The fabulous Weimaraner is an interesting breed! In addition to the light patch of hair found on the heads of some Weims (something called the Grafmar’s Cap), and tiny little horns called “szary” in Hungarian, some Weimaraner owners notice a behavior in their dogs that’s been dubbed “nooking.”
Nooking is a behavior (some say it’s a Weimaraner-specific character trait) in which a dog, both puppy and adult, kneads and sucks on their bedding and stuffed toys. We have come across so many explanations for nooking that we’re hesitant to explain it at all. Some says it’s a trait caused by early separation from the mother, and some maintain that it’s a sign of boredom or anxiety. Still others say it’s nothing more than a quirky comfort trait that seems to run in some lines. We always defer to the experts, breeders and owners, to share their opinions and experiences about this.
We came across a video of nooking in action:
Here’s another one:
Image found on Pinterest and happily credited upon receipt of information
I have a friend whose English Cockers do this too. It runs in some English Cocker lines, not all.
How interesting, Carol, thanks for sharing that with us. What does your friend make of it?
A lot of dogs do this. Some bullmastiffs do this, and I have labs at work that do this. It always seems to be the ones who were separated from mom at an early age (less than 5 or 6 weeks).
I’ve had several Airedales that do it. They were not separated from theri mothers early and did not seem to be anxious individuals
I raised a litter of orphan Weimaraners. I kept one and she does this. I always assumed it was because she was bottle fed. I didn’t know if was a breed trait!
I have a Sheltie that does it. I can confidently say that it’s not early separation or poor rearing in her case. And it’s not boredom or frustration (we train daily, compete in ton of activities, etc). It really just seems to be a wind-down comfort thing for her.
Thanks for the input, Dayna!
My 14month old pitbull does it to fall asleep and he was not separated early nor does he seem to be anxious either. I got him from my cousin and she said his father does it too.
My 4 year old female Weim is an avid nooker! She had a rather late separation from mom, at 16 weeks, she’s not an anxious or nervous dog, in fact she’s very confident, happy and silly. She nooks daily in her down times, if I had to guess it feels like she’s resetting when previously overstimulated, almost like meditating lol. I think it’s adorable and a pretty smart self care technique
I have a 5 year old Weimaraner who has done this since he was a puppy. We got him from his mother when he was 9 weeks old. He generally does it when he’s falling asleep. He used to have a particular blanket he would carry around the house with him until it became too tattered. Now he’s happy to nook any soft blanket. He’s our 3rd Weimaraner and the first to do this. I think its cute. Lately he likes to burrow under the covets and nook at bedtime.
My Jack Russell does this every night! She’s had her food, goes out for a run around then comes back in straight on the sofa and sucks my blanket! Only does it in the evenings when we are just sat relaxing! Can’t be a weaning issue as she still lives with her mum!!
I have a mutt, he looks like a labrador sized wire haired jack russel terrier (yes, he is adorable) and “nooks” basically everyday with this stuffed animals.
His parents were also mutts. (So definitely, not a breeding trait). His dad was some kind of labrador mix and his mom some kind of springer spaniel mix.
I adopted him when he was almost 3 months old, so I don’t think early separation its a variable in this case.
He is extremely active and playful, for what I can see, nooking gives him comfort!!! Besides it is always with his favorite toys.
I’ve raised 4 Weimaraners and none of them had an early separation from their mother. My first 2 Weims (a male first and then later a female). Both have passed now but they both enjoyed nooking, particularly the female who was as solid as a rock. My third Weim is a male and now 11 years old and he still enjoys nooking, especially on a soft furry toy known as a lamb chop. My 4th Weim is my newest, a female, and is currently 2 1/2 years old. I’ve seen her nooking as well. She typically wads up a bit of her blanket to do it on, but sometimes does it on a furry plush type toy. After watching 4 Weimaraners all enjoy nooking, I’ve put it down to being just a wind down sort of comfort thing. They frequently seem to do it before settling down for a nap.
Is it wrong that we find the practice rather dear?
I don’t think it’s wrong at all. I find it to be a very unique trait, and definitely one that’s dear! It has always brought a smile to my face when I’ve watched my dogs nooking!
One of my Great Danes does this. He was “adopted “ at 15 weeks. He has his one favorite plush toy we call his sucky toy. For him it’s all about the comfort. He’ll lie beside the wood stove with it. Odd thing is it’s not a regular thing, sometimes he will go days without his sucky toy.
Our Goldendoodle does this on one of her toys. She has done it since bringing her home at 8 weeks. Only on the same toy. I thought it was a comfort thing as she does it when she’s tired
My Husky has done this since we got him at 11 weeks old. He is 6 years old now. So definitely not a Weim-specific trait 🙃
My American Esimo dose it when she next to me in bed at night only my blankets he’s been nooking since he was a puppy now 9yrs. Old
It’s kind of precious, isn’t it?
About seven years ago I found a dog at our local park and no one claimed him. I called him Petey Because he looked like the dog from little rascals a little bit. He wasn’t neutered yet and was about a year or year and a half old and had a ratty collar. I have no idea of where he came from or his situation. I posted to all the websites and put signs up and no one claimed him so he ended up with me and my lab Dane mix. Just a short time ago I did a DNA test and found out that he is 25% pointer, 25% Weimaraner, 25% American Staffordshire terrier, Canadian Eskimo dog, and some other random breeds for the rest. I thought he would be a pointer pittie mix but I was really surprised about the Weimaraner so I looked up the breed and was so happy to see that it’s common for them to nook. He has done it since the day I got him and I have never made him wrong for it because I could tell it made him feel safe or somehow comforted him. And as I write this now he’s laying on the edge of the bed ripping up a toy and alternating between that and Nooking LOL! He has a little top ridge of hair that I guess is common for Weimaraners as well as a unique running style that also hints of the breed. I adore him.
I have a purebred yellow lab who is soon to be 3 and has nooked since he’s been a baby. I got him at 8 weeks so he may have been separated early. We don’t know. His favorite is either the corner of his dog bed. Now he’s discovered the pointy end of a bed pillow. You’ll know when he’s been there. The pillow is spit city and un useable. He now has his own bed pillow.
My Boston Terrier does this every night. He loves “nooking” a blanket as he’s going to sleep for the evening. Very cute.
My 2 year old Jack Russell started doing it to her bed about a month ago…I don’t think it’s anything more than just a comfort thing and maybe feels good on her teeth/gums to do?
My chihuahua does this if she’s sleepy. Always before she has a nice sleep. She has a teddy as well and sucks his paws.
My ShihzPoo has done it since a puppy, he is 2.5 years old now. He does it to all his soft toys and the ones with long legs or ears he sucks them until they fall off