Are you considering adding a furry companion to your household? If you’re looking for a dog breed that is both imposing and intelligent, look no further than the Giant Schnauzer. These magnificent dogs can grow up to 27.5 inches tall and weigh up to 95 pounds, making them a formidable presence in any home. In this blog post, we will explore the unique characteristics and traits of the Giant Schnauzer, including their physical attributes, temperament, and the type of household that best suits their needs. So, whether you’re a first-time dog owner or a seasoned veteran, read on to discover why the Giant Schnauzer may be the perfect furry addition to your family.
[wpdatatable id=83]History of Giant Schnauzer
The Giant Schnauzer can be considered to be a product of interbreeding with sheepdogs, the Great Dane, and also the Bouvier des Flandres. They originated in the state of Bavaria in Germany during the 17th century. The original purpose for which they were bred was to work on farms. They would be used there for herding livestock, guarding the farmlands against intruders, and so on.
Due to its origin in the Bavarian Alps, the breed has developed a thick coat, which protects its body during the winters. The Giant Schnauzer was used extensively during the two World Wars, before which it was not known outside Bavaria. It was eventually used to drive cattle.
More About Giant Schnauzer
The three Schnauzer sizes represent three distinct breeds. Although the three types may appear to be the same breed in varying sizes, they are actually three separate AKC-recognized breeds with independent requirements. They were first developed as working farm dogs in Germany’s agrarian kingdoms of Bavaria and Wurttemberg.
Let’s talk more about this giant dog breed in detail.
Appearance
It has a dense, wiry fur coat with a minimum amount of shedding. The colors of its coat can vary from solid black to salt and pepper. The unique feature is that they have a beard, which adds to their intelligent expression in general. In some cultures, there is a tendency to clip the ears of the dog, which makes them stand erect. If they are not clipped, they form an inverted V shape and droop close to the forehead.
Size
Giant Schnauzers are enormous canines.Guys can weigh 60 to 85 pounds and be 25.5 to 27.5 inches tall. Ladies normally weigh 55 to 75 pounds and stand 23.5 to 25.5 inches tall. Puppies three months old typically weigh between 21 and 37 pounds. Puppies six months old weigh between 39 and 68 pounds. Giant Schnauzers reach their full size between the ages of 16 and 19 months.
Personality and Temperament
The Giant Schnauzer requires a lot of exercises. If you fail to assign tasks, it will invent its games. The dog needs to be taken out on walks and be given playtime, and it also loves to go jogging with its owner.
Given their background as guard dogs, they are very territorial by nature. They are well known for protecting things. These dogs are usually suspicious of strangers; consequently, they need to be socialized with much effort. They will be vocal enough to get your attention if they see fit and can growl or bark endlessly.
Training
The Giant Schnauzer must be trained from a very early age to root out its strong territorial instincts. While this is usually a useful trait, it can become problematic, for the dog can become quite aggressive and hostile.
Giant Schnauzers require lots of exercise and playtime on their own or with other familiar dogs. Treats can be occasionally given to the dog. However, too many should be avoided as this could quickly lead to obesity and flatulence.
It can be trained to accompany the owner in physical activities, such as running, cycling, skiing, swimming, etc. They also do well in regular dog sports, such as herding, agility, and obedience.
Health
While Giant Schnauzer are large, strong, and filled with energy, they are also prone to certain diseases. Prevention is the best way of protecting the dog from these diseases. A regular visit to the veterinarian is recommended. Additionally, they should not be fed a diet with more calories than required. As they age, the vet should be consulted at least twice a year so that any new complications can be diagnosed and thus treated early on. Some of the diseases that commonly affect Schnauzers are:
Eye problems
Giant Schnauzers can develop symptoms of glaucoma, such as watery eyes, the cornea turning blue, and redness developing in the whites of the eye. They can also develop atrophy in the retinal muscles, which can ultimately cause blindness.
Canine Dermatitis
This is a skin condition that the Giant Schnauzer develops, characterized by inflammation of the skin and is caused by allergies. The dog can regularly scratch itself, and the infected area turns red.
Bladder Stones
The canine might have an inherited condition known as Hypouricosuria that leaves it susceptible to bladder stones. This can be diagnosed through regular testing of urine and also X-ray tests. If the dog has stones, significant changes in diet would be required.
Cancer
A particular type of cancer might form on the toenail beds of the dog. This is known as Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and it is characterized by the nail becoming swollen, or there is a pink lump visible underneath it.
Care
The owner must groom the dog regularly every week or have it done by a professional groomer. The ears must be routinely checked for signs of infection, while the teeth must be brushed using paste formulated for dogs.
