Giant Schnauzer

Infobox Dogbreed
akcgroup = Working
akcstd = http://www.akc.org/breeds/giant_schnauzer/index.cfm
altname = Riesenschnauzer
Russian Bear Schnauzer (early 1900s)
ankcgroup = Group 6 (Utility)
ankcstd = http://www.ankc.aust.com/schngian.html
ckcgroup = Group 3 - Working Dogs
ckcstd = http://www.ckc.ca/en/Default.aspx?tabid=99&BreedCode=SHG
country = Germany
fcigroup = 2
fcinum = 181
fcisection = 1
fcistd = http://www.dogdomain.com/FCI/fcistandards/fci-181.htm

---

image_caption = Giant Schnauzer groomed for exhibition.
kcukgroup = Working
kcukstd = http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/50
name = Giant Schnauzer
nzkcgroup = Utility
nzkcstd = http://www.nzkc.org.nz/dogselect.html
ukcgroup = Herding Dog
ukcstd = http://mail.ukcdogs.com/UKCweb.nsf/80de88211ee3f2dc8525703f004ccb1e/3ec1d2bfe7119a698525704900609253?OpenDocument

The Giant Schnauzer is a large, powerful, compact breed of dog. It is one of the three Schnauzer breeds. Like most large breeds, the Giant Schnauzer needs a fair amount of exercise.

Appearance

When hand-stripped, the Giant Schnauzer has a harsh, wiry outer coat and dense, soft undercoat. Coat color is either black or salt and pepper (grey). It weighs between 70 and 99 lb (32 to 45 kg) and stands 23.5 to 27.5 in (59 to 70 cm) at the withers.

When moving at a fast trot, a properly built Giant Schnauzer will single-track. Back remains strong, firm, and flat.

Contrary to popular belief, Giant Schnauzers have very little shedding. One of the few Large Breed dogs who don't shed [http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dogs/dogs-that-do-not-shed.aspx Go Pets America: Dogs that do not shed - Retrieved September 7, 2008] ] [http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/giantschnauzer.htm Dog Breed Info: Giant Schnauzer] ] (see Moult).

Temperament

The Giant Schnauzer is a large, powerful, dominant dog which needs a firm, consistent but friendly handler. Unnecessary harshness will only do harm.

Early and consistent training is necessary as Giant Schnauzers tend to be very willful and highly intelligent dogs. Their ability to understand a command does not always translate into obedience.

Giant Schnauzers are fiercely loyal, often becoming so attached to their owner that they follow them around the house. They are extremely kind natured (similar to that of a retriever or Labrador) and a good choice for those with children.

"Some of the great qualities of Giants is that they can excel at obedience/agility/carting/protection work, if properly trained they are a dog that can do it all. They need an owner who displays consistent leadership, or they will feel it is their job to take over as top dog. If not given the proper amount of exercise and left to their own devices, this breed can turn very destructive, if their energy and busy minds are not channeled properly" [http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/giantschnauzer.htm Dog Breed Info: Giant Schnauzer] ]

Giant schnauzers need vigorous exercise at least twice every day and can easily make a 15 mile hike. The Giant Schnauzer is a good companion for hunter of raccoons, foxes and even deer.

Health problems in the breed include:
* Autoimmune diseases (hypothyroidism, Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) (also called Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA)), SLO, Crohn's disease, and so on)
* Epilepsy
* Hip dysplasia
* Incontinence
* Toe cancer

History

The breed originated in the mid to late 19th century in the Bavarian and Württemberg regions of Germany. Cattlemen wanted a larger version of the Standard Schnauzer for herding and driving, creating it by selectively breeding the Standard Schnauzer with the Great Dane, the Bouvier des Flandres, and rough haired sheepdogs.

It is important to note, the Giant Schnauzer and Miniature Schnauzer were bred from the Standard Schnauzer, making the Standard Schnauzer the original and oldest of this breed of dog. This distinction is important as when talking about "Schnauzers" most will think of the Miniature Schnauzer and not realize the distinction of Standard Schnauzer or Giant Schnauzer.

It was a popular herding breed, but its need for more food than some breeds made it less popular for farmers on tight budgets or with limited resources. It was used as a guard dog in breweries and stockyards, a police dog, and during World War I as a military dog. It became scarce during World War II, but its popularity grew again after the war, when it was used as a drover and as a guard dog.

References

*Fogle, Bruce, DVM (2000). "The new Encyclopedia of the Dog". Doring Kindersley (DK). ISBN 0-7894-6130-7.
*Mehus-Roe, Kristin (ed.) (2005). "The original dog bible : the definitive source for all things dog". BowTie Press. ISBN 1-931993-34-3.

ee also

*Standard Schnauzer
*Miniature Schnauzer

External links

*Breed clubs
** [http://www.giantschnauzerclubofamerica.com/ Giant Schnauzer Club of America]
** [http://www.giantschnauzercanada.com/ Giant Schnauzer Canada]
** [http://www.workingriesenschnauzer.com/ Working Riesenschnauzer Federation]
** [http://www.giantschnauzerclub.co.uk/ Giant Schnauzer Club]
*Information
** [http://www.akc.org/breeds/giant_schnauzer/index.cfm American Kennel Club - Giant Schnauzer]
** [http://www.bloodaxe.com/SLO.html SLO autoimmune disease description]
** [http://www.vetinfo.com/dimhanemia.html AIHA disease description]
*Giant Schnauzers in the Media
** [http://www.kenjigiantschnauzer.com Greatest American Dog - Kenji]