The Giant Schnauzer & Standard Schnauzer

There are three varieties of the Schnauzer: The Giant, usually 25 to 28 inches over the shoulder, weighing between 65 and 120 pounds; the Standard Schnauzer, a medium sized dog 18-20 inches over the shoulder, weighing between 35 and 45 pounds; and the Miniature Schnauzer, usually 12-14 inches over the shoulder, weighing about 15 pounds. The Schnauzers come in solid black or pepper & salt color (a kind of silver grey). In the Giant variety one sees mostly blacks; in the Standard and Miniature sizes, mostly pepper & salt. Black & silver as well as white are additional colors in the mini’s, although much more rare.

Most black Giants have some grey hairs, and as they get clipped these grey hairs increase. This is perfectly normal. If you want to avoid your dog getting grey into his coat, you must strip his coat twice a year. Or use the coat king regularly when you brush. To strip means to pull out the hair by the root. However, most dogs are clipped and the dog is black, so some grey hairs are really of no importance. At Skansen Kennel, we specialize in all three varieties of Schnauzer.

The Giant Schnauzer belongs to the working group and is bred for his working and protective abilities. He is an excellent family watchdog, taking his work quite seriously. He becomes very protective about his car, house, and owner. Because of his size, I recommend that he gets basic obedience training as a young dog so he is well controlled. His protective work is instinctive and does not have to be trained.

He has a hard, wiry coat which protects him in most weather. He can live outdoors, but like most dogs, he prefers to be inside with the family. There are two types of coats are popular in the United States. The first is a hard, wiry coat the Germans originally intended the breed to have. This is a very easy coat to care for, as his leg furnishings are sparse, and a couple of groomings each year are all it needs.

The other variety is a much softer coat, with lots of hair on the legs and a profuse beard. This kind of coat obviously requires much more care—the hair on the legs tangles easily. It is, however, quite attractive, and the coat does make one think of a furry bear, which makes some people very fond of this variety. It is definitely a matter of taste—but if the dog is going to spend a lot of time outside where there are foxtails or it is muddy, etc., choosing the harder coat is important.

Most family pets are the heavier coats. To distinguish between the two styles or amounts of hair, we call the original style German and the American style is the Miniature Schnauzer look-alike but of course much larger. Regardless of the variety of coat, he does not shed, which is of course very convenient for an indoor pet. Also because of his non-shedding coat, children and adults allergic to dogs can very often tolerate the Schnauzer, just like the Poodle. He is a very hardy animal who is not prone to any special degenerative diseases, and lives a long life if properly cared for. Like all large breeds, hip dysplasia is always possible. However, by breeding only good stock, we have managed to breed 99% of our dogs clinically free of dysplasia. The one percent that do get it are replaced at no cost to the buyer.

If you ask Giant owners how they are to train, you will of course get many mixed answers. Personally, I feel they are one of the most intelligent breeds to work with. They love any kind of unrestrained work like retrieving, jumping, attack work, barking on command, and tracking (they have superb noses). They are not the best precision workers, as they get impatient with too much repetition, but with a good trainer, they make excellent competition obedience dogs.

Because they are highly intelligent, they are not always easy for beginners to train; they soon outsmart any inexperienced person. If the trainer establishes himself as pack leader in his dog’s life from the beginning, he is very easy to work with. In other words, he is usually a dominant animal which, of course, is one of the reasons he is an outstanding watchdog. Like most dogs, he is excellent with children if raised with them. This is very important, and I do not recommend a family with young children to bring in an older dog not previously raised with children. However, if they are raised with them, they make terrific playmates; they will play all day, can be trained to pull the kids in carts, and love to go swimming with them.

They get along well with other dogs but, two males used for breeding will usually not tolerate each other. Spayed and castrated dogs are just as good watchdogs, and they usually do not have problems getting fat after being altered. We recommend that all pets be altered. They do require a lot of exercise and attention as pups and young adults. By exercise we mean taking your dog for a run on the beach or dog park, go hiking or running by a bike—all off leash. Playing in the backyard or walking on a leash up and down some blocks is not enough. If you don’t have time to exercise your giant pup he will be difficult to train. However, once they have grown up, they are happy to just sleep next to you all day. Like any big dog, they should have at least one to two hours of good exercise daily. If exercised properly, they are as good an apartment dog as any smaller breed.

