Information on AKC Giant Schnauzer Puppies
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Giant Schnauzer
Despite his name, the Giant Schnauzer is not a giant breed, but simply a larger and more powerful version of the Standard Schnauzer. An active and spirited dog, his sound, reliable temperament, rugged build, and dense weather-resistant wiry coat make him one of the most useful, powerful, and enduring working breeds. His coat, including the beard and eyebrows that are the Schnauzer hallmark, is solid black or salt and pepper.
A Look Back
The Giant Schnauzer developed in the Wurttenberg and Bavaria sections of Germany, which were both agricultural areas where dogs were in high demand as farm help. He aided the shepherd in driving livestock to market and was used as a guard dog by the butchers and breweries. During World War I the breed was recognized in Germany for its intelligence and trainability, becoming one of the breeds used for police training.
Right Breed for You?
An extremely intelligent, energetic, strongly territorial dog, the Giant Schnauzer loves his owners and feels great responsibility to protect them. He learns quickly, however, and can distinguish between friend and foe. Giants need a lot of exercise, requiring daily walks, playtime with another dog or romps in the yard. They especially love having a job to do. The breed also requires regular grooming, including brushing and stripping, so owners should be prepared to spend time maintaining the breed’s coat.
If you are considering purchasing a Giant Schnauzer puppy, learn more here.
- Working Group; AKC recognized in 1930.
- Ranging in size from 23½ to 27½ inches tall at the shoulder.
- Cattle driver.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Giant Schnauzer Breed Standard
General Description
The Giant Schnauzer should resemble, as nearly as possible, in general appearance,
a larger and more powerful version of the Standard Schnauzer, on the whole a bold
and valiant figure of a dog. Robust, strongly built, nearly square in proportion
of body length to height at withers, active, sturdy, and well muscled. Temperament
which combines spirit and alertness with intelligence and reliability. Composed,
watchful, courageous, easily trained, deeply loyal to family, playful, amiable
in repose, and a commanding figure when aroused. The sound, reliable temperament,
rugged build, and dense weather-resistant wiry coat make for one of the most useful,
powerful, and enduring working breeds.
Head
Strong, rectangular in appearance, and elongated; narrowing slightly from the
ears to the eyes, and again from the eyes to the tip of the nose. The total length
of the head is about one-half the length of the back (withers to set-on of tail).
The head matches the sex and substance of the dog. The top line of the muzzle
is parallel to the top line of the skull; there is a slight stop which is accentuated
by the eyebrows. Skull--(Occiput to Stop). Moderately broad between the
ears: occiput not too prominent. Top of skull flat; skin unwrinkled. Cheeks--Flat,
but with well-developed chewing muscles; there is no "cheekiness" to
disturb the rectangular head appearance (with beard). Muzzle--Strong and
well filled under the eyes; both parallel and equal in length to the topskull;
ending in a moderately blunt wedge. The nose is large, black, and full. The lips
are tight, and not overlapping, black in color. Bite--A full complement
of sound white teeth (6/6 incisors, 2/2 canines, 8/8 premolars, 4/6 molars) with
a scissors bite. The upper and lower jaws are powerful and well formed. Disqualifying
Faults--Overshot or undershot. Ears-- When cropped, identical in shape
and length with pointed tips. They are in balance with the head and are not exaggerated
in length. They are set high on the skull and carried perpendicularly at the inner
edges with as little bell as possible along the other edges. When uncropped, the
ears are V-shaped button ears of medium length and thickness, set high and carried
rather high and close to the head. Eyes--Medium size, dark brown, and deep-set.
They are oval in appearance and keen in expression with lids fitting tightly.
Vision is not impaired nor eyes hidden by too long eyebrows. Neck--Strong
and well arched, of moderate length, blending cleanly into the shoulders, and
with the skin fitting tightly at the throat; in harmony with the dog’s weight
and build.
Body
Compact, substantial, short-coupled, and strong, with great power and agility.
The height at the highest point of the withers equals the body length from breastbone
to point of rump. The loin section is well developed, as short as possible for
compact build.
