Giant Schnauzer puppies

About the Giant Schnauzer

The Giant Schnauzer came out of southern Germany as a working farm dog that drove cattle and guarded the yard, and they later moved into police and military work. They are the largest of the three schnauzers, a tall and heavily muscled dog in a harsh weatherproof double coat, with the blunt beard and stern eyebrows of the family. Lived with day to day, the traits that dominate are deep attachment to their own household, a strong guarding instinct and a constant appetite for work.

Giants need a great deal of exercise and something to think about, and they turn difficult when short of either. The coat is genuine labour: brushing weekly, plus stripping or clipping every couple of months. They learn quickly but hold opinions, so training and socialisation have to start in puppyhood and keep going for life. They rate middling with children, so supervise. Fall for the look if you like, but know that the guarding instinct comes too, whether you want it or not.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Giant Schnauzer puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A large breed puppy at eight weeks looks deceptively normal sized and will roughly double every few weeks for a while. Keep exercise short and low impact, the growth plates are wide open. This is a very high energy breed. The mistake owners make is trying to tire them out physically. Training, scentwork and puzzles will do more than distance ever will. Grooming needs are high. Start daily brushing and short, positive handling sessions at eight weeks, well before the adult coat arrives, or the first professional groom will be traumatic. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Hip and elbow dysplasia, screened by hip and elbow evaluation of breeding stock
• Autoimmune thyroiditis, screened by a thyroid evaluation
• Inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
• Gastric dilatation volvulus, a surgical emergency, risk rises with deep chests
• Toe cancer and other cancers, which is why persistent nail bed swellings should be checked early

Your Giant Schnauzer puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Large for a Giant Schnauzer.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 24.9 to 43.1 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 48 inch (48 x 30 x 32 in, 122 x 76 x 81 cm) for an adult of up to 43.1 kg; chew toys made for large breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Do slow feeder bowls work? Choosing one for a puppy that gulps
• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other large breeds

More on the Giant Schnauzer

Previous: German Wirehaired Pointer · Next: Glen of Imaal Terrier

Sources

• akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
• fci.be for country of origin
• Health notes from Giant Schnauzer breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/giant-schnauzer/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: Paul Kounine ( mischivo ), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.