Feeding
It is generally recommended that the Giant Schnauzer should be fed raw food. This can range from raw chicken to other types of raw meat, to raw liver, egg yolk, and even vegetables. Raw food is best for the Schnauzer because a dog’s stomach is not biologically designed to digest and ferment carbohydrates. The raw food will also keep the flatulence of the dog in check.
Puppies must be given as much food as they can digest during the initial twelve months. You can also feed him scraps from the table, except food that is very spicy or salted. Giant Schnauzers are known to put on weight relatively fast. Consequently, their nutrition should consist of healthy proteins, fats, and ground bones. Apart from that, having your dog fast for one day a week is a healthy practice.
The rule of thumb is that the adult Schnauzer should consume around one pound of meat daily. Of course, while feeding, you need to ensure you do not mix protein sources.
Coat Texture
The dog has an outer coat of moderate length and a rugged, wiry, and bristle-like texture. The coat stands up off its back and does not lie smooth on top of it. The undercoat has more of a wooly feel. There are, of course, the other hallmarks of the Schnauzer, i.e., the coarse hair on the head, the pronounced beard, and the eyebrows. The coats extend down the legs to the feet.
Children and Other Pets
The Schnauzer is not a pet that is considered friendly towards strangers. If the dog has not been socialized with due diligence, it might be wary of strangers, and its discomfort might soon turn into aggression.
Generally, a Giant Schnauzer is a good family pet, and it is keen to be a good companion to its owner. However, in isolation, it might not be very comfortable around a child. If the dog has grown up with the child, it will usually be quite playful around it.
The Giant Schnauzer may be well-behaved around other dogs if socialized with them properly. Although, it might be aggressive around cats or other animals since it would see them as prey.
Grooming
The Giant Schnauzer has an imposing outer coat, which has to be stripped by the hand or trimmed using clippers and other devices.
Stripping the coat by hand is beneficial and improves the texture of the coat. The coat’s outer layer should be stripped, while the inner coat has to be raked. On the other hand, trimming with clippers should be preceded by combing and brushing. This removes the dead layer of the coat and encourages circulation, which causes fresh hair growth.
The dog should be given a brushing, accompanied by a towel rubdown every week. The feet should be shaken properly to remove any moisture that might have remained. The facial beard and leg furnishings may be washed separately every month, for they tend to accumulate extra dirt. If the dog is frequently brushed and treated with oils, bathing might not be necessary. Nevertheless, you may give it a bath once every two weeks, washing the coat along the direction of the hair growth and then rinsing it similarly.
Conclusion
The Giant Schnauzer is a high-energy, loyal and protective dog that would make a great addition to your family. It is extremely intelligent and learns quickly to distinguish between friend and foe. Schnauzers want to be engaged with their owners and make excellent companions.
FAQs
The word translates into muzzle or snout in the German language. The Schnauzer has been named thus because its snout and whiskers draw immediate attention
The first point of difference, as is evident, is the size. A standard Schnauzer can grow up to 20 inches tall, while a Giant Schnauzer can grow up to 27 inches tall. Standard schnauzers tend to have a longer lifespan than the Giant breed since they live for up to 13 to 16 years. Finally, standard Schnauzers are better suited for living in an apartment since the Giant Schnauzer prefers a warmer setting.
The key to housebreaking a Giant Schnauzer is confinement, supervision, and consistency. Visit a website such as Your Purebred Puppy for more detailed guidance.
Giant Schnauzers may develop behavior problems such as aggression, destructive chewing, and barking if not trained and socialized properly. Respect training is a more effective solution to behavior problems than obedience training.
Giant Schnauzers are loyal, courageous, and deeply protective of their families. They are instinctively territorial and make excellent guard dogs.
Giant Schnauzers originated in cooler German climates and may become hot in warmer locations. In the United States, where many Giants live in warmer states such as California, Texas, and Florida, they may be attracted to water, including the sea, kiddy pools, mud holes, buckets, or human-sized pools.
Giant Schnauzers have a thick, wiry coat that requires regular brushing and professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. They need to be clipped to maintain their signature appearance and hygiene.
Hi, I’m Walter,
I live in Oklahoma City, USA, and have extensive dog caring and grooming expertise. In addition, I provide dog training tips and tricks through my blogs in Canine Weekly. I have a Dog Behavior and Training diploma and have previously worked as a Dog Trainer at ROC Animal Training and Behavior and Tip Top K9 of OKC Dog Training.
Apart from writing on Canine Weekly, I share my views on Twitter and Linkedin.