| Giant Schnauzers: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Giant Schnauzer personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Giant Schnauzer, including these excerpts:
"The AKC Standard calls him "a bold and valiant figure of a dog -- amiable in repose and a commanding figure when aroused."
Keen expression is what you may notice first about the Giant Schnauzer.
Some lines are "harder-tempered" -- bold, serious, and vigorous, while others are sweeter and more mellow.
This athletic, energetic breed plays hard and needs a mile or two of walking and/or running each day. Mental exercise (advanced obedience, agility, Schutzhund) is just as important to this extremely intelligent dog.
Most are watchful with strangers, reliable at determining friend or foe, and responsible about protecting their home.
However, timidity, skittishness, and sharp-shyness are seen in some lines. To promote a stable, confident temperament, Giant Schnauzers need more socialization than many other breeds.
Many are too spirited for small children, and some become overprotective of their own kids when a group is engaging in rough-and-tumble play.
Other dogs may be challenged -- Giant Schnauzer males are especially dominant and aggressive with other males.
Once you establish your leadership, the Giant Schnauzer responds very well to obedience training that is fair and consistent.
This sensitive dog seems always aware of your moods and likes to be physically close to you, watching you."
History
The Giant Schnauzer drove cattle in the German region of Bavaria, where all three Schnauzer breeds (Miniature, Standard, and Giant) originated.
Size
24-28 inches and 70-95 lbs |
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Giant Schnauzers
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is large and strong, yet also lithe and elegant
- Has a wiry coat that doesn't shed too much and a whiskery face with a wise expression
- Plays hard and thrives on vigorous athletic activities
- Looks imposing, so makes an effective deterrent and keen watchdog
- Is versatile -- when well-trained, can learn and do almost anything
A Giant Schnauzer may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Vigorous exercise requirements
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young
- Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough
- Aggression or fearfulness in some lines, or when not socialized enough
- Aggression toward other animals
- Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
- Regular clipping and trimming of the wiry coat
A Giant Schnauzer may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Giant Schnauzer... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Giant Schnauzers MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and to use their busy minds to do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Giant Schnauzers can make a shambles of your house and yard.
| If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or schutzhund (protection), or carting, or tracking, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. |
- Providing enough socialization. Most Giant Schnauzers have protective instincts toward strangers. They need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal behaviors of "good guys." Then they can recognize the difference when someone acts abnormally. Without careful socialization, they may be suspicious of everyone, which could lead to biting. Some Giant Schnauzers go in the opposite direction -- without enough socialization, they become fearful of strangers, which can lead to defensive biting.
| In this day and age, the legal liabilities of owning any breed that looks intimidating and has a history as a guard dog should be seriously considered. People are quicker to sue if such a dog does anything even remotely questionable. |
- Animal aggression. Many Giant Schnauzers are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. Some have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals.
| If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Giant Schnauzer puppies. Young Giant Schnauzers (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. The temptation to play roughly is simply too strong in many young Giant Schnauzers. |
- The strong temperament. Giant Schnauzers are not Golden Retrievers. The best Giant Schnauzers are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal, but they have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Some Giant Schnauzers are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
- Grooming. To keep their wiry coat free of mats, Giant Schnauzers require regular brushing, and also clipping and trimming every few months.
| Frankly, most Giant Schnauzers are "too much dog" for the average household. Very few people really have the knowledge or skills necessary to manage this breed, or to provide the activities that keep him satisfied. |
| Not all Giant Schnauzers are alike! |
- There are energetic Giant Schnauzers, and placid Giants.
- Hard-headed Giant Schnauzers, and sweet-natured Giants.
- Serious Giant Schnauzers, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Giant Schnauzers, and Giants who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Giant Schnauzer puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Giant Schnauzer... |
There are plenty of adult Giant Schnauzers who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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