This breed is the largest variety of the Schnauzer family. The Giant Schnauzer is a versatile breed, which was developed in Germany for the purpose of herding cattle. Some were even used as guard dogs. Today, Giant Schnauzers are a wonderful family companion. They are quite popular in Europe but uncommon in the United States of America. The Giant Schnauzer was officially recognized by the American Kannel Club in 1930.
Height: 23.5-27.5 inches Weight: 55-85 pounds Lifespan: 12-15 years
The Giant Schnauzer is big, powerful and elegant dogs. He is very hardy, bold and has an independent mind. Giant Schnauzers can withstand any adverse weather conditions, they are proud and determined. This breed is a loyal companion that you can rely on. Comparable Breed: The Rottweiler and Doberman Pinscher.
The Giant Schnauzer is loving and responsible. He needs love and attention and cannot tolerate loneliness. Hence, if you’re focused on your career, this is not a dog for you. Moreover, Giant Schnauzers are not suitable for dog breeders with no previous experience. Since this can be a very challenging breed, it needs a patient and level-headed owner. The Giant Schnauzer is very smart and has strong guarding instincts, which makes him an excellent watchdog. This dog gets along well with young children but cannot tolerate other dog breeds.
Giant Schnauzers have a double coat. While the outer layer is dense and wiry, the undercoat is thick and soft. The facial hair forms thick eyebrows and beard. These dogs come in pure black and salt and pepper. This breed is an extremely low shedder and has no doggie smell. However, since he’s coat tends to form mats, the Giant Schnauzer needs a weekly brushing. In addition, the dog must undergo professional grooming at least four times per year. The hair around the eyes, ears and beard require special care. Hence, it is highly important to regularly clean this area, especially postprandial. Bathing or cleaning with a dry shampoo is allowed only when really necessary.
The Giant Schnauzer is generally healthy dog breed, but like all breeds, they can be prone to Cancer, Bloating, Hip Dysplasia and Epilepsy. The Giant Schnauzer has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
The male Giant Schnauzer dog breed’s height is around 25.5-27.5 inches and weighs around 60 and 85 pounds. Female Giant Schnauzer dogs can reach a size from 23.5-25.5 inches and weighs between 55 and 75 pounds. Male dogs are generally larger than females.
The Giant Schnauzer requires intensive socialization at a young age. He also requires strong, dominant owner who knows how to handle a dog. Education should be based on respect, consistency and firmness. Also, make sure to apply positive reinforcement techniques, including food reward and praise for every success. Giant Schnauzers show outstanding results in all kinds of dog sports, and they are often used for police work and psychological therapy (Canistherapy).
Because the Giant Schnauzer needs intense exercising on the everyday basis, he is not suitable for living in a city apartment. The ideal environment for these dogs is a country house with a large yard, where they can perform various tasks. Giant Schnauzers love playing all sorts of games with the family.
Quick Information |
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Other Names: | Riesenschnauzer, Munchener, Russian Bear Schnauzer, Munich Schnauzer | |
Origin: | Germany, Europe | |
Average size: | Large Dog Breed | |
Color: | Black and Grey | |
Energy Level: | Active dog breed | |
Shedding: | Seasonal, Hypoallergenic | |
Grooming: | Weekly | |
Trainability: | This dog is easy to train | |
Barking Level: | Low – When Necessary | |
Intelligence: | Very Intelligent and clever dog | |
Personality: | Loyal, Alert, Trainable | |
Hypoallergenic: | Yes | |
AKC Dog Ranking: | 79th Most popular dog breed | |
Good family dog: | Yes, Very good with socialization | |
Good with other dogs: | Yes, good with socialization | |
Good with children: | Yes – but socialization is essential | |
Good with strangers: | Medium – They are wary around strangers | |
Good apartment dog: | Low – this is not an apartment dog |
Photo Credit: Konstantin Zamkov/Flickr; State Farm/Flickr; Becky/Flickr
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