Giant Schnauzer
About the Giant Schnauzer
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 23-28" |
| Weight | 55-85 lbs |
| Coat Type | Wire |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Regular - 2-3x/week
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,500-$3,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,500/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Giant Schnauzers may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
- Guard Dog
- Allergy Sufferers
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Giant Schnauzer
The story behind the Giant Schnauzer
Bavarian farmers and drovers used a larger version of the schnauzer type to move cattle to market and guard farms, breweries and butcher shops through the nineteenth century, with the bigger dogs likely produced from standard schnauzers crossed with rough-coated drovers' dogs and possibly black Great Dane and Bouvier-type stock. Munich became a centre for the type, and it was sometimes called the Munich Schnauzer or bear schnauzer in early accounts. When rail transport ended long-distance droving, the breed found new employment in German police and military service before and between the world wars, which secured its future. Standards were written in the early twentieth century, and the dog spread abroad slowly thereafter. It remains uncommon outside working circles, used in police and detection roles, protection sports and as a guardian and companion.
Originally bred for: Cattle droving, Property and stock guardian, Police service. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Giant Schnauzer
Feed a complete large-breed diet with steady, controlled growth in puppyhood and no rich supplementation. Working adults need more fuel than companions of the same size, so adjust to actual output, keep two set meals, and allow rest either side of them.
Watch for: No specific intolerance is established for the breed, though schnauzer types in general have a reputation for reacting poorly to very fatty foods and table scraps. Keep treats plain, and take any recurring digestive or skin complaint to a veterinarian before changing the diet.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Giant Schnauzer
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.