Breed Group: Working Group
Size Group: Large Dog Breeds
Origin: Germany
Height: 25.5”-27.5” (male) 23.5”-25.5” (female)
Weight: 60-85lbs (male) 55-75lbs (female)
Color: Black, Pepper & salt
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Temperament: Intelligent, territorial, protective, active
What a resume! The majestic Giant Schnauzer was originally bred to herd cattle to market in the Bavarian Alps in the 19th century. In WWI the Giant functioned as guard dogs and doctors’ aides. Today you can find them working with the men in blue.
This breed is high energy and best pairs with a companion or family that is exceptionally active. Their luxurious coat requires a medium amount of grooming. They are highly trainable but will need a firm but fair consistent regimen. These pups are not for the faint of heart, but if you have the passion for a truly devoted best furry pal, The Giant just might be it!
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(Schnauzers all sizes): Keyshia Coles, Katherine Heigl, Sugar Ray, Doris Day, Rob Lowe, Errol Flynn, Usher, Shirley Jones, Mary Tyler Moore, Simon Pegg, 50 Cent, Shanina Shaik
In WWI, Giant Schnauzers served Germany as guard dogs and aides to Red Cross doctors.
Giant schnauzers are generally healthy dogs. Some health concerns to be aware of include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, cobalamin malabsorption, autoimmune thyroiditis, chronic amenia, von Willebrand disease, osteochondritis dissecans, skin allergies. Before you bring a pup home, request health screening from your breeder for both parent pups.
While you always hope your pet will live a long and healthy life, it is always a good idea to invest in pet health insurance.
Keeping your dog’s mouth clean and problem free goes a long way to your pup’s overall health. Dental hygiene can be the cause or can be the byproduct of other serious health issues.
Visual inspections can be performed to keep track of the signs of potentially waning oral health. These signs can be anything from bad breath to abnormal chewing to loss of appetite.
Keeping ahead of these warning signs can pay dividends. A preventative approach can delay and stop many of the common dental problems from arising.
Oral health can be tackled in five basic steps:
Dogs are just like humans in that they can experience anxiety. The degree to which they are susceptible to anxiety and how they deal with anxiety is breed specific. Left unchecked, initial signs of anxiety could give way to an anxiety disorder. The symptoms of anxiety disorders can lead to a myriad of behavior issues.
Knowing the signs and symptoms will best equip you to keep ahead of it and to nip it in the bud at the earliest signs. There are options available to help with anxiety.
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The Giants require weekly brushing. Either hand stripping or clipping should be done once every 6-8 weeks. Many owners choose to use professional groomers. Bathe your pup as needed. Brush you pup’s beard several times a day to keep it clear of any food remnants. Use a towel to dry The Giant’s muzzle following trips to the water bowl. Keep their eyes and ears clean and clear of debris. Clip your pup’s nails regularly and brush their teeth several times per week.
$2,200 – $5,500
The Giant is not for owners that do not value physical activity. This breed has ton of energy and need to have a place for it to expended. Fenced in backyards are recommended for days when you cannot go for long walks. You pup will love to accompany you on walks, jogs, runs, cross country skiing, hiking, swimming, biking, and games in the park. If it involves physical activity great, if it also involves some mental stimulation, even better. Dogs who are not giving the appropriate outlet for their energy will find somewhere else to put it. With such an enormous pup, the mischief would be enormous as well.
Your giant schnauzer will eat around 3 cups of food per day over two meals. The exact requirements for your dog will vary with age and activity level.
We’ve taken a look at some premium dog foods, high in nutrition here.
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As with all dogs, early socialization with humans and other pups is vital. The Giant is a highly trainable breed. They thrive when they have a job to do.
Proper training is essential to ensuring the safety of your dog and those around you. Having your dog come when they should, and in general having them listen is something you want to address early in your pup’s life, as it will pay dividends down the line. There are many tried and true training programs to accomplish this training – faster and better than you might think!
Unless you’re living on a farm, or have the space, a yipping dog, or one that barks all day when you are gone could be an issue with the neighbors and/or landlord. Historically, dogs would bark to communicate with the rest of the pack when hunting and bark as a warning shot to predators eyeing up their flock. Barking is deep rooted in dogs and manifests itself in many ways and for a variety of reasons.
Just like any habit or instinct, there are effective ways you can train this issue away.
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A solid Glucosamine Supplement for hips and joints will go a long way to helping your furry friend.
Other helpful supplements include full-spectrum hemp oil or CBD oil. Fish oil skin and coat supplement.
Ensuring a comprehensive preventative vitamin and mineral plan is essential to keeping your dog healthy. Truth is, there are vitamins and minerals that your dog needs, but doesn’t produce naturally. While many of these vitamins and minerals can be found in your dog’s current diet and dog food, the question becomes, are there enough vitamins to ensure they aren’t deficient.
Poor nutrition can lead to some of the most common health issues, such as weak joints, compromised immunity, increased allergies, and low energy.
Vitamins play a vital role in your pet’s health and overall life expectancy. Here are some multivitamin and joint relief options.
As regulations around marijuana have eased, the emergence of CBD oils for humans and dogs have sprung up.
Just to begin to dispel the negative stigma, CBD extract comes from Hemp, marijuana’s cousin. Unlike its cousin, there are no psychoactive qualities in CBD oil. An emerging number of clinical and institutional studies have shown the wide variety of healing qualities in CBD, including pain management, and the containment of seizures and epileptic episodes.
Explore this remedy further to see all the health benefits that have transformed the lives of so many dogs to date.
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