Forequarters
The forequarters have flat, somewhat sloping shoulders and high withers. Forelegs
are straight and vertical when viewed from all sides with strong pasterns and
good bone. They are separated by a fairly deep brisket which precludes a pinched
front. The elbows are set close to the body and point directly backwards. Chest--
Medium in width, ribs well sprung but with no tendency toward a barrel chest;
oval in cross section: deep through the brisket. The breastbone is plainly discernible,
with strong forechest; the brisket descends at least to the elbows, and ascends
gradually toward the rear with the belly moderately drawn up. The ribs spread
gradually from the first rib so as to allow space for the elbows to move close
to the body. Shoulders--The sloping shoulder blades (scapulae) are strongly
muscled, yet flat. They are well laid back so that from the side the rounded upper
ends are in a nearly vertical line above the elbows. They slope well forward to
the point where they join the upper arm (humerus), forming as nearly as possible
a right angle. Such an angulation permits the maximum forward extension of the
forelegs without binding or effort. Both shoulder blades and upper arm are long,
permitting depth of chest at the brisket.
Back
Short, straight, strong, and firm.
Tail
The tail is set moderately high and carried high in excitement. It should be docked
to the second or not more than the third joint (approximately one and one-half
to about three inches long at maturity).
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are strongly muscled, in balance with the forequarters; upper
thighs are slanting and well bent at the stifles, with the second thighs (tibiae)
approximately parallel to an extension of the upper neckline. The legs from the
hock joint to the feet are short, perpendicular to the ground while the dog is
standing naturally, and from the rear parallel to each other. The hindquarters
do not appear over-built or higher than the shoulders. Croup full and slightly
rounded. Feet--Well-arched, compact and catlike, turning neither in nor
out, with thick tough pads and dark nails. Dewclaws--Dewclaws, if any,
on hind legs should be removed; on the forelegs, may be removed.
Gait
The trot is the gait at which movement is judged. Free, balanced and vigorous,
with good reach in the forequarters and good driving power in the hindquarters.
Rear and front legs are thrown neither in nor out. When moving at a fast trot,
a properly built dog will single-track. Back remains strong, firm, and flat.
Coat
Hard, wiry, very dense; composed of a soft undercoat and a harsh outer coat which,
when seen against the grain, stands slightly up off the back, lying neither smooth
nor flat. Coarse hair on top of head; harsh beard and eyebrows, the Schnauzer
hallmark.
Color
Solid black or pepper and salt. Black--A truly pure black. A small white
spot on the breast is permitted; any other markings are disqualifying faults.
Pepper and Salt--Outer coat of a combination of banded hairs (white with
black and black with white) and some black and white hairs, appearing gray from
a short distance. Ideally; an intensely pigmented medium gray shade with
"peppering" evenly distributed throughout the coat, and a gray undercoat.
Acceptable; all shades of pepper and salt from dark iron-gray to silver-gray.
Every shade of coat has a dark facial mask to emphasize the expression; the color
of the mask harmonizes with the shade of the body coat. Eyebrows, whiskers, cheeks,
throat, chest, legs, and under tail are lighter in color but include "peppering."
Markings are disqualifying faults.
Height
The height at the withers of the male is 25½ to 27½ inches, and of the
female, 23½ to 25½ inches, with the mediums being desired. Size alone
should never take precedence over type, balance, soundness, and temperament. It
should be noted that too small dogs generally lack the power and too large dogs,
the agility and maneuverability, desired in the working dog.
Faults
The foregoing description is that of the ideal Giant Schnauzer. Any deviation
from the above described dog must be penalized to the extent of the deviation.
The judge shall dismiss from the ring any shy or vicious Giant Schnauzer.
Shyness A dog shall be judged fundamentally shy if, refusing to stand
for examination, it repeatedly shrinks away from the judge; if it fears
unduly any approach from the rear; if it shies to a marked degree at sudden
and unusual noises.
Viciousness A dog that attacks or attempts to attack either the judge or
its handler, is definitely vicious. An aggressive or belligerent attitude towards
other dogs shall not be deemed viciousness.
Disqualifications
Overshot or undershot.
Markings other than specified.
Approved October 11, 1983
