How Big Do Weimaraners Get? [On Average – Size Guide]

Size is a key question when considering what breed of dog to adopt. Perhaps you are interested in a Weimaraner specifically. But what kind of size can you expect, and how long does it take for them to reach full physical maturity? These are the kind of questions we will be answering here today. 

So, how big do Weimaraners get? Weimaraners typically weigh between 55 and 90 pounds, 23 and 27 inches in height, and 34 to 40 inches in length, depending on gender and genetics. Males tend to stand between 25 and 27 inches (at the shoulder) and are slightly heavier than the females at 70 to 85 pounds. In contrast, females average around 23 and 25 inches in height and between 55 and 70 pounds in weight.

As you can probably guess, Weimaraners are large dogs.

Even the smaller females are classified as large.

And while they are a little smaller, they’re not too dissimilar from their male counterparts.

And Weimaraners are not just big in terms of their frame; they are powerful, athletic, and muscular, too – making questions around size even more important than usual.

And here’s something to consider too – they have large personalities.

So, it’s important to know whether you have the correct environment and lifestyle for a dog of this size before you do take one on.

With this all in mind, let’s take a more in-depth look at how big Weimaraners can get and what it all means for ownership.

At What Age Is A Weimaraner Fully Grown?

Weimaraners reach their full size when they are between 6 and 8 months old, although they are only considered fully physically mature at around 18 months when they have developed their musculature and mass. You can expect around 80% of their total body weight by the time they are eight months to one year old, with the addition of a slow healthy weight thereafter.

Most dogs are fully grown within the first year but continue to develop muscles in the second.

And that’s the same for the Weimaraner breed, too.

Of course, these figures can vary, as much depends on the amount of exercise your dog gets, their diet, and genetics.

Neverthless, when your puppy is approximately four months old, you should notice they go through their first real growth spurt.

They’ll go from being all legs and massive paws to filling out relatively quickly.

Now here’s one other consideration.

It can be difficult to keep weight on male Weimaraners when they are between 8 and 18 months – so don’t worry if they are looking a bit slender.

And at the same time, it can be very difficult to determine how big your Weimaraner puppy will eventually get.

Thankfully, if you buy your dog from a reputable breeder, they should be able to give you some estimates – based on data from the dog’s parents and grandparents.

Generally, being aware of their genetic background will give you a good idea of how quickly your Weimaraner will mature and how big they will get.

Growth rate is largely genetic, so do consider that some litters may grow more quickly or slowly than others.

If you have any doubts or worries as to whether your Weimaraner is over or underweight or growth rate, then it’s best to check with your vet.

What Do Weimaraners Look Like Once Fully Grown?

Weimaraners have a short, sleek, grey, or silver coat and are quite distinctive looking. They have very light eyes, which makes them look quite other-worldly, giving them the nickname “the grey ghost.” They have lengthwise stripes at birth, which fade within two weeks. They are the only dog breed to boast this strange feature.

This breed has a very athletic build and is considered an attractive moderately large dog.

Their eyes are wide-set and can be grey, light amber, or blue-grey.

Their ears are large and folded over, drooping down along the side of the head.

They occasionally have a white mark on their chest, and there is a move away from the traditional docking of the tail.

There is a rare breed of long-haired Weimaraner, but the short coat is more attractive to many owners as it cuts down on grooming.

A Weimaraner also has a slim, hound-like head.

If they are at the ideal weight, you can see their waist tucked behind the ribs.

If the ribs are too prominent and the waist noticeably narrower than the ribcage, then you know that your dog is underweight.

If the waist bulges out past the ribcage, it is a sign that they are overweight.

If your Weimaraner is too thin, it has a greater chance of having health-related issues.

However, there is no need to panic if your dog is a few pounds over the average, as not all dogs fall within the standard range.

They may still be perfectly healthy and at the correct weight.

In adults of this breed, you should be able to feel their ribs easily and shoulder and thigh muscles easily visible.

Depending on the individual dog, you may be able to easily see and feel their hip bones.

