Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Madison. Madison Wonders, “What do photographers do?” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Madison!
From classic movie and comic-strip stars, such as Lassie, Old Yeller, Rin Tin Tin, Toto, Scooby Doo, and Snoopy, to modern stars of social media, such as Doug the Pug, dogs have proven over and over again that they truly are man's best friend.
If you're a fan of dogs, you're probably familiar with the work of William Wegman. Wegman is a photographer known for his playful portraits of his dogs dressed up as humans. His photos have been featured in children's books, photography books, and even television shows, such as Sesame Street.
Wegman has been creating unique portraits of his pets for over 40 years now. His famous photos feature his beautiful dogs that have regal faces and unique gray or silver coloring. What kind of dogs are they? They're Weimaraners, often known as "Gray Ghosts" because of their gray coats and their stealthy ability to hunt prey.
As dog breeds go, Weimaraners are fairly young. They originated in the Weimar region of Germany in the early 19th century. Medium- to large-sized athletic dogs, Weimaraners were originally bred to hunt large game, such as deer, boar, and bear.
As large game populations declined, Weimaraners became more versatile as they adapted to hunt smaller game, such as rabbit, fox, and water and game birds. Breed experts believe some of the ancestors of the modern Weimaraner include the Bloodhound, the St. Hubert Hound, and other European hounds and pointers.
Originally known as the Weimar Pointer or der Weimaraner Vorstehhund, the first Weimaraners weren't imported into the United States until 1929. The breed's popularity didn't really take off, however, until after World War II, when soldiers returning from Germany brought some Weimaraners home with them.
Weimaraners weren't recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1943. Since that time, they've become popular hunting dogs and pets. Known for their graceful movement and aristocratic features, Weimaraners are known for their intelligence, courage, and keen hunting abilities.
Do Weimaraners make good pets? That depends upon what kind of dog owner you are. Weimaraners are known for being friendly, obedient, and easily trained. They love children and enjoy being a member of the family.
On the other hand, male Weimaraners can grow to be nearly 100 pounds. They're also very energetic and require lots of attention and exercise. They don't do well as outside or kennel dogs.
If you're able to make a Weimaraner an integral part of your family and give it plenty of attention and exercise, in addition to training, then you'll have a loyal pet that the whole family will enjoy. If you don't have a lot of time to exercise and interact with a dog, then the Weimaraner may not be the dog for you.