Schnauzer (giant)

[Troy]

The Schnauzer (Giant)

ANKC Standard

(from http://www.ankc.org.au/home/breeds_details.asp?bid=176 )

Group: Group 6 (Utility)

General Appearance: Powerfully built, robust, sinewy, appearing almost square. Imposing, with keen expression and alert attitude. Correct conformation of the utmost importance.

Characteristics: Versatile, strong, hardy, intelligent and vigorous. Adaptable, capable of great speed and endurance and resistant to weather.

Temperament: Bold, reliable good natured and composed.

Head And Skull: Head strong, of good length, narrowing from ears to eyes and then gradually toward end of nose. The overall length (from nose to occiput) is in proportion to the back (from withers to set on of tail) approximately 1 to 2. Upper part of head (occiput to base of forehead) moderately broad between ears - with flat creaseless forehead.

Well muscled but not over developed cheeks. Medium stop accentuated by bushy eyebrows. Powerful muzzle ending in a moderately blunt wedge, with bristly stubby moustache and chin whiskers. Ridge of nose straight, running parallel to extension of forehead. Nose black and wide nostrils.

Eyes: Medium sized, dark, oval, set forward, with lower lid fitting closely.

Ears: Neat, V-shaped, set high and dropping forward to temple.

Mouth: Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Lips black, closing tightly but not overlapping.

Neck: Moderately long, strong and slightly arched, skin close to throat, neck set cleanly on shoulders.

Forequarters: Shoulders flat, well laid back. Forelegs straight viewed from any angle. Muscles smooth and lithe rather than prominent, bone strong, carried straight to feet. Elbows set close to body and pointing directly backward.

Body: Chest moderately broad and deep, reaching at least to height of elbow rising slightly backward to loins. Breast bone clearly extends to beyond joint of shoulder and upper arm forming the conspicuous forechest. Back strong and straight, slightly higher at shoulder than at hindquarters, with short, well developed loins. Slightly sloping croup. Ribs well sprung. Length of body equal to height at top of withers to ground.

Hindquarters: Strongly muscled. Stifles forming a well defined angle. Upper thighs vertical to stifle, from stifle to hock in line with extension of upper neck line, from hock vertical to ground. When viewed from rear, hindlegs parallel.

Feet: Pointing directly forward, short, round, compact with closely arched toes. Deep, dark and firm pads. Dark nails.

Tail: Docked: Set on high and carried at an angle slightly above topline. Customarily docked to two [2] joints.

Undocked: Set on high and carried at an angle slightly above topline. In balance with the rest of the dog.

Gait/Movement: Free, balanced and vigorous, with good reach of forequarters and good driving power from hindquarters. Topline remains level in action.

Coat: Top coat harsh and wiry, just short enough for smartness on body. Slightly shorter on neck and shoulders, but blending smoothly into body coat. Clean on throat, skull, ears and under tail. Good undercoat. Harsh hair on legs.

Colour: 1. Pure black. 2. Pepper and salt: Shades range from dark iron grey to light grey; Hairs banded black/light/black. Dark facial mask essential, harmonising with corresponding body colour.

On both colours white markings on head, chest and legs undesirable. Good pigmentation essential.

Sizes: Height:

Dogs 65-70 cms (25.5-27.5 ins)

Bitches 60-65 cms (23.5-25.5 ins)

Variations outside these limits undesirable.

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Notes: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

See Photos of the Giant Schnauzer

QUESTIONS

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc)

2. Where and why was the breed first developed?

3. How common is it in Australia?

4. What is the average lifespan?

5. What is the general temperament/personality?

6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult?

7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with?

8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods?

9. How much grooming is required?

10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)?

11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of?

12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be)

If you wish to contribute to the knowledge about this breed, please answer the above questions. (Copy and paste them into a new post).

• Please only answer if you breed or own a pedigree example of this breed.
  
• You do not have to answer all questions
  
• Please keep posts limited to answering questions or for asking further questions if you require more (or expanded) information.
  

See Photos of the Giant Schnauzer

Giant Schnauzer Breeders

Giant Schnauzer Puppies For Sale

[becks]

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc)

owner and exhibitor for 11 years, also breed specialist judge.

2. Where and why was the breed first developed?

Bavaria, Germany as a guard, drover, cart dog, butchers dog and later as a police dog

3. How common is it in Australia?

pass

4. What is the average lifespan?

12 - 15 years

5. What is the general temperament/personality?

There is a variation from the loves everyone labrador type temperament to the more correct suspicious of strangers but still OK with people and dogs etc. Natural guard dog. Can be exuberant and clumsy.

6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult?

A younger adult (not puppy) can happily have a couple of hours off lead running around each day. Without it your life will be hell, so it is easier to take them out!

7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with?

A person would need to be dog savvy to take on a Giant, they are a clever breed that needs a strong leader. So they wouldn't be a good choice as a firstt dgo for most people.

8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods?

Yes, be redecorating your house and furniture!

9. How much grooming is required?

The greatly depends on coat type, the correct harsh coat taked relatively little care - basically a good brush of the beard weekly and stripping every 4 months. Soft coated dogs will require clipping every 8 - 10 weeks and at least weekly brushing and combing of beard and legs.

10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)?

yes, even a well trained dog can have zoomies and these guys can knock over any adult, theyare clumsy.

11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of?

Hereditary cataract, epilepsy, thyroid, toe cancer.

12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be)

Hip exrays, eye tested, thyroid tested.

it is also worth asking what coat type you will end up with

[~JoLu~]

Hi becks

Just curious re: the coat. Is this a breed that is a shedder??? I love the more "unusual" breeds and the black Giant Schnauzer at Crufts just took my breath away - even OH was impressed

Anyway, OH has told me no more extreme shedding dogs after living in a storm of Lulu GSD hair, so all future dogs have to meet the hair shedding limit as set by OH (meaning my dirty little pug secret will have to stay that way for a while ).

[becks]

They will loose a tiny amount of hair but nothing to worry about! There is no way I'd want a house dog that sheds. I can't comment on if they will still shed when clipped as both mine are handstripped.

Crufts 09 Best bitch Ch Grovelea Foxtrot

Multi Crufts group winner Ch Zamoranos Picasso

[~JoLu~]

Thanks becks for both the info and the pictures - stunning

Will put them on the list for the future. Will have alot of research to do first. I've never owned a breed that needed grooming before so will have to see if If there are groomers here who can handstrip or if it's something I could learn.

Definitely a breed I'd like to own whilst we're living on our acerage :D

[becks]

Handstripping is easy, it just takes a little bit of time to get a neat job. If you get a dog with a hard coat, they will be easy for you to get the hang of. You could even learn to do the grooming yourself and the breed thread on here is always available to offer grooming advice.

[becks]

Forgot to mention, Giants can also get MRD multifocal retinal dysplasia, where the retina develops folds, in extreme cases the retina will detach