Due to their relationship with the schnauzer and their past as a sheepdog, the giant schnauzer are large, robust and strong dogs that They serve both for surveillance and protection tasks, as well as for grazing, although in this last aspect they are used less and less. Being so large, they need a good dose of daily exercise, which is why they are not recommended for people who do not have time to take them for long walks or play with them. But they are not independent dogs because of their size, rather they are a very intelligent breed of dog, active and loyal, which with proper training and exercise, are capable of develop many skills.
In this article on our site we show you all the necessary information if you are thinking of adopting a giant schnauzer.
Origin of the giant schnauzer
This breed originated in Germany, from its cousin the schnauzer German farmers were so impressed with the qualities of the schnauzer that they decided to create a new breed that had the same qualities, but was larger. Size was a necessary quality to handle cattle. There is no record of the crosses made to obtain the giant schnauzer, but it is thought that this breed contains Great Dane and Bouvier des Flandres blood, among others.
Over time, the giant schnauzer demonstrated its qualities as a guard dog and ceased to be a cattle dog. With World War II, the breed lost popularity, but after the war its population grew again.
Today it is a well-known breed but not very widespread. Its popularity is moderate and it is mainly used as a pet, although it is a highly appreciated breed by police forces where it can unleash its greatest qualities.
Giant schnauzer physical characteristics
According to the FCI standard for the breed, the height at the withers, for both males and females, ranges between 60 and 70 centimeters. For its part, the ideal weight, both for males and females, is between 35 and 47 kilograms. The general appearance of this dog is exactly the same as that of the schnauzer, but in a much larger size. It is a dog large, strong and robust, with a height at the withers approximately equal to the length of the body. The back is short and strong, sloping slightly from the withers towards the rear of the dog. The loin is short and the croup slightly rounded. The chest is moderately wide and deep, reaching to the elbows. The flanks are gathered in the belly, although not excessively.
The head of the giant schnauzer is very characteristic and has bushy eyebrows. It is strong and elongated, and is about half the length of the body, measured from the withers to the base of the tail. The forehead is flat and the occiput is not very marked. The stop, or naso-frontal depression, is well marked below the eyebrows. The muzzle is straight and truncated wedge-shaped. It is covered in thick fur that forms whiskers and a beard. The lips are black and well attached. The bite should be scissor. The eyes of this dog are oval, medium and dark. They have a lively expression. The ears, meanwhile, are set high and "V" shaped. In the old days they were cut to meet the breed standard, but fortunately today the standard requires that they be complete, so there is no need to mutilate the dogs. However, giant schnauzers with severed ears can still be seen.
The tail should be saber or sickle shaped. Today the FCI breed standard requires that the tail be natural. However, docked tails were required in the past, and there are still many dogs of this breed with docked tails. Fortunately this practice is disappearing.
The coat is made up of a dense fluff and a hard outer coat that sticks well to the body. The result is a hard, wiry and bushy overall coat. This hair forms a beard on the muzzle and very bushy eyebrows over the eyes, characteristic of the breed. Accepted colors are pure black and "s alt and pepper".
Giant schnauzer character
Giant schnauzers are dogs with a stable temperament, very intelligent, loyal, brave and active They love to play and have a great time outdoor physical activities. They are usually territorial and reserved, so they can become aggressive and fighting dogs if they are not trained correctly. These undesirable characteristics in a pet dog can be very well channeled to make the riesenschnauzer one of the best guard and defense dogs
On the other hand, when they are properly socialized as puppies, these dogs can get along well with others of their species, with people and with pets of other species. However, they are not expected to be as social as a golden retriever or similar dog. When they live in the right environment and are properly housed and socialized, Giant Schnauzers can make exceptional pets. Their temperament allows them to be great companions to dynamic people who enjoy physical activity, as well as to families with older children, teenagers, and youngsters. They are not usually the best pets for families with small children, as these dogs really enjoy rough play and can be very clumsy with children.
Giant schnauzer care
The coat of these dogs is not difficult to maintain, but it does require some care. It is necessary to brush it two to three times a week to avoid matting. In addition, it is important to clean the beard after meals, to remove food debris that can cause bad odors. And it is also good to take the dogs to the dog groomer about three times a year. Still, the little effort that goes into caring for this schnauzer's coat is well worth it, as the riesenschnauzer sheds very little and doesn't have as strong an odor as other dogs. Since it is normal to take the giant schnauzer to the dog groomer, it is important to get him used to using dog carriers. This way you will feel comfortable and safe when you have to wait locked in a carrier.
When it comes to exercise, this dog needs a lot. To keep him happy you need to take him for a walk about three times a day and allow him to get a good amount of exerciseHe also needs games and, if possible, with other dogs. Of course, he should only play with dogs that he gets along with. Canine sports such as canine freestyle and agility are very good for this breed, as they allow it to release energy in a controlled manner. However, protection dog sports such as the schutzhund are often better as they allow the giant schnauzer to fulfill its rough-play needs and develop its potential as a defense dog (even if it's just a lovable pet).
Like the Schnauzer and the Miniature Schnauzer, the Giant is an independent dog. However, he does not deserve and should not be alone for very long periods. Despite his independence, he needs frequent company. This dog is not suitable for living in apartments, since due to its size and dynamism it tends to cause problems. However, he can adapt to life in an apartment if he gets a lot of walks and is very well behaved. Either way, it's best if you live in a house with a garden and spend time both outside and inside.
Giant schnauzer education
The Giant Schnauzer responds well to different styles of dog training, but can come across as stubborn when treated with excessive punishment. In those cases it rebels or is completely inhibited. Therefore, it is best to train it through positive training, with techniques such as clicker training.
Because of their size and dynamism, these dogs can develop problem behaviors. They can become destructive if left alone for too long or if they don't get enough exercise. They can also present aggressiveness problems when they have not been properly socialized.
Giant Schnauzer He alth
Like many dog breeds today, the Giant Schnauzer is predisposed to certain canine diseases. Among the most frequent he alth problems in this breed are cancer, gastric torsion, epilepsy and hip dysplasia. Jumping and rough play can also damage joints when they are puppies, so it is good to avoid rough play and high jumps when dogs are not yet fully grown.
