much to be allergy-friendly.
The Weimaraner is a large bow-wow with a big heart who loves to exercise in the great outdoors and spend time with their humans. If you want a furry friend with a similar temperament, several breeds share many of the same personality traits as the Weimaraner, but are also hypoallergenic!
If a dog allergy is stopping you from getting a Weimaraner, why not think about making one of the following breeds your new canine companion instead:
The Basenji is a hunting dog, originating from Africa. This breed’s stand-out quality is their strange yodeling. That’s right, Basenjis don’t bark, they yodel instead! At just 24 pounds and 17 inches tall, Basenjis are smaller than Weimaraners, but they have a similar temperament.
With stacks of energy, the Basenji needs long daily walks, just like the active Weimaraner. Both these breeds have been described as ‘cat-like’ by canine enthusiasts — the Weimaraner because of their hunting style, and the Basenji has a feline-like approach to self-grooming.
If you like the Weimaraner because they’re playful and easy to train, the Basenji could make a worthy hypoallergenic alternative.
Is there any dog more friendly than the Labrador? Or a more hypoallergenic breed than the Poodle? When bred together, both of these breeds create the loving and loyal Labradoodle.
Weimaraners have a very similar personality to Labs — friendly, affectionate, playful, and energetic. Labradoodles often share this side of their parentage. As well as being intelligent and full of fun, they also share a similar height and weight to the majestic Weimaraner.
However, Weimaraners have a short coat that sheds often, whereas a Labradoodle will have a wooly, wavy, or curly low-shedding coat. Thanks to their Poodle parent, Labradoodles are hypoallergenic, hence a good choice of breed for people allergic to dogs.
Weimardoodle
As mentioned, Poodles are one of the most hypoallergenic dogs around, which is why they’re used to create allergy-friendlier versions of heavy-shedding breeds. So, let’s introduce you to the Weimardoodle!
Weimardoodles can weigh up to 70 pounds, so are only slightly smaller than the purebred Weimaraner. These crossbred dogs get on well with other pets and children and make a great addition to the family home.
You can’t predict what coat your Weimardoodle puppy will have, but there is a high chance they will inherit the low-shedding Poodle coat. Weimardoodles have thick, medium-length curls or waves, a slight contrast to the smooth-coated Weimaraner. Yet, you won’t have to worry about allergy symptoms or fur all over your home.
Conclusion
The Weimaraner has a beautiful short coat, but don’t let that fool you! These friendly hunting dogs shed far too much to be a suitable choice if you have dog allergies.
If you want a playful and energetic hypoallergenic dog, the Labradoodle, Weimardoodle, and Basenji are low-shedding alternatives to the Weimaraner.
Are Weimaraner hypoallergenic dogs? These striking gray dogs are loyal and affectionate family pets, but they aren’t hypoallergenic. The Weimaraner sheds throughout the year and experiences seasonal shedding in the spring and fall.
Are Blue Weimaraner Hypoallergenic?
Weimaraners have either a blue, gray, or silver coat. Yet, no matter what color, they won’t be hypoallergenic. Weimaraners shed all year round and will lose even more hair during the change of seasons.
Are Weimaraner Dogs Good Pets?
Weimaraners are wonderful pets. These large dogs enjoy spending time with people of all ages and will play nicely with children and other pets. They’re an active breed and make the perfect companion for long hikes and adventures.
Do Weimaraners Like to Cuddle?
Weimaraners are affectionate dogs and love to cuddle with their owners. This breed is very energetic and active, but once all the walking is done, they love nothing more than snuggling up for a cuddle. Due to their large size, Weimaraners can almost hug like a human — when they stand on their hind legs, that is!
Do Weimaraners Shed More Than Labs?
The Weimaraner and Labrador Retriever are both heavy-shedding dogs. Both of these breeds will shed continuously all year round and will lose more fur during the change of seasons. However, the Weimaraner will likely lose a little less hair than the Lab.
Are Weimaraners Good for Allergy Sufferers?
The Weimaraner isn’t a good choice if you have allergies. Humans are allergic to dog dander, and this is often released when a pooch loses their fur. As a heavy-shedding breed, the Weimaraner will lose a lot of dander, which is likely to trigger an allergic reaction.
