The Giant Schnauzer
The Giant Schnauzer is also known as the Russian Bear Schnauzer, the Munich Schnauzer and the Riesenschnauzer. It comes from a cross between the Standard Schnauzer, Bouvier des Flandres and the Great Dane.
The Giant Schnauzer was first used to drive livestock in Bavaria, but later was used as a guard dog for the police and the military. The word Schnauze is German for muzzle.
Breed Group
Working
Size
Male: 26-28 inches
Female: 23-26 inches
Weight
Male: 60-80 pounds
Female: 55-75 pounds
Color(s)
The colors of the Giant Schnauzer can be solid black or salt and pepper.
Coat
The Giant Schnauzer's coat is tight, strong, hard and rough. It is shorter on the ears, on the top of head, on the neck and under the tail. It is barely longer on the legs and under the chest. It has longer hairs under the muzzle and on the eyebrows. The undercoat is soft and dense.
Life Expectancy
About 12 - 15 years.
Personality
The Giant Schnauzer is an intelligent and alert dog. His calm behavior makes him good with children. Very protective, it is a good guard dog. It is courageous, loyal and responsible. Very attached to his owners; it always wants to be near them.
Care
The outer coat is easy to take care of, but the undercoat is very dense and needs to be brushed weekly. The Giant Schnauzer should be trimmed equally all over the body at least four times a year.
A blunt-nosed scissor should be used to trim around the eyes and around the ears. After the meals, the whiskers should be washed. It does not smell and it barely sheds. The Giant Schnauzer should have a bath at least two times a year.
Training
The Giant Schnauzer is very dominant, so it needs an experienced trainer that will be firm and able to show that he is the boss. It needs constant training, with positive attitude and rewards. They aren't really good with kids; if they are not trained properly, they might bite them.
Activity
This dog is very energetic and will consequently require a lot of activity. If not exercised at least twice a day, it will be very difficult to manage, more so if it lives in an apartment.