Giant Schnauzer - Giant Schnauzer

Giant Schnauzer Temperament

The Giant Schnauzer is a spirited, lively, and intelligent, with plenty of stamina and a very loyal and protective streak. The protective nature of this breed means that the Giant Schnauzer makes an effective watchdog. These dogs are courageous, alert, and eager, and whilst some may be very serious others may be far more laid back. These are high energy dogs and are also very intelligent, and it is important to ensure that your Giant Schnauzer receives both physical and mental stimulation. The Giant Schnauzer is a quick learner, which aids training, but can be very determined and dominant, which makes him best suited for those with some degree of experience when it comes to dog ownership and training.

The Giant Schnauzer is a large and high spirited creature, and although he gets along well with children it is best to limit this to older, more considerate children. Most Giant Schnauzers will accept other animals, but can be dominating and even aggressive with same sex dogs. They also have a tendency to try and herd children, and can be over protective of children in the family, which could prove a problem if they children are playing with other kids. The Giant Schnauzer is a people person, and does require attention and regular exercise. They can be wary around strangers.
Giant Schnauzer Appearance

The Giant Schnauzer has a coat that is hard, harsh, and wiry, and the coloring of the Giant Schnauzer can be black or salt & pepper. This is a distinctive looking breed with a beard, a sturdy build, and a wise expression. The weight of the Giant Schnauzer is around 65-80 pounds for females, and 80-95 pounds for males. The height of these dogs is around 23-26 inches for females, and 25-28 inches for males.
Giant Schnauzer Grooming

The Giant Schnauzer is a high maintenance dog when it comes to grooming, so potential owners should ensure that they have plenty of time to dedicate to looking after the pet. You will need to brush the coat of the Giant Schnauzer on a regular basis, and his beard will need to be cleaned daily for hygiene reasons. You should also ensure that you keep the hair around his bottom trimmed for hygiene reasons. For show dogs, the dead coat will need to be stripped every few months, and for pets clipping may be necessary every few months. This breed is a low shedder, and may therefore be suitable for allergy sufferers.
Giant Schnauzer Health Problems and Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of the Giant Schnauzer is around 10-12 years, and there are a number of health problems that have been linked to this breed. This includes glaucoma, heart problems, epilepsy, PRA, HD, OCD, allergies, and skin problems. The parents of the Giant Schnauzer puppy should have OFA and CERF certificates.
Giant Schnauzer History

The Giant Schnauzer originates from Germany, and was bred to drive cattle in Bavaria. Following World War I, these dogs became popular guard dogs. At one stage the Giant Schnauzer faced extinction. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1930.

# AKARiesenschnauzer
# SizeLarge
# Ease of trainingMedium
# GroomingHigh
# SheddingLow
# Exercise neededDaily walk, and a long romp-around daily
# Energy levelMedium/High
# ProtectionHigh, guard dog
# Good with childrenYes, with older considerate children
# Health clearancesOFA, CERF
# Popularity83/155