Giant Schnauzers

The Giant Schnauzer originated in the mid to late 19th century in Bavarian and Wurttemberg, Germany.

Cattlemen wanted larger versions of the Standard Schnauzer for herding and driving.

By breeding the Standard Schnauzer with the black Great Dane, the Bouvier des Flandres, and rough haired sheepdogs, cattlemen and herdsmen were able to create the Giant Schnauzer.

The Giant Schnauzer was a popular herding breed, although many farmers on tight budgets did not have the breed, as they require more resources than the smaller, standard schnauzer.

The dogs were used as a guard dog in breweries and stockyards, police dogs, and during World War I as military dogs.

During World War II, the Giant Schnauzer declined in popularity, but its popularity increased again after the war, when it was used as a drover and as a guard dog.

Giant Schnauzers are commonly found in schutzhund competitions.

The Giant Schnauzer is 23.5 to 25.5 inches tall at the shoulders.

Schnauzers have a harsh, wiry outer coat and a dense, soft undercoat.

Coatcolor can vary between salt and pepper of gray, black, and white.

The schnauzer is a dog with minimal shedding concerns.

The hair on the face, is a little longer, to where it forms a beard at the muzzle and long eyebrows.

Overall, Schnauzers are robust and sturdy dogs that are heavier for their height.

Traditionally, the ears were cropped and the tail docked.

As the Giant Schnauzer is a large, powerful, dominant dog, it needs a firm, consistent hand. Unneccessary harshness will do harm to them, so as an owner or possible owner of a Giant Schnauzer you must, also, be friendly.

Early and consistent training is necessary as the Giant Schnauzer tends to be very willful and are highly intelligent dog. Although, its ability to understand a command, does not always translate into obedience.

Giant Schnauzers are loyal, extremely kind natured, and a good choice people with children.

Giant schnauzers need vigorous exercise at least twice every day. They make good companions for hunters of raccoons, foxes and even deer.

Giant schnauzers are not suitable for apartment life. They are fairly active dogs and do best when they can be provided a decent sized yard.

Common health concerns with Giant Schnauzers include:

• Autoimmune diseases- hypothyroidism, Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA)-also called Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA), SLO, Crohn's disease
• Epilepsy
• Hip dysplasia
• Incontinence
• Toe cancer

Pictures can be found at flickr.com.