History

The Weimaraner dates back to the early 19th century in Germany. Histories of the Weimaraner Vorstehhund (Weimaraner pointer) usually open with the Grand Duke Carl August (1757-1828) and the noblemen of his brilliant court at Weimar, capitol of Thueringi, a principality in central Germany. There, many believed Carl August-"the hunter among kings and king among hunters"- and his noblemen, first developed the silver-gray breed for hunting in Thueringia's great forests. According to one tradition, the German aristocrats deliberately concealed the secret of the breed's origin so that it would remain unique and exclusive to the court of Weimar. 

The Grand Duke Carl August certainly played an important role in breeding and establishing Weimaraners as the special prerogative of the German aristocracy. His interest in the breed coincided with the introduction of firearms to bird hunting and several authorities mention that he crossed English Pointers with German dogs; thus, it is possible that Carl August played a role in the transition of the Weimaraner from a trailing hound to a pointer.

From Weimaraner Ways authored by Virginia Alexander and Jackie Isabell