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Giant Schnauzer Information & Dog Breed Facts

Collection of all the general dog breed info about Giant Schnauzer so you can get to know the breed more.

Group Working Dogs
Popularity Rank80
Reviews4
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Giant Schnauzer dog profile picture
OriginGermany flagGermany
Other Names
What other names does the Giant Schnauzer have?
Riesenschnauzer
Breed Type
What type of dog breed is it?
Purebred

Photo Gallery of the Giant Schnauzer Breed

Giant Schnauzer Size and Weight

Size
Is a Giant Schnauzer small, medium or large dog?

How big do Giant Schnauzer get?

What is the average size of a Giant Schnauzer?

Giant
Weight
How much does the Giant Schnauzer weigh? How much should a Giant Schnauzer weight? What is the normal weight of a Giant Schnauzer? How much does a full-grown Giant Schnauzer weight?
Males 60-105 pounds (27-48 kg), Female: 55-75 pounds (25-34 kg)
Average Weight
What is the average weight of a Giant Schnauzer?
Males 82.5 pounds (37.5 kg), Female: 65 pounds (29.5 kg)
Height
How tall is the Giant Schnauzer? Giant Schnauzer height:
Male: 26-28 inches (66-71 cm), Female: 23-26 inches (58-66 cm)
Average Height
What is the average height of a Giant Schnauzer?
Male: 27 inches (68.5 cm), Female: 24.5 inches (62 cm)

Giant Schnauzer Price and Availability

Price
How much does the Giant Schnauzer puppy cost? What is the price range of this puppy? What is the average price of a Giant Schnauzer in the United States? How much money is a Giant Schnauzer?

Where to buy a Giant Schnauzer with a good pedigree?

$1000-$1500
If you choose to purchase the Giant Schnauzer, you should know that the mentioned amount of money is an average of the collected data from breeders’ sites and puppy finder places. If you have a Giant Schnauzer for sale, please advertise it on a reliable website to make sure the Giant Schnauzer gets to a happy place.
Availability
How easy is it to get a Giant Schnauzer? How many Giant Schnauzer are there in the world?
Very frequent: The Giant Schnauzer is quite easy to get. There is a risk of overbreeding, as it is an extremely popular breed.

Inbreeding is common because of its popularity. A new study suggests that inbreeding contributes to the incidence of disease and health problems.

So be careful, buy from a trustworthy place or kennel and seek the help of an experienced person, a professional, to make the right decision.

Giant Schnauzer Trainability and Intelligence

Intelligent Rank
How smart is the Giant Schnauzer? Is the Giant Schnauzer breed dumb or smart?
Smart: The Giant Schnauzer dogs have great intelligence. They understand and memorize new commands in 15-25 repetitions.

The Giant Schnauzer is among the smartest dogs in the intelligence ranking.

Trainability
Are Giant Schnauzer dogs easy to train? Do they go well on dog training? How hard is it to train a Giant Schnauzer?
Giant Schnauzer dogs are easy to train. They find out the association between commands and actions quite quickly.
Watchdog Ability
Is Giant Schnauzer good as a watchdog? Are they alert at night?
Giant Schnauzer dogs are one of the best watchdogs. Their main job is to observe and they're very consistent in their effort. The best vocal cords and sense of hearing belong to them. Usually, they're very territorial and protective about their property, so the Giant Schnauzer dogs will alert you if they sense something different.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Do Giant Schnauzer dogs have aggressive behavior to protect their home/house/territory? Do they have guarding instincts?
Giant Schnauzer dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. This breed doesn't hesitate to protect its territory so the Giant Schnauzer can be a good choice if you want an excellent guard dog. Keep calm and the Giant Schnauzer will take care of unwanted people or animals.

Giant Schnauzer Personality and Temperament

Temperament
What kind of personality does the Giant Schnauzer have? What characteristics or traits does the breed have?
PowerfulIntelligentDominantLoyalKindStrongWilled
Sensitivity Level
How sensitive are they? Giant Schnauzer sensitivity:
They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. Soft punishment affects them emotionally. Giant Schnauzer dogs don't tolerate irregular daily routines, noisy households, and frequent guest visits really well.

They are receptive to their owner's emotions and make wonderful family companions.

Affection Level
How affectionate are they? Is a Giant Schnauzer a good family dog?
Average: Giant Schnauzer dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. Some breeds are forthcoming and friendly, while others are independent and don't bond too closely with their owners.
Social Needs
How much social interaction does the Riesenschnauzer need? Giant Schnauzer social needs:
Giant Schnauzer dogs need for social interaction is average. This breed likes being around people or other animals, but they don't mind being left alone for a few hours either.
Impulse to Wander or Roam
How likely is the Giant Schnauzer to run away? Does this breed explore or wander a lot? Does Giant Schnauzer roam?
The wanderlust potential of the Giant Schnauzer is strong enough to escape from home. They have a strong desire for exploring the world. Safer to walk them on a leash unless you teach them how to get back to you on command.
Prey Drive
Do this canine have a strong prey drive? Does Giant Schnauzer have high prey drive?
Giant Schnauzer dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. Cats or any other small animals might be in danger. It's a natural instinct, doesn't necessarily mean that Giant Schnauzer dogs are aggressive. Better to keep this breed on a leash.

Giant Schnauzer Activity and Playfulness

Playfulness
How playful is this breed?
The Giant Schnauzer is a highly playful breed. Excited barking and sometimes nipping will alert you to play.
Barking
Do Giant Schnauzer dogs bark a lot? Are they barkers/noisy? Why does my Riesenschnauzer bark?
Average: The Giant Schnauzer barks occasionally. They can change their barks depending on their emotional level and what they're trying to say. Different barks could mean the same and the same barks could have different meanings.

Top reasons for barking: protection, alarm, fear, boredom, attention-seeking, greeting, separation anxiety, compulsive barking.

Apartment Friendly
Is Giant Schnauzer good as an apartment dog? Can they live in a flat? Can you have a Giant Schnauzer in an apartment?
Not an apartment-friendly dog the Giant Schnauzer breed. If you don't have a garden, think carefully about your decision, keeping Giant Schnauzer indoors can cause a lot of problems.

Giant Schnauzer Adaptability and Independence

Adaptability
Are they adaptable and easy-going?
Average: Giant Schnauzer dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Tolerates Being Left Alone
How long can a Giant Schnauzer be left alone? How long can you leave a Giant Schnauzer alone?
Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. With proper socialization and quality time with the dog can solve this problem.

Giant Schnauzer Bite Characteristics

Bite Force PSI
Does the Giant Schnauzer has a hard bite? What is the bite force of a Giant Schnauzer? How much bite force does a Giant Schnauzer have? How strong is a Giant Schnauzer bite?

Above 400 PSI 🔼

Giant Schnauzer bite force: The Strongest. The Giant Schnauzer bite force is among the strongest in the canine world. The bite force Giant Schnauzer measurements are typically quite high, which is a testament to their powerful and large stature. The bite force of Giant Schnauzer dogs is impressive, and their Giant Schnauzer bite PSI is reflective of their powerful nature.

The Giant Schnauzer PSI bite should be respected, and appropriate precautions should be taken when interacting with these dogs. The PSI of a Giant Schnauzer bite is high, making them one of the strongest breeds in terms of bite force.

They are very protective of themselves and their families, therefore a dog bite from them could be exceptionally dangerous with their PSI being above 400.

To ensure a well-behaved and controlled dog, it's important to learn how to train a Giant Schnauzer puppy not to bite from an early age. It is important that they’re trained to be around others safely.

Biting Potential
Do Giant Schnauzer bite humans? How likely are you to get bitten from the Riesenschnauzer? What are the odds of getting bitten by a Giant Schnauzer? Why do dog bites happen?

Low 🔽

The Giant Schnauzer has a low chance of biting somebody. Top reasons for dog bite: protection, pain, excitement, herding instinct, being provoked. (Data based on the available online bite statistics.)
Mouthiness
How much mouthing/nipping/play biting does the Giant Schnauzer do?
Giant Schnauzer dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. It's a common habit during puppyhood, not aggressive behavior. These "bites" don't hurt, but Giant Schnauzer dogs need to be taught a good attitude.

Giant Schnauzer Health and Lifespan

Health Issues
Is it a healthy or unhealthy breed? Do Giant Schnauzer dogs have health problems or genetic diseases?
Giant Schnauzers are commonly healthy dogs. Vet costs aren't expensive with this breed.
Health Problems
What genetic/health problems does the Giant Schnauzer breed have? What are the health issues and concerns of the Giant Schnauzer breed? Most common health risks of Giant Schnauzer:
Cataracts Hip Dysplasia CancerProgressive retinal atrophy (PRA)BloatHeart ProblemsElbow DysplasiaRetinal DysplasiaGlaucomaKeratoconjunctivitis Sicca
Veterinarian Visits
How often does the Giant Schnauzer breed need to go to the vet? How often should you take your dog to the vet? How often should the Giant Schnauzer see the vet?
Rare
The Giant Schnauzer should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). If your dog shows any symptoms, call your veterinarian.
Life Expectancy
How long do Giant Schnauzer dogs live? How old can a Giant Schnauzer be? What is the age limit of the Giant Schnauzer? How many years can the oldest Giant Schnauzer live?

What is the average life expectancy / lifespan of a Giant Schnauzer?

How long is the lifespan of a Giant Schnauzer?

10-12 years
The average lifespan of Giant Schnauzer: 11 years
Weather and Climate
Which weather condition is preferred by this dog? Can they tolerate hot or cold weather and climate?
Prefers average to cold weather conditions
The Giant Schnauzer can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog.

Giant Schnauzer Energy and Activity

Energy Level
How much energy does the Giant Schnauzer have? What is the activity level of the Giant Schnauzer?
Giant Schnauzer dogs are high-energy dogs. An active lifestyle makes them happy.
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
How much exercise does a Giant Schnauzer need? How much exercise do Giant Schnauzer dogs require per day?

Do Giant Schnauzer dogs need a lot of exercises?

Giant Schnauzer dogs need a lot of exercises. Long walks should be on a daily schedule. If you live an active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.
Sleeping Need
How much sleep does the Giant Schnauzer breed need?
Giant Schnauzer dogs don't need too much sleep. They are energetic and desire to live active life. If you think naps are overrated, this breed can be the best choice for you.

Giant Schnauzer Diet and Weight Management

Average daily food consumption
How much food does a Giant Schnauzer need? What dog products should I buy? How much food does a Giant Schnauzer breed eat per day? What is good dog food for Giant Schnauzer? How much food should I feed my Giant Schnauzer?
8 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
How easy to gain weight for this dog? Giant Schnauzer risk for obesity:
Average: The Giant Schnauzer has an average risk for obesity. Daily walks should be on schedule. To make your dog happy and fit, feed him with quality dry dog food and live an active life together. Try to find the happy medium between exercise and feeding.

If you notice any weight gain, consult your veterinarian and make a diet plan. Reduce unhealthy food and snacks, and measure the Giant Schnauzer weight regularly.

Giant Schnauzer Allergies and Grooming

Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat does the Giant Schnauzer have? What does this canine coat/fur look like?
Wiry
Colors
What color is the breed's coat? What color are proper Giant Schnauzer coats?
BlackPepper Salt
Grooming
How to groom the Giant Schnauzer and how often? How often should I take my Giant Schnauzer to the groomer?
Average: The Giant Schnauzer requires average grooming effort. Cutting the dog's hair by a professional groomer isn't essential.

Brushing the dog's coat is useful to reduce shedding. Ears and eyes should be cleaned regularly to avoid infections.

Don't skip the seasonal flea treatment too. Dog nail trimming and dog bath can be helpful sometimes.

Check the local pet store for dog grooming supplies and find the best dog shampoo to keep its coat healthy and give your dog a pleasant experience of a dog bath.

If you don't have the time, skill, or money to take care of your Giant Schnauzer, search for a dog groomer or clipping service in your area and book an appointment.

Maybe you're lucky to have a dog boarding service that includes grooming or walk-in dog bath places nearby.

Shedding Level
How much do Giant Schnauzer dogs shed? How to control, reduce and prevent the shedding of the Riesenschnauzer? Do Giant Schnauzer dogs shed a lot?
Giant Schnauzer dogs shed none to minimal. Having a puppy from this breed you don't have to be afraid of your couch or car being covered by dog hair. Giant Schnauzer dogs could be the best choice if you don't tolerate dog hair.
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
How often does the Giant Schnauzer need a bath? How often should you give a Giant Schnauzer a bath? Can I bathe my Giant Schnauzer every day?
8-12 weeks
Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. It’s also a good time to look for unusual scratches, bumps, fleas, and other irregularities. When their hair is wet and flat against their body, these details are more visible.

For example, short-haired dog breeds can go a very long time in between baths. These short-haired breeds shed regularly and that shedding works to naturally remove excess dirt and oil. So unless your weenie dog got into the garbage can, you can probably hold off on a bath for a while.

Hypoallergenic
Is the Giant Schnauzer breed hypoallergenic?
Yes
Giant Schnauzer dogs do well with allergy sufferers by causing fewer allergic reaction. However there are no 100% hypoallergenic dogs in the world, there are a variety of breeds that are considered to reduce or minimize the possibility of an allergic response. Coat type isn't necessarily relevant, because most people are allergic to dander (flakes on the dog's skin) or saliva, not actually to dog hair.
Stinkiness
How stinky is this dog? Why does it smell bad and how to get rid of the smell?