I hope this answers your questions about the breed. If you have any more questions, please call or write. We usually have pups available and when sold, they are 10 weeks old uncropped or 3-4 months old if cropped. By then, they have their tail docked and dewclaws removed. Also, one shot against distemper and parvo. They will have been wormed for round and tape worms, the two common worms in California. I have raised Schnauzers for fifty years with more than 1300 homebred champions and innumerable obedience titles. Attention to proper temperament is always the Number One priority.

My breeding program is based on trying to produce as beautiful a dog as possible, with a temperament that makes him an excellent family pet, as well as a family guardian. Seventy-five percent of my Giants live in homes with one or more children. The Standard Schnauzer is very much like the Giant. He is, of course, smaller so easier to control by the elderly and children. He makes a great apartment dog. The standard is the oldest of the Schnauzer, dating back as long as 500 years ago. He mostly comes in the German or medium length coat, never in the American, softer style as the Giant and Mini. He is very easy to maintain, extremely intelligent and trainable. Like the Giant, he needs to run and gallop free as a pup. He is very much a one man, one family dog and takes it seriously to defend your house/home.

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1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. What is your “process” for selecting show puppies? Performance puppies?
3. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
4. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days? What do you think about the number of shows?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

Patricia Poole

1. I am Patricia Poole, and I live in McAlester, Oklahoma. I have been breeding and working with Giant Schnauzers for almost 40 years; my kennel name is Twilight Giant Schnauzers.

2. When looking for show puppies out of a litter, I look to see how they walk and make my selection between 7-8 weeks old. In addition, I look for short backs, correct shoulder placement, long necks, good angulation, nice temperament, and good movement. Typically, what you see in a dog’s conformation at 7-8 weeks old will be what you will see at maturity.

3. Yes, my breed is in good overall condition. The coat texture has improved over the years. Some of the trends that bring concern would be long backs, straight shoulders, over-angulation, and sickle hocks.

4. As a preservation breeder and sports supporter, it is very important to share and train the next generation. Currently, there is a gap pairing the next generation with mentors, particularly in terms of passing on knowledge and skills to the next generation. This is an area that should be on all breeders’ minds so that this sport is not forgotten. Our parent club, Giant Schnauzer of America, offers judges educational programs at many shows, but we would like to see more shows.

5. Social media is good for the sport, and I would like to see this tool used more often, but in a positive format.

6. One of the challenges we face today is preparing our next generation. This can be improved by providing a welcoming environment along with programs.

7. Some of the positive changes over the last decade are that the parent club has brought on different learning programs in different formats, such as online grooming classes.

As a preservation breeder and sports supporter, it is very important to share and train the next generation. Currently, there is a gap pairing the next generation with mentors, particularly in terms of passing on knowledge and skills to the next generation. This is an area that should be on all breeders’ minds so that this sport is not forgotten.

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The Giant Schnauzer – Origin & History

Early accounts of the Giant Schnauzer state that the breed was developed in the kingdoms of Wurttemburg and Bavaria in Southern Germany. It was a farm herding type of dog, multi-hued, mostly black in color, but sometimes a yellow or reddish color, or pepper-salt, or gray. In 1876, the “Bavarian Wolf Hund” was described as a strong, black or black-brown dog with a rough or shaggy coat and a strong chest, distinguishing itself by its courage, by holding together herds of hogs and cattle, and by being particularly fit for protection from hostile attacks.

It was an established breed by the end of the nineteenth century, but the few breeders were extremely secretive, never revealing their breeding records, nor offering outside stud services or selling their dogs. It is theorized that the early Giant Schnauzer was developed from crosses with smooth-coated drovers, rough-coated shepherd dogs, black Great Danes, and Bouviers des Flanders. Also, it is further suggested that because the resultant dog resembled a larger edition of the already well-known and older Standard Schnauzer, an infusion of Standard Schnauzer blood was given to reinforce type.

