Giant Schnauzer

The Giant Schnauzer is a large, powerful, compact dog breed. It is also know as the Riesenschnauzer and  Russian Bear Schnauze.  It is one of several Schnauzer breeds. Like most large breeds, the Giant Schnauzer needs a fair amount of exercise.

Giant Schnauzer Appearance

When hand-stripped, the Giant Schnauzer has a harsh, wiry outer coat and dense, soft undercoat. Coat color is either black or salt and pepper (grey). It weighs between 70 and 99 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.

Giant Schnauzer Temperament

The Giant Schnauzer is a large, powerful, dominant dog which needs a firm, consistent but friendly handler. Unnecessary harshness will only do harm.

Early and consistent training is necessary as the Giant Schnauzer tends to be very willful. Its ability to understand a command does not always translate into obedience.

Giant Schnauzers are very loyal and intelligent dogs. They often become so attached to their owner that they follow them around the house.

Giant Schnauzer History

The breed originated in the mid to late 19th century in the Bavarian and Württemberg regions of Germany. Cattlemen wanted a larger version of the Standard Schnauzer for herding and driving, creating it by selectively breeding the Standard Schnauzer with the Black Great Dane, the Bouvier des Flandres, and rough haired sheepdogs. It was a popular herding breed, but its need for more food than some breeds made it less popular for farmers on tight budgets or with limited resources. It was used as a guard dog in breweries and stockyards, a police dog, and during WWI as a military dog. It became scarce during WWII, but its popularity grew again after the war, when it was used as a drover and as a guard dog.