Giant Schnauzer
Updated October 14, 2024
Giant Schnauzer
Updated October 14, 2024
Giant Schnauzers are large and high-energy dogs that do best with an experienced and active pet parent. As the largest of the three Schnauzer breeds, they do best with lots of space—and a tall fence they can’t easily hop over.
Watchful, Loyal
Male: 60-85 pounds
Female: 55-75 pounds
Male: 25.5-27.5 inches
Female: 23.5-25.5 inches
12 to 15 years
Black, Salt and Pepper
Big, beautiful Giant Schnauzers are scroll-stoppers of Instagram with their hallmark eyebrows and beards. Their smarts and cleverness make them fun to be around—especially when teaching them new tricks. Loyal and with stamina to spare, they are ideal companions for the “work hard, play hard” pet parent who leads an active life. Looks, intelligence and a competitive nature? Your pup will rarely leave your side, which is your reward for the love and devotion you give.
Giant Schnauzer Characteristics
Giant Schnauzer Appearance
Giant Schnauzers are the largest of three Schnauzer types, with the Miniature Schnauzer and Standard Schnauzer being the other two. Exuding powerful determination and high energy levels, these handsome pups have dark facial masks and deep-set eyes that give them the look of a wise sage. Your Giant Schnauzer puppy sports a double coat—thick and wiry on the outside, soft and dense underneath—that’s typically black or salt and pepper. Eyebrows, whiskers, cheeks, throat, chest, legs and under tail tend to be lighter in color but include characteristic “peppering” qualities.
- Ears
The AKC breed standard allows for the ears to be cropped or natural. Cropping involves surgically cutting away part of a dog’s ears. Veterinary groups along with many U.S. states and countries have banned this procedure due to medical and behavioral reasons. If you are interested in this procedure, schedule a consultation with your veterinarian.
- Eyes
A Giant Schnauzer's eyes run from medium to dark brown, are deep-set and soulful.
- Nose
Giant Schnauzer dogs sport large, black and full noses that are completely "boopable."
- Coat Length
Giant Schnauzers don a dense, thick, wiry outer coat and a soft undercoat.
- Coat Color
Giant Schnauzer colors are typically solid black or salt and pepper (gray).
- Tail
The AKC breed standard calls for the tail to be docked. Docking involves cutting a portion of the dog’s tail off when they are puppies. Veterinary groups along with many U.S. states and countries have banned this procedure due to medical and behavioral reasons. If you are interested in this procedure, schedule a consultation with your veterinarian.
Giant Schnauzer Temperament
Giant Schnauzers are amiable yet commanding, and were originally bred to work as guard dogs. The Giant Schnauzer size—and big bark to match!—might make them intimidating to strangers. But with family? They are wonderfully engaged, friendly dogs who want nothing more than to be with their pet parent.
They’re highly intelligent—Giant Schnauzer puppies can be downright mischievous!—and if socialization and exercise needs aren’t met, they’ll make it their job to create a job for themselves that may be difficult to undo. Digging holes and destroying furniture or slippers are not unheard of! For this reason, make sure you give them a job to do that you actually approve of, like fetching your slippers or the morning paper.
Giant Schnauzer dogs can be good with older kids once they’re properly trained and socialized, but these big dogs don’t make the best of companions for small children that can easily (though accidentally!) be knocked over. Giant Schnauzers can also be trained to live happily with other furry family members, but make sure they’re of the barking variety—best to steer clear of the meowing kind.
How to Care for a Giant Schnauzer
Giant Schnauzers need a higher level of exercise than most dogs. The same goes for mental stimulation, as well as the cost of extensive regular grooming (trimming, baths, teeth cleaning and nail trimming). The most distinctive Giant Schnauzer traits are their beard and brows—which give them a look of nobility—but they’ll both need to be cleaned after every meal to catch drool and debris that naturally accumulate. But they’ll repay your attentions with lots of love!