In 1909, the breed was first exhibited in Munich, Germany, as Reisenschnauzers, the name they are still given today in Europe. The dogs were also called Muchener, or Munich Schnauzers, because of their popularity in the town of Munich. Even at this early first show, the judge was confronted with two different types of coat. Along with the rough-coated dogs, there were exhibits with long, smooth hair, dubbed Russerls or Bear Schnauzers. In the end, a coarsely haired black male was chosen as the best representative of the breed.

The Giant Schnauzer’s characteristics were greatly valued by the local stock breeders, butchers, and brewery owners, his greatest asset being that of a steadfast guard. As well as being used to herd and move livestock, his intelligence and sharpness were used to guard his master’s possessions and to accompany and protect wagons during travel. With the decline of cattle driving, the Giant Schnauzer’s strong, agile body and his active, alert, and reliable temperament made him noticed by the police and law enforcement services, and he soon began a new career in the field of guard and police work. In 1925, the breed received official designation in Germany as a working dog.

In 1910, called the birth year of the Giant Schnauzer, the German Stud Book entered nine Munich Schnauzers. Four were pepper/salt, three were black, one was brown/yellow, and one was grey/yellow. There was a conglomeration of types, colors, hair textures, and sizes. After this, as the type came closer to that of the Standard Schnauzer, the name Giant Schnauzer was adopted. Gradually, breeders selected two color varieties, black and pepper/salt, with the black soon becoming dominant.

The Giant Schnauzer made slow progress in North America when it was first imported in the 1920s. He arrived at a time when the German Shepherd Dog was at the peak of his popularity. The AKC gave them recognition in 1930 and the CKC had the first two Giants registered in 1934.

Form and Function – Character

The Giant Schnauzer has always been praised for his intelligence. Along with his spirit, alertness, and reliability, the Giant has a robust and agile build. Although, his name is “Giant,” this is not technically a giant breed. He is simply the largest of the three schnauzer breeds, being the giant among them.

While the Standard Schnauzer has been held strictly to its original size by setting a disqualification in the Breed Standard, the size of the Giant has been allowed to increase gradually over the past thirty years, from a range of 21-1/2 to 25-1/2 inches to the present 23-1/2 to 25-1/2 inches for females and 25-1/2 to 27-1/2 inches for males. For the show ring, size might seem impressive, but few breeders and owners want to see the Giant pushing the maximums. The Breed Standard clearly states “mediums” preferred. In his duties in police and army service, he must have the weight and strength for “man-work.” If he is too large and heavy, he would lack the required speed and agility. If too slight and light, he would lack the power.

The primary function of a Giant Schnauzer these days is being a devoted family member, a guardian of the home, and an enthusiastic performance dog. These functions require a dog with a sound temperament and a reliable, responsive disposition. Giant Schnauzers are an excellent choice for those wanting a willing and active companion, but they are not the right choice for everyone. They are a dominant dog and can quickly take control if given the chance. It is essential they learn basic obedience and understand their position in the household, which is their pack. Their legal position in this pack is below all the humans. Once the order is established, they are great family dogs and reliable, devoted companions. Although they are alert and watchful towards strangers, they are basically non-aggressive and are excellent natural guard dogs. They are most happy when they are with you, having a willingness to please. They do best with mental stimulation and lots of exercise.

Many Giant Schnauzers are still in careers of service to man. They are used in police and army forces for tracking, guarding and protection. Search and Rescue Giant Schnauzers were deployed in the 1985 earthquake in Mexico City and the 9/11 attack in New York City. Currently, they are successful participants in every known dog activity, including Pet/People Therapy, Agility, Obedience, Backpacking, Carting, Drug and Bomb Detection, Herding, Schutzhund, Sledding, Skijoring, Tracking, and Boating, to name some. They are a versatile, willing working dog.

Judging Considerations

The Giant Schnauzer can be a confusing breed to understand. There are many different visual inconsistencies that meet the eye. First of all, it must be understood that the Giant is a working dog. He was bred for a purpose and his size must reflect this. He should be strongly built, sturdy, and well-muscled. The Giant is a robust, more heavy-set than slender, dog. He should have more bone than a Doberman Pinscher and less than a Rottweiler. The desire for elegance and eye appeal in the show ring should not allow a build that is tall and narrow, too slight, or racy or weedy.

