Giant schnauzer Dog Breed | Giant Schnauzer Brief History of breed of dog lovers
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Giant Schnauzer - Dog Breed
The Breed History
This breed was derived from the Standard Schnauzer by crossing with the Great Dane, and also the Bouvier des Flandres. First breed records appeared in Southern Germany in the late 1800s. The AKC registered the breed in 1930.
Breeding for Function
The dog was used in the South Bavaria and Wurtemmburg regions of Germany for driving livestock, specifically cattle because of the great size and strength of this type of dog. Other tasks were as a watchdog and butcher's dog. Since the World Wars, this breed has been used extensively in Germany as a guarding and police dog.
Physical Characteristics
Height at Withers: male 25.5-27.5" (65-70 cm), female 23.5-25.5" (59.5-65 cm).
Weight: 70-77 lb (32-35 kg).
Coat: The weather resistant dense double coat consists of soft hair underneath, and a hard, wiry medium length overcoat. Salt and pepper or solid black are the standard colors. Salt and pepper is produced by a mixture of white/black banded hairs mixed with solid black and solid white hairs. A dark face mask is present on both colors. Needs to have the undercoat stripped twice per annum and the beard and moustache area may need to be cleaned after eating; classified in the moderate to high grooming needs category. Low shedding tendency is present if the coat is stripped.
Longevity: 10-12 years
Points of Conformation: A larger version of the Standard Schnauzer type, this breed shares the same basic conformation points. Square conformation, with well muscled straight limbs, a significant brow and beard and wiry haircoat distinguish the Schnauzer type. The head is rectangular, a slight stop is evident, and they possess a flat and moderately wide skull. The large nose is black. Triangular ears are medium in length with fairly thick leathers, and carried high and close to the head. Ears may be cropped. Eyes are deep set and colored dark brown, medium in size and oval. The neck is moderate in length and muscling. Not throaty. The thorax is deep and ribs well sprung. Moderate abdomen tuck up is present. The back is short and straight; gradually lowering towards the rear quarters. Limbs are straight boned. The tail is carried high when active, and usually docked to be 1.5-3.0" (3.5-7.5 cm). Feet are compact and the toes well arched. Black nails and thick pads are standard. Dewclaws are usually removed from forelimbs; if present on hind limbs, they are removed. The gait is strong, straight, low, and has a spring to the stride.
Recognized Behavior Issues and Traits
Reported breed characteristics include: Good endurance, highly intelligent, high trainability, obedient, alert, reliable, loyal and playful. Good guard for home and family, courageous and territorial. Good in city or country settings. Has high exercise and mental stimulation needs, if not fulfilled, will lead to boredom. Early socialization and obedience training are recommended.
Normal Physiologic Variations
Giant Schnauzers have much lower red blood cell thiopurine methyltransferase activity (7.9-20 U of RBC per milliliter; median, 13.1; P .001) than other breeds. This could affect thiopurine (azathioprine) drug toxicity and efficacy in canine patients.
Drug Sensitivities
None reported
Inherited Diseases
Hip Dysplasia: Polygenically inherited trait causing degenerative joint disease and hip arthritis. OFA reports 18.1% affected.
Elbow Dysplasia: Polygenically inherited trait causing elbow arthritis. OFA reports 7.8% affected.
Patella Luxation: Polygenically inherited laxity of patellar ligaments, causing luxation, lameness, and later degenerative joint disease. Treat surgically if causing clinical signs. Too few Giant Schnauzers have been screened by OFA to determine an accurate frequency.
Cobalamin Malabsorption: An autosomal recessive selective intestinal malabsorption of cobalamin (Cbl) occurs in Giant Schnauzers. Affected puppies exhibited chronic inappetence and failure to thrive beginning between 6 and 12 wk of age. Neutropenia with hypersegmentation, anemia with anisocytosis and poikilocytosis, and megaloblastic changes of the bone marrow occur. Serum Cbl concentrations are low, and methylmalonic aciduria and homocysteinemia are present. Treat with vitamin B12 supplementation. A genetic test is available.