Protection Dog Breeds we offer For Sale:

German Shepherd Dog | Boxer Dog | Doberman Pinscher | Belgian Malinois

Bouvier des Flandres | Giant Schnauzer | Dutch Shepherd Dog | Rottweiler | Airedale Terrier

(Click on the above links to learn about each breed)

Giant Schnauzer

AKA: (Riesenschnauzer) (The Russian Bear Schnauzer) (Munich Schnauzer)

Pronunciation of Giant Schnauzer:

Giant SCHNOW-zer pronunciation

The Giant Schnauzer in Short:

The Schnauzer, a sturdy, wirehaired dog developed in Southern Germany. There are three separate breeds of schnauzer distinguished by their size. The standard schnauzer is a medium-sized dog whose existence in Germany dates back to the 15th century. It stands from 17 to 20 in. (43.1–50.8 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 27 to 37 lb (12.3–16.8 kg). The giant schnauzer, developed at the end of the 19th century by crossing the standard schnauzer with various native sheepherding and farm dogs and later the Great Dane, stands from 21 to 25 in. (54.6–64.8 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 60 to 80 lb (29.5–35.4 kg). The miniature schnauzer, also developed around the end of the 19th century, resulted from the crossing of standard schnauzer to affenpinscher. It stands from 12 to 14 in. (30.5–35.6 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 13 to 15 lb (5.9–6.8 kg). The coat of all three breeds may be pepper and salt, silver, or black in color. The standard schnauzer was originally used as a ratter, farm dog, and guardian. Later, both it and the giant schnauzer, also a working dog and bred especially for driving cattle, were used in police work. The miniature schnauzer is classified in the terrier group and has been raised primarily as a pet. The giant schnauzer has been used as a herding dog, a personal protection dog, a military dog and heavily as a police dog. All three variations of the schnauzer make excellent pets, however, since the development of the Giant Schnauzer the standard has not been thought of as a protection-dog.

Description of the Giant Schnauzer:

The Giant Schnauzer is a large, powerful, compact dog with bushy eyebrows, whiskers and a beard. The Giant Schnauzer looks like a larger image of the Standard Schnauzer. The Giant Schnauzer has a harsh, wiry outer coat and dense, soft undercoat. Ideally, the Giant Schnauzer's height is the same as the length, resulting in a rather square impression. The Giant Schnauzer has a strong, arched neck should blend cleanly into the shoulders. The Giant Schnauzer's head is about half as long as the back from withers to tail attachment. The Giant Schnauzer's muzzle and top of the head should form parallel planes. The Giant Schnauzer's large nose is black. The Giant Schnauzer's eyes are dark brown and oval. The Giant Schnauzer's teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The Giant Schnauzer's front legs are straight and parallel. Dewclaws should be removed on the hind legs and may be removed on the front legs as well. The Giant Schnauzer's tail is generally docked to the second or third joint. Cropping the ears is optional. Most European countries prohibit Docking and Cropping, so it is not common to have an "Imported" Giant Schnauzer that has been Cropped or Docked. The Giant Schnauzer's coat comes in solid black or salt & pepper.

Temperament of the Giant Schnauzer:

