Dog Breed

Giant Schnauzer

Guard DogConfidence KingHypoallergenic
Primary image of Giant Schnauzer dog breed
Full Name
Giant Schnauzer
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Life Span
10 - 12 years
Weight
65 - 90 pounds
Description

The Giant Schnauzer looks similar to its counterparts - the schnauzer and mini schnauzer but is an entirely different dog. It is much larger and more dominant. The Giant Schnauzer was bred as a guard dog and still makes an excellent guard and family protection dog today. This guarding tendency, combined with the high intelligence of the giant schnauzer, makes it a dominant breed and perhaps not the best dog for a first-time owner. On the other hand, they are receptive to training and can make excellent family dogs with the proper early socialization and training.

The Giant Schnauzer has a beautiful hypoallergenic black coat, but it does shed and will require a good amount of grooming.

Origin
Germany
Bred For
Herding, guarding
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Giant Schnauzer good with children?

    Yes, the Giant Schnauzer is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Giant Schnauzer naturally loves children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Giant Schnauzer friendly with strangers?

    The Giant Schnauzer is not automatically friendly with strangers and we would not recommend for a living situation with frequent guests.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Giant Schnauzer friendly with other dogs?

    The Giant Schnauzer is about average in how friendly they are with other dogs. They can be timid or defensive, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for dog parks and living with other dogs at home.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Giant Schnauzer like to cuddle?

    The Giant Schnauzer likes to cuddle up every once in a while. They appreciate physical affection, but probably won't stay in your lap for extended amounts of time.
    Playfulness

    Does the Giant Schnauzer like to play?

    The Giant Schnauzer is playful both as a puppy and as an adult dog. As they get older they may appreciate their alone time, and may not be in the mood for constant play, but certainly will have plenty of time for play as well.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Giant Schnauzer make a good service dog?

    The Giant Schnauzer is not typically used as a service dog. There are always exceptions to the rule, but a service dog has to have many natural traits in addition to the proper training- smart, patient, and obsessed with pleasing their owner.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Giant Schnauzer good for first-time owners?

    The Giant Schnauzer is not the easiest breed for first-time owners, but can certainly still work out if the owner is willing to put the time into training and exercise.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Giant Schnauzer be trained?

    The Giant Schnauzer can be trained very well. With discipline and a routine training program the Giant Schnauzer can be incredibly well-trained.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Giant Schnauzer shed a lot?

    The Giant Schnauzer is an average shedder. Giant Schnauzer owners will probably still tell you it's a lot of shedding, but certain breeds shed even more.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Giant Schnauzer easy to groom?

    The Giant Schnauzer requires some grooming, but less than the average dog breed. Typically you will not need to take the Giant Schnauzer to the pet salon, and occasional combing at home should be enough.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Giant Schnauzer need a lot of exercise?

    The Giant Schnauzer has a lot of energy and getting daily exercise is very important, both for their well-being and for their focus, which is important when you train them.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Giant Schnauzer?

    The Giant Schnauzer is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Giant Schnauzer bark? Does the Giant Schnauzer bark too much?

    The Giant Schnauzer barks an average amount. It can vary widely between Giant Schnauzers - some may be much more expressive than others.
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Giant Schnauzer a good guard dog?

    The Giant Schnauzer can serve as an excellent guard dog. It is both physically intimidating and also enjoys having a "job" to protect its family and property.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Giant Schnauzer good at staying alone? Is the Giant Schnauzer independent?

    The Giant Schnauzer prefers having family around at all times, but can also do well when left alone. The Giant Schnauzer still needs plenty of attention, but is independent, and can typically be left alone for several hours without issues.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Giant Schnauzer a good apartment dog?

    The Giant Schnauzer is not the best dog apartment living, but it can work if the owner is dedicated to exercising and training their Giant Schnauzer
    Size

    How big is the Giant Schnauzer?

    The Giant Schnauzer is a large dog breed. A dog's size is important to consider when it comes to travel arrangements, budgeting for food, and how big of a living space you have.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Giant Schnauzer tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Giant Schnauzer?

    The Giant Schnauzer can tolerate some heat, but should not be over-exposed to hot weather. In general, they can live in hot weather climates, but would do best with air conditioning or at least a fan in their home, especially where they sleep.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Giant Schnauzer tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Giant Schnauzer?

    The Giant Schnauzer can tolerate cold weather well. Play time in the snow or on particularly cold evenings may need to be limited, but overall they can do well in cold climates.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Giant Schnauzer try to run away?

    The Giant Schnauzer does sometimes run away. This is especially true if they are distracted, or see other cats or dogs. They probably won't go out of their way to "escape", but a fenced yard is still recommended.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Giant Schnauzer a healthy dog? The health of a Giant Schnauzer should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Giant Schnauzer is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the Giant Schnauzer high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Giant Schnauzer?

    The Giant Schnauzer has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the Giant Schnauzer into your home. Can you give your Giant Schnauzer enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Giant Schnauzer drool?

    The Giant Schnauzer drools very little, typically to where it's never a concern.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Giant Schnauzer have a large prey drive? Does the Giant Schnauzer like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Giant Schnauzer has average prey drive. They will probably enjoy chasing after birds and other small animals at the park, and it may be an issue at the home if you have small animals, but with some training and introduction can usually learn to live with them.
    Athleticism

    Is the Giant Schnauzer atheltic?

    The Giant Schnauzer is very athletic and would be well suited for a family that frequently works out or goes on adventures.
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  1. Working
  2. Schnauzer
  3. Giant Schnauzer
The Giant Schnauzer is a purebred dog that belongs to the Schnauzer sub group, which falls under the larger Working dog breed group.
Working group: Working dogs encompass a wide range of different breeds- but they all were bred to assist people, so they are used to working hard. It is important for them to feel they have a "job" as their roles traditionally have varied from rescuing people to pulling sleds. Because of their large size and intensity, they may be a handful for first time dog owners. On the other side, they can be trained well, so any owner who can exercise and dedicate to training their working dog, will be well rewarded. A common misconception may be that the working dog's jobs are only in physically challenging jobs; actually working dogs can also make excellent service dogs, since they are also kind and attentive to their owners.
Schnauzer sub-group: If you needed a serious chief to run your city, but it had to be a dog, a Schnauzer would be a good option. They are very independent and intelligent. This can be seen in their proud gait... as they walk.. almost as if they are aware of their abilities and strengths. Generally these are all positive traits, but early training and a strong owner are essential. The Schnauzer is mid to high energy, and incredibly alert. They like to 'own' their space, so can sometimes become protective. Because of this they are excellent guard dogs, but again, they need good early socialization and training. In return you will be given an excellent family companion and guard dog. Schnauzers are also hypoallergenic, do not shed very much, and are not a huge breed- so they are a good apartment dog, especially for an owner who can give them the proper exercise.

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