Breed library

Giant Schnauzer

Also known as Munich Schnauzer.

Giant Schnauzer photograph.
Nev Lemar Barbara1.jpg - Petrucha. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nev_Lemar_Barbara1.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0. License: CC BY-SA 3.0.

Breed overview

The Giant Schnauzer or Riesenschnauzer is a German breed of dog of Schnauzer type. It is larger than the other two Schnauzer breeds, the Standard Schnauzer and the Miniature Schnauzer. Originally bred to assist on farms by driving livestock to market and guarding the farmer's property, the breed eventually moved into the city, where it worked guarding breweries, butchers' shops, stockyards and factories. It was unknown outside Bavaria until it became popular as a military dog during World War I and World War II. It has a dense coarse coat that protects it from the weather and from vermin. There are three color varieties: pepper and salt, pure black with black undercoat, and black and silver. Where legal, it is shown with cropped ears and docked tails. Like other schnauzers, it has a distinct beard and eyebrows. Today, the Giant Schnauzer participates in numerous dog sports, including Schutzhund. Another sport that the dog excels in is that of nosework. Due to its alert nature, the dog is also used in police work.

  • Breed classification: SchnauzerBreed reference breed group.
  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: GermanyBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • The origin of the breed name "Schnauzer" is not known, nor is it known when it came into use.
  • The word schnauzer appears in the Bilder und Sagen aus der Schweiz of Jeremias Gotthelf, published in 1842. 'Schnauz' was a common name for a dog - several dogs with this name were shown in Elberfeld in 1880.
  • At the third international dog show of the Verein zur Veredelung der Hunderassen in Hanover in 1879, a dog named 'Schnautzer' took first place in the Rauche Pinscher or Wire-haired Pinscher class.
  • Schnauzers originated in southern Germany and share a common history with the German Pinscher.
  • Dogs of this type, both rough-haired and smooth-haired, were traditionally kept as carriage dogs or as stable dogs, and so were sometimes known as Stallpinscher; they were capable ratters.

Size and appearance

Although the Giant Schnauzer is a large and stocky dog, the 'Giant', in its name is not in comparison to other large dog breeds but in comparison to the Standard and Miniature Schnauzers. The AKC breed standard calls for males to stand from 25.5 to 27.5 in at the withers, and for females to stand from 23.5 to 25.5 in. Giant Schnauzers are square in shape, and should resemble a larger version of the Standard Schnauzer. The tail is long and the ears are small button ears carried high on the head. Where it is legal, it is possibly docked and the ears cropped. The head is about half the length of the dog's back from the withers to the base of the tail. The cheeks are flat, but well muscled. The coat is dense, wiry, and weather resistant. The fur on the dog's face forms a distinct "beard" and eyebrows. Its stride is long and crisp.

  • Body mass reference: 35 - 47 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 35 - 47 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: 35 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. minimum.
  • Body mass reference: Up to 47 kgBreed reference body mass. maximum.
  • Height reference: 60 - 70 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 60 - 70 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: Up to 70 cmBreed reference height. maximum.
  • Height reference: 60 cm or moreBreed reference height. minimum.
  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat texture: wiry
  • Height category: tall
  • Height category: very_tall
  • Weight category: giant
  • Weight category: large

Personality and behavior

Care planning: record what your dog enjoys, how they greet visitors, and how they respond to new places. Add notes after walks and training so you can see their habits over time. Where this profile includes behavior research, use the same named measures when comparing your shortlist.

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 2.24 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Schnauzer (Giant).
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 2.18 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Schnauzer (Giant).
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.49 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Schnauzer (Giant).
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.29 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Schnauzer (Giant).
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 2.64 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Schnauzer (Giant).
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 2.01 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Schnauzer (Giant).
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.33 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Schnauzer (Giant).
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.56 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Schnauzer (Giant).
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.10 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Schnauzer (Giant).
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.51 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Schnauzer (Giant).
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.83 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Schnauzer (Giant).
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.43 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Schnauzer (Giant).
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.46 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Schnauzer (Giant).
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.75 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Schnauzer (Giant).

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat texture: wiry

Health and lifespan

A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy for the Giant Schnauzer of 12.1 years, compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

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Breed history

The origin of the breed name "Schnauzer" is not known, nor is it known when it came into use. The German word schnauze means 'snout', while both schnauz and schnauzbart mean 'walrus moustache'. The word schnauzer appears in the Bilder und Sagen aus der Schweiz of Jeremias Gotthelf, published in 1842. 'Schnauz' was a common name for a dog - several dogs with this name were shown in Elberfeld in 1880. At the third international dog show of the Verein zur Veredelung der Hunderassen in Hanover in 1879, a dog named 'Schnautzer' took first place in the Rauche Pinscher or Wire-haired Pinscher class. Schnauzers originated in southern Germany and share a common history with the German Pinscher. Dogs of this type, both rough-haired and smooth-haired, were traditionally kept as carriage dogs or as stable dogs, and so were sometimes known as Stallpinscher; they were capable ratters. Both types were known as Deutscher Pinscher, and came from the same lineage; rough-haired and smooth-haired puppies could occur in the same litter. The rough-haired type, which would later become the Schnauzer, was also known as the Rattler.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Giant Schnauzer - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Giant Schnauzer, revision 1368879686. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Giant_Schnauzer&action=history
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:Nev Lemar Barbara1.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Nev Lemar Barbara1.jpg - Petrucha. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nev_Lemar_Barbara1.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.