The breed
The Giant Schnauzer – all about the breed
The Riesenschnauzer – the largest of the three Schnauzers. A clever, loyal and energetic companion that combines the heart of a family dog with the class of a working dog.
History of the breed
From cattle drover to versatile working dog
The Giant Schnauzer comes from southern Germany – from Bavaria and Württemberg, where as early as the 19th century it was a prized dog for driving cattle and guarding farms. Farmers and cattle traders needed a strong, brave and tireless dog – and exactly that Giant Schnauzer grew up at their side.
As cities grew, the breed found a new calling. Its intelligence, alertness and readiness to work made it an excellent guard dog and, in time, a police and service dog too. The first Giant Schnauzers were entered in the studbook in 1913, and in 1925 the breed was officially recognised as a working dog.
Today the Giant Schnauzer is a versatile working dog and a loyal family companion. It succeeds in dog sports, proves itself in guard and protection work and, above all, is a devoted, loving member of the household.
Looks and standard
An impressive, square-built silhouette
The Giant Schnauzer is a large, strongly built dog with a noble, square silhouette – the height at the withers is almost equal to the length of the body. The dogs stand 60 to 70 cm at the withers and weigh 35 to 47 kg. The whole exudes strength, elegance and self-assurance.
The breed's characteristic expression comes from the dense beard and bushy eyebrows, which emphasise the attentive, clever gaze. Under FCI Standard No. 181 the breed belongs to Group 2 (Pinschers and Schnauzers, Section 1) and is a working dog with a working trial.
The Giant Schnauzer in brief
Coat and grooming
Three coat colours and a wiry, characterful coat
The breed standard recognises three colours: pure black, pepper-and-salt (pepper & salt) and black-silver. The Giant Schnauzer's coat is hard, dense and wiry, with a soft undercoat – natural protection against water, cold and dirt.
To keep the coat's noble, wiry character, show and working dogs are hand-stripped – the dead hair is plucked out by hand. A family dog can also be clipped – it's convenient, though over time it softens the hair. Either way the Giant Schnauzer sheds very little, which every member of the household will appreciate.
Worth remembering: although the breed sheds little, no dog is completely hypoallergenic. Regular grooming of the beard and coat is a small ritual that quickly becomes a pleasure.
Natural look
Natural ears and tail
Today's Giant Schnauzer is kept completely natural. Under the 2021 FCI standard the ears are drop, V-shaped, and the tail remains undocked. In Poland, cropping ears and docking tails is also banned by law – the natural look is today's standard and a point of pride.
Temperament
Clever, loyal and balanced
Temperament is one of the Giant Schnauzer's great assets. The standard describes it as a good-natured, even-tempered dog that is extraordinarily attached to its family. It is a dog that wants to be close to its people and joins in the everyday life of the home with joy.
The Giant Schnauzer is famous for its intelligence and willingness to cooperate – it learns quickly and enthusiastically, which makes working with it hugely rewarding. It is brave and alert and at the same time calm and self-assured: it will warn you when needed, but is not nervous or aggressive without reason.
It is also a hardy and resilient dog – it copes well with the weather and is rarely ill. Towards its family, including children, it can be downright protective. A balanced temperament is so important that the standard treats both aggression and shyness as a disqualifying fault – breeders work consistently towards a self-assured and friendly dog.
Activity and sport
A dog that loves work and movement
The Giant Schnauzer is a dog full of energy, for which movement and tasks to do are a true joy. The daily walk, running together, retrieving or scent work make the dog happy and balanced. An active lifestyle is not a duty but the finest game you share together.
Thanks to its intelligence and love of work, the breed is excellent in dog sports. Giant Schnauzers succeed in IGP/IPO (obedience, tracking and protection), as well as in obedience, agility and tracking. Learning new skills is a delight for them – and for the owner, pride in a clever partner.
Most important is to give the dog mental work alongside exercise. A busy, appreciated Giant Schnauzer is a calm and fulfilled dog – a wonderful companion for many years of shared adventures.
Who it's for
Ideal for an active, committed family
The Giant Schnauzer is the dream dog for people and families who want to share an active life with their dog. It will be loved by anyone who enjoys walks together, sport and learning, and who at the same time is looking for an affectionate, devoted everyday companion. In return for attention and exercise, it repays you with boundless loyalty.
It is also an outstanding, natural guardian of the home – alert and brave while gentle with its own. It thrives best where it is treated as a full member of the family: close to its people, with clear rules and a bit of daily work to do.
Health
Health and lifespan
The Giant Schnauzer is usually a healthy, strong and resilient breed. With proper care, exercise and good nutrition, dogs of this breed usually live to around 12–15 years (figures based on veterinary sources and breed clubs, not the FCI standard).
Responsible breeding begins with the health of the parents. Before mating, the dogs are examined – including hip and elbow joints as well as breed-typical genetic tests.
Our parent dogs' health tests
We confirm the exact set of tests for our dogs individually – ask about the current results of joint examinations (HD/ED), eyes and DNA tests. We'll gladly show you the complete documentation.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Giant Schnauzer?
A large dog: 60–70 cm at the withers and 35–47 kg. Despite its size, it moves lightly and elegantly.
Are Giant Schnauzers' ears and tails cropped?
No. Under the 2021 standard and Polish law, the ears and tail stay natural.
Is it a good dog for a family with children?
Yes. It is a devoted and protective dog towards its family. As with any large dog, it's worth ensuring early socialisation and calm supervision around the youngest children.
Does the Giant Schnauzer shed, and is it hypoallergenic?
The breed sheds very little, but no dog is fully hypoallergenic. The coat needs regular stripping or clipping.
How much exercise does the Giant Schnauzer need?
Quite a lot. It's an active dog that needs daily exercise and mental work – walks, play and shared tasks.
Is it easy to train?
Yes – it's an intelligent dog that learns quickly and willingly. Consistent, positive, cooperation-based training works best.
How long does the Giant Schnauzer live?
Usually around 12–15 years, with good care and a healthy lifestyle (figures from veterinary sources).
Are the puppies' parents health-tested?
Yes. We confirm the exact set of our parent dogs' tests individually – ask for the current results.
Meet our puppies
Fall in love with the Giant Schnauzer
If you dream of a clever, loyal and energetic companion – the Giant Schnauzer could be your dog. Meet our puppies or write to us for more information.