Giant Schnauzer Breed Facts and Information

Coat & Grooming: With a wiry double coat that requires regular maintenance, Wallace recommends acclimating your puppy to handling and grooming from the get go. Depending on their coat type, puppies with less hair may require grooming every 14 weeks, while puppies with a more dense coat may require grooming every eight to ten weeks, Wallace says. The Giant Schnauzer will not blow their coat like other double coated breeds, but they do require regular coat care to control the amount of shedding.

Coat length: Medium

Grooming: Frequent

Shedding: Since the Giant Schnauzer's wiry coat does not blow out, expect them to shed lightly throughout the year. This can be controlled with weekly brushing and regular grooming.

Training: The key to training your Giant Schnauzer effectively is to challenge his body and brain. A highly-intelligent dog, Giant Schnauzers love learning in a positive environment that includes plenty of socialization. A breed that loves having a job to perform, Giant Schnauzers also do well with agility training.

Barking: Understanding your dog: When provoked, the Giant Schnauzer can be a bit of a loud mouth, but in general they are silent unless startled or alarmed. If left alone for an extended period, the breed has been known to act out, which can include barking and yelping for hours on end.

Temperament & Behavior: A fiercely loyal dog with a fun-loving attitude, the Giant Schnauzer can be a good fit for many families, but requires dedicated training and regular activity. According to Cindy Wallace, a Colorado based breeder affiliated with the Giant Schnauzer Club of America, the breed is "high energy, dominant, loyal, highly intelligent and protective." She adds that for the Giant Schnauzer, "training and socialization isn't a choice, it's a requirement."

Behavior with kids: Giant Schnauzers make fantastic family pets with a playful nature that goes well with dog-savvy children.

Protection: Giant Schnauzers are loyal dogs who will ensure your family is alerted when they perceive there is a threat. The breed has a history of being used as a formidable guard dog across Europe.

Life Span: Giant Schnauzers have a life expectancy between 12 and 15 years.

Inherited health issues: Certain health conditions can occur at an increased rate in Giant Schnauzers, as with all breeds of dogs. Responsible breeders perform a number of genetic and screening tests prior to breeding in an attempt to decrease the frequency of these conditions within the breed. These conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Follicular dysplasia, Hypothyroidism, Cobalamin (vitamin B12) malabsorption, Cataracts, Retinal dysplasia, Retinal degeneration, Eversion of the cartilage of the nictitating membrane, Glaucoma, Urethral, sphincter mechanism incompetence, Neuroaxonal dystrophy, Factor VII deficiency and Digital squamous cell carcinoma.

Preventive care: Although some health conditions can occur more frequently in Giant Schnauzers, none of these conditions can be definitively prevented. The best ways to keep your Giant Schnauzer in the peak of health include routine annual or semi-annual veterinary visits, monitoring for any changes or concerns at home, and maintaining a healthy body weight. Veterinarians have been extensively trained to detect subtle changes, which can aid in earlier diagnosis and treatment of problems. If you observe any new changes in your Giant Schnauzer's habits, including changes in their appetite, water consumption, urination, lethargy, or new lumps or bumps, be sure to consult your veterinarian.

Nutrition: Giant Schnauzers should be fed portion controlled meals of a high quality diet. If overfed or exercised insufficiently, this breed can quickly become overweight. Avoid offering table scraps or too many treats, since this will quickly pack on weight. As a large breed, Giant Schnauzers should be fed puppy food for the first 18 to 24 months of life, as they need to have a proper balance of calcium and phosphorus to aid in growth.

Daily Consumption: Average daily consumption for a Giant Schnauzer is 2 - 3 cups

Energy Level: Frisky, energetic breed that is always ready for action

Exercise: If you are looking for a couch potato, the Giant Schnauzer will not be your best option. The breed is exceptionally active and will need regular opportunities to blow off steam. The key to ensuring that your Giant Schnauzer is of healthy mind and body is to find games that they enjoy, such as catch or hide and seek. A Giant Schnauzer will want to run and play, so an active person is an ideal fit for this breed.

Climate: With weatherproof coats and a love of the outdoors, Giant Schnauzers will do well in nearly any environment, as long as you take the appropriate precautions in extreme temperatures.

Living space: The Giant Schnauzer is best suited to a home with a yard, but can adapt to apartment living with a dedicated exercise schedule. Either way, they require plenty of space to regularly stretch their legs and take a walk.