Big dogs, such as the giant Schnauzer, are amusing creatures. Despite being huge and strong, their personalities are usually more sociable and lovable than other smaller canines.
Why do we love them? While small dogs are usually more sneaky and authoritative, the big breeds are less aggressive and definitely kinder. Just stay around one, and you’ll find how gentle giants they are!
Weighing around 65-90 lbs, one of the most famous big dog breeds is the Giant Schnauzer. A proud and noble companion, this dog’s interesting character has deemed it a loving family pet.
In this article, we’ll be better acquainted with the Giant Schnauzer puppies and adult dogs.
Origins of the Giant Schnauzer
Bred to be working dogs, the Giant Schnauzers are smart and alert. They’re loyal to their owners and helpful when provided with the proper training and care.
Originated in Germany, this breed was developed by increasing the size of the standard Schnauzer. Historically, people in agricultural areas raised them to drive the cattle to the markets.
To give us the Giant Schnauzer, the Standard Schnauzers were crossed with sheepdogs and Great Danes.
Later on, this breed was used as a guard dog for butchers and brewers, and this skill was further fine-tuned. Just before WW1, they started training the Schnauzers to be police dogs, and they excelled in this as well.
Subsequently, what we have nowadays is a dog breed that is equipped with the ability to handle rough tasks and the huge amount of energy that needs to be frequently released.
Thus, it’s highly recommended that the Giant Schnauzers are kept in open areas where they can express themselves fully and freely.
The Giant Schnauzer may be huge in size, yet it’s very elegant. Given the powerful and huge body, these dogs are ready to endure harsh weather conditions. They were originally bred for hard work and long distances.
However, in our modern days, they’re more likely to be adorable family pets. They’re already popular as pets because one of their most dominant instincts is being protective, this makes them a trustworthy family pet.
They’re also quite territorial. They instinctively feel their job is to protect their family. More often, they’ll voice their concerns by growling and barking.
The size of a Giant Schnauzer can be intimidating for some people. Generally, the dog can weigh up to 90 lbs. It holds a high rank in the list of large dog breeds, you can check the full list on our website, here.
Females fall between 23 and 25 inches tall, and males are between 25 and 27 inches tall.
The colors of a Giant Schnauzer are either black or salt and pepper with the undercoat usually lighter in color.
The cost of a Giant Schnauzer varies greatly and is based on several factors such as the supply and demand of the breed, and training received. An average price for a Giant Schnauzer is around $1300.
However, owning a Giant Schnauzer will cost you more than that. Since this is a high-maintenance dog, you’ll need to consider its annual expenses. When breaking down your budget, you should add categories such as: Food, vaccines, intensive training, treats, and grooming expenses.
10 Facts to Know About Puppy and Adult Giant Schnauzer
The Giant Schnauzer is becoming so popular all over the world. But it’s not just the elegant looks, the strength, or the wonderful personality that makes them special.
Here’s a list of things that you should consider before owning a Giant Schnauzer.
1. Giant Schnauzers Need Extensive Grooming
The Giant Schnauzer has a double coating. The outer coat is thick and harsh, while the undercoat is soft and dense. This makes their grooming truly exhausting.
They require weekly combing to keep their undercoats from tangling. In addition, they need to be professionally groomed several times a year.
The hair around the eyes and ears need to be trimmed regularly, and the beard needs to be cleaned after meals. However, the Giant Schnauzer sheds no hair around.
2. One of the Few Breeds with Beard
This is one of the trademarks of this breed. Although it needs extensive cleaning and regular trimming, this handsome beard makes your Giant Schnauzer unique among the other dogs.
What people like most about this scruff is that it makes their dog look wiser and somehow, dignified. However, always keep a towel nearby to clean off the drool.
3. They Possess High Prey Drive
As we mentioned earlier, this breed was grown to be work dogs, and they do an amazing job as guarding and cattle-driving dogs.
This means that owning them as a pet comes with the challenge of paying attention to where and when they can go off-leash. This is particularly important if you’re near any livestock or other animals.
4. They Are Not Good Around Smaller Animals
The Giant Schnauzers get nervous and even unpredictable when they’re around cats and smaller dogs. If you already own a smaller pet and you’re thinking about bringing in a Giant Schnauzer, you may need to reconsider.
5. They Excel at Dogs Sports
These dogs are highly intelligent and they learn fast. With the proper amount of training, they’ll excel in canine activities that require agility. Once they know who the boss is, it’s easy for them to understand directions and follow them.
It’s no surprise that the Giant Schnauzer is used to earning titles in tracking and obedience competitions.
6. They Come in Three
The Giant Schnauzer is the largest of the three breeds of Schnauzer. The other two are the Standard Schnauzer and the Miniature Schnauzer.
The Standard Schnauzer was developed first, then the miniature and later came the Giant Schnauzer.
The Miniature Schnauzer is about 12 inches tall. The Standard Schnauzer is between 17 and 19.5 inches tall. Meanwhile, the Giant Schnauzer can go as tall as 27.5 inches.
The three breeds share the distinctive beard, the small feet, and the snout. In fact, they’re named after their distinguished snout. In the German language, Schnauze means snout.
7. Giant Schnauzer Puppies Are Demanding
Taking care of your new puppy requires time and effort. However, when this puppy is a Schnauzer, you need to double on that.
This breed gets emotionally attached to their owners. Once you bond with them, they become your courageous and noble companions.
In the first couple of days of you living together, it’s important that you be available as much as you can. This will help shape your bond.
Always shower your new puppy with treats and even get them a snuggling toy that helps with their sleep on the first nights.
8. Giant Schnauzers are High-Energy Breed
They love to play, jog, swim and hike. These dogs expect that their owners will be active as well.
The Giant Schnauzers thrive on companionship and they don’t like to be left alone for long. As an owner of a Giant Schnauzer, you should be able to understand them and let them show off their character and abilities.
9. Early and Intense Training Is Essential
Giant Schnauzers are a dominant breed; they need an experienced owner who shows them who the boss is. It’s better for training to commence early and intensely.
The results of these training sessions are usually stunning. These dogs are highly receptive to firmness, reward, and obedience.
10. They Are Not Suitable for First-Time Owners
Owning a Giant Schnauzer is a challenge. They’re large in size, strong, and full of energy. In fact, they’re high-maintenance dogs. The cost of grooming and care is significantly higher than that needed for other dogs.
Generally, Giant Schnauzers aren’t compatible with novice owners, since this dog breed is demanding and needs an experienced master.
However, when you start looking for a breeder, make sure that you do your research extensively, since many of the breeders are, in fact, scams.
An important part of your research is to make sure that you meet the parent of the dog. If you felt uncomfortable with a breeder that you visited, or the puppy seems too good to be true, there is probably something wrong going on.
To sum things up, a Giant Schnauzer is a unique breed in every way. It combines elegance and strength, something you can’t easily find in other big dog breeds.
The most important thing is that you should always be in charge. You decide on when to give treats and when to train and behave.
Having a Giant Schnauzer is not an easy ride. As much as it’s rewarding, it’s also a challenge to keep one. They need regular and frequent grooming, which costs money and time. Therefore, the Giant Schnauzer needs a certain type of owner who knows how to be active, attentive, and patient, all at once.
However, just like other big dogs, they like to flex, so you’ll find them all over the house, and they will even challenge you in dominance, but you’ll love it!
Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations… and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.