Standard Poodle vs Longhaired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison

The Poodle is the national dog of France, and there they are known as the duck dog. The breed actually originated as a duck hunter in Germany. It was known as ‘Pudelin’ which means splashing in water.

The dog has always had a crisp, curly coat to protect it from the elements. It is classified as a non-sporting dog. Soon the French became aware of what a fine dog it was and it became sought after among the elite in France.

It has been known for at least 400 years. While it is still not sure precisely from which country it comes, the poodle is a descendant of the French Water Dog which is now extinct.

You may be used to the sleek, silver shorthaired Weimaraner, but did you know you get a beautiful long haired version too? Known also as the Long Coated Weimaraner or the ‘Gray Ghost’, with its mesmerising amber eyes, the less common long haired variety shares a similar history as the more familiar short haired version.

The dog originates in Germany and was developed to be a hunting dog. It is believed that the silver dog dates back to the early 1800’s, and in 1897 the first breed club in Germany was formed to protect the future of this dog.

The longhair coat is recognized in all countries except the American Kennel Club.

The Standard Poodle is a medium-sized dog that stands between 35 and 40cm in height and weighs between 20 - 27 kg. The coat of the standard poodle is curly and medium length and it comes in a range of different colors – black, brown, cream, apricot or white.

The ears are medium shaped and floppy and the tail is most times docked to half its length. The muzzle is fairly long and the eyes are brown and alert.

Temperament:

Standard Poodles are full of the joys of living and they are friendly, fun, playful dogs. They love playing games with the children and they make excellent family dogs.

He is quite feisty and stubborn and will require training and socialization. He is smart and is in fact, one of the most trainable of all the dog breeds.

They can adapt to life in the city or the countryside but he will need to be exercised wherever he is. The Standard Poodle isn’t aggressive but he can still make a good watchdog.

The Longhair Weimaraner with its eye-catching grey coat is a large dog that stands between 58 and 70cm and weighs between 25 to 40kg.

These dogs, unlike the short haired version, have the tail traditionally long and the tail is feathered. The eyes are a blue-green, amber or grey color. The grey coat is soft and silky and even though it is quite long, a brush twice a week will keep it in tip-top condition.

Temperament:

The Longhaired Weimaraner’s temperament is the same as the short haired variety. He is also a superb field dog with excellent hunting skills.

They’re very active dogs, looking for plenty of mental and physical stimulation. For first-time dog owners, this might prove to be too demanding, so the long haired Weimaraner might not be the best first-choice dog to get.

They can be aggressive when meeting new people and he will certainly require training and socialization if you want him to be calm and obedient.

Poodles are clever, easy to train and capable of living well in the city or in the countryside.

They’re adaptable dogs too which makes them excellent family pets. They’re active and social so when you bring one into your home, you’re going to know he is there.

He wants to be involved in every aspect of your life, bonding with all members of the family, loving to spend time with each one.

He is an all-rounder and will also be a great watchdog. Loving and loyal, the Standard Poodle is ready to become your ideal pet and companion.

Your Long Haired Weimaraner is a friendly, alert dog that makes for an excellent companion and watchdog. The fact that he is also restless, confident, independent and strong-willed means that training and socialization will be necessary to make him pleasant and obedient.

You can’t always count on him to be amicable as he also has a bit of an aggressive side.

The way your Long Haired Weimaraner turns out will depend on heredity, the personality of the owner as well as training and socialization.

These dogs want to be with their human family and will follow the owner around and contentedly lie at their feet. Once he's trained, the Weimaraner is guaranteed to make you a fine family companion.

The Standard Poodle doesn’t have many health issues to worry about and he can live to a ripe old age of 15 or so if he is looked after well.

However, he can succumb to some of the common dog diseases there are – eye problems, skin allergies, bloat and ear infections.

Allergies:

Allergies in dogs can be caused by pollen, insects, food, and medicines. These allergies can all cause terrible itching, scratching, watery eyes, skin inflammation, and pain.

The ears, underarms, groin and around the eyes are often affected. It can make your pet most miserable. Your dog will have to get to the vet to relieve him of his discomfort and the vet will want a medical history to find out what is causing the problem.

Hip Dysplasia is a medical threat to all dog breeds and fortunately the Weimaraner is a dog breed that has a low rate of dysplasia. When buying a Long Haired Weimaraner, try and get one from breeders who have had their breeding dogs hip-tested.

You’ll notice that the Weimaraner is a deep-chested dog and he is prone to bloating, which can turn out to be life threatening for your dog if not treated immediately.

The stomach twists and is swollen with no bowel movements. The dog is restless and in distress and needs immediate attention. To help, instead of giving one large meal which is gobbled up quickly, give him 2 smaller meals.

Skin allergies are also quite common in these dogs and you don’t want your silver dogs coat going off as it is his crowning glory.

If he is scratching, his skin is dry, red and itchy, get him to the vet as it can even be parasites at work, causing an allergic reaction.

Grooming:

The Standard Poodle will require regular brushing even though it is a low- or non-shedding breed. The curls can become matted. Some poodle owners choose to have their poodles professionally groomed and clipped.

The nails will need to be trimmed.

The teeth will also need to be checked if the dog will allow you to look inside his mouth. A bad, oozing tooth can cause all kinds of medical problems.

Because of the floppy ears, check inside the ears for dirt and wax buildup and signs of redness and a possible ear infection. If you don’t like to probe inside your dog’s ears or mouth, professional dog groomers will do this for you.

Exercise:

Your poodle is an active dog and he will need regular daily exercise. Chase him on the lawn, throw a ball for him, hide away from him and let him find you. He will also love daily walks.

Diet:

Just like with any other dog, your Standard Poodle needs good, nutritional food to remain healthy. Some of the commercially manufactured dog foods you get are bad for a dog as they don’t have natural ingredients and are devoid of vitamins and minerals.

They’re certainly a convenient way to feed a dog, but try and go for the ones that are wholesome for your pet.

Home-made food such as boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables is a good choice as it is healthy and won’t cause your dog to battle with digestive problems. Avoid spicy, exotic foods and things such as popcorn, onion, peanuts, and chocolate.

Make sure your Standard Poodle always has a bowl of fresh, cool water available.

Grooming:

When you bring a Long Haired Weimaraner home, you will need to invest in brush and comb for his long hair. They’re active dogs and love nothing more than running in a field, rolling in mud and being very active.

His coat will need to be brushed at least twice a week to keep it looking silvery and shimmering. Check the ears, eyes and teeth whenever you brush him and get used to cleaning his teeth regularly too.

If in doubt about how to keep your pet well groomed in terms of looks and health, speak to a dog expert, your vet or professional groomer.

Diet:

Your ‘Gray Ghost’ dog has been a very successful hunting dog, and they are high-energy gun dogs. As a large dog he will have particular nutritional needs to fuel his energetic lifestyle.The dog’s high activity levels need to be taken into account when looking at his diet.

Buy the best commercially manufactured food. Add to his kibble some cooked chicken, brown rice or pasta and cooked or raw vegetables from time to time as well as bits of raw meat. Your dog will thank you for keeping his meals simple but nutritious.