You’ve scrolled past a dozen photos of sleek, silver Weimaraners looking noble on Instagram. They’re beautiful—genuinely. But here’s what nobody tells you: a Weimaraner in a 900-square-foot apartment without a solid plan is a dog that will redecorate your walls with their anxiety, and I don’t mean paintings.
The honest answer? Yes, Weimaraners can live in apartments. But it requires the same level of commitment most people reserve for having a second job. If you’re considering one, this guide is here to tell you exactly what you’re signing up for—and how to actually pull it off.
The Space Question: Square Footage Isn’t the Real Issue
Here’s what I’ve seen go wrong: people think apartment living fails because of space, but it actually fails because of boredom disguised as bad behavior. A Weimaraner in 650 square feet with three daily walks is fine. A Weimaraner in a 2,500-square-foot house with nobody home and no structure? That’s a problem.
That said, apartments do present real constraints. Weimaraners are large—males run 25–40 pounds, females 20–35 pounds—with a lean, muscular build and a tail that works like a whip. Furniture gets relocated. Doorways get squeezed. Hallways become obstacle courses. If your place is cramped and you’re hoping the dog will self-exercise indoors, reconsider the breed entirely.
But if you have reasonable floor space, even a modest one-bedroom works, provided you commit to the exercise part. I’ve known several apartment-living Weimaraners in Minneapolis and Denver where residents managed it beautifully—and others where the dog became a anxious, destructive nightmare within six months.
Are Weimaraners Hard to Train?
Not inherently. Weimaraners are genuinely intelligent, and they want to work with you. But here’s the catch: they were bred to make independent decisions in the field. They’re not golden retrievers waiting for permission. They’re problem-solvers, which means they’ll problem-solve your apartment layout if you’re not giving them a job.
The real training challenge isn’t “can they learn commands?”—it’s “will they listen when they’ve decided your request is boring?” That’s breed-specific stubbornness, not stupidity.
Start early with a trainer who understands working breeds. In an apartment setting, I’d recommend at least 6–8 weeks of structured classes where you learn how to motivate your dog, not just where the dog learns to sit. Expect to spend $1,200–$2,000 on solid training if you’re starting from scratch. (Yes, that’s real money. It’s also cheaper than replacing drywall and flooring.)
Consistency matters more than intensity. A Weimaraner who knows the rules and respects boundaries is a manageable neighbor. A Weimaraner who gets rules applied “whenever you feel like it” is a problem.
How to Get a Weimaraner to Calm Down
This is the question I get asked most, usually by exhausted apartment owners at month three. And my answer is always the same: you haven’t tired them out yet.
Weimaraners need a minimum of 90 minutes of real exercise daily—not “walking around the neighborhood.” I mean sustained aerobic activity. Off-leash running, fetch, hiking, swimming, trotting alongside a bike. In apartment situations, this becomes non-negotiable routine.
Before you panic: no, you can’t skip this by “letting them run around the apartment.” A Weimaraner will self-soothe with destructive behavior if underexercised. I’ve seen dogs literally eat through drywall, chew through door frames, and shred furniture in apartments where the owner thought 30-minute neighborhood walks cut it.
Here’s what actually works:
Morning (45 minutes): Off-leash running or fetch in a dog park, or a trotting run alongside you if you’re a runner. If you’re not a runner, this is the moment to honestly assess whether you can commit. (Apps like BringFido can help you find parks near your apartment; most urban areas have at least one decent option within 15–20 minutes’ drive.)
Midday (15 minutes): Quick walk or yard access for bathroom, mental engagement via puzzle toys or training sessions.
Evening (45 minutes): Another substantial aerobic session, ideally social (dog park, group hike, second run).
A tired Weimaraner is a calm Weimaraner. A bored Weimaraner is a criminal.
Barking and Your Neighbors: The Real Apartment Problem
Weimaraners aren’t naturally excessive barkers compared to, say, a terrier mix. But they are vocal communicators, and separation anxiety (which thrives in apartments where owners leave for work) makes them become chronic barkers real fast.
The barking question is honestly where apartments start to fail. A Weimaraner left alone for 8 hours straight will bark. Not constantly, but enough that your neighbors will notice. Most will complain.
This isn’t about “training barking away”—it’s about preventing the anxiety that causes it.
Real solutions:
- Dog walkers or midday breaks. If nobody’s home, hire help. Even 2–3 days a week of a midday break ($15–$25 per visit via Rover, Wag, or local walkers) can prevent the barking spiral. If you’re gone 9+ hours regularly, this isn’t optional.
- Crate training, done right. A Weimaraner with positive crate associations doesn’t panic when confined. This takes time to establish—weeks, usually—but it genuinely works.
- White noise or dog-specific audio. Spotify has playlists designed for anxious dogs. Playing something ambient actually helps.
Be honest: if your job requires you to be away more than 6–7 hours regularly and you can’t afford a dog walker, an apartment Weimaraner is probably not realistic.
Where to Get a Weimaraner—and Where Not To
I’m going to be opinionated here because this matters.
Do not buy from a breeder you found on Google in 20 seconds. Weimaraners have real health issues—elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat), and some cardiac concerns. A responsible breeder tests parents and provides health guarantees. Talk to your vet about what health screenings matter for the parents.
Reputable breeders: The Weimaraner Club of America website has a directory. expect to pay $800–$1,800 for a well-bred puppy. There’s typically a waiting list. This is normal and good—it means they’re selective.
Rescue: Weimaraner-specific rescues exist in most regions. Check Petfinder or breed-specific rescue directories. Rescued adult dogs often have the exercise requirements already established, which can actually be easier in an apartment. You know what you’re getting.
Skip: Puppy mills, pet store puppies (they’re usually mill-bred), and any breeder who guarantees puppies “ready now” or has multiple litters available. These are red flags.
Health Considerations: Talk to Your Vet
Weimaraners are generally sturdy, but they’re prone to a few issues worth knowing about upfront—especially if you’re considering apartment life where you might miss early symptoms.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) is serious and can be fatal. Large, deep-chested dogs are at higher risk. Feed smaller meals (split daily food into 2–3 portions), avoid exercise immediately after eating, and know the symptoms: restlessness, distended abdomen, unsuccessfully attempting to vomit. If you see these signs, get to an emergency vet immediately. Talk to your vet about whether a preventive gastropexy surgery makes sense for your situation.
Hip and elbow dysplasia are inherited. Good breeders screen parents with OFA or PennHIP evaluations. Ask about these results before committing.
Some Weimaraners develop sensitive stomachs, particularly to grain-heavy or low-quality diets. This isn’t pseudoscience territory—it’s worth discussing with your vet if your dog has digestive issues.
Keep your vet in the loop about your apartment situation too. They can help you recognize stress-related behaviors early.
The Real Verdict
A Weimaraner can absolutely live in an apartment if you understand that “apartment living” doesn’t mean “lower the bar on exercise and engagement.” It means doing everything right within smaller physical constraints.
Ask yourself honestly: Can I commit to 90 minutes of real exercise daily? Can I afford a dog walker if my job keeps me away longer than 6 hours? Am I prepared for a dog who needs mental engagement, not just food and shelter? Can I handle a dog with opinions who occasionally argues about what I’m asking?
If yes to all of those: go for it. A well-exercised, properly trained apartment Weimaraner is an excellent companion—loyal, affectionate, and genuinely eager to be part of your life.
If you’re hedging on any of those? A smaller breed, a lower-energy sporting breed like a Brittany, or frankly no dog right now—those are more honest choices.
Choose based on what your actual life looks like, not what you wish it looked like. The dog will be happier for it.
