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Breed Characteristics
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Giant Schnauzer
| Other Names | Munich Schnauzer, Munchener, Russian Bear Schnauzer, Riesenschnauzer |
| Country of Origin | Germany |
| Weight | Males: 60 - 105 lbs. (27 - 48 kg) Females: 55 - 75 lbs. (25 - 34 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 26 - 28 in. (66 - 71 cm) Females: 23 - 26 in. (58 - 66 cm) |
| Coat | The double coat has a wiry, dense hard, outer coat with a soft undercoat. |
| Colour | Coat colours come in solid black and salt and pepper. |
| Litter Size | 5 - 8 puppies. |
| Life Span | 12 – 15 years |
| Origin & History | The first Giant Schnauzers emerged from Swabia in the German state of Bavaria, and Württemberg in the 17th century. These original Giant Schnauzers were considered a rough-coated version of the German pinscher breeds, and their hair was thought to help them withstand the harsh German winters and bites from vermin. The origins of the breed are unclear, but sources speculate it originated through some combination of black Great Danes, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Boxers, Bouvier des Flandres, Thuringian Shepherds, and the Standard Schnauzer. The Giant Schnauzer was originally bred as a multipurpose farm dog for guarding property and driving animals to market. By the turn of the 20th century the Giant Schnauzer was being used as a watchdog at factories, breweries, butcheries, and stockyards throughout Bavaria. It was unknown outside Bavaria until it was used as a military dog in World War I and World War II. The first Giant Schnauzers were imported to America in the 1930s, but they remained rare until the 1960s, when the breed became popular. In 1962, there were 23 new Giant Schnauzers registered with the American Kennel Club; in 1974 this number was 386; in 1984 it was over 800 and in 1987 is was around 1000 animals. In 2012, there were 94 new dogs registered, down from 95 in 2011. In modern times, the Giant Schnauzer is used as a police dog; is trained for obedience, dog agility, herding, search and rescue, and schutzhund; and is shown in conformation shows. They are also used for carting. In Europe, the breed is considered to be more of a working dog than a show dog. The focus in many European Schnauzer clubs is not so much on conformation shows, but on the working ability of the breed. In several countries, including Germany, dogs must achieve a Schutzhund Champion title before they can qualify to be a conformation champion. |
| Personality | The Giant Schnauzer is an intelligent, versatile working dog that will be calm with enough exercise. Reliable, brave, loyal, bold and vigorous, it loves to be with its owner at all times. It is easy to train, responding best to firm, calm consistency with a positive attitude, rewarding good behavior. If the Giant Schnauzer is properly trained and well exercised with a firm owner, it makes a very good pet. The objective in training this dog is to achieve pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in its pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined and rules are set. You and all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. That is the only way your relationship can be a success. Giant Schnauzers tend to be on the dominant side and need an owner who understands canine behaviors and knows how to display authority, in a calm, but stern, confident manner and be consistent about it. Without it they may become overprotective and serious, with a hard-headed temperament, as they believe they are alpha to humans. Socialize well around many different people to avoid them becoming suspicious of everyone they are not familiar with. Through absolute consistency you need to show them you mean what you say. They are tremendous guards and their large size alone is a deterrent to trouble. Giants that know their place is below humans, are well socialized, and that receive enough daily mental and physical exercise will usually love everyone; sweet-natured goofballs. One owner says, "Our Molly is actually a therapy dog at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, but would still protect our home till the death if pushed. Our family is very active, either hubby or I do two trail runs a day with our crew and this tires them out and is also lots of fun for both them and us." Some of the great qualities of Giants are that they can excel at obedience, agility, carting and protection work. If properly trained they are dogs that can do it all. They need an owner who displays consistent leadership, or they will feel it is their job to take over as top dog, causing them to become dominant with other dogs. If not given the proper amount of exercise and left to their own devices, this breed can turn very destructive, if their energy and busy minds are not channeled properly. Since they are one of the very few large breeds with a non-shed coat, they are attractive, but if not with an owner who knows how to display consistent leadership, they are often given up before the dog reaches age two. They can be fairly reserved with strangers and should be socialized extensively both with other dogs and people, preferably starting when the dog is a young puppy. They are usually good with other pets. Giants have been bred for generations as guard and watch dogs. They are huge and have a relentless, imposing bark when they hear, see or perceive anything out of the ordinary. |
Care Requirements
| Health | Giants are more prone to cancer than most breeds, especially toe cancer which kills many Giants annually even if caught early. They are at increased risk of bloat. Epilepsy is all too common in this breed and hip dysplasia is rampant. |
| Grooming | The wiry coat is reasonably easy to look after, but the undercoat is dense and it will become matted unless it is combed or brushed weekly with a short wire brush. Clip out knots and brush first with the grain, then against the grain to lift the coat. The animal should be clipped all over to an even length at least four times a year and ear care continually is important. A person can easily learn how to do it themselves. Pet dogs are generally clipped, and show dogs are usually hand-stripped, which is the process of hand plucking the outer guard hairs either with your fingers or a stripping knife. Trim around the eyes and ears with a blunt-nosed scissor and clean the whiskers after meals. They have no doggie odor and shed little to no hair. |
| Exercise | Giants have a huge need for exercise and if not vigorously done at least twice daily they bounce off the walls and be difficult to deal with, even a very well trained one; they have to expend the excess energy they were originally bred for or they just can't settle at night. They need to be taken on a daily, brisk, long walk, jog or run alongside you when you bicycle, at least once a day combined with an additional walk or another type of exercise. These energetic dogs will take as much exercise as they can get, and just love play sessions during which they can run free. If you get a Giant, plan on daily long walks, running, hiking, biking, swimming, or to get involved in agility (obstacle course), advanced obedience, Schutzhund (protection), carting, tracking, or a similar canine activity. If you do not have time to devote to any of these, this is not the breed for you. |
| Other Considerations | The Giant Schnauzer is not suited for apartment life. It is fairly active indoors and will do best with acreage. |
