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 a very impressive looking dog.
Both…
Big and strong, these guys can easily be picked out of a crowd not only for their long beard and thick eyebrows but also by their thick woolly fur.
But be warned…
While it is true that these guys can make great family pets and are smart as a whip which makes them very “trainable”. These guys also have a “bit” of a stubborn streak which when combined with their sheer size can be a bit 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 actually own a Giant Schnauzer so that if you’re ever given the opportunity to own one of these magnificent giants, you’ll know right away 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 basically has his smaller cousin, the Standard Schnauzer to thank for his existence because these guys were basically 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 originally created in Germany, back in the late 1800’s early 1900’s but really began to grow in popularity once one of the first “Giant Schnauzers” named Schnauzer began winning several different dogs shows within Germany itself.
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 nearly as rich or lengthy 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 the early 1492, by the likes of Albrecht Durer, a legendary German artist of that time.
What the Giant Schnauzer lacks…
It time and experience, he more than makes up for in style and grace. Which is probably why the American Kennel Club (AKC) decided to officially recognize the breed way back in 1930, and why he continues to remain a very popular breed within the United States up to and including today!
And while…
These guys don’t tend to get used as police dogs or military dogs like they are used throughout Europe, their immense loyalty and intelligence has made them an ideal family pet for many.
Physical Characteristics of the Giant Schnauzer Breed
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’re going to immediately realize that they are all muscle.
All muscle that is…
Packed into a large, squarish body shape, capped off with a big, bushy beard and thick eyebrows. These guys also have a broad and deep chest, long tail, long legs, high tucked abdomen and “v” shaped ears.
Conveying a look of…
Strength that is accentuated by his ears which are closely cropped and they appear almost erect and a tail that is fully docked.
These guys will also have…
A short, wiry, weather resistant coat which is mostly of the colors pepper or black and salt. Now be warned, that even though these guys have a shorthaired coat, grooming can be a problem with this large dog.
They’ll need to be…
Brushed or combed regularly, at least twice a week to get rid of 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.
Giant Schnauzer temperament and personality
We’ve already talked a fair bit about the Giant Schnauzer’s personality early in the article but we think it’s important to reiterate that these guys are a very proud, strong and stubborn dog with a mind of his own.
Which is why…
This breed may not be the “best” for someone who is a first-time dog owner or who is looking for a small and timid lapdog. This is because, while the Giant Schnauzer is certainly a great dog, it’s not always easy to win him over.
But once he sees you…
As his friend and leader, you can be sure that he will stick with you to the very end. He is a very loyal dog and great with children. He feels very protective about his human family and always watches out for them.
We also feel that…
The Giant Schnauzer’s 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 do live in an urban setting but have access to places where your Giant Schnauzer can run and play freely, chances are, he’ll do just fine.
After all…
These guys do have a charming personality and can be very playful at times, provided that you have put in the work to make sure that he is a well socialized animal that is not “overly” skeptical of all strangers.
Giant Schnauzer health concerns
Being large in size, the Giant Schnauzer is susceptible to certain 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 that this giant breed is known to suffer from…
And while…
Many of these conditions may not be life threatening, they can certainly become quite expensive to deal with 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 right 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.
Had Rommel for 4 years. Great co.panion until he became blind. Once this happened he became difficult to control. Walking him was another problem. Any sudden noise freightened him. Even with the training collor I was unable to handle him. Unfortunately we had to put him down. We lost a great friend
Betty,
We’re sorry to hear about Rommel’s site, sometimes some dogs just can’t adjust well when confronted with such an issue. At least you got 4 great years with him.
Thanks for sharing,
IndulgeYourPet.