In an analogy to the horse, a Giant Schnauzer should be compact with plenty of substance for his size, like a Quarter Horse or Polo Pony. He should neither be like a heavy draft horse, or like a tall, long-legged Thoroughbred racehorse. The Giant Schnauzer must be agile and quick on his feet, having himself all together when gaited on a loose lead as well as when stacked or posed.

In being a sturdy dog, the Giant should have a strong head. It should appear to be large and sufficiently wide to accommodate strong cheek muscles without being bulky. And, for this head, which is half the length of the back, the neck must be strong also. The tall, elegant specimen, with a narrow, long head and a thin, exaggerated neck is not the breed’s outline. The neck should be strong, well arched, of moderate length, and not directly upright of the shoulders.

Fronts have always been a weakness in the breed. The correct shoulder angulation, with proper return of upper arm, broad chest, and strong sternum is very much desired. The Giant Schnauzer is not a terrier and it should have no appearance of a terrier front. A properly built Giant Schnauzer will move smoothly, covering ground with long efficient strides, demonstrating good reach, to balance a strong driving rear. A dog that lowers his head and turns his ears back when in full stride is maximizing efficiency in his movement and should not be penalized. Often, show specimens move about the ring with head and ears at attention. This movement is not conducive to good reach and good driving power.

The subject of much confusion and of the most questions asked is the one of coat. Variance in coat type has always been an issue in the breed, as written even in the early origins. The genetic pool already consisted of harder-coated dogs and softer, more profusely coated ones. A body coat that is dense, weather-resistant, and wiry is called for. The Breed Standard is not very descriptive in defining furnishings that are shaped and trimmed on the legs of the dog. Breeders dedicated to showing Giants work hard to maintain the proper texture on the body of the dog, and yet have a dog with leg furnishings to shape.

Often, two types of dogs will be seen. They have been dubbed the European “hard-coat” and the American “soft-coat.” Actually, in visual observation, one could call the European hard-coat the “short coat,” and the American soft-coat the “long coat.” The hard coat, or short-coated dog, will have less length and thickness in the leg furnishings. The soft coat, or long-coated dog, will have leg furnishings that are much longer and thicker. On these dogs, it is necessary to conduct a thorough hands-on examination to determine the body under the coat.

When observing these dogs in motion, be aware of how the movement and grooming of the furnishings can disguise the actual lines of the dogs’ legs. A good-moving dog might not look as clean moving, and a bad-moving dog will look better, depending on the skill of the groomer! No matter the length of hair seen on the legs, the body hair should be strong, hard, and wiry, with a dense undercoat.

It is important to remember that in evaluating Giants, they are composed of many parts and the coat is just one of them. The animal should be judged as a whole. Coat should not be the only reason to penalize an exhibit if the dog excels in other virtues, especially when judged against inferior animals that excel only in coat. And, on the other hand, harder-coated dogs must not be dismissed because they lack the fancy, profuse furnishings of the elegant dogs that are well sculpted and immaculately presented. A sound body and a good temperament are of utmost importance!

Health Concerns

The Giant Schnauzer has been known as a relatively healthy breed compared to some others. Their average life expectancy is twelve years, which is reasonably good for a large dog. Since the early imports, a major concern has been hip dysplasia. With concerted efforts on the part of all the early breeders, the breed maintains a good percentage of dysplastic-free dogs. Certified hip clearances are still, and always will be, a necessary requirement in breeding programs. Hypothyroidism, epilepsy, toe cancer, and urinary incontinence are also concerns. These and other disorders are health conditions that are known to exist in many breeds and are not limited to the Giant Schnauzer alone. Breeders are diligent in following health tests and certifications on their dogs.

The Giant Schnauzer is a versatile breed, making a smooth transition from the farms of Europe to the homes in North America. The breed has been lucky enough to be desired by people who appreciate its unique qualities. It has been dubbed “The dog with the human brain.”

More information can be found at the Giant Schnauzer Club of America’s website.

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Interview with Robin Henderson, Breeder of SpiceRack Giant Schnauzers

Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder?

