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This is the first in a series about the Blue Weimaraner.  These comments are our own so we own them right or wrong.  Everyone has to make choices in life and then live with the consequences.  Sometimes the outcome is excellent and sometimes the outcome is costly.  Cost can equate to money, friendship, relationships, or your reputation. So our story begins………..

A number of years ago we raised Weimaraners–gray and silver gray only. We were trying to follow the Weimaraner Club of America’s (WCA) recommendation to the letter.  As time went on, we studied on the breed and heard the arguments against the blues.  We were told so many conflicting stories that we began to wonder what was true.  We heard everything you can imagine:

• Blue Weimaraners are not Weimaraners
• Blue Weims tend to have severe health issues
• Blue Weims have poor temperaments
• Blue Weims have more skin issues than the grays
• If you raise a blue pup you should knock it in the head
• The best hunting Weims come from lineages that include blues
• If you raise or own a Blue Weimaraner, then you will be ostracized and never accepted by the elite WCA

As with everything there is a thread of truth that weaves through these objections to the color blue, however, most of what you read and hear if far from true.  We became interested in finding out first hand about the Blue Weimaraner.  The only way to discover the truth was to possess a blue.  Even then one Blue Weimaraner might not be enough to evaluate the true situation. Nevertheless, our search began. We were looking for a special blue with a decent pedigree and lineage.  One that came from a healthy lineage–preferable one with proven hunt lineage.

We finally found a blue that met our standards and got her.  For a number of years she was the only Blue Weimaraner we possessed.  She radiated health. Once she passed her health screen we mated her with Dash and produced some awesome pups. To this day we wish we would have kept a puppy for the future from that mating.  

We carefully raised and placed the pups with loving home.  It was a mixed litter with a few blues and some silvers.  The pups thrived so a year later we planned a second mating with a different sire.  Again, our results were paramount to what we like to see.  We had either hit the genetic jackpot with our lineages or the rumors about the Blue Weimaraner were much ado about nothing.

Once we had produced a litter with some blue puppies, the blue inquiries followed. People often waited six months or longer.  On a couple of occasions we had clients who waited more than a year for a blue puppy.  We were amazed!  One of the two clients already had a silver gray male from us but they wanted a blue female.  Their male was altered, so the second Weim was not about breeding. They wanted to experience the blue and make the decision about their worthiness to be labeled a Weim.

We began to see that our clients were hoping for a quality bred Blue Weimaraner.  Many of the OwyheeStar clients already had a gray or silver but wanted a blue as well.  In truth, there are very few places to find a quality bred Blue Weimaraner.  This may well be part of the reason for the bad rap.

Along the way, we have purchased a couple of Blue Weims that didn’t work. We ended up giving them away to a great home.  It was very sad but we only want to raise quality Weimaraners so the screening process is vital to our success. In time we added a few blue smooth coated females.  

Storm was our original blue girl.  To get more blues we acquired a blue Stud–Dusty.  Then we were able to produce our own quality blues.  BooKoo resulted from a mating between Dusty and Megan.  Megan has retired but BooKoo lives on and has passed her original health screen.  We hope to see her first litter before too long.  In addition we have two young girls who are old enough for their health screens.  They are scheduled today–Eleanora and LiVee.  

For the most part, we have relied on the blue studs to produce mixed litters. By a mixed litter we mean some gray, silver, and blue pups born to the same parents.  With the blue girls, however, we can also mate them to our NAVHDA prize winning stud–Zee.  This allows us new options to produce quality blue girls.  Since we do not breed back closely (another future topic) we have to have additional options or we could not raise pups with the blue girls we worked hard to get.

In our opinion, any breeder worth their salt should be working to improve the breed.  How they go about this process might vary.  Incorporating the blues in our lines has produced even better grays and silvers.  To many show Weim elitists chagrin, it is a well documented fact that a few top show Weims have been produced from a blue parent.  Some people who have researched this phenomena in-depth seek out breeders such as us (who raise mixed Weimaraner litters) to find a quality show worthy pup.  We, however, do not claim to be raising show Weims.  We rarely consider bestowing breeding rights.  That is a whole different topic and will be discussed at a later date.  It is part of our responsible breeding program.  

There is much to be said about the Blue Weimaraner situation.  Varied opinions abound.  It has been suggested many times that the blues came from the introduction of another breed.  Even if this is proven true, it is a mute issue at the point in time.  All pure breeds were a result of a mixing of various genetic pools.  By this time, the blue blood is deep into the ranks of the Weimaraner. Blues, however, can be eliminated by only raising litters with gray or silver gray parentage.  Litters with two gray parents produce only gray pups.  

Therefore, the WCA is campaigning to eliminate the breeding of blues.  Recent ads in Dog Fancy Magazine denounce breeders who raise the blues as unethical:

3. Avoid repeatedly using dogs which on multiple occasions and with different mates have produced progeny with life impacting defects or extreme disqualifying faults.

http://www.weimclubamerica.org/about/index.html

The WCA has always considered the blue color a disqualifying fault, however, it is clear they are aggressively denouncing those who raise the blues.  There are many club members who own or raise blues but they keep it very private or low key.  We know of show people who have two operations–one for show Weims which are all gray or silver gray and another kennel for their blues. They handle everything separate.

We have been told stories about other club members who were so in love with the blues they had to have one.  Knowing they were forbidden fruit, they altered their blue.  

In truth we can see both sides of the coin.  We understand the WCA wants to protect the traditional Gray Ghost image.  The club has been very restrictive and due to their diligence the Weimaraner has been able to forgo the demise of other breeds.  To us, however, color is a small issue.  We expect this battle about the blues to continue for some time.  Any number of results can happen. There is now a Blue Weimaraner Club too.  

The plight of the lovely Blue Weimaraner now lays heavily upon our hearts. What will come of the blues is forefront and pressing on our hearts.  For now we will continue raising the quality blues.  In our minds and hearts they are Weimaraners–maybe not gray or silver gray but when we look into their eyes it is the same.

Note:  If you are part of the extended OwyheeStar family or are on our waiting list, then please feel free to share your pointers, experiences, or helpful hints.  I am sure everyone would appreciate your thoughts.