The Giant Schnauzer is a large, powerful, and compact breed of dog. It is one of the three Schnauzer breeds. Like most large breeds, the Giant Schnauzer needs a fair amount of exercise.
Appearance
When hand-stripped, the Giant Schnauzer has a harsh, wiry outer coat and dense, soft undercoat. Coat colour is either black or salt and pepper (grey). It weighs between 70 and 100 lb (32 to 45 kg) and stands 23.5 to 27.5 in (59 to 70 cm) at the withers.
When moving at a fast trot, a properly built Giant Schnauzer will single-track. Back remains strong, firm, and flat.
The American Kennel Club lists the Giant as low shedding – and therefore hypoallergenic – along with both other breeds of Schnauzers. However, Giant Schnauzers, as with almost all dogs, do shed. When allowed, the hair on a Schnauzer will grow long, which increases shedding, and thereby potentially increasing allergens. This can be mitigated with consistent grooming to include mostly Long hair. The Giant Schnauzer does not moult.
Temperament
The Giant Schnauzer is a great dog if one is looking for a playful yet guarding protector. For those who like the large dogs, the size of the Giant can be very discouraging for any would-be offender, but it is not necessarily a Gentle Giant as say the Great Dane. Some tend to have a herding instinct at a young age so it is best to teach puppies or younger dogs to not nip or mouth at all. In many cases it has lead to the dog going straight back to the breeder or worse, a shelter. Some Giants can be dog aggressive, but that is common with all Schnauzers. Socialise, socialise, and socialise as much as you can when you can they will be modelled companions. Don’t, and one will have themselves a problem of a dog who’s possibly 100 lbs. + snapping at other dogs which can lead to legal trouble. Some have even shown aggression to just female sexes.
This is a working breed and such requires some amount of exercise or troubling behaviours may occur to relinquish that bored state they may have. A good jog or a let loose in a park with other dogs and maybe a water source will give the owner a well-mannered and tired friend coming home. They are a water breed, which means unless the owner wants to give a bath after their dog has been soaking in a well filled ditch or pond, proper training will be needed or Giants will jump head first into any body of water to swim and even drink. They are not a breed that will take off the moment one lets them off the leash. Some will even turn back mid-stride to make sure their owner is near and may even turn back if too far away. This is not to say to let a dog off in an open park as there are of course risks, especially with leash laws, but they are a distinguishing breed then most that would take off and not look back. Using caution will minimise the risk.
The Giant has received four stars out of five on protection. They will let their owner know a car or even footsteps approaching the house far before a human would identify. They have a sort of howling bark that makes them sound larger then life to said-offenders and that in itself will probably do the trick. If not, one will have a dog that upon the slightest hint of an attack will launch itself in soaring fashion at the offender. Due to their terrier heritage they will shake whatever part of the body they latch onto which no doubt will cause the intruder who was looking for an easy will pick to leave limping. However, such a protective nature may lead to people aggression if not properly socialised. This is not a dog to stick in the backyard and leave it at that. Acquaintances, friends and even family members can find themselves on the wrong end of the Giant’s massive mouth which will lead to much bigger legal problems if blood is drawn. Proper training and socialisation will have this particular breed at one’s side as a well-mannered companion.
The Giant Schnauzer is a powerful breed that demands a steady, yet very gentle hand and with proper leadership, this large breed can not only be a couch companion and jogging partner, but a loyal and a not too overprotective friend that will take a bullet for its owner.
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