GIANT SCHNAUZER Breed Standards
Like the Miniature and Standard Schnauzer, the Giant Schnauzer originated in the German kingdoms of Bavaria and Württemburg during the Middle Ages. Farmers and herders in these regions were impressed with the Standard Schnauzer, but wanted something larger and more powerful. To accomplish this, it is likely they crossed the Standard with several other breeds, including the Great Dane, Bouvier des Flandres, Standard Poodle, Wolf Spitz, and other sheep and cattle dogs.
The resulting dog was called the Munchener, and it excelled as a guard dog and cattle herder, with a tough coat to protect it from the elements. Beginning around the turn of the 20th century, the Munchener was put to work as a police dog, and had some considerable success in that field. The breed was recognized as the Giant Schnauzer in 1930 by the American Kennel Club.
SKILLS: The Giant Schnauzer should resemble, as nearly as possible, in general appearance, a larger and more powerful version of the Standard Schnauzer, on the whole a bold and valiant figure of a dog. Robust, strongly built, nearly square in proportion of body length to height at withers, active, sturdy, and well muscled. Temperament which combines spirit and alertness with intelligence and reliability. Composed, watchful, courageous, easily trained, deeply loyal to family, playful, amiable in repose, and a commanding figure when aroused. The sound, reliable temperament, rugged build, and dense weather-resistant wiry coat make for one of the most useful, powerful, and enduring breeds.
SIZE: The height at the withers of the male is 25½ to 27½ inches, and of the female, 23½ to 25½ inches, with the mediums being desired. Size alone should never take precedence over type, balance, soundness, and temperament. It should be noted that too small dogs generally lack the power and too large dogs, the agility and maneuverability, desired in the working dog.
COAT: Hard, wiry, very dense; composed of a soft undercoat and a harsh outer coat which, when seen against the grain, stands slightly up off the back, lying neither smooth nor flat. Coarse hair on top of head; harsh beard and eyebrows, the Schnauzer hallmark. Color - solid black or pepper and salt. Black - A truly pure black. A small white spot on the breast is permitted; any other markings are disqualifying faults. Pepper and Salt - Outer coat of a combination of banded hairs (white with black and black with white) and some black and white hairs, appearing gray from a short distance. Ideally; an intensely pigmented medium gray shade with "peppering" evenly distributed throughout the coat, and a gray undercoat. Acceptable; all shades of pepper and salt from dark iron-gray to silver-gray. Every shade of coat has a dark facial mask to emphasize the expression; the color of the mask harmonizes with the shade of the body coat. Eyebrows, whiskers, cheeks, throat, chest, legs, and under tail are lighter in color but include "peppering." Markings are disqualifying faults.
CARE REQUIRED: The wiry coat is reasonably easy to look after, but the undercoat is dense and it will become matted unless it is combed or brushed weekly with a short wire brush. Clip out knots and brush first with the grain, then against the grain to lift the coat. The animal should be clipped all over to an even length at least four times a year and ear care continually is important. A person can easily learn how to do it. Pet dogs are generally clipped, but show dogs may be stripped. Trim around the eyes and ears with a blunt-nosed scissor and clean the whiskers after meals. They have no doggie odor and shed little to no hair.
CHARACTER: Temperament in a large breed dog is always important for multiple reasons. Giant Schnauzers are big and can be a handful if not trained, socialized, and come from stable parents. Coat type and country of origin has nothing to do with the outcome of your pup's temperament.
Giants can have different personalities depending on what breeder and bloodlines you get your dog from so it's important to tell your goals and situation to your breeder. This is so you can get the dog that best fits you. Not all giants are meant to be a family dog with children and not all giants are meant to be working dogs.
Some breeders have a tendency to breed more for working purposes and have a little harder temperament and tend not to be ideal family dogs. Some breeders breed for loving family dogs that are wonderful in a family situation. It's very important if you're bringing in a giant into a family situation you look for a very stable well tempered dog. Shyness and overly aggressive behavior is not acceptable and are things you should watch out for and avoid.
TRAINING: Giants have a huge need for exercise and if not vigorously done at least twice daily they bounce off the walls and are difficult to deal with, even a very well trained one, they have to expend the excess energy they were originally bred for or they just can't settle at night. These energetic dogs will take as much exercise as they can get, and just love play sessions during which they can run free.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: The Giant Schnauzer is not suited for apartment life. They are fairly active indoors and will do best with acreage.
EXERCISE: Some of the great qualities of Giants is that they can excel at obedience/agility/carting/protection work, if properly trained they are a dog that can do it all :) Giants are so in tune with their owners that they can read your expression and anticipate your wants when working with them in (ok I know this sounds a bit nuts) a manner that's almost telepathic. If they have a strong leader, they are secure enough to allow you to interpret danger and will simply alert you but if they don't have complete confidence in their handler, they will immediately take the lead and think that it is their job to not only distinguish that someone is dangerous but to act on that thought. They are true "thinking" dogs.
