Giant Schnauzer puppies

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 it 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 it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its 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

From Giant Schnauzer breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/giant-schnauzer/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

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.

Other large breeds

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