Giant schnauzer
The giant schnauzer came from Bavaria, bred up from the standard schnauzer with drover and guard stock to move cattle and later to guard breweries and stockyards.
It moved into police and military work in Germany in the early twentieth century and has stayed there.
It is a large, powerful, square dog with a harsh wiry coat, heavy eyebrows and the beard that gives the breed its name — schnauze means muzzle. Temperament is bold, energetic and strongly territorial, with real working drive. This is a demanding breed that suits an experienced, active owner and very few others.
- Origin
- Bavaria, Germany
- Size
- 25–48 kg, 60–70 cm at the shoulder
- Lifespan
- 10–12 years
- Coat
- Harsh, wiry double coat with a soft undercoat
- Temperament
- Bold, territorial, intelligent, high drive
- Exercise
- 2 hours daily plus training
3 giant schnauzer photos, newest first
Living with a giant schnauzer
The wire coat needs hand-stripping every few months to keep its texture, or clipping if you accept a softer, paler coat. The beard collects food and water and needs washing regularly.
Training and socialisation are not optional. This is a large, protective, strong-willed dog, and an untrained one is a serious problem. They take well to protection sports, obedience and tracking.
Hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism are common. The breed is also prone to bloat and, notably, to toe cancer — check the feet.
General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.
Worth reading alongside this
More dogs by breed
Every dog breed somebody has posted a photo of.
- Labrador retriever18
- Afghan hound3
- Airedale terrier3
- Akita3
- Alaskan Klee Kai3
- Alaskan malamute3
- American bulldog3
- American eskimo dog3
- American hairless terrier3
- American pit bull terrier3
- Aussiedoodle3
- Australian cattle dog3
- Australian shepherd3
- Basenji3
- Basset hound3
- Beagle3
- Belgian Malinois3
- Bergamasco sheepdog3
- Bernedoodle3
- Bernese mountain dog3
- Bichon frise3
- Biewer terrier3
- Black and tan coonhound3
- Bloodhound3