Giant Schnauzer Dog Breed… Everything You Need to Know at a Glance!

It’s not all that difficult to see why so many folks have become fans of the Giant Schnauzer dog breed. After all, they are very impressive-looking dogs. Both big and strong, these guys can easily be picked out of a crowd for their long beards, thick eyebrows, and wide, woolly fur.

But be warned…

While it is true that these guys can make great family pets and are smart as a whip, making them very “trainable,” These guys also have a “bit” of a stubborn streak, which, combined with their sheer size, can be intimidating for a first-time dog owner or one with a small child living in the home. This is why we wanted to take a moment and discuss what it might be like to own a Giant Schnauzer so that if you’re ever allowed to own one of these magnificent giants, you’ll know immediately if it’s a good choice for you.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!

Giant Schnauzer Breed Fast Facts

Country of Origin: Germany

Origin Purpose:  Cattle herding and guardian

 Height: 23.5 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder

 Weight: 65 to 90 pounds

 Life Span: 10 to 12 years

Dog Breed Classification:  Working group

Origin of the Giant Schnauzer Breed

The Giant Schnauzer has his smaller cousin, the Standard Schnauzer, to thank for his existence. These guys were created because people liked the Standard so much they thought…

“Wouldn’t it be nice to have a LARGER version?”

Which is pretty much what you get when you decide to adopt a Giant Schnauzer. That said, it should go without saying that these guys were first created in Germany in the late 1800s and early 1900s but began to grow in popularity once one of the first “Giant Schnauzers,” named Schnauzer, began winning several different dog shows within Germany.

These original…

Giant Schnauzers were created by crossing the Standard Schnauzer with much bigger dogs, such as the Great Dane and Bouvier des Flandres, which is how they became so large and why these guys are such a joy to have around. And while it is, the Giant Schnauzer doesn’t have a nearly as rich or lengthy a background as the Standard Schnauzer does, seeing that the Standard breed has been around for over five hundred years, which is evident by his portrayal in paintings dating back to early 1492, by the likes of Albrecht Durer, a legendary German artist of that time.

What the Giant Schnauzer lacks…

In time and experience, he more than makes up for it in style and grace. This is probably why the American Kennel Club (AKC) decided to recognize the breed in 1930 and why it continues to remain prevalent in the United States today! While these guys don’t tend to get used as police or military dogs like they are used throughout Europe, their immense loyalty and intelligence have made them an ideal family pet for many.

Physical Characteristics

The Giant Schnauzer is a large dog. But more than just his size, these guys are also very “impressive.” And what we mean by that is when you touch one of these guys, you will immediately realize that they are all muscle. All muscle that is [acked into a large, squarish body shape, capped off with a big, bushy beard and thick eyebrows. These guys also have broad and deep chests, long tails, long legs, high tucked abdomen, and “v” shaped ears.

Conveying a look of…

Strength is accentuated by his ears, which are closely cropped and appear almost erect, and his tail is fully docked. These guys will also have a short, wiry, weather-resistant coat mainly of pepper or black and salt. Now be warned that even though these guys have shorthaired skin, grooming can be problematic with this large dog. They’ll need to be brushed or combed regularly, at least twice a week, to remove the tangles and the mats on his hair. You’ll also want to trim his nails, clean his ears, and give him a good bath whenever he comes home covered in dirt.

Temperament and Personality

We’ve already talked a fair bit about the Giant Schnauzer’s personality early in the article. Still, we think it’s important to reiterate that these guys are very proud, strong, and stubborn dogs with a mind of their own. This is why this breed may not be the “best” for a first-time dog owner or looking for a small and timid lapdog. This is because, while the Giant Schnauzer is undoubtedly a great dog, winning him over is not always easy.

But once he sees you…

As his friend and leader, you can be sure he will stick with you to the end. He is a very loyal dog and great with children. He feels very protective of his human family and always watches out for them. We also think the Giant Schnauzer is temperamentally better suited to rural areas or farm life and could feel out of place in an urban cluster such as New York City or Boston. That said, if you live in an urban setting but have access to areas where your Giant Schnauzer can run and play freely, chances are, he’ll do just fine.

After all…

These guys have charming personalities and can be very playful at times, provided that you have worked to ensure he is a well-socialized animal that is not “overly” skeptical of all strangers.

Potential Health Concerns

Being large, the Giant Schnauzer is susceptible to serious health issues such as bloating and problems such as gastric torsion because of his deep-chested body shape.

Here is a list of health problems this giant breed is known to suffer from…

• Hip dysplasia,
• Elbow dysplasia,
• Gastric dilatation volvulus (Bloat),
• Panosteitis.

And while many of these conditions may not be life-threatening, they can become quite expensive, particularly if they become recurring issues. This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.

Now, will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?

No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?

For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.