Robin Henderson: I am located in Ocala, Florida. I am a second-generation Giant Schnauzer breeder. My mother, originally a Miniature Schnauzer breeder, started in Giants in 1972. I started helping her and started showing when I was about 12 years old, so I’ve been around Giants since 1972! My mother and I co-bred a very successful litter in 2006, and I bred my first litter on my own in 2010. I don’t breed often, about a litter every two years.

What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep?

Robin Henderson: My Kennel name is SpiceRack, which was my mother’s kennel name. When my mother stopped breeding, she asked me to continue her kennel name. I currently have five Giants, one male and four females.

Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners?

Robin Henderson: There are four.

My mother bred a bitch, CH SpiceRack’s Hot Gossip, who became a Group winning bitch in the 1980s. In 2011, there were two top Giant bitches, one I owned and one I co-bred with my mother.

GCHS Kenro’s Fleeting Moment, which I owned, was a Best in Show, Best in Specialty Show, and multiple Group winning bitch. “Enya” finished 2011 as No. 1 All-Breed and No. 2 Breed.

GCHG Spicerack She’s All That RN CAA RATO was out of our 2006 litter. She was owned by Melisa Clardy and was a Best in Show and multiple Group winning bitch that won a specialty Best of Breed at nine years old! “Kiera” finished 2011 as No. 3 all-systems and was ranked for several years.

Currently, there’s GCHS Spicerack’s Shotgun Rider CGCA TKN. Bred and owned by me, “Flint” is a young dog (two years old) and is a multiple Best in Show, Reserve Best in Show, and multiple Group winning/Group Placing Giant at just four months into his campaign. He is also a multiple Owner-Handled Best in Show winner and was the Reserve Best in Show winner at the NOHS Finals in December 2021!

Which have been my most influential sires and dams?

Robin Henderson: Since I’ve mostly kept bitches, I’d have to say that they have been the most influential to the program in more recent years. CH Ruster’s Diva At SpiceRack was the dam of our successful 2006 litter. Of six in the litter, five became champions in a nine-month timespan and were all shown by me. “Diva” was awarded Top Producing Dam by the GSCA for 2006. Her daughter, Kiera, went on to produce lovely, successful puppies, one of which was a Best in Show winner.

GCH Happy Trails Dancin The Knight Away At SpiceRack, only bred one time, produced a lovely litter that resulted in five (of eight) champions, most notably, her daughter GCH Ramahill’s Gloriana At SpiceRack.

“Gloriana,” is currently making her mark on the breed. She has produced four beautiful puppies, two who are currently Grand Champions: (MBIS, MBISOH GCHS Spicerack’s Shotgun Rider; and GCH Spiceracks Not Gonna Letem Catch The Midnite Rider, and her young daughter, Spicerack’s & Ramahill’s Comin In Hot, who is currently working toward her Championship. Gloriana started herabbreviated show career at an older age. This year, in two month’s time, she earned her Championship and Grand Championship, and became ranked in the Top 10 Breed! For the month of June, she and both of her sons are Top 10 Giants!

Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised?

Robin Henderson: My husband and I live in the middle of a horse farm community, with a little bit of acreage that gives our dogs room to run. They get great exercise when the (rare) car comes by and they get to race one down the fence line! All puppies are whelped in our home, in a spare bedroom, and remain in that room until they leave for their new homes. I raise them using Puppy Culture. They are exposed to many sights and sounds during their time with me. I spend all of my spare time with them, observing, handling, and molding their little minds.

What is my “process” for selecting show puppies? At what age do I make my decisions?

Robin Henderson: When puppies are born, I look at them closely when they are wet to see their initial bone structure. I note my birth pick. When they start standing I start stacking them , and take weekly stack photos of them to watch their development. I watch their movement at free-play and continue to watch them on the ground to see if what I see in their stack pictures translates on the ground. At 8 weeks, I put them back on the grooming table, evaluate their structure, take photos of them, and make my picks. All my “wet” picks have been my pick puppies at 8 weeks! My pick puppy stays with me!

How do I prepare my pups for the show ring? Does my breed require any special preparation?

