St. Bernard vs Smooth Haired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison

St. Bernard vs Smooth Haired Weimaraner - Breed ComparisonSmooth Haired Weimaraner is originated from Germany but St. Bernard is originated from Switzerland. Both Smooth Haired Weimaraner and St. Bernard are having almost same height. Smooth Haired Weimaraner may weigh 50 kg / 110 pounds lesser than St. Bernard. Smooth Haired Weimaraner may live 4 years more than St. Bernard. Both Smooth Haired Weimaraner and St. Bernard has almost same litter size. Smooth Haired Weimaraner requires Low Maintenance. But St. Bernard requires High Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Working dog
undefined
Germany
Switzerland
Height Male:
57 - 70 cm
22 - 28 inches
63 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
Height Female:
57 - 70 cm
22 - 28 inches
60 - 69 cm
23 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 40 kg
55 - 89 pounds
54 - 90 kg
119 - 199 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 40 kg
55 - 89 pounds
52 - 85 kg
114 - 188 pounds
Life Span:
11 - 14 Years
8 - 10 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
4 - 9
Size:
Large
Giant
Other Names:
Weim, Grey Ghost
St. Bernhardshund Bernhardiner Alpine Mastiff (archaic)
Colors Available:
Silvery Grey
redish- Brown and white with a black mask to blond and white with black mask
Coat:
Short, sleek and smooth
rough or smooth
Shedding:
Minimal
Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Protective, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
High Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

smooth haired weimaranerThe Smooth Haired Weimaraner is a beautiful silvery-grey dog that was once bred for hunting way back in the 19th century.

He has always been described as an all-purpose gun dog bred from crossing different German and French hunting dogs with the Bloodhound.

History of this dog dates back to 1897. This is when a club was formed in Germany for the breed.

st bernardThe St Bernard breed was once called the Alpine Cattle Dogs or the Alpine Mountain Dogs. They have always been farm dogs and mountain dogs in the French and Swiss Alps. They come from the border land of Switzerland and France. They were herding dogs, hunting, search and rescue, watchdogs and draft dogs.

Their ancestors are considered to include the Sennenhunds and molosser breeds that came to the Alps with the ancient Romans. There are four Sennenhund breeds that are believed to have contributed to the original St. Bernard. These included the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund), the Appenzeller (Appenzeller Sennenhund), the Bernese Mountain Dog (Berner Sennenhund) and the Entlebucher Mountain Dog (Entlebucher Sennenhund) Today the St. Bernard is considered a Molossoid breed.

The first we know of the St. Bernard in any written records was in 1707 at the Great St. Bernard Pass and Great St. Bernard Hospice run by monks. There were found paintings of the dogs dating back into the late 1600’s. It is told that Barry saved upward of 100 people in the St. Bernard pass, and it is from these stories that the dogs gained their snow rescue reputation.

The St. Bernard of that time did not look like the St. Bernard does today as there was much crossbreeding. Many dogs dies during rescues in the avalanches of the mid 1800’s and so they Saint was crossed with the Newfoundland to preserve the breed. You can today see the resemblance in the build and looks of the two breeds. This cross brought about the long haired St. Bernard whose fur was too heavy for rescues.

The St. Bernards of mountain rescue fame were only about the size of a German Shepherd dog and were short haired. After crossing with the Newfoundland and moving into clubs and dogs shows, they have been bred to be much larger. Before the stud book was closed, it is thought that many larger breeds such as the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the English Mastiff, the Tibetan Mastiff, the Rottweiler, the Great Pyrenees, the English Bulldog, the Great Dane, the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Boxer and the Caucasian Oycharka all contributed to today’s St. Bernard.

In 1884 The Swiss St. Bernard Club was founded and the breed entered the Swiss Stud book as its first entry in 1884. It was 1888 when the standard was approved and the breed became the national dog of Switzerland. Before the name St. Bernard came to be common, these dogs might be called, Barry Dogs, Alepnmastiff, Noble Steeds or Saint Dogs.

The dogs came to England in the early 1800s and to the United States soon after. They were recognized by the European kennel clubs first and by the early 1900’s they were the most popular breed in the AKC.

Description

smooth haired weimaraner puppy - descriptionThe lean, well muscled Smooth Haired Weimaraner is athletic to look at, brimming with energy and vitality. The coat is smooth and short and is a magnificent steel grey to silver coat which even tends to be a blue-grey color.

The short coat makes the dog low maintenance. He is also a low shedding dog. He is a medium to large sized dog standing at between 57 and 70cm in height and weighing in the region of 25 to 40kg.

The tail has always been docked, giving him that distinctive, dignified appearance. The tail then measures about 6 inches in length.

These dogs are also excellent water dogs with their webbed paws. The ears of the dog are medium length and floppy and the eyes are light amber or a blue-grey color.

Temperament:

You just have to look at the Smooth Haired Weimaraner and you can see how he just loves being with his human owner all the time, so much so that he is known for separation anxiety. Sometimes he can become so distraught separated from his owner that he can even injure himself trying to reach his owner. Being separated for too long can cause him anxiety issues.

Certainly this dog is going to need the right kind of training and socialization to calm him. They’re also full of energy too and are going to require a good amount of exercise.

st bernard puppy - descriptionToday’s St. Bernard is not a large dog, he is a giant dog. Weighing in at 140-200 pounds and standing 28 to 35 inches tall, he is a lot of dog. Bred with mastiffs and large mountain dogs, they have proportional and powerful build. They are strong, sturdy and well muscled. They have either a smooth or rough (short or long) coat. Their eyes are brown or occasionally blue. They have tight lids, and square heads and muzzles.

There are two coat types called smooth and rough, or short and long. The smooth shorter coat is tough, flat and close against the body and the long, rough coat is dense, wavy and heavy around the legs, neck and ruff. Both types have long tails that hang low and are heavy. Saints are known to slobber, drool and snore.

Characteristics

smooth haired weimaraner dog - characteristicsYour distinctive silvery-grey Weimaraner with his velvety ears and striking eyes is such a loving dog, desiring to be with his human family as much as possible.

They are also good with children. Their loving nature and eagerness to please will ensure that you have a fully integrated 4 legged family member in your home who wants to be involved with everything you're busy with.

1Children friendliness excellent

2.Special talents tracking

st bernard dog - characteristics3.Adaptability no - these are giant dogs that need a lot of room. A large fenced yard or farm is best. They won’t do well in an apartment. They need exercise every day and loping around a yard is very good for them. They love to play in the snow, carry a backpack or pull a cart. They love to have a “job”

4.Learning ability – They are smart and highly trainable if motivated. They may appear lazy but they are just laid back and need a motivation.

Health Problems

smooth haired weimaraner puppies - health problemsThere are some common dog illnesses that most dog owners fear, and hip dysplasia is one. Fortunately the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals tells us that Weimaraners aren’t prone to this dysplasia the way some dogs are.

One cause for concern however is bloat, and as a deep chested dog breed, the Short Haired Weimaraner can be prone to this life threatening illness.

Known also as gastric torsion, the stomach swells up and the dog becomes lethargic and restless. Immediate veterinary intervention is required. One way to diminish your dog’s chances of getting bloat is to rather feed him two smaller meals a day as opposed to one large meal.

Also, skin allergies are fairly common with these dogs. If redness appears on the skin or the skin is dry and itchy with a rash and he is losing his hair, you may well need to get your pet to the vet. It is why we always recommend giving your pet some raw meat added to the diet and this can help to prevent skin allergies.

st bernard puppies - health problemsThe first problem this breed faces is how fast they grow and gain weight. This can lead to serious health issues if not controlled. Their bones can be damaged by this excessively fast rate of growth. Other issues facing the breed include:

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – can cause arthritis and lameness.
  • Bloat – can be fatal if not treated immediately.
  • Bone Cancer or Osteosarcoma – tends to be fatal.
  • Entropion and Ectropion – eyelids turn in or out and can be corrected.
  • Epilepsy – controlled by medication
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy – can be fatal.
  • Eczema – skin disease can be treated.
  • Be careful of extreme heat.

Caring The Pet

Training:

smooth haired weimaraner dogs - caringEvery dog, especially the Smooth Haired Weimaraner with his anxiety issues, should be trained and socialized, and these dogs are easy to train because they’re intelligent and they want to please.

Grooming:

The short silvery coat simply requires a good brush-down twice a week to remove the few loose hairs there are. Even if you don’t need to brush him, just do it because of the type of dog the Weimaraner is.

He loves the closeness of owner and dog. It’s a good time to check him over for ticks and fleas, to feel for unusual lumps, to look inside his ears for signs of infection, to check his eyes too, that they’re bright and clear.

Diet:

If you feed your Smooth Haired Weimaraner commercially manufactured dog food, it needs to be one of the best ones with fairly high protein content. If feeding kibble, you can enhance the food by adding in some tasty home-made food. The Weimaraner’s stomach is easily upset so you want to add in easily digestible home-made food free of exotic spices and richness.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots is super tasty and nutritious. Your Weimaraner will love such simple, good food and you can add a little to his dry kibble twice a week.

Also important is to add in some raw meat as this ensures a healthy skin. Make sure he has a constant supply of cool, fresh water.

st bernard dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy – You want to control their growth. Do not overfeed, and make sure they exercise but not too much. Feed a high quality large breed puppy food 3-4 X a day in small amounts.

2.Feeding the adult – The problem you face with he adult St. Bernard is the potential for Bloat. Don’t over feed. Don’t feed before or after strenuous exercise. Feed 2-3 X a day in smaller amounts to prevent Bloat. Feed a high quality breed specific food if possible or an extra large breed formula.

3.Points for Good Health stamina and strength in cooler weather.

4. Games and Exercises They need exercise but not as much as you might think. The St. Bernard is a laid back lumbering character so don’t over exercise her. They enjoy weight and cart pulling but they are not athletes who enjoy frisbee or agility. Search and rescue trials and tracking trials are perfect athletic endeavors for them.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. St. Bernard vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. St. Bernard vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. St. Bernard vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. St. Bernard vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. St. Bernard vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. St. Bernard vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. St. Bernard vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. St. Bernard vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. St. Bernard vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. St. Bernard vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. St. Bernard vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. St. Bernard vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. St. Bernard vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. St. Bernard vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. St. Bernard vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. St. Bernard vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. St. Bernard vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. St. Bernard vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. St. Bernard vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. St. Bernard vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. St. Bernard vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. St. Bernard vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. St. Bernard vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. St. Bernard vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. St. Bernard vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison