Pont-Audemer Spaniel vs Longhaired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison

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 Pont-Audemer Spaniel hails from France. The dog, known also as Epagneul Pont-Audemer is a rare breed of gun dog, and dates back to the 19th century.

There aren’t clear records on the origins of the dog, but it is thought that it was developed during the 19th century. It is also thought that the dog was bred from the English Water Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel.

When numbers of these dogs declined, the president of the Pont-Audemer breed club permitted other breeds to be crossed with the existing gene pool. In 1980, the breed club merged with the Picardy Spaniel club and the dog is recognized by the FCI as the Pont-Audemer Spaniel.

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.

The Pont Audemer Spaniel is a medium- to large-sized breed, standing at between 50 and 58cm in height and weighing in the region of 20 – 27kg, the Pont Audemer Spaniel has a wavy, slightly curly coat of medium length, with some long hair on the top of his head. Common coat colors include white and reddish brown although there are some solid colors too. Te Muzzle of the dog is longish and fairly pointed, the nose brown and they eyes amber or hazel. This is a deep chested dog and wile the tail is traditionally docked, these days it tends to be left long and carried with a slight curve.

Temperament:

The Pont Audemer Spaniel is an intelligent dog that will respond well to training. Training and socialization are important for making him well-rounded and obedient. This spaniel-type dog just loves having loads of fun, even to the extent of being clownish.

Because he is a working dog, and an energetic one at that, he wouldn’t do well in a tiny city property but is better suited to life in the suburbs or the countryside. He is a playful dog and will get on well with children. He can also make a great friend of other dogs, particularly if he grew up with them.

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.

This is truly an old breed of spaniel, loving to spend time outdoors and in marshy areas.

He is a calm, gentle breed, and passionate breeders have worked to preserve it as the dog makes a splendid pet. With an amicable look on his face which has a kind expression, he has other good characteristics to his name such as being intelligent, courageous and energetic.

Whether you’re indoors or out, the Pont-Audemer spaniel is a great companion thanks to his loyalty. Your docile, affectionate and cheerful friend will ensure you tick him off as a pet to be recommended.

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.

There isn’t a great deal of information on this dog as it is a fairly uncommon breed, but nonetheless a robust dog breed. He can reach 14 years or more if well cared for.

Their long, floppy ears may be a problem as dogs with long ears like this, where sunlight and air don’t reach the insides of the ear, are more prone to dampness, dirt and wax. The inside of the ears becomes a breeding place for bacteria.

Bloat:

It is the deep chest of the Pont-Audemer Spaniel that can put him at risk for developing bloat. When a dog like this becomes bloated you can actually see the swollen, hard stomach. The dog is extremely restless, he is panting and pacing. Immediate veterinary attention is required as this is a life threatening illness.

Follicular Dysplasia:

Known also as alopecia, there are a few things that can cause your pet to lose his hair. These can be hormonal issues or parasites such as worms.

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.

Exercise:

The Pont-Audemer Spaniel has always been a working breed so he is used to being active. They have high exercise requirements and will require having quite a large outdoor space to run. Ball and rope games are a must for him, lots of swimming and hikes as well as a daily walk.

Grooming:

Even though the fairly long hair of the spaniel looks as though it may require quite a bit of upkeep, the Pont Audemer Spaniel is a low maintenance dog that will require a good brush twice a week.

While you’re brushing him, feel him over for any new, unusual lumps. Look into his eyes to make sure they’re bright and alert. Check around his ears for ticks and fleas and look inside his ears for dirt and wax which could lead to bacteria and an ear infection.

Diet:

You don’t want your dog gaining weight and becoming obese as this opens up a whole lot of health issues. There are always dogs that can gain weight after they have been spayed or neutered. Remember if you’re using commercially manufactured dog food, to make sure it is high quality and also suited to your dog’s age, it’s season of life and its activity levels.

Give your canine friend some home-made food too, bearing in mind that dogs like simple, healthy food that won’t upset their stomachs, and which will be good for them too.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach all chopped up can be so beneficial for your pet. If you cook it in bulk, it can be put into portions and some of this can be added into the dry kibble occasionally. This is a great treat for your dog.

Some raw meat added in from time to time can also be hugely benefit for your pet. Avoid all spicy, exotic foods for your pet.

Make sure he always has a bowl of fresh, cool water available to him.