Weimars are great hunting dogs and family dogs. They are not stubborn as a breed but they are some of the smartest dogs I have ever owned and trained. However as has been said they have very short hair so to have them retrieve from water is tough on them. I shortened ones life by having him retrieve ducks and yes break ice. I would highly recommend them but it is cruel to do what i did by using them in the water. I hunted pheasants and grouse when I had Weimars and never saw any problem with ice between the toes and I hunted in snow every year when I had them. When they are hunting the cold does not seem to bother them. It is just too much to ask an dog like that to break ice. That is what good labs are bred for.