Grooming
Training
Diet
Exercise
Environment
Giant Schnauzer Health
The Giant Schnauzer has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Health problems are common in pure breeds, so it’s highly important to find a reputable breeder. The most common Giant Schnauzer health issues include:
- Hypothyroidism: Giant Schnauzers are prone to hypothyroidism, a condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones. Signs can include dry skin and coat, hair loss, weight gain or behavioral changes. Treatment is typically daily oral medication.
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: A Giant Schnauzer’s size makes them prone to hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, both of which often result in arthritis. Early detection enables treatment to minimize pain, and in more serious cases surgery may be an option. Giant Schnauzer weight issues will only worsen dysplasia, so be sure to keep your pup lean.
- Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD): This developmental condition occurs when cartilage does not turn to bone as it should during the growth process. This can result in pain and limping in young Giant Schnauzer puppies, often those 3 to 9 months of age. Surgery may be needed.
- Bloat or Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV): The Giant Schnauzer’s size and the deep shape of their chest place them at higher risk for gastric dilatation and volvulus, also known as GDV or bloat. When a dog bloats, the stomach twists on itself and fills with gas. Left untreated, the condition is quickly fatal. If your dog retches or dry-heaves, acts restless, has an enlarged abdomen or lies in a prayer position (front feet down, rear end up) take your pet to an emergency hospital immediately! You can help protect your pup from GDV by feeding smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day using a slow feeding bowl.
- Von Willebrand Disease: Von Willebrand disease is a blood clotting disorder frequently found in Giant Schnauzers. Ensure that your veterinarian performs diagnostic testing to rule out von Willebrand disease and other similar disorders prior to any surgical procedures for your beloved companion.
Giant Schnauzer History
The Giant Schnauzer dog is the largest of the three Schnauzer breeds (Miniature and Standard being the other two). The Giant Schnauzer breed’s origin dates back to 17th century Germany to the “bear Schnauzer” of Munich, a long shaggy-haired dog related to the Old German shaggy shepherd dog primarily tasked with cattle herding.
The Giant Schnauzer breed is a cross between the “bear Schnauzer” and black Great Dane, which accounts for their shorter hair and larger body, creating an elite working dog who can also serve as a family guard dog.
Similar to the Belgian Bouvier des Flandres, Giant Schnauzers were originally bred to drive cattle from farm to market. The breed gained popularity after World War I and, since then, Giant Schnauzers have been trained to serve as police dogs, military dogs and search and rescue dogs.
The Giant Schnauzer gained American Kennel Club breed recognition in 1930, and the breed is a frequent competitor in the dog sports/competitions circuit. In modern times, the Giant is still bred throughout Europe as a companion and useful working dog rather than as a “fancy” breed.
Are you considering a Giant Schnauzer as a pet? The cost for a Giant Schnauzer puppy ranges from $1,000 to $1,500 for a purebred. For that price, you’re likely to get a pup who’s been screened for health and temperament issues and may come with pedigree papers. To find reputable breeders, visit the American Kennel Club’s website. To adopt a Giant Schnauzer, consider one of these Giant Schnauzer rescues or search Chewy’s database of adoptable dogs in your area.
FAQs
Do Giant Schnauzers shed?
How big do Giant Schnauzers get?
Are Giant Schnauzers good dogs?
What are the most common Giant Schnauzer mixes?
Expert input provided by veterinarian Katia Correa-Chaves, DVM, founder of Animals First Vet Care in Medford, Mass.; certified dog trainer Ali Smith, owner of www.rebarkable.com; certified dog trainer and behavior consultant Ivan M. Petersen, founder of Dog Wizardry; and veterinarian Dr. Corey Shagensky, DVM, founder and owner of Progressive Animal Wellness in Avon, Conn.
Breed characteristic ratings provided by Dr. Sarah J. Wooten, DVM, CVJ, a veterinarian at Sheep Draw Veterinary Hospital in Greeley, Colorado; dog trainer and behavior consultant Irith Bloom, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC, owner of The Sophisticated Dog, LLC, in Los Angeles; and certified animal behavior consultant Amy Shojai, CABC, in Sherman, Texas.
The health content was medically reviewed by Chewy vets.