Weimaraner and Bracco Tedesco compared: In this article the two breeds will be compared, analyzing in detail the use that can be made of them in hunting. Starting from the origins of each breed, the article will continue the analysis of their characteristics and abilities during the hunting trip.
About Italian Sighthounds Weimaraner (Braque de Weimar) inherits its name from the German city of Weimar, although there is no certain evidence that it originates from that city. The only certainty is that it is a dog originally from Germany. Among his ancestors there is certainly the "Chien de Saint-Ubert" or "Bloodhound", perhaps directly or probably through the now extinct "Gray Dog of St. Louis" from which he descended.
There are two theories about its origin. The first of these considers the Weimaraner a breed from outside Germany and arrived there across the Rhine around the XNUMXth century. The other theory considers this breed to be entirely indigenous. According to some experts, in fact, this dog is the result of crossing the ancestors of the "German shorthaired pointing dog" or "Kurzhaar" with other hunting breeds. In any case, the Weimaraner is a very widespread breed in the USA and in Italy it has never known a great reputation, to the point that for some years it was difficult to find a puppy.
It is a medium-large sized dog, typically braccoid. It has an elongated body and well developed musculature. His gray cloak, combined with the lightness of his movement, has given him the nickname of "gray ghost" in the United States. The breed is divided into two varieties: the "short-haired" one and the "long-haired" one.
The Weimaraner is a very docile, albeit proud, dog. It is easily trainable. Breed suitable for being with children, it is very fond of its master. Despite being a pointing dog, but in some countries, for example in Brazil, it is used as a defense dog and as a police dog. It also finds space for use in civil protection and in the search for missing persons, a task that it performs excellently thanks to its excellent sense of smell. Its magnificent character makes it particularly versatile, resulting stubborn and persistent in hunting. In the latter area he is very methodical in research.
The Weimaraner is a very robust and rustic dog, which has no particular needs, in fact it can be kept both in the garden and in the house, even if it requires a lot of physical exercise.
Born as a generic hunting dog, over the years he has specialized as a feathered game dog, without forgetting his ability to "pistare", like his ancestors hounds. The Weimaraner can be a very obedient dog and can turn out to be very stubborn and unbalanced in the wrong hands. The Weimaraner was selected to accompany the hunter and explore the terrain for hours on end.
It is a fundamentally healthy and resistant dog, even if it has a weak point: the skin. In fact, it is subject to eczema and interdigital pyoderma, therefore it is appropriate to periodically check its legs and ears, which require constant cleaning and checks. In order to avoid the risk of stomach torsion, it is recommended to divide the daily food ration into two doses and avoid making the dog do intense exercise immediately after meals.
The Weimaraner is a generic hunter who knows how to adapt well to the hunting of different species and to any type of environment. It accompanies the hunter in an excellent way, even in an extreme climate and environment such as those of Sweden, a country where it is particularly widespread. It has an excellent sense of smell and alternates in its search the trot, the gallop and an intermediate gait between that of the Italian continental dogs and the foreign continental ones. The Weimaraner is considered to be an excellent retriever and pistol, a legacy left by his bloodhound ancestors.
Il German Bracco is a wire-haired pointing dog (Deutscher Drahthaariger Vorsterhhund - German Wire-Haired Pointer). In the early years of the twentieth century, some German hunters created a standing breed that had the ability to adapt to any type of terrain, with a marked aptitude for hunting any type of game and with a highly developed sense of smell.
To achieve this goal, specimens of many breeds were used, including the "Kurzhaar", the "Pudel-Pointer" and also the "Airedale Terrier". Since at the beginning, the new breed was not homogeneous in physical appearance, the first Club was formed in 1902, which set the standards to which the breeders would have to comply. The breed was recognized in Germany only in 1955.
It is commonly called by many only "Drahthaar", which derives from Draht = metal wire and from Haar = hair. Present both in Germany and Austria, also Italy.