Low 🔽

The Giant Schnauzer has a low chance of bad smell. Top reasons for dog stinkiness: infection of bad tooth/ear/skin folds, gas attacks.
Drooling Tendency
Does the Giant Schnauzer drool?
The Giant Schnauzer is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. If you're disgusted by slobber spots on your clothes, the Giant Schnauzer could be a perfect choice for you. Drooling is the unintentional saliva flowing outside of the mouth. It can be completely normal or a sign of a health problem. Certain dog breeds drool minimum compared to others, just like the Giant Schnauzer.

If you notice any change in your dog's drooling habit, you should contact a vet as soon as possible.

Giant Schnauzer Good With

Pet Friendly
Are they pet-friendly dogs? How well do Giant Schnauzer dogs get along with other pets? Are Giant Schnauzer dogs good with pets? What is this canine temperament with other pets?
Giant Schnauzer dogs usually don’t get on well with other pets.
Stranger Friendly
Are they aggressive or friendly towards/with strangers? Giant Schnauzer temperament with other people:
Giant Schnauzer dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.
Child Friendly
Are Giant Schnauzer dogs kid-friendly? Are they good with young children? Giant Schnauzer temperament with children:
Giant Schnauzer dogs are not the most kid-friendly dogs. If you have children, you may have to reconsider your choice of having a puppy from this breed.
Cat Friendly
How well do Giant Schnauzer dogs get along with cats? Are they good with kittens? What is this fido's temperament with cats? Can they be good with cats? Can the Giant Schnauzer breed live with a cat?
Giant Schnauzer dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Friendly
Is Giant Schnauzer good with other dogs? Are they dog-friendly dogs? How well do Giant Schnauzer dogs get along with other dogs?
Giant Schnauzer dogs are not dog-friendly. If you want more dogs in your family or you'd like to join dog meetups, the Giant Schnauzer is not the best choice.
Good For First Time Owners
Is Giant Schnauzer breed good for first-time owners? Do they make a good dog for novice owners? Is Giant Schnauzer breed suitable for first-time owners?
Yes
Giant Schnauzer dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly
Are Giant Schnauzer dogs good office canines? Do Giant Schnauzer dogs make good office-friendly pets? Can they be office dogs?
No
Giant Schnauzer is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly
Are they senior citizens friendly dogs? How well do Giant Schnauzer dogs get along with the elderly people? What is the Riesenschnauzer temperament with senior people? Are Giant Schnauzer dogs good for elderly owners?
Giant Schnauzers are not the best breed for elderly people.

Giant Schnauzer As a Working Dog

Service Dog
Are they good as service dogs? Can Giant Schnauzer be a guide dog? Are they used as seeing-eye dogs?

Not really

This breed generally not used as a service dog. A service dog is a term used in the USA to refer to any type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have disabilities, such as visual impairment, hearing impairments, mental disorders, seizures, mobility impairment, and diabetes. Service dogs are protected under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

Giant Schnauzer is not the best breed for service purposes.

Therapy Dog
Are they good as therapy dogs? Can Giant Schnauzer be a therapy dog? Are they good anxiety dogs? Can a Giant Schnauzer be an emotional support animal?

Not really

This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. A therapy dog is a dog that might be trained to provide affection, comfort, and love to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and people with anxiety disorders or autism.

Giant Schnauzer is not the best breed for therapeutic purposes.

Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog
Are they good as detection dogs? Can Giant Schnauzer be a sniffer dog?

Not really

They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.

Giant Schnauzer is not the best breed for detection purposes.

Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)
Are they good as SAR dogs? Can Giant Schnauzer be a search and rescue dog?

Not really

This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and locating missing people.

The Giant Schnauzer is not the best breed for SAR purposes.

Boat and Sailor Dog
Are they good as boat dogs? Can Giant Schnauzer be a boat dog?

Not really

Giant Schnauzer breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.

Boat dogs were typically bred for their strength, stamina, and water resistance, as they were often required to perform tasks such as pulling in fishing nets, and jumping into the water to retrieve ropes or lines, or helping to move cargo.

Sailor dog is a type of dog that was bred to accompany sailors on their voyages. They were typically used for three purposes: as a working dog, a watchdog, and as a companion. A boat dog is a term used to describe a type of dog that was traditionally bred and used as a working dog on boats.

Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog
Are they good as cart pulling dogs? Can Giant Schnauzer be a drafting dog?

Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. Dogs bred for this work have strong builds and qualities that are needed, strength and determination.

Giant Schnauzer is not the best breed for drafting purposes.

Fighting Dog / Military Dog
Where Giant Schnauzer dogs used as fighting / military dogs in history?

Not really

In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Giant Schnauzer Reproducibility

Gestation Length
How long is a Giant Schnauzer pregnant?How long does it take to have puppies? How to tell if the Giant Schnauzer breed is pregnant?

60-64 days

Reproductive cycle of the female Giant Schnauzer: The first period called Proestrus lasts for about 9 days.

During this time the females start to attract males. You can notice by swelling vulva and bloody discharge.

The second part is the Estrus when the female is receptive for the male. It lasts for about 3 to 11 days.

The sign of the proestrus part is the soft and enlarged vulva. The discharge decreases and lightens in color.

The third part is the Diestrus. Normally, it occurs around day 14. In this period the female’s discharge changes for vivid red and coming to its end. The vulva returns to average, and she will no longer permit mating.

The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time frame between heat periods normally lasts about six months.

Litter Frequency

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy. It is very important not to buy a dog from a puppy mill, where the needs of the pups and their mothers are ignored. It's an inhumane high-volume dog breeding facility, where puppies born several times a year.
Litter Size
How many puppies can the Giant Schnauzer have in a litter? How many puppies can the Giant Schnauzer breed have for the first time? How many puppies does a Giant Schnauzer have? How many puppies can a Giant Schnauzer give birth to?
5-8 puppies

Giant Schnauzer Recognition

AKC Group
Is Giant Schnauzer recognized by the American Kennel Club?
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1930 as a Working breed.
FCI Group
Is Giant Schnauzer recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)?
Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Pinscher and Schnauzer type section.
Breed Recognition
What kennel clubs and organizations recognize or register the Giant Schnauzer breed?
American Canine RegistryAmerican Kennel ClubAmerica's Pet RegistryCanadian Kennel ClubDog Registry of America Inc.Federation Cynologique InternationaleKennel Club of Great BritainNorth American Purebred Registry, Inc.American Canine Association, Inc.Australian National Kennel CouncilContinental Kennel ClubNational Kennel ClubNew Zealand Kennel ClubUnited Kennel Club

Giant Schnauzer Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Intelligent Rank: Smart: The Giant Schnauzer dogs have great intelligence.
  • Trainability: Giant Schnauzer dogs are easy to train.
  • Health Issues: Giant Schnauzers are commonly healthy dogs.
  • Hypoallergenic: Giant Schnauzer dogs do well with allergy sufferers by causing fewer allergic reaction.
  • Shedding Level: Giant Schnauzer dogs shed none to minimal.
  • Drooling Tendency: The Giant Schnauzer is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
  • Stinkiness: The Giant Schnauzer has a low chance of bad smell.
  • Watchdog Ability: Giant Schnauzer dogs are one of the best watchdogs.
  • Good For First Time Owners: Giant Schnauzer dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Cons
  • Apartment Friendly: Not an apartment-friendly dog the Giant Schnauzer breed.
  • Impulse to Wander or Roam: The wanderlust potential of the Giant Schnauzer is strong enough to escape from home.
  • Child Friendly: Giant Schnauzer dogs are not the most kid-friendly dogs.
  • Cat Friendly: Giant Schnauzer dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs.
  • Dog Friendly: Giant Schnauzer dogs are not dog-friendly.
  • Office Friendly: Giant Schnauzer is not the best dog breed for office environment.
  • Senior Citizens Friendly: Giant Schnauzers are not the best breed for elderly people.

Rate The Giant Schnauzer Breed

Giant Schnauzer Comments, Reviews and Questions

  • Roxy

    Sep 8, 2021, 8:57:50 PM:

    Beautiful dogs. Good hearing and barks to alert. Too smart at times . Not hypoallergenic and it’s very possible to have allergic reaction. The don’t shed like some breeds, but sure do loose hair. Very loyal to me/owner (but not to my spouse ).

  • Winston Hawthorne

    Apr 10, 2021, 1:28:20 AM:

    Love this breed. Perfect all rounder if you can cope with trips to the Doggy Spa. 5 star breed.

  • Jim Stanton

    Jul 31, 2020, 9:34:22 PM:

    Had a Giant for 12 years. Was loyal and happy, sometimes he was a goofball. Did not always do great with smaller animals as prey drive is strong in these dogs. Great family dog. Affectionate with everyone in the family. Stubborn but brave and protective.