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Dogs 101 GIANT SCHNAUZER Top Dog Facts About the GIANT SCHNAUZER

The Giant Schnauzer is a working breed of dog, originally from Germany. It was developed in the 17th century in the territories of Bavaria and Württemberg, as an attempt by breeders in the countryside to improve on the Standard Schnauzer. The larger dog, while retaining the qualities of the Standard variety, would be better suited in size to drive cattle. Crosses with several breeds eventually resulted in a weatherresistant, smartlooking drover, which also served many other functions on the farm, including guarding property and drawing carts. By the turn of the 20th century, the Giant Schnauzer had also become popular in the towns as a dog used by butchers, breweries and stockyards. But its presence remained largely limited to Bavaria until World War I, when use as a military dog earned it wider exposure, and import to the US began soon after. While often used as a working dog, and even a police dog in Germany, in the US it mainly serves the purpose of a house pet or a show dog.

Time for some Ruff Trivia:
The word ‘Schnauze’ that gives the Schnauzer breeds their name is a reference to which distinctive part of the dogs’ body?
o A: Muzzle
o B: Coat
o C: Ears
What do you think, give it your best guess in the comments below before we get to the answer! Hang on tight and we’ll get back to this Ruff Trivia Question toward the end of the video.

Despite what its name suggests, the Giant Schnauzer is not a giant in absolute terms, but only larger compared to the Standard and Miniature Schnauzers. The adult Giant Schnauzer has height in the range of 23.5 to 27.5 inches, and weight in the range of 65 to 90 pounds. Like most other breeds, the female is generally slightly smaller than the male. It is strongly built, wellmuscled and square in proportion. The hard, wiry and dense coat is composed of a soft undercoat and a harsh outer coat. The characteristic Schnauzer beard and eyebrows are present in the Giant variety too. The head is rectangular in appearance, its total length about half the length of the back. Small button ears are carrier high on the head. The tail, which is generally long, is docked in some countries, and the ear cropped. There are two standard coat colors: solid black, and a pattern called pepper and salt.

Grooming:Apart from brushing once or twice a week, the Giant Schnauzer’s coat also requires periodic shaping. The frequency and the method could depend on whether the dog is a family pet or a show dog. Clipping can work for the pet, but most owners employ professionals for the hand stripping needed for show dogs. The dog’s beard might require more frequent cleaning to remove collected dirt or drool. Other than this, regular brushing of teeth, cleaning of ears and trimming of nails is necessary.

Temperament:Its long heritage as a guard dog means that the Giant Schnauzer remains a bold and territorial animal, generally suspicious of strangers. It can also be aggressive with other dogs. With its own family, it is utterly devoted, and particularly good with children, though some dogs can be a little too highspirited for small children. Pepper and salt Giant Schnauzers are believed to be slightly more docile than the solid black ones.

Training:Giant Schnauzers are intelligent animals, enjoying being given work to do. While highly trainable, they can try to be the leader of the pack, and it is important to establish early on that the owner/trainer is the alpha in the equation. They regularly excel at dog shows, and agility and obedience trials. They are fairly active dogs, requiring daily walks, hikes or an exhausting game to keep them from getting bored and destructive.

Health:Life expectancy for the breed is 10 to 12 years. Some common health concerns can be eyerelated ailments, skin diseases, and hip and elbow dysplasia. Cancer is a common cause of death.

Rugged and reliable, the Giant Schnauzer is known for its versatility, adjusting well to life on a farm or in a house. Though easy to care for, it is best suited for an experienced and active owner, who can bring out the best of its qualities.

Find out if the Giant Schnauzerwould be a good addition to your home. Now you can visit Brooklyn’s Corner.com to take our quiz and find out which dog would be the best match for you.


Music by Kevin McLeod Royalty Free