Robin Henderson: I start preparing show puppies by playing short focus games with them, then work on foot placement. I start walking them all on leads before anyone leaves, so they get used to it—plus, they grow so fast that, as they get close to 8 weeks, they aren’t easily carried… so they need to walk! The puppy that stays goes to some conformation training classes and practices being a show dog in my driveway!

Giant Schnauzers require extensive grooming for the show ring. Coats are hand-stripped, some areas are clippered, and their legs are scissored. They learn to spend lots of time on the grooming table, so I always make it a happy place for them. A week prior to the show, they get a full body bath, blow dry, and legs trimmed. Every show day, prior to the ring, I wash legs, beard, and belly and blow them dry. I do touch-up trims at the show.

Can I share my thoughts on how my breed is currently presented in the show ring?

Robin Henderson: I feel there are some different styles of Giant Schnauzers that have been presented over the past several years. We must remember that they are Working Dogs and that while “flashy” is pretty and eye-catching, it is not a term used in our breed standard.

Are there any health-related concerns within my breed? Any special nutritional needs? As with any large breed, hip and elbow dysplasia is a concern. There is also an issue with hypothyroidism in Giants. Our health testing includes OFA Hips, Elbows, and Thyroid. We have them checked for Cardiac and CERF. There are genetic tests for PRA-prcd and DCM.

I feed my dogs a good quality kibble dog food, and add some toppings to give them a little variety. They all get a probiotic.

In my opinion, is my breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?

Robin Henderson: I feel that Giant Schnauzers are suffering from some of the same structure-related issues that most breeds are experiencing—straight/upright fronts, over-angulated rears, and sickle hocks. Giants are a Working Breed and originally bred for herding, guarding livestock, and helping onthe farm. They are not intended as an elegant, flashy breed.

Our breed standard states that it is a robust, strongly built breed with well-laid-back shoulders that are nearly a right angle. The rear is in balance with the forequarters, and hocks are straight and perpendicular to the ground. The coat is hard, wiry, and dense. Therefore, those upright shoulders, over-angulated rears, and sickle hocks are incorrect. The properly built Giant will be able to work on the farm and their joints will be able to withstand the work.

Is my breed well-suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own my breed?

Robin Henderson: Giant Schnauzers are a wonderful breed. Their working mentality makes them harder for families to raise as they require constant training and socialization. Owners who are prepared to obedience train, exercise, and give their Giant a job have an easier time getting themthrough their puppy stages. They have a humanlike mind and tend to think that they can run the house, so a strong-willed owner is a must! It also helps to have a sense of humor as they certainly keep life interesting!

Do I feel that my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders?

Robin Henderson: I feel that there are several preservation breeders within the breed. Years of late, Giants have been recognized more by the public and there have been many people looking to purchase puppies. The preservation breeders can’t keep up with the demand, so I’ve noticed many puppy producers who seem to be trying to capitalize on the demand. As a preservation breeder, I work hard to try to educate the public so that new owners can succeed in ownership, and puppies don’t endup in rescue.

For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with your breed?

Robin Henderson: My Giants have been a constant source of entertainment throughout my lifetime. Watching them use their brains is always fun and amazing, from taking off and replacing the lid on the cooler to removing my socks from my feet to play with them. I think the most amusing one must be one of my bitches creating her own exercise program. The ultimate show dog, she would run left-hand circles around objects in the yard.

She had two areas, her most favorite was a bush in the corner of the yard. Daily, she would go out there and run, and she had a sand path with banks built up around it. One time, she had puppies that were about four months old. Two were in the yard with her and, as she ran her course, the two puppies were fascinated with what mom was doing. They wandered over near her path, at first watching. She started with a slow run and gradually got faster. The puppies tried following her but couldn’t keep up. As she circled around, she ran right into them and they went rolling off to the side, got back up, and as she came close they dove into the dirt! Fortunately, I was recording and that video resurfaces every year—still providing laughs!

Are you looking for a Giant Schnauzer puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder? Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

Want to help rescue and re-home a Giant Schnauzer Dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

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The Breed Standard for any particular breed is both the blueprint and a schematic for that breed. It tells us how the breed should be constructed, and in some breeds, such as ours, how that breed should be “wired.” Our Standard does, indeed, devote a significant portion to the breed’s ideal temperament.

