Giant Schnauzers: A guide to dogs and puppies of the Giant Schnauzer breed

The Giant Schnauzer!

The Giant Schnauzer is a large and muscular dog with a very bushy appearance, a larger version of the Standard Schnauzer dog. It has an elongated head, dark brown eyes, black nose and teeth that form a scissor bite. The front legs are parallel while the tail is usually docked on the second or third joint. Some owners have the ears of this dog cropped and dewclaws removed from the hind legs. The body of the Giant Schnauzer has a soft undercoat, which is covered by a coarse, wiry outer coat.

Some Quick Facts:

Life Expectancy:
12-15 years

Energy Level:
Average.

Living Conditions:
Large indoor spaces or outdoor property.

Barking:
Average

Exercise Needs:
Needs time every day to play and run in open areas.

Breed Group:
Herding/Working Dogs

Size:
Medium-Large

Height:
24-28 inches

Weight:
55-80 pounds

Standard Hair Colors:
Solid black or salt and pepper combinations.

National breed club:
Giant Schnauzer Club of America

Giant Schnauzer Skills

According to some historical accounts, the Giant Schnauzer was also referred to as the Russian Bear Schnauzer, Munich Schnauzer and the Riesenschnauzer. The dog is said to be a mixture of the Great Dane, Bouvier des Flandres and Standard Schnauzer breeds. The Giant Schnauzer was first used in Bavaria as a cattle herding dog but was later utilized by the police and the military as a guard dog, because of its imposing size and uncanny intelligence.

Giant Schnauzer Personality

The Giant Schnauzer is sometimes touted as the “Velcro Dog”, because it loves being around its owner most of the time. While the breed is generally loving and affectionate, it needs to be trained to understand that despite their massive size, humans are still the boss. Without the proper training, they are not ideal as household pets, especially those with children under 12 to 14 years old. But when properly and patiently trained and supervised, the Giant Schnauzer can be a good pet as it is very intelligent and easy to learn.

Exercise Needs

Being an active dog, the Giant Schnauzer requires a great amount of exercise. This breed is not ideal for people who cannot afford to give it the vigorous workout that it demands. When not given the requisite exercise, the Giant Schnauzer can become bored and destructive. It loves to play and run around in open areas.

Living Conditions

The Giant Schnauzer is not recommended for people who live in small living quarters. It is ideal for those who have large homes, as they can be active indoors, that likewise have acreage for the dogs to run around in.

Grooming Requirements

The undercoat of the Giant Schnauzer needs to be brushed weekly in order to prevent tangling and matting. The coat, on the other hand, should be clipped at least four times a year to maintain an even length. Hair around the eyes and the nose should also be trimmed with a blunt-nosed pair of scissors to keep its face clean. The ears of the Giant Schnauzer should also be checked and clean regularly to avoid infections.

Health Issues

Among all dog breeds, the Giant Schnauzer is most susceptible to cancer, especially toe cancer. They are also prone to epilepsy and hip dysplasia.

If you liked this dog…

...you may also take a liking to the Saint Bernard. The breed is a whole bundle of fun, always ready to play and please the owners and its family.