Giant schnauzers are loyal , intelligent , and hard - working dog who are great companions for those willing to train this high - energy stock . Here ’s hoping you have the meter for foresightful walks and playtime in the yard .
Giant schnauzer are as advertised ( they can weigh up to 85 pounds ) and have plenty of energy , but with the right training they become one of the most loving , loyal familiar and make the elbow grease well worth it .
Majestic and proud , theselarge dogscan support more than 27 inches marvelous , time in as a much larger version of their smaller cousin , thestandardandminiature schnauzers . With the rightobedience trainingand surroundings — they probably are n’t a good idea for novice dog proprietor — the giant schnauzer can be aplayful family dogwell into honest-to-goodness old age .
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Appearance
The magniloquent , inflexible dogs are voiceless to neglect . Much like his smaller cousins , the elephantine schnauzer has a dense , stringy coat that ’s normally black or a salt - and - pepper mix , though his pelt can also be fawn or calamitous and tan . His characteristic face fungus and impressive eyebrow that frame those dark oval eyes will on a regular basis call for trim to stay sleek .
The giant schnauzeris a minimal shedderand might be a sound burst for some allergic reaction sufferers , though periodic dressing is necessitate to keep his stringy coat straight and healthy . And whileno dog is all hypoallergenic , schnauzers of all sizes are widely considered to be a great choice for people with dog allergic reaction , though that also depends on the specific person and dog . Before bestow home a giant schnauzer puppy , spend time with the breed to see how your allergies react .
Temperament
Giant schnauzer temperament is by and large proud , well-disposed , and tender , allow for they ’ve beenproperly socializedandtrained from a young eld . Because of their large size and large - than - life personality , the giant schnauzer is not a andiron suit tofirst – time ownersor those who are ineffective to espouse a consistentobedience training agenda . But if you do the oeuvre , there ’s plenty to enjoy about owning a giant schnauzer .
Ed Fojkit , an American Kennel Club registered breeder and possessor ofTanglewood Giant Schnauzers , grew up with gargantuan schnauzer and says they are playful dogs who cherish every moment with their people .
" They make tremendous couch potatoes … or go out in the yard and wager Frisbee , " Fojkit says .
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As a working dog who was bred to ward their people and even livestock , thegiant schnauzer has a rich historyof having astrong prey cause , meaning you may desire to look at go along him as the only animal in the sign of the zodiac . They could trail cats or smaller animate being , even other hound . But if they ’re well - socialise from puppyhood andproperly introduced to other favourite , giant schnauzers can be well with furry roommate .
Because of their size and high-pitched activity degree , giant schnauzers are well beseem for people with the clock time and energy to devote to long play sessions in the chiliad . They cando well with shaver , but small kids need to be supervise andtaught how to decent interact with animals .
jumbo schnauzers arehighly intelligent , and Fojkit describes them as phenomenally trainable dogs , jest that owners " could almost train them to falsify you dinner party . " Because of their intelligence activity and trainability , this strain has been used in police forces and militaries across the orb .
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Living Needs
Giant schnauzers areenergetic dogs who require a lot of exercise , so they ’re good matched to a home with alarge , surround - in yardwhere they can run and diddle . If you do n’t have a yard , you ’ll want to be after onregular longsighted walksto give them exercise . Shlomo Frieman , DVM , founder of theAnimal Hospital of Factoriain Bellevue , Wash. , says the dogsmake great hiking companionsand that it ’s going to be hard to fall apart them out no matter how long you walk or recreate .
Giant schnauzer are usually happy as the only dog in your house , but it ’s possible they can get along well with other pets if they ’re right socialized with them as a pup . Besides , have a giant schnauzer requires a bonny bit of oeuvre to burn off all that muscularity — you may not have the tending to shower on other pets .
As a bring dog-iron , elephantine schnauzers are most content when they have a job to do , whether that ’s simplyplaying fetch , darting throughagility course of action , or attending obedience breeding — all things they excel at . Smart dogs like this want to be brace physically and intellectually , and giving them what they take will make exist with them much easier than trying to struggle their natural desire to be working and occupy .
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You need to systematically be around your dog , too , according to theGiant Schnauzer Club of America . Your giant schnauzer wants to be with you fairly much all the prison term and postulate a sightly bit of attending . This highly well-informed breed does n’t deal well when left alone for long point of sentence , so owners guide the risk of their giant schnauzer arise unsuitable behaviors if they are lonely and anxious .
Care
Grooming is a rather acute intimacy when you own a gargantuan schnauzer . They have a impenetrable , weather condition - immune three-fold coat . And while they barely shed ( which gives you the upside of not incessantly needing to vacuum up their pelt ) , you will need to trim them so as to keep them neat and tidy .
" Their hair will grow and grow , so you could end up with them looking likean Afghan [ hound]if you do n’t take care of it , " Fojkit says , add together that owners can expect to inflict the groomer every six weeks without nip the coat themselves . On top of that , you ’ll demand tobrush them weeklyand stay on top of any tangles .
Because giant schnauzer are such smarty - pants , they are considered easy to train . Consistency andpositive reinforcementare Florida key . These dogs have a strong desire to please their owners , so if you ’re willing to put the work into proper training , you ’ll be rewarded with an improbably loyal and loving companion .
Health
Somewhat unusual for a breed of this size , whale schnauzershave a foresightful average lifespanof 12–15 yr andrelatively few wellness issues . Frieman say elephantine schnauzer profit from the fact thatthey are n’t that democratic .
" When there are caboodle of hoi polloi trying to cover a sure type of puppy , it can lead to familial issue because not everybody is being as thrifty as they should be to shield these things out , " Frieman says .
jumbo schnauzer owner should be aware ofgastric dilatation - volvulus ( GDV ) complex , a potentially life - threatening trouble that can affect large - chested dogs . Known more commonly as bloat , the condition happens when the Canis familiaris ’s belly twists and cuts off stemma supplying , sometimes causing last in a affair of hours . However , there ’s a path to hopefully avoid the frightening condition .
" When wespay or neuter any dogof this size , we recommend a dim-witted procedure that stitches the stomach to the torso wall , which stops it being able to writhe , " Frieman says . " It should be a no - brainer to anyone looking to own any giant breed dog . "
As with other large breeds , gargantuan schnauzers can suffer from issues likedysplasia in their hips and knees , and Frieman suggests talking about these with your giant schnauzer stock breeder so that you are fully informed of any medical history in their linage . It ’s also important tokeep regular veterinary surgeon visits a priorityso they can help identify warning signaling .
History
The giant schnauzer originated in Bavarian Germany in the mid-1800s . Not amazingly , the strain got its beginning when stock schnauzer were bred withGreat Danesto provide the size and stature these dogs are known for , grant to the breed guild . Historically used as a work dog in Europe , giant schnauzers were tasked with guard farms , livestock , and homes . They also worked as police or military serving dogs .
jumbo schnauzers were first exported to the United States in the 1920s and ' 30s . However , their comer did n’t make much of a dab because another German dog — the German shepherd — had peaked in popularity . The AKC recognized the whale breed in 1930 , after the smaller standard and miniature schnauzers .
