Weimaraner: inherited diseases and health

Updated 2026-09-30 · 2 sources

Based on: OMIA (University of Sydney), Wikidata

Breed health

The inherited conditions below have been documented in this breed in published research. That does not mean your dog has them or will get them – but it helps to know the names when you talk to a breeder or a vet.

Weimaraner and chocolate: how much is dangerous?

Typical adult weight: 25–40 kg. Grams of chocolate at which signs can start (20 mg/kg) and at which severe signs are reported (40 mg/kg):

Dog weightMilkDark 70–85%Baking / unsweetened
25 kg250 g signs
500 g severe
62 g signs
125 g severe
36 g signs
71 g severe
40 kg400 g signs
800 g severe
100 g signs
200 g severe
57 g signs
114 g severe

Based on published doses: signs from about 20 mg/kg, severe signs from 40 mg/kg (US FDA, Cortinovis & Caloni 2016, Swedish Poison Information Centre). An estimate, not a diagnosis.

Check the exact amount with the chocolate calculator →

Inherited conditions documented in the breed

Conditions documented: 19

A gene variant is known for 12 of the conditions below, so a DNA test may exist. Ask your vet or the breed club.

ConditionBody systemInheritanceGene variant known
Calvarial hyperostotic syndrome[1]Skeleton (incl. short stature & teeth)––
Cardiomyopathy, dilated[1]Cardiovascular systemMultifactorialNo
Craniomandibular osteopathy, generic[1]CraniofacialMultifactorialNo
Degenerative myelopathy[1]Nervous systemAutosomal recessiveYes
Dystonia-ataxia syndrome, paroxysmal, TNR-related[1]Nervous system–Yes
Haemophilia A[1]Haematopoietic systemX-linked recessiveYes
Haemophilia B[1]Haematopoietic systemX-linked recessiveYes
Hypomyelination of the central nervous system[1]Nervous systemAutosomal recessiveYes
Inflammatory bowel disease[1]Digestive / alimentary––
Limb movement, synchronic, EFNB3-related[1]Nervous systemAutosomal recessiveYes
Lysosomal storage disease, CNP-related[1]Lysosomal storage diseaseAutosomal incomplete dominantYes
Muscular dystrophy[1]Muscle––
Muscular dystrophy, Duchenne type[1]MuscleX-linked recessiveYes
Nephropathy[1]Renal / urinary system––
Phloiokeratosis, SUV39H1-related[1]Integument (skin)X-linked incomplete dominantYes
Retinal atrophy, progressive, X-linked, type 1[1]Vision / eyeX-linkedYes
Spinal dysraphism[1]Skeleton (incl. short stature & teeth)Autosomal recessiveYes
Urolithiasis[1]Renal / urinary systemAutosomal recessiveYes
XX difference of sexual development, generic[1]Reproductive systemMultifactorialNo

What this list means

  • “Documented in the breed” means at least one published case or study – it says nothing about how common the condition is.
  • Many of these conditions are rare. A responsible breeder can tell you which health tests the parents have had.
  • Where the gene variant is known, a DNA test may exist – ask your vet or the breed club.
  • If your pet shows signs of illness, contact your vet. This page cannot tell you whether your pet is ill.

About the breed

Origin
Germany
Height
57–70 cm
Weight
25–40 kg
FCI number
099
[2]
If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

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Sources

  1. OMIA (University of Sydney)
  2. Wikidata

How this page was made: the list is taken directly from the sources below; nothing on it was written by AI. Names of conditions may be machine-translated. It is information, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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