See Photos of One of Westminster’s Most Lovable Underdogs
See Photos of One of Westminster’s Most Lovable Underdogs
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Caption from LIFE. Puppy love is evident as Christina Goldsmith, 2 1/2, kisses a young acquaintance. The Weimaraner makes a good household pet and an excellent watchdog.Bernard Hoffman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
On Tuesday night, judges at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will crown one lucky pooch this year’s best in show. Bookies in Las Vegas—yes, they bet on dog shows, too—give a German Shepherd named Rumor 4-to-1 odds to win. But one pup that’s not likely on their radar, despite its steadily increasing popularity since the 1940s, is another German breed, the Weimaraner—which will be judged on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.
When LIFE published a photo essay on the breed in 1950, there were 1,500 Weimaraners in the U.S., all owned by members of the Weimaraner Club of America. The club tightly controlled breeding to ensure that each generation retained the best of the breed’s characteristics: namely, a distinctly friendly and loyal personality and a solid record as a hunting companion.
Despite its good looks and nature, the breed has never been named best in show. The year these photographs were published, that honor went to a Scottish Terrier named Walsing Winning Trick of Edgerstoune.
Christina Goldsmith and her Weimaraner puppies.Bernard Hoffman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter @lizabethronk.
Caption from LIFE. With composure befitting the Weimaraner's station in dogdom, the Duchess of Weimar and her 8-week-old son sit for a family portrait.Bernard Hoffman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesMrs. Goldsmith and her daughter Christina with the Weimaraner puppies.Bernard Hoffman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Puppy love is evident as Christina Goldsmith, 2 1/2, kisses a young acquaintance. The Weimaraner makes a good household pet and an excellent watchdog.Bernard Hoffman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesChristina Goldsmith with the prize-winning Weimaraners.Bernard Hoffman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Domestic bliss is enjoyed by this litter of pups as they romp hungrily with patient mother, one of Mrs. Goldsmith's prize-winning Weimaraners. Bernard Hoffman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Precision point on pheasant hiding in deep grass is made by Grafmar's Evening Mist, while Owner Bradford Warner stands ready to take his shot.Bernard Hoffman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesCaption from LIFE. Out of the water after a perfectly executed retrieve, Bismark brings duck to shore. Webbing between toes makes the Weimaraners fast swimmers.Bernard Hoffman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesBismark looks on at the fallen duck.Bernard Hoffman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesBismark, a 2-year-old male, holds the rabbit he caught.Bernard Hoffman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesOwner Bradford Warner with his Weimaraner Grafmar's Evening Mist.Bernard Hoffman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
