Dog trainer shares perfect and smart breed for families with kids

Considering adding a new four-legged friend to your family but unsure where to begin?

Fear not, as Clinical Canine Behaviourist Will Atherton is here to offer his expert dog advice. Regularly sharing tips on TikTok, he recently highlighted the lesser-known breed he claims would make a “perfect” pet.

“Why should you get yourself a Weimaraner?” he posed to his 915,000 followers. Will elaborated: “Despite Weimaraners being absolutely glorious looking dogs, they are also some of the most amazing dogs I get the pleasure of working with. They are nearly as intelligent as Labradors and often more athletic than Labradors too.”

He continued to sing the breed’s praises, stating: “They are fun to train, easy to train, usually very soft and good with other dogs and good with families and children.” For those considering a Labrador but wanting something slightly different, Will suggested a Weimaraner could be the “perfect choice”.

One TikTok user agreed with Will’s recommendation, commenting: “I grew up with Weimaraners they are the most amazing dogs. Loyal, loving and amazing with kids.”

A second concurred: “I have a Weimaraner, first dog I’ve ever had, she’s the best, great with the kids and like a lab maybe in the fact she will do anything for food!” A third chimed in, advising potential owners to consider their availability, stating: “Weims are more intelligent and demanding than a lab. They also require more stimulation and exercise. The average family may have issues if they don’t have the time to give to a Weim.”

Meanwhile, a fourth individual shared a cautionary tale: “I’ve only been bitten by one dog and it was a Weimaraner. Super sweet but when I turned around it grabbed the back of my calf. Very strange and his owner was shocked as well.”

Meanwhile, vet charity PDSA recommends: “Do plenty of research before getting a Weimaraner. They have very high exercise needs which makes them a higher maintenance breed, but if you can keep on top of this you’ll have the perfect partner for going on long adventures. They’re highly intelligent and very loyal dogs so in the right hands can be the perfect family pet.”

On the financial side of things, the charity notes: “You can expect your Weimaraner to cost you a minimum of £105 per month after purchase and set-up costs and over £17,000 across their lifetime. Adopting an adult Weimaraner from a rescue centre may be a more cost-effective option, with the added advantage of giving a home to a pet without one – check if the rehoming centre you’re looking at asks for a donation for rehoming.

“If instead you’re buying a Weimaraner puppy from a breeder, you’ll need to factor in this cost. Beware unusually cheap puppies as they could come from a puppy farm. If you’d like to buy a pedigree puppy, we recommend looking for a Kennel Club Assured breeder. These breeders must do extra health tests and meet higher standards.”