Living
Which fits a more active household?
The Weimaraner, if you can meet its 5/5 exercise need - it's more trainable and easier to groom, but far less tolerant of alone time and apartment living than the Bloodhound.
Bloodhound vs Weimaraner: Which Suits Your Home?
Bloodhound or Weimaraner? On paper they differ most on exercise need, and on the scales Bloodhound is the heavier at 90–110 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.
This is for someone already down to Bloodhound and Weimaraner and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on exercise need and energy level, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Bloodhound rates 2/5 against 1/5. Breed history is left out; what follows is what you will actually live with.
Quick verdict
Between Bloodhound and Weimaraner, exercise need is what separates them, and Bloodhound is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.
Choose bloodhound if...
Choose Bloodhound if your walking routine is modest and you already have another dog.
Choose weimaraner if...
Choose Weimaraner if you do not want a standing grooming appointment, shedding is a problem in your house and you want a dog that picks up training quickly.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | bloodhound | weimaraner | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | large | large | Equal |
| Weight | 90–110 lbs | 55–90 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 23–27 in | 23–27 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 7–10 years | 10–13 years | weimaraner |
| Exercise need | Moderate (3/5) | Very high (5/5) | bloodhound |
| Grooming need | Low (2/5) | Very low (1/5) | weimaraner |
| Shedding | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | weimaraner |
| Energy level | Moderate (3/5) | Very high (5/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Apartment suitability | Low (2/5) | Very low (1/5) | bloodhound |
| Good for first-time owners | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Tolerates being alone | Low (2/5) | Very low (1/5) | bloodhound |
| Trainability | Low (2/5) | High (4/5) | weimaraner |
| Good with kids | High (4/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Good with other dogs | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | bloodhound |
| Friendly to strangers | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | bloodhound |
| Cost level | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Coat | Short, dense | Short and sleek | Equal |
| Origin | Belgium | Various | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $100–$200 | $110–$240 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,500–$2,800 | $1,700–$3,200 | Equal |
Deep dive
Size and build
Both breeds land in the large category and stand about the same height at 23-27 inches, but the Bloodhound carries considerably more weight - 90-110 lbs against the Weimaraner's leaner 55-90 lbs. Side by side, the Weimaraner reads as the more streamlined, athletic dog.
Energy and exercise
The Weimaraner is significantly more demanding physically, rating a maximum 5/5 on exercise need against the Bloodhound's 3/5. It was bred to hunt large game across long distances and still carries that stamina - a Weimaraner without enough daily exercise tends to find its own, often destructive, outlets.
Grooming and shedding
The Weimaraner's short, sleek coat is minimal work - a very low 1/5 on grooming and 2/5 on shedding, both better than the Bloodhound's 2/5 and 3/5. If coat maintenance is your main concern, the Weimaraner is the easier of the two by a clear margin.
Apartment living, noise and time alone
Neither breed does well in small spaces, but the Weimaraner is worse - 1/5 on apartment suitability against the Bloodhound's 2/5, and it tolerates being left alone even less well, at 1/5 versus 2/5. Barking is tied at moderate (3/5) for both, so it's really the exercise and alone-time numbers driving the gap here, not noise.
Training and owner experience
The Weimaraner is meaningfully easier to train, rating 4/5 against the Bloodhound's 2/5, thanks to its close-working hunting heritage. Both rate a low 2/5 for first-time-owner suitability overall, though - the Weimaraner's intensity and exercise demands offset its trainability advantage for someone without prior dog experience.
Kids, other dogs and visitors
Kids are a tie at 4/5 for both breeds. The Bloodhound pulls ahead with other dogs and strangers, rating 4/5 against the Weimaraner's 3/5 in each - Weimaraners tend to be more headstrong and selective, bonding tightly with their own family rather than warming instantly to every new face or dog.
Health and lifespan
Both share risk of bloat and hip dysplasia, two conditions worth discussing with any breeder or vet regardless of which dog you choose. The Weimaraner's list also includes von Willebrand disease, a bleeding disorder, and a documented tendency toward separation anxiety. It lives somewhat longer on average, 10-13 years against the Bloodhound's 7-10.
Cost to keep
The Weimaraner runs a bit more expensive in practice, at $110-240 a month and $1,700-3,200 in year one, against the Bloodhound's $100-200 and $1,500-2,800 - though both land at the same moderate 3/5 overall cost rating, so the dollar gap is real but not dramatic.
Bloodhound vs Weimaraner at a glance
Bloodhound weighs 90–110 lbs and lives 7–10 years; Weimaraner weighs 55–90 lbs and lives 10–13 years. The two diverge most on exercise need, energy level and trainability. They are level on barking, cost level and good for first-time owners, so those cannot decide it. The comparison marks an easier option only where one exists. Facts like weight and country of origin are not scored. Both dogs are rated from the same dataset, which is what makes the numbers comparable with each other even though any individual dog sits somewhere inside its breed's range.
Frequently asked questions
Which breed is bigger?
They're close in height, both around 23-27 inches, but the Bloodhound is noticeably heavier at 90-110 lbs versus the Weimaraner's 55-90 lbs.
Which needs more exercise?
The Weimaraner, by a wide margin - a maximum 5/5 rating against the Bloodhound's 3/5. This is a genuinely high-stamina hunting breed.
Which is easier to groom?
The Weimaraner, rated a very low 1/5 on grooming versus the Bloodhound's 2/5, thanks to its short, sleek coat.
Is either good for a first-time owner?
Not really - both rate a low 2/5, for different reasons: the Bloodhound's stubbornness and the Weimaraner's intensity and exercise needs.
What's the cost difference?
The Weimaraner runs a bit more - $110-240 a month and $1,700-3,200 in year one, versus the Bloodhound's $100-200 and $1,500-2,800.
Do they share health risks?
Yes - both are prone to bloat and hip dysplasia. The Weimaraner's list also includes von Willebrand disease and a tendency toward separation anxiety.
Which is more sociable with other dogs and strangers?
The Bloodhound, rating 4/5 in both categories against the Weimaraner's 3/5 - Weimaraners tend to be more selective and bond tightly with their own family.
Quick answers
View more answersCosts
Which costs more?
The Weimaraner, at $110-240 a month versus the Bloodhound's $100-200.
Training
Which needs more exercise?
The Weimaraner, rated a maximum 5/5 against the Bloodhound's 3/5.
Health
Which lives longer?
The Weimaraner, typically 10-13 years compared to the Bloodhound's 7-10.
Related DogBreedCompass guides
- Bloodhound breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Bloodhound before deciding.
- Weimaraner breed guide – The same for Weimaraner, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
- Bloodhound vs Old English Sheepdog – Old English Sheepdog is the closest breed to Bloodhound on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
- Weimaraner vs German Wirehaired Pointer – German Wirehaired Pointer sits closest to Weimaraner, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
- What Bloodhound costs to keep – Anyone weighing these two is usually also pricing them, and the cost pages carry city-level figures.
- Weimaraner health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.
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Important reminder
Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.
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