When a judge enters the ring to pass judgment on our exhibits, the purpose is to select the best breeding stock. Each exhibit is judged against the ideal type for that breed, using the Standard for guidance. The Standard alone is the measuring stick for the breed, and in theory, the individuals are not judged against one another; rather, by how well they conform as an individual to the Standard. The judge has been licensed by AKC to judge each breed that he or she has been hired to preside over. Judges are interviewed and tested on each Standard before being given the breed.

The AKC Breed Standard belongs to, you guessed it, the AKC. The Standard is maintained by the recognized parent club, but any changes have to be approved by AKC. Changing the Standard is not an easy process and should be carefully considered before diving into the process. The Judges’ Education Committee is charged with presenting the Standard to prospective judges in a way that enables them to understand the nuances of the Standard, and hopefully, have an understanding of breed type. It is not our place to rewrite the Standard or change it in any way. We simply apply it as written.

I would like to briefly touch on different aspects of the Giant Schnauzer Breed Standard, the reason for having a written Standard, and how the Standard is applied by judges in the conformation ring. Quotes directly from the Standard are in Bold Italic.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The General Description, basically, describes what a breed should look like and it offers a guideline for understanding breed type:

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.

This paragraph effectively describes both the physical and intellectual traits of the Giant Schnauzer, starting with the opening sentence. The breed does, in fact, resemble a larger, more powerful version of the Standard Schnauzer. The word “version” is important in this sentence because, although both breeds are basically square in proportion, the Standard Schanuzer appears a bit more compact than the Giant. I believe the reason for this lies in the genetic mixture of the Giant. The German Mastiff, now known as the Great Dane, is believed to have been part of the makeup of the Giant in order to gain height. This factor had the effect of giving the Giant a proportionally longer leg bone than that of the Standard Schnauzer.

The second sentence states that the Giant is nearly square in proportion of body length to height at withers. Further into the Standard, the proportions given are exactly square, so this is actually a minor discrepancy within our Standard.

The third and fourth sentences in the General Description go into detail about the temperament that the Giant must possess. This aspect of our breed must never be diminished or disregarded, as it is such an integral part of what makes a Giant a Giant.

The last sentence in the General Description eloquently puts into perspective why the combination of the Giant’s temperament, its build, and its dense, weather-resistant, wiry coat make it such a versatile working dog. Note the order of important aspects listed in that sentence. I don’t think it is a coincidence that temperament is mentioned first.

Remember the history of our breed and the purpose for which it was developed; driving cattle through the Bavarian Alps. Giants had to be strong enough to drive cattle as well as to protect both the cattle and the people who owned them. They had to possess enough stamina to move at a trot all day over rough terrain. These factors were combined to produce what we as fanciers have come to appreciate; an exceptionally versatile, working dog.

I believe that any dog person not already introduced to the Giant could form a reasonably correct image of how the Giant appears, simply by reading the General Description.

THE GIANT SCHNAUZER BREED STANDARD – HEAD & NECK

The Breed Standard states that the Head is:

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.

Most of this is straight-forward. The point I wish to explore is the length of the head. The Standard states that it is “about” one-half the length of the back. The Standard does not indicate that the length of the head “must be at least” one-half the length of the back. I am concerned that exhibits should not be unnecessarily penalized for having too short a head. The Standard even goes so far as to define the back as being the distance from withers to set-on of tail. Considering that the set-on of tail is somewhat in front of the tail, the defined length is much shorter than the overall length of the body. As much as anyone, I appreciate a beautiful, long head. That detail is often the defining characteristic that can give a good exhibit the advantage it needs to win, when all else is equal. Generally speaking, however, a dog shouldn’t be penalized if the head isn’t exaggerated.

Other aspects of the head include the Skull, Cheeks, Bite, Ears, and Eyes:

Skull – (Occiput to Stop). Moderately broad between the ears: occiput not too prominent. Top of skull flat; skin unwrinkled.

Basically, the skull should not be dome shaped nor should there be a presence of excess skin.

Cheeks – Flat, but with well-