The Giant Schnauzer is an intelligent dog. Giant Schnauzers are very protective, bold and spirited. Calm, loyal, loving and responsible. The Giant Schnauzer is a true "Velcro" dog. It loves to be with its owner at all times. The Giant Schnauzer is a dominant breed that needs an experienced trainer. Giant Schnauzers are easy to train and respond best to firm, consistent training with a positive attitude and plentiful rewards. Giant Schnauzers are in essence a working dog with a terrier temperament, that temperament in a large package causes problems if they are not properly trained. If the Giant Schnauzer is properly trained, it makes a fine pet. Unless professionally trained from puppyhood by an experienced handler / trainer, Giant Schnauzers are not reliable for most households. Giant Schnauzers tend to be on the dominate side and need an owner who understands the breed and how to show the dog humans are boss. According to one Giant Schnauzer rescue, "without the correct training, they may bite kids. They are normally not suitable for homes with children under the age of 12-14 years old. Giant Schnauzer puppies will test you every inch of the way and it is always the owner that has to adapt to a Giant Schnauzer lifestyle!" She further states, "I couldn't imagine life without Giant Schnauzers as they have so many other excellent qualities that it makes the time you have to spend training well worth it :) They are loyal and loving to a fault, they dote on the folks they love and I can't even remember what it's like to go to the powder room without an entourage, they compulsively "need" to be in proximity of you at all times to keep them truly happy and well adjusted. Giant Schnauzers are tremendous guards and their large size alone is a deterrent to trouble. If well socialized when young a Giant Schnauzer can become a wonderful "people" dog, but would still protect their home till the death if pushed. Some of the great qualities of Giants is that they can excel at obedience, agility, carting and protection work, if properly trained they are a dog that can do it all. Giant Schnauzers are so in tune with their owners that they can read your expression and anticipate your wants when working with them in a manner that's almost telepathic. If they have a strong leader, they are secure enough to allow you to interpret danger and will simply alert you but if they don't have complete confidence in their handler, they will immediately take the lead and think that it is their job to not only distinguish that someone is dangerous but to act on that thought. Giant Schnauzers are true "thinking" dogs. Giant Schnauzers need to be owned by folks that respect and admire their independent intelligence and are prepared to channel it into positive ways via dog sports or just lots of activity. Their intelligence, left to it's own devices can turn very destructive if not channeled properly. The Giant Schnauzer breed is dominant with other dogs and should be socialized extensively both with other dogs and people as a young puppy. It is usually good with other pets and some can be good with other dogs if properly socialized as puppies. Giant Schnauzers can be fairly reserved with strangers. Giant Schnauzers have been bred for generations as Guard dogs & Watch dogs, they are huge and have a relentless, imposing bark when they hear, see or perceive anything out of the ordinary. You can't really train a Giant Schnauzer not to bark, it's just what they do.

Height, Weight of the Giant Schnauzer:

Height: Dogs (Males) 26-28 inches (66-71 cm.) Bitches (Females) 23-26 inches (58-66 cm.)

Weight: Dogs (Males) 60-80 pounds (27-36 kg.) Bitches (Females) 55-75 pounds (25-34 kg.)

Health Problems of the Giant Schnauzer:

Giant Schnauzers are more prone to cancer than most breeds, especially toe cancer which kills many Giant Schnauzers annually even if caught early. They are at increased risk of bloat. Epilepsy is common in this breed and hip dysplasia is rampant. It is extremely important to make sure that you purchase your Giant Schnauzer from a reputable supplier!

Living Conditions of the Giant Schnauzer:

The Giant Schnauzer is not suited for apartment life. They are fairly active indoors and will do best with acreage.

Exercise of the Giant Schnauzer:

Giant Schnauzers have a huge need for exercise and if not vigorously done at least twice daily they bounce off the walls and are difficult to deal with, even a very well trained one, they have to expend the excess energy they were originally bred for. The energetic Giant Schnauzers will take as much exercise as they can get, and just love play sessions during which they can run free.

Life Expectancy of the Giant Schnauzer:

About 12-15 years.

Grooming of the Giant Schnauzer:

The Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzer 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. Pet Giant Schnauzers are generally clipped, but show dogs may be stripped. Trim around the eyes and ears with a blunt-nosed scissor and clean the whiskers after meals. Giant Schnauzers have no harsh dog odor and shed little to no hair.

Origin of the Giant Schnauzer:

Known over history as the Russian Bear Schnauzer, Munich Schnauzer and Riesenschnauzer, the Giant Schnauzer is thought to have come from crosses between dogs such as the black Great Dane, Bouvier des Flandres and the Standard Schnauzer. The word "Schnauze" means "muzzle" in German. The Giant Schnauzer was first used as a cattle driving dog in Bavaria, then later by the police and military as a working K9. The Giant Schnauzer excels at personal protection, obedience and schutzhund and also makes a good companion dog.