Both puppies and adults should have an “hourglass” figure when looked at from above.

The spine should be strong and straight and easy to feel (but not too easy!). Puppies normally have a bit of a belly which goes away as they grow.

How Much Should A Full Grown Weimaraner Weigh?

When fully grown, a male Weimaraner should generally weigh between 70 to 85 pounds. Females, on the other hand, should weigh between 55 and 70 pounds. You do get dogs that fall outside of this range; the important thing to look at is their body shape and whether you can see their bones, hips, ribs, and waist or even signs of excess weight. 

Genetics, nutrition, and physical activity all influence how much your Weimaraner will weigh when they are fully grown.

All of which can influence your dog’s weight positively or negatively, as we shall now explore below.

Genetics

Genetics are hereditary traits and biological factors that set their rate of growth and bone structure.

Your dog’s parents will pass down genes that will affect their ability to grow, predisposition to various illnesses, and overall general health.

Nutrition 

Good nutrition as a puppy is essential, as diet affects your Weimaraner’s ability to grow.

If you feed your dog low-quality food, their growth will be impeded as they will not be getting enough vitamins and minerals, which are essential for full development.

Giving your high-quality dog food, and treats will ensure proper development and overall good health.

Physical Activity 

Physical activity is important, not only because Weimaraners are very active dogs but because proper exercise ensures proper growth and bone density.

You must make sure that you don’t over-exercise your puppy, as this can exacerbate structural problems inherent to large dogs, such as hip and elbow dysplasia.

A proper exercise regime will guarantee that your dog will reach their developmental milestones.

How Can I Keep My Weimaraner At A Healthy Weight?

Exercise and a good diet are central to keeping your Weimaraner at a healthy weight. Like all dogs, too much food or low-quality food will lead to health problems and weight gain.

If your dog is overweight, it will place a lot of strain on its skeleton.

Like all big dogs, a Weimaraner is susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia.

Keeping your dog at a healthy weight should prevent them from developing structural problems that are not hereditary.

On average, it’s recommended to feed your Weimaraner puppy 3 to 4 cups of dry food spread over a 24-hour period.

½ a cup 4 times a day is the norm.

As they are a large breed, adult dogs can require as much as 4 cups of food per day depending on the time of year, their age, and the amount of exercise they get.

Remember that large dogs can get bloat easily, so don’t exercise them straight after a meal.

Food that is high in protein and fat is ideal for dogs who need to gain weight.

This type of diet will cause a steady increase in their weight over time, a healthy way to put on weight.

You should see a difference within a couple of weeks.

If not, then it could be a sign of an underlying illness that needs to be addressed, and they need to be taken to see a vet.

The vet will assess your Weimaraner’s general condition and overall health.

Your dog may look too thin, but this could be a result of their genetic bone structure and not a cause for concern.

To avoid gaining weight, the calories your dog burns must be equal to or exceed the number of calories consumed.

Although they require a lot of food, Weimaraners burn it off very quickly as they are extremely active.

They require at least 2 hours of exercise per day, including long walks and playtime off the lead.

This physical exercise is very important, not only physically but mentally as well. Weimaraners get bored easily, so they require a lot of stimulation.

There are many reasons why your Weimaraner may be gaining weight. They may be eating too much or getting too little exercise.

They may have a chronic illness or simply getting on in age. Older dogs’ bodies slow down, so they use less energy.

This leads to an increased tendency to gain weight.

All in all, a good exercise regime and high-quality food are the essential components for a healthy lifestyle, the natural result being a dog that is a healthy weight.

Finally

Weimaraners are big dogs. Large, in fact.

That’s their formal classification, by the way.

And while there is always variance between dogs of the same breed, you should still expect a dog of formidable size, height, and weight.

And just like any dog, they require a high-quality diet and appropriate exercise for their age to develop optimally and stay within a healthy weight.

With all this in mind, the next thing you now need to consider is cost – but here’s a handy weimaraner cost guide for that if you are still keen on this breed.

Related guides you may want to read:

• How Big Do Dogs Get?