Giant Schnauzer breed guide: Care, training, and fun facts
Breed guide overview
About Giant Schnauzers
Temperament
Exercise
Grooming
Training
Diet
Health
About the Giant Schnauzer breed
Giant Schnauzers are an impressive and versatile breed that originated in Germany. They were developed to be all-around working dogs, excelling in tasks such as herding, guarding, and driving livestock. The breed was created by crossing the Standard Schnauzer with larger breeds such as the Great Dane, Rottweiler and Sheepdog to enhance their size, strength, and guarding abilities.
As well as working on farms, due to the Giant Schnauzer’s guarding abilities they started to be owned by tavern owners and butchers as well to protect their establishments. Today, they are also beloved family companions and can participate in various dog sports and activities.
Weight, height & life expectancy
Giant Schnauzers have a powerful and robust build, with males typically standing between 65-70cm in height, and females slightly shorter at 60-65cm. They weigh between 35-47kg on average.
The average life expectancy of Giant Schnauzers is around 10 to 12 years.
What is the temperament of a Giant Schnauzer like?
Giant Schnauzers are intelligent, loyal, and protective dogs. They are known for their strong and dominant personalities, making them more suitable for experienced dog owners. They form deep bonds with their families and can be fiercely protective, making them excellent guard dogs.
While they are generally good with children and can be loving family pets, they may have a tendency to be dominant or assertive with other dogs, especially those of the same sex. Early socialisation and proper training are crucial to ensure they develop good manners and learn to interact positively with other animals and unfamiliar people.
Giant Schnauzers thrive on mental and physical stimulation. They require regular exercise, training, and activities to keep them engaged and prevent boredom. Adequate socialisation, obedience training, and structured activities can help channel their energy in a positive direction.
Our Giant Schnauzer Community
“Hank is a Giant Schnauzer, who is always wanting to know what you’re up to. He loves walks and tennis balls and a good snuggle at the end of the day.”
Hank’s owner, Ella from Shropshire
“Winter is a highly intelligent, energetic and fun Giant Schnauzer. She loves long walks and exploring the great outdoors.”
Winter’s owner, Paul from London
How much exercise does a Giant Schnauzer need?
Giant Schnauzers are a high-energy breed and require a substantial amount of exercise to keep them physically and mentally stimulated. They benefit from at least 2 hours of exercise per day. This should include activities such as brisk walks, jogging, interactive play sessions, and mentally challenging tasks like obedience training, agility, or tracking.
It's important to note that Giant Schnauzer puppies have developing bones and joints, and their exercise should be carefully managed to avoid excessive strain. Young puppies should have short and controlled play sessions and gentle walks. As a very general guideline, puppies can start with around 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, up to twice a day.
By the time they reach around 12 to 18 months of age, they can gradually increase their exercise duration and intensity. Consult with your vet for personalised advice based on your puppy's growth and development. Giant Schnauzers typically reach their full exercise capacity at an adult level around 18 to 24 months of age. Individual dogs may vary, so it's important to monitor their energy levels and adjust their exercise accordingly.
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Do Giant Schnauzers need a lot of grooming?
Giant Schnauzers have a wiry double coat that requires regular grooming to keep it in good condition. Their coat consists of a soft undercoat and a harsh, dense outer coat. They require brushing at least once or twice a week to prevent matting and remove loose hair.
Giant Schnauzers have facial hair that requires regular trimming to keep their vision clear and prevent food from getting caught in their beard. Additionally, they need to be hand-stripped or professionally groomed every 6 to 8 weeks to maintain their coat texture.
Like any dog, regular tooth brushing with a dog-specific toothpaste twice daily is ideal. If you can’t manage that often, just do it as often as you can.
Are Giant Schnauzers easy to train?
Giant Schnauzers are intelligent and versatile dogs that can excel in training when provided with the right guidance and approach. While they possess a strong will and independent nature, with consistent training, positive reinforcement, and clear expectations, Giant Schnauzers can be trained effectively by an experienced dog owner.
Starting early with socialisation and basic obedience, and incorporating mental stimulation and physical exercise into their routine are key factors in successfully training Giant Schnauzers. Their intelligence and eagerness to please can work in your favour, making them trainable with patience and positive reinforcement techniques.
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What do Giant Schnauzers eat?
Giant Schnauzers should be fed a balanced and nutritious diet to support their overall health. High-quality large breed commercial dog food that is appropriate for their age, size, and activity level is recommended. The amount of food will depend on factors such as metabolism, weight, and exercise routine.
For Giant Schnauzer puppies, it's important to feed them a specifically formulated large breed puppy food to support their growth and development. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs and require a higher calorie intake. Follow the feeding guidelines provided by the food manufacturer and consult with a veterinarian for personalised recommendations based on your puppy's age and specific requirements. Puppies should be fed 3-4 times a day until they are six month old when you can reduce to twice a day.
As Giant Schnauzers mature into adults, they can transition to adult large breed dog food at about 18-24 months. Choose a reputable brand that offers complete and balanced nutrition. Monitor their weight and body condition and adjust their portions accordingly to maintain a healthy weight and as per advice from your vet. It's important to avoid overfeeding or excessive treats, as Giant Schnauzers can be prone to weight gain.
Are Giant Schnauzers healthy?
Giant Schnauzers are generally a healthy breed, but they may be susceptible to certain health conditions. Some common health concerns in Giant Schnauzers include:
Bones and joints
Hip Dysplasia - a condition where the thigh bone and pelvis do not sit together properly at the hip joint, which can lead to discomfort and arthritis
Panosteitis - a painful, inflammatory condition of the long bones of the leg
Gastrointestinal
Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) - this occurs when the stomach twists and gas and contents get trapped inside. It is a very serious condition and a vet should be contacted immediately
Heart
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) - a disease of the heart muscle causing the heart ventricles to get larger
Hormonal
Hypothyroidism - a condition where your dog does not produce enough thyroid hormone
Urinary
Bladder Stones - stones form in the bladder which can be uncomfortable and cause a blockage.
This list is by no means comprehensive, if you have any concerns about the health of your dog, or if you want to discuss further if a Giant Schnauzer is right for you, consult with your vet.
Vet top tip
Start a structured exercise and mental stimulation routine early to meet the high energy and intelligence needs of your Giant Schnauzer. Daily physical exercise like walks, runs, or play sessions, combined with mental challenges like obedience training, puzzle toys, or agility activities, will help prevent boredom and potential destructive behaviours.
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Information on this page should never replace advice given by your veterinarian. Potential health issues presented are given as a guide only and are not meant to be comprehensive. If you ever have any concerns about your dog’s health contact your local vet.
