Large breed
Weimaraner: feeding, nutrition and health
The Weimaraner is a high-energy hunting dog with a deep chest and a high risk of bloat. Feeding has to keep pace with its working-level energy needs, while puppy growth needs to be tightly controlled to avoid painful growth-plate disorders.
- Weight
- 25–40 kg55–88 lb
- Height
- 57–70 cm22–28 in
- Lifespan
- 10–13 yrs
- Size
- Large
- Activity
- Very high
- Adult at
- 15 months
- Senior from
- 7 yrs
- FCI group
- 7
How much food does a Weimaraner need?
The calculator starts at the breed average of 32.5 kg (72 lb). Put in your own dog's weight and the energy figure from the bag.
On the bag this is the metabolisable energy (ME). If it is given per kg, divide by 10. If it is in kJ, divide by 4.184.
Daily portion
— g
— oz · range — g
Per meal
— g
2 meals a day
Energy
— kcal
resting need — kcal
Usage: — kg a month (a 12 kg bag lasts about — days)
Cost: — a month
The full explanation of the maths is on the food portion calculator.
Feeding a Weimaraner: what matters
The Weimaraner needs large-breed food with a higher content of quality animal protein and an energy density matched to its real working load. A dog working the field needs considerably more energy than the same dog living as a companion on walks, so there's no single universal ration.
An adult dog weighing 32 kg (70.5 lb) with normal activity needs roughly 1,300 to 1,600 kcal a day; a working dog needs considerably more. Split feeding into 2 to 3 portions a day and keep the dog calm after eating, given this deep-chested breed's high risk of bloat.
For puppies, controlling energy and calcium is critical - rapid growth combined with excess minerals raises the risk of painful hypertrophic osteodystrophy. Large-breed puppy food with a slower, even growth curve is a necessity here, not an optional choice. No extra calcium or vitamin D supplements without your vet's advice, since even a mild excess can noticeably disrupt bone growth.
Protein in the food
26–30 %
dry matter, mostly animal
Fat in the food
14–18 %
dry matter, by activity
What to watch for
- A tendency to gulp food after strenuous work - use a slow-feed bowl and keep the dog calm before and after meals.
- The energy ration must match actual activity, not the breed's general reputation as a 'sporting dog.'
- No extra calcium supplements or multivitamins for puppies on top of large-breed food.
- Check condition by feel - the short coat won't hide excess weight, but a muscular build can throw off a visual estimate.
Practical feeding tips
- Weigh out the daily ration based on the actual activity of that particular day, not a flat amount.
- Feed 2 to 3 times a day, and for working dogs split the ration around performance too.
- Wait at least an hour after physical exertion before feeding, until the dog's breathing has settled.
- When switching to adult food around 15 months, transition gradually over 7 to 10 days.
- For a working dog, increase both the ration and the fat share during periods of intense-season activity.
Feeding schedule by age
| Stage | Meals a day | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy 8 to 12 weeks | 4x | Large-breed puppy food with controlled calcium content. |
| Puppy 3 to 6 months | 3x | Rapid growth phase; monitor weight gain and avoid calcium supplements. |
| Junior 6 to 15 months | 2-3x | Continue large-breed food until growth is complete. |
| Adult 15 months to 7 years | 2x | Adult food, with the ration adjusted to actual working load. |
| Senior from 7 years | 2x | Lower energy, joint support, and weight monitoring in a less active dog. |
Health risks that diet affects
Bloat (GDV)
A deep, narrow chest and a tendency to gulp food after exertion put the Weimaraner among the higher-risk breeds for gastric dilatation-volvulus. Prevention includes feeding 2 to 3 times a day instead of one large meal, resting at least an hour before and after eating, and possibly a slow-feed bowl.
Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD)
A painful inflammatory disease of the growth plates in puppies, linked to excess energy and calcium in the diet or over-supplementation. Weimaraner puppies need large-breed food with controlled composition and no extra calcium supplements.
Hip dysplasia
An inherited joint defect made worse by rapid growth and excess weight during puppyhood. Food with controlled energy and calcium content, along with slow, even weight gain, reduces the risk.
Mismatch between energy intake and output
Owners often feed according to the breed's 'hunting dog' type even though the dog rarely works in practice. The result is either excess weight in a household pet or, conversely, undernutrition in a dog that genuinely works long-term. The ration needs to be based on actual activity.
Idiopathic epilepsy
The breed has a documented higher predisposition to epileptic seizures. Diet has no direct influence, but a regular feeding routine and a stable energy level in the food support the dog's overall stability.
Temperament and exercise
The Weimaraner is a tireless, versatile hunting dog with a high need for both physical and mental challenge. Without daily work or demanding exercise, it struggles and can easily develop anxious or destructive behavior.
Its energy expenditure varies enormously depending on whether it's genuinely working in the field or living as a companion on walks. The ration has to match real workload, not the breed's 'hunting dog' image, or overfeeding follows easily.
After strenuous work, this breed tends to gulp food down fast and eagerly, which combined with its deep chest raises the risk of bloat. Calm time before and after meals is a requirement for this breed, not a suggestion.
Coat: Short, dense, glossy coat in the breed's characteristic silver-gray; a longhaired variety occurs rarely.
Common questions about feeding a Weimaraner
How much should a Weimaraner weigh?
Under the FCI standard, males weigh 30 to 40 kg (66.1 to 88.2 lb) and females 25 to 35 kg (55.1 to 77.2 lb), standing 59 to 70 cm (23.2 to 27.6 in) and 57 to 65 cm (22.4 to 25.6 in) at the withers respectively. This is a lean, muscular breed, with a visible waist from above and ribs that should be easily felt.
How much food does a Weimaraner need per day?
An adult dog weighing 32 kg (70.5 lb) with normal activity needs roughly 1,300 to 1,600 kcal a day, which for typical kibble (380 kcal/100 g) works out to about 340 to 420 g split into 2 to 3 meals. A working dog needs considerably more, a sedentary companion less.
What food is right for a Weimaraner?
Food for large, active breeds with 26 to 30 percent protein, 14 to 18 percent fat, and quality animal sources. For working dogs, a more energy-dense option makes sense; for household companions, standard large-breed food is the better fit.
How long do Weimaraners live?
The average lifespan is 10 to 13 years, unusually long for such a large breed. Keeping a lean body condition, providing adequate exercise, and preventing bloat are among the main factors that affect its length and quality of life.
Why is a Weimaraner at high risk of bloat?
The deep, narrow chest typical of this breed, combined with a tendency to gulp food after strenuous work, are major risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). The risk is reduced by feeding 2 to 3 times a day, resting after meals and after exercise, and possibly using a slow-feed bowl.
When should a Weimaraner switch to adult food?
Usually around 15 months of age, once this large breed has finished its skeletal growth. Make the switch gradually over 7 to 10 days, and for a less active dog choose a lower-energy adult food from the start to avoid excess weight.
Breeds of a similar size
Akita
Large · 25–45 kg · 10–12 years
The Akita is a powerful, independent breed with a strong predisposition to autoimmune skin disease and thyroid problems. Here's how much an Akita should weigh, how diet affects autoimmune inflammation, and why careful feeding matters for this breed's risk of bloat.
American Staffordshire Terrier
Large · 18–32 kg · 12–14 years
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a muscular, powerful breed prone to skin allergies and to weight gain if its energetic temperament doesn't get enough exercise. Here's how to support muscle and joints through diet, and how to recognize a food allergy in this breed.
Boxer
Large · 25–32 kg · 9–11 years
The Boxer is a muscular, deep-bodied breed with an elevated risk of heart arrhythmia, cancer, and bloat. Here's how diet can support the heart and digestion, and how feeding practices can lower this breed's high risk of stomach twisting.
Dalmatian
Large · 24–32 kg · 11–13 years
The Dalmatian has a unique, genetically based disorder of purine metabolism that sets it apart from every other breed: it excretes an excessive amount of uric acid and is prone to urate bladder stones. Its diet therefore needs to be low in purines, moderate in protein, and built around good hydration.
Sources
- FCI standard no. 99: Weimaraner
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines
Last updated 2 September 2026.