Giant Schnauzer
The Giant Schnauzer is the largest of the three Schnauzer varieties (the others being Miniature and Standard) with which it shares the qualities of good humour, intelligence and devotion. It has been used for security and as a messenger in the armed services; it works well in obedience competitions and is a good ratter ratting was, after all, the Schnauzer's original job. Howeve" this giant variety is little seen in the United States or the United Kingdom, where the Miniature variety is popular but the Standard Schnauzer less so.
Origin and history
Descended from German sheepdogs and cattle dogs, the largest Schnauzer was evolved through interbreeding with the smaller Schnauzer varieties. It was first shown in Munich in October 1909 under the name 'Russian bear Schnauzer', the breed being classified as a working dog in 1925.
Giant Schnauzer Puppies
Good points
- Easy to train
- Excellent with children
- Fearless
- Fine guard
- Good-natured
- Playful
Take heed
- Slow to mature
- Wary of strangers
Size
Height: dog 25in-27in (65-70cm); bitch 23in-25in (60-65cm).
Exercise
Needs plenty of vigorous exercise.
Giant Schnauzer Information
General appearance
The Schnauzer is a powerfully built, robust, sinewy, nearly square dog (length of body equal to height at shoulder). Its temperament combines high spirits, reliability, strength, endurance and vigour. Expression keen and attitude alert. Correct conformation is of more importance than colour or other purely aesthetic points.
Colour
All pepper-and-salt colours in even proportions or pure black.
Head and skull
Head strong and elongated, gradually narrowing from the ears to the eyes and thence forward towards the tip of the nose. Upper part of the head (occiput to base of forehead) moderately broad between the ears with flat, creaseless forehead and well-muscled but not too strongly developed cheeks. Medium stop to accentuate prominent eyebrows.
The powerful muzzle formed by the upper and lower jaws (base of forehead to tip of nose) should end in a moderately blunt line with a bristly, stubby moustache and chin whiskers. Ridge of the nose straight and running almost parallel to the extension of the forehead. The nose is black and full. Lips tight and not overlapping.
Tail
Set on and carried high; cut down to three joints.
Feet
Short, round, extremely compact with close-arched toes (cat's paws), dark nails and hard soles. The feet deep or thickly padded, pointing forward.
Giant Schnauzer Feeding & Grooming
Grooming
This is a breed that requires a certain amount of care if it is to do its owner justice. Frequent grooming with a wire brush or glove is necessary, and those quizzical whiskers have to be combed. The coat has to be stripped with a serrated stripping comb or the dead hair plucked out with finger and thumb. Ask the breeder for a grooming chart or at least a demonstration before tackling the job yourself - especially if your heart is set on the show ring.
Feeding
Recommended would be 20-330z (587-936g) of a branded, meaty product with biscuit added, or 3-5 cupfuls of a dry food, complete diet, mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to V2 cup of hot or cold water.