Giant Schnauzer

Breed Group: working

"Just because I like to play doesn’t mean I won’t protect!"

Breed Profile

This strong, shaggy pup is the biggest Schnauzer breed, known for their kind heart and energetic spirit. Giant Schnauzers are even-keeled but rise to the challenge when protection is needed. Invite them into your family for a friendly companion that will get along with the kids and keep an eye on everyone.

Behavior

The Giant Schnauzer is even-tempered and a smart, eager learner. They’re known for being brave and fun companions that get along great with the whole family. Although Giant Schnauzers are calm and kind, their loyalty and pushiness (only when needed to show who’s boss) also make them fine guard dogs. This breed is alert and high energy, so they’re best fit for active families, including those with kids and other pets.

Coat

Giant Schnauzers have a soft, thick undercoat and a rugged, wiry outer coat that is solid black or salt-and-pepper colored. The dog’s chin and face have longer hair, forming eyebrows and a beard that lend well to their facial expressions. Giant Schnauzers don’t shed much, but their long hair requires grooming. Weekly combing is recommended, along with a more thorough grooming and shaping twice each year. Excessive hair around the pads of their feet also needs to be clipped often.

Lifestyle

The Giant Schnauzer gets along great with familiar children, dogs, and other pets, but they're wary and cautious of people and animals that they don't know. This breed is best behaved when they get enough exercise and human companionship, so they aren't a good fit for families that are gone a lot. Although Giant Schnauzers are kind with kids, their high energy and large size may be too much for young children.

Activity

Giant Schnauzers need a lot of exercise, such as daily walks and vigorous playtime in the yard. This athletic breed loves having a job to do or something to focus on, whether it’s a training exercise or a sport like rally, agility, obedience, and tracking. Plan for at least an hour of activity each day to keep your Giant Schnauzer physically and mentally stimulated. They learn fast but have a stubborn streak, so whatever the exercise is, the accompanying training needs to be fair and consistent but not boring.

Characteristics

Space Needs

Activity Needs

Intelligence

Playfulness

Grooming Needs

Trainability

Watch Ability

Dog-friendliness

Child-friendliness

About the Giant Schnauzer

As the largest of the Schnauzer dogs, the Giant Schnauzer represents their breed well in personality and temperament. They’re even-keeled, faithful companions that are usually calm and fun to be around. Don’t let their good hearts deceive you, though, Giant Schnauzers will step in to protect you if needed. Although they’re friendly most of the time, they can be suspicious of people and pets they don’t know. When they aren’t keeping an eye out for strangers, this breed loves playing and having a job to do, so they’re a great match for active families with kids and other pets.