History of the breed

The Weimaraner was first recognised as a pure breed and entered into the German Stud Book in 1896. Yet, this was not the real beginning of a breed that is equally valued for its looks and its working ability. In fact, much of the Weimaraners history is shrouded in mystery. We do know that the Grand Prince Karl August, born 1757 and head of the court of Weimar, fancied the breed and members of his court were allowed to own and hunt with it.

The Grand Duke lived in Weimar, now an industrial town, in the district of Erfurt in Germany. He first encountered the breed while hunting on the estate of Prince Esterhazy e Auersperg in Bohemia and recognised how the attributes of the Weimaraner would lend perfectly to his environment and needs. The forests around Weimar were rich in game such as Wildcat, Deer and Wild Boar and this powerful, courageous, athletic breed with an inherent protective instinct provided the perfect aid.

Carefully protected the Weimaraner was not allowed to be owned as a pet . The Duke primarily developed the breed for his family and high ranking members of his court and nobility. Breeding records were secret and closely guarded - any early records have been either lost or destroyed.

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It was 1947 or 1948 when two men serving in the British Army observed Weimaraners and with a keen interest in hunting and gundogs set about obtaining one. Major Petty & Lt. Col Richardson were determined to acquire a Weimaraner. Maj. Petty negotiated through friends over the German border in the Eastern zone and was able to smuggle two Weimaraners over the border, paid for by goods that were in short supply (primarily coffee beans).

In 1952  Cobra Von Boberstrand (b) & Bando Von Fohr (d) went into quarantine in the UK and into the history books as the first Weimaraners to arrive in the UK. Following that Maj. Petty brought in six further dogs,  Lt. Col. Richardson imported five and Mrs Olga Mallett a further two. Not all of the dogs were considered of merit enough to be registered with the Kennel club but the nine dogs that were registered form the foundation of Weimaraners in the UK.

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