It is a medium-sized dog, dolichocephalic mesomorph, morphologically classified as a Braccoid type. It has an elegant appearance and the stiff coat gives the skin a fair amount of protection. His physical constitution ensures endurance, strength and speed. The complex of lines communicates a great nobility. The skull is lean, the tail is well carried and its skin is taut. With a typical hound morphology, the length of the trunk and the height at the withers should be as equal as possible. The adequate proportions, the dry appearance, the tendons, the joints, the ligaments, give the Drahthaar a great speed, resistance and elasticity in the movements.
His temperament is docile and disciplined, he is very attached to his master and loves family life. In case of danger, he knows how to take the defense of his master. He is almost always reserved and serious, and gives the impression that he constantly subjects everyone around him to scrutiny. This breed needs to be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week and stripped during moulting periods. Especially after work it is necessary to clean the fur. The Drahthaar needs daily exercise. It is considered by many breeders and enthusiasts of the breed, a perfect companion.
It is a dog that arouses admiration in its work and, depending on the terrain, blends and harmonizes the qualities of the English breeds with those of the European breeds, while retaining its own physiognomy and a strong personality.
The departure of the Drahthaar is decided and has an exuberant action. The gallop is continuous, energetic, but not impetuous. The thrust in the rear is vigorous and without jerk, accompanied by slight ramps of the front, The stride is rather collected. The ear in motion, the outstretched neck, high and mobile head demonstrate a profitable olfactory mastery, always prepared to perceive the slightest emanation. The bridge of the nose tends to the horizontal. The tail is carried slightly downwards with a horizontal, continuous and lively movement. The search of the Drahthaar is very diligent and wide, the latter with straight and close diagonals.
When during the hunt it gets the wrong impression of the game, it moves to a trot slowly slowing down, with erect ears and an outstretched neck. Reassemble the source of olfactory emanation with a slight inflection of the limbs, crossing tightly and very carefully. Once he has overcome the uncertainty, he resumes his usual pace with conviction with an almost angry snap.
In the moment in which, having had a slight indication of the presence of the game, it realizes it and goes to a stop, and the action undergoes a gradual brake so that it quickly passes from the gallop to the trot, then, after some time of step, it ends in absolute immobility. he carries his head up, the nasal bridge on the horizontal, the ear retracted, the eye burning and the neck all out. The body is flexed on the limbs with a generally more advanced front and very flexed hindquarters. Sometimes the body is erect and frequently one of the limbs is raised.
When he is certain of the presence of the wild, on the other hand, with immediate contraction he lowers his body on the flexed limbs, head held high, neck extended, proceeds cautiously but decisively, breathing in the quivering scent. On some occasions it stops abruptly. If suddenly it is close to the wild, it stops with an angry jerk, the head slightly below the horizontal facing the wild, very rigid body in a twisted pose and the tail adequately above the topline.
In his stills it is very beautiful to see, as there is a theatricality even in the most disparate poses. Finally, when, after he stops, he leads the game that tries to get away by following it, he walks with his head held high, determined, but prudent and in perfect connection with the handler, stopping at each slowdown of the game and keeping at the right distance. The queue moving horizontally becomes immobile at each brief stop. There are contractions and flexions on the limbs similar to the firm.
In conclusion, the two races compared show a certain greater and more effective predisposition of the Drahthaar to hunting, compared to the Weimaraner..
According to some hypotheses, this seems to be due to the fact that the Weimaraner in recent years has increasingly been destined to be a companion and parlor dog, given its extraordinary elegance.
Its little use in hunting is due to the poor knowledge and diffusion of this breed in Italy. In any case, the Weimaraner is able to demonstrate its data as a very versatile hunter, adapting to multiple types of game and terrains.
As for the Drahthaar, however, the discourse is different. Many Italian hunters use it in hunting, considering its excellent olfactory qualities and its stubbornness in the search for the wild. This makes it particularly well known and reliable during hunting trips.
One thing is certain: with good training and a lot of patience and respect towards both races, you will still get excellent results.
Every race must be freed from unnecessary prejudices. Preparation and training are always the best solutions to have a dog ready to carry out the task to which it is called to respond.
Beautiful and splendid dog with excellent hunting qualities and virtues