Giant Schnauzer Puppies

Photo of Giant Schnauzer

A playful, protective, and loving breed

Originating from Germany to serve as cattle herding dogs, the Giant Schnauzer is a highly energetic dog that makes a great addition to active households. Bold, strong, and affectionate with their families, the Giant Schnauzer is devoted to and protective over those it loves. All these characteristics make the Giant Schnauzer the perfect hiking, jogging, and biking companion.


Giant Schnauzer At a Glance

Photo of Giant Schnauzer Photo of Giant Schnauzer Photo of Giant Schnauzer Photo of Giant Schnauzer

Giant Schnauzer At a Glance

  • Size: 23"-28", 55-85 lbs.
  • Lifespan: 12-15 years
  • Energy Level: high
  • Coat: Dense and wiry with a soft undercoat and harsh outer coat
  • Shedding: light
  • Hypoallergenic: Yes
  • Dog Group: Working
  • Common Nicknames: Munich Schnauzer, Riesenschnauzer

Schnauzer Giant Breed Guide

Learn More About Schnauzer Giants

  • Temperament

    The Giant Schnauzer is a very playful, bold dog with an assertive personality. With family, Giant Schnauzers are loving, protective, and affectionate. However, the breed tends to be suspicious of strangers and may become territorial. It's in the Giant Schnauzer's instinct to watch over their human "pack," making them excellent guard dogs. Giant Schnauzers get along well with children in their own families but aren't as good with unfamiliar children. These dogs are very intelligent and energetic, so it's important that they receive lots of physical and mental exercise daily. In the right home, the Giant Schnauzer is a loyal, dependable family pet.

  • Health

    The Giant Schnauzer is generally a healthy dog but there are some health issues owners should be aware of. These health conditions include eye problems, autoimmune thyroiditis, and hip dysplasia. When buying a Giant Schnauzer make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder who has their dogs regularly screened for health problems.

  • Activity Level

    Giant Schnauzers are highly energetic dogs that need plenty of exercise. These dogs do best with a fenced-in yard for them to run around in. Giant Schnauzers need owners who can meet their high-activity requirements. Some great ways to exercise a Giant Schnauzer include hiking, playing fetch, long walks, jogging, and swimming. This breed is the perfect workout buddy for active people. Not only will your intelligent Giant Schnauzer need tons of physical exercise, but it will also need a lot of mental stimulation to help prevent boredom.

  • Grooming

    Giant Schnauzers should be brushed at least once a week to keep their coats healthy. These dogs require lots of grooming so taking them to a professional groomer is recommended. It's ideal that the Giant Schnauzer's coat is stripped as opposed to trimmed to keep its coat's water-resistant and light-shedding properties intact. Like other breeds, regularly check and clean your Giant Schnauzer's ears to prevent ear infections.

  • Shedding

    Like other Schnauzer breeds, the Giant Schnauzer sheds very lightly. This breed is considered to be hypoallergenic and a good fit for households with allergies.

  • Appearance

    Giant Schnauzers are large dogs that generally have black or salt-and-pepper coats. The Giant Schnauzer looks just like its smaller breed counterparts, known for having fluffy eyebrows and a beard along with long hair on its underside and legs. The Giant Schnauzer usually has its ears and tail cropped as that's standard for the breed. With cropped ears and tails, these dogs have upright, alert ears and short, stubby tails. When they don't have their ears and tails cropped, Giant Schnauzers have ears that hang down and long tails.

  • History

    The Giant Schnauzer is the largest of the three Schnauzer breeds, and it was developed in Germany during the Middle Ages. Cattlemen at the time sought to create a larger version of the Standard Schnauzer that would be more suitable for driving cattle to market. To achieve a larger size, the Standard Schnauzer was likely crossed with large smooth-coated cattle dogs, rough-coated sheepdogs, and perhaps the Great Dane. The resulting breed was a large, weather-resistant dog that was more effective at driving cattle than the Standard Schnauzer. By the early 1900s, the Giant Schnauzer wasn't used as often for driving cattle, but the breed still found work in stockyards and butcher shops. Over the following decades, Giant Schnauzers had a relatively low profile, despite being recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1930. The breed's popularity increased after the foundation of the Giant Schnauzer Club of America in 1962, and these dogs continue to maintain a modest popularity today.