Each canine is a person, even amongst breeds and littermates. This text shares my opinions and experiences with proudly owning and residing with a Lab vs Weimaraner. 

I presently have a purebred Weimaraner named Remy and a purebred yellow Labrador named Rip. 

I like and respect each canine for who they’re as people in addition to how precisely they each meet their breed’s stereotypes in some ways.

Earlier than welcoming my canine into my household as puppies, I researched each breeds extensively, and talked with breeders and trainers. See our publish: How you can discover a good breeder.

I additionally noticed many canine of each breeds by means of my work at a boarding kennel, proudly owning a canine strolling enterprise, working with rescue teams and attending looking canine occasions and seminars.

That being stated, you would possibly disagree with a few of the issues I say about Labs vs Weimaraners and you’ll even be proper. Your expertise with Labs vs weimaraners is perhaps completely different from mine.

All canine are definitely particular person characters.

Dwelling with a Lab vs Weimaraner

First, listed here are just a few basic observations evaluating the 2 breeds.

Each breeds are energetic sporting canine, typically very pleasant and other people oriented! They LOVE folks, affection and a spotlight. They’re household canine and revel in being concerned with regardless of the individuals are doing.

They’re sometimes pleasant with different canine, too.

Labs and Weimaraners are inclined to chew and carry issues of their mouths, whilst adults. In the event that they don’t have their very own objects to chew, they may choose up and carry round your footwear, socks and youngsters’ toys. 

Labs and Weimaraners can each be very hyper and immature till they’re nicely past 2 years previous and each want some critical obedience coaching and train from very early on. 

They’re sturdy and highly effective breeds and are very unruly with out construction. They pull HARD on the leash if they don’t seem to be skilled in any other case. 

On the similar time, I think about each to be very delicate, “delicate” breeds who reply nicely to reward and affection, meals and toys. Labs much more so than Weimaraners.

Variations between Labs and Weimaraners 

The principle distinction between the 2 breeds apart from look is that Weimaraners take “excessive vitality” to a a lot greater degree than Labs. Their endurance is actually spectacular. 

Whereas each breeds must run on daily basis, Weimaraners are very troublesome to reside with in the event that they don’t get some HARD working in each single day till they’re a minimum of 5 years previous.

This distinction in vitality is as a result of Weims are pointing canine bred for upland chicken looking the place they cowl massive distances looking for birds out in entrance of their folks. They have been initially bred for looking massive recreation similar to deer and wild boar. 

Labs could be nice upland hunters too however they’re normally bred for retrieving geese and geese. When looking waterfowl, the Lab would possibly sit in a blind for hours patiently ready for a duck and the proper shot earlier than he crashes into the water for his retrieve. 

It’s uncommon for a weimaraner to have that degree of persistence, nor ought to anybody count on that from him.

Labs and Weimaraners love to smell

Whereas each breeds love to smell and forage, Weimaraners love to smell and observe their noses much more than Labs! They all the time have their little noses to the bottom in all environments and typically this makes them much less obedient. 

Let’s simply say Weimaraners are very “busy,” simply distracted canine. Labs are high-energy, working canine too, however most of them have a neater time settling down, particularly when nothing’s occurring. 

That is one cause why Labs make such nice remedy canine and information canine. You don’t see many Weimaraners working as information canine, although some are nice remedy canine.

Now let’s take a look at some extra particulars evaluating a Lab vs Weimaraner.

Lab vs. Weimaraner dimension

Each breeds can fluctuate fairly a bit in dimension with Weimaraners sometimes barely taller and bigger than Labs. However Weims even have a extra “glossy” or slender look to them for my part due to their brief coats.

The AKC says that male Labs are typically 22.5 to 24.5 inches tall and 65-80 kilos. (Canine are measured to their withers, which is the best a part of their again). 

Feminine Labs are 21.5 to 23.5 inches and 55 to 70 kilos, based on the AKC.

For Weimaraners, the AKC says males are typically 25 to 27 inches tall and 70 to 90 kilos. Females are 23 to 25 inches tall and 55 to 75 kilos.

That being stated, these “breed requirements” are for match and trim canine. I believe everyone knows just a few Labs and perhaps some Weims who’re a lot nearer to 90 or 100+ kilos as a result of they’re very chubby! That is an unlucky actuality. 

Each my canine are on the smaller dimension for his or her breeds, particularly for males. My Lab and my Weimaraner are nearly precisely the identical top, size and weight, really. They’re each about 23” tall and about 65 kilos.

Each of my canine come from subject strains vs. present strains. Sporting canine bred for looking or different sports activities are sometimes a bit smaller and extra athletic than the strains bred for present (although, not all the time).

Once I watch the Westminster Canine Present yearly, I’m all the time stunned by how cumbersome the Labs and Weimaraners look!

Weimaraner Vs. Labrador shade

Weimaraners are available in numerous shades of grey from a light-weight “silver” grey or a mouse grey all the best way to a deep, darkish grey which is named “blue.” A “blue” coat on a Weimaraner is taken into account a disqualification in AKC Conformation occasions.

Labradors are available in three normal colours – black, yellow and chocolate.

Yellow Labs have an enormous vary of shades from gentle cream to a deep crimson, also known as “fox crimson.” These shades are all thought-about yellow Labs. “Fox Crimson Labs” or “Crimson Fox Labs” are yellow Labs of the darkest shade.

There are additionally “silver Labs.” Some breeders reject silver Labs all collectively and a few breeders particularly breed them.

What’s a silver Lab?

Silver Labradors are Labs with a “silver” or grey coat shade. 

The grey or silver shade is a results of a “dilute gene” that causes the Lab to have a lighter coat shade, nostril and eyes. It’s really a “dilute chocolate.”

The dilute gene is regular in lots of canine breeds, similar to Weimaraners, which explains all Weimaraners have that distinctive grey coat, gentle nostril and eyes.

You possibly can learn extra particulars on the dilute gene in silver Labradors on this article: silver Labrador information.

Silver Lab vs Weimaraner

Silver Labs and Weimaraners each have the “dilute gene” that offers them their grey coat, light-colored nostril and lightweight eyes.

Apart from that, they’re two separate breeds. Silver Labradors are identical to the opposite Labradors!

Labrador vs Weimaraner coat size

Weimaraners have a brief, glossy coat. They get chilly simply within the winter, and their paws get chilly simply within the snow and ice.

Labs have a thick, dense coat that’s straight and medium size. They’re very hardy and might deal with chilly climate, snow and icy water very nicely due to their undercoat.

Like most breeds, you do need to watch out with Weimaraners and Labs in scorching climate in order that they don’t overheat. It helps that Labs normally LOVE to dive into any supply of water whether or not it’s a plastic children’ pool, a lake or the ocean. 

Some Weimaraners love the water as nicely. It’s type of hit and miss with them. My Weimaraner doesn’t just like the water except it’s a very popular day, then he’ll wade right into a creek or puddle.

Which is healthier with children? A Lab or a weimaraner?

Labradors and Weimaraners could be superb with children. On the whole, each are very pleasant and love all folks, together with kids.

These breeds are massive and excessive vitality so after all they will simply knock over young children or crash proper into them when chasing a toy. In addition they like to lick young children within the face.

Labs are typically much more tolerant with kids than Weimaraners. Labs are one of many high breeds for information or service canine. They’re typically very tolerant, affected person and mild canine. This is likely one of the causes they’re so in style as pets.

Weimaraner pet value vs Lab pet value

Costs fluctuate fairly a bit, however you’ll be able to count on to pay $1,500 to $3,000 for a purebred Lab or Weimaraner pet from a good breeder who retains a wait checklist.

Since Labs are one of many high breeds in america, you’ll be able to definitely discover one for much less cash as a result of there are many folks breeding their canine simply to have a litter or two or simply as a “pastime.” I personally desire to purchase my canine by means of established breeders who I do know and belief.

There are additionally 1000’s of Labs and Lab mixes accessible for adoption by means of shelters and rescue teams. In some areas, you’ll be able to undertake a canine out of your county shelter for round $150.

Rescue teams sometimes cost bigger adoption charges, however they fluctuate fairly a bit. On the excessive finish, I’ve seen adoption charges of round $800 and on the decrease finish the charge is $200-$300.

Labrador vs. Weimaraner vitality

That is the principle distinction between the 2 breeds. Weimaraners have much more vitality than a typical Labrador and they should run for a very good hour or extra each single day. 

This could possibly be working with their particular person, visiting the canine park, mountain climbing, and many others. Taking part in fetch within the yard just isn’t going to chop it.

If strolling on a leash is a Weimaraner’s essential type of train, then an hour a day is absolutely the minimal. Throughout their youthful years, 90 minutes can be higher.

After all, there are some Labradors that is perhaps nearly as excessive vitality as a Weimaraner, however not normally. And there are some lower-energy, calm Weimaraners on the market, as nicely.

Operating with Lab vs working with a Weimaraner

One of many causes I wished a Weimaraner was so I’d have a canine who might tag alongside on my lengthy coaching runs. I get pleasure from coaching for marathons and it has been good to have the ability to take my Weimaraner alongside for nearly any distance.

My Weimaraner can be a extremely good canicross canine. Canicross is a sport the place the canine wears a harness that attaches to a bungee line you put on round your waist. You run along with your canine pulling you. 

Weimaraners make good canicross canine as a result of they wish to run arduous giving it 110% always pulling like a prepare!

Typically folks get a Weimaraner or comparable breed pondering they may make good working companions. That is true, however heading out for a 30-minute run a few times per week merely won’t minimize it for these breeds.

For that reason, I wish to stress that Labs additionally make very good working companions. Labs are in all probability higher working companions for most individuals as a result of they normally fall into a pleasant, regular tempo close to your facet. Operating with my Lab could be very peaceable.

In case you wish to run for 30 to 60 minutes just a few instances per week at a cushty tempo, then Labs are excellent! Some Labs may even tag alongside for longer distances as much as a half marathon or so. I plan to run a half marathon with my very own Lab sooner or later.

Searching with a Weimaraner or Labrador

Nothing makes my canine happier than doing what they have been bred to do. They completely gentle up and get so excited once we go looking or do any sort of coaching involving their looking and sniffing instincts.

Weimaraners are a pointing breed. Labradors are flushers and retrievers in order that they have completely different looking types.

Whereas pheasant looking, Weimaraners are bred to seek for birds and “level.” Once they discover a pheasant or grouse, ideally they freeze and “level” with their physique language so the hunter can go in, flush and shoot the chicken. 

The benefit to having a pointing canine is the canine can cowl an enormous vary and when she finds a chicken, ideally she is going to “level” and stay regular till the hunter catches up. This might take a number of minutes, relying on how far forward the canine was.

Labradors seek for pheasants the identical method however as an alternative of “pointing” they go proper in and flush the chicken up so the hunter could make the shot. For that reason, Labs ideally work a lot nearer to the hunter.

One type just isn’t higher than the opposite. It’s all simply private desire and the way you favor to hunt. 

I personally love watching pointing canine within the subject and Labs within the water. 

For duck hunters, Labs are among the best selections. Like I stated earlier, they’ve the persistence to attend within the blind after which crash out into the freezing chilly water to make their retrieve. They completely adore it!

What’s your expertise with Labs vs Weimaraners? 

Tell us within the feedback!