Many dog breeds with unusual coats start out life with a relatively plain coat. The spotted Dalmatians, for example, don’t have their spots when they’re puppies. In addition, the Blue Heeler’s distinctive coats are initially a pure white color.
The Weimaraner, on the other hand, is quite the opposite. Weimaraners are born with tiger stripes down their entire bodies, not just on their coats.
And, unfortunately, despite its stunning appearance, it only lasts a short time. Within days, the tiger stripes fade, and the grey coats begin to show through.
A Weimaraner puppy’s stripes aren’t the only thing that makes him or her unique. They are born with bright, light-blue eyes. When a dog gets older, its blue color fades to gray or amber.
Is A Silver Lab the Same as A Weimaraner
A silver lab is actually a different breed of dog altogether. There has been a misconception that it is a mix of Labrador and Weimaraner. But it is not a mix of two breeds and just happens to be silver in color.
While the two breeds share some similar traits, they are certainly not the same animal! For example, Labradors are typically larger than Weimaraners and have thicker coats. They are also slightly more energetic than Weimaraners, making them perfect for families with active children.
They both tend to be good with children, but the Weimaraner is more prone to being dominant over smaller children. They are also easier to train because they have a propensity for learning. They will often follow their owners around like puppies, so it’s easy to get them to come inside when called.
What Is a Weimaraner
This is an interesting breed of dog. It was bred first in the duchy of Weimar-Orlamünde in Germany and was originally called stoberhund or searching dog.
What makes this dog unique is its eye color. The eyes are not brown like most dog breeds. It is more like a greyish-blue type of eye color and sometimes that color can change to an amber hue.
This breed is a medium-sized dog, that has a solid body and good proportions with long legs. Their height reaches about 14 inches and their weight tops out at 45 pounds.
Another plus is that they are very obedient and easy to train. Their short coat does not need a lot of grooming making it easier for their masters to look after them.
What Is a Silver Lab
This is a rare color of Lab that does not appear very often. They will grow to the same height and weight as their yellow, black and brown siblings. They can reach up to 90 pounds and roughly 24 inches in height.
The Silver Lab has all the characteristics that Labs are famous for including loyalty, playfulness, and needing lots of exercises. The lifespan is also typical for this color version. It will live to about 14 years of age.
The origin of this lab variety is both America and the United Kingdom and it can be a show or a hunting dog depending on its breeding. Sometimes their eye color is blue which changes to amber as the dog matures.
How Are They Different?
The first difference will be their ancestry. The Weimaraner comes from Germany while the Silver Lab will come from America or England. Their size is another big difference as the Silver lab is about twice the size of the Weimaraner.
Then the Silver lab made its first appearance somewhere in the 1500s while the Weimaraner did not come into existence until about the 19th century. However, the latter dog needs about twice as much daily exercise as the silver Lab.
On top of that, the nose color is different between these two dogs, the Silver Lab has a brown or black nose for the most part while the Weimaraner comes with a grey or blue nose.
Finally, the Lab’s tail is more otter-like while the Weimaraner’s tail is thinner and sometimes bushier.
How Are They Similar?
Both breeds of dogs need lots of exercise. They are full of energy and need to have a lot of exercise to avoid having them fall into destructive habits. Plus, both can be very athletic when the need arises.
In addition, both dogs are great hunters. They like to retrieve fallen games for their masters and do not destroy that when carrying them in their mouths. That goes well with their personalities.
Both dogs are said to be great family pets and love their families remaining loyal to them until they die. While they are different sizes, the Weimaraner may only live about 1 year longer than the Silver Lab.
Finally, both breeds do not need a lot of grooming. Their short coats make it easy to bathe the dogs and keep them nice and clean.
What’s Better About a Weimaraner?
Their smaller size makes them a better fit for those families who live in small quarters. They can fit into smaller spaces much easier. Plus, they are very athletic dog that loves to be outside and run or play.
Plus, they are a very affectionate dog who enjoy following their masters everywhere they go. Then they enjoy a good heritage that makes them excellent pets although they have been known to knock over children and adults from time to time.
They do not shed as much as the Silver Lab which is good news for most homemakers. Less dog hair to clean up.
What’s Better About a Silver Lab?
These are great family dogs that bring a lot of patience with them. They can tolerate small children very well and not get aggressive or angry. While not as energetic as the Weimaraner, the Silver Lab does need some exercise outside. Up to an hour a day.
Their hunting, fishing, and swimming skills are second to none and what really sets them apart from their competition is the fact that they are part of a dog breed named most popular for 30 years in a row.
That is a record the Weimaraner will never come close to beating. Best of all, a Silver Lab pup is generally cheaper than the Weimaraner pup.
Who Should Get a Weimaraner?
The family or individual that is very active and full of energy would be the perfect owners for this dog breed. This dog needs an owner that will be able to play with them and provide the dog with plenty of exercise each day.
While good with families, they are not as good with small children as the Silver Lab. They would be a better fit for those families with older children who can provide the play time opportunities.
Also, they are a good fit for those individuals that like exotic dogs.
Who Should Get a Silver Lab?
This is a dog breed meant to be with families and outdoorsmen. They are very patient with small children and can handle most things thrown their way. Plus, they are good for families with older children.
If the family likes to hike, fish, hunt or just swim, then this is the dog they should own.
Comparison Chart
| Category | Silver Lab | Weimaraner |
| Weight | Up to 80 pounds | Up to 90 pounds |
| Height | 23-24 inches tall | 23-27 inches tall |
| Origins | Canada | Germany |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years | 11 to 14 years |
| Daily exercise | 1-hour each day | 2 hours each day |
| Grooming | Weekly brushing | Weekly brushing |
| Family-friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Trainability | Very easy | Very easy |
This just gives you a brief idea about both dogs, and how they stack up next to each other. Both Breeds are very friendly with the Weimaraner and may be a bit more protective of its family than the Silver Lab.
Both may be eager to please with the Silver Lab edging out its competitor in this category. The eyes can throw people off track due to the coloring being uncommon for both dogs.
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Please note: We are not veterinarians and you use our advice at your own discretion. We always recommend that you consult your veterinarian whenever you have health-related conditions your furbaby is facing. With that in mind, as pet parents ourselves, we wish nothing but the best for your pet and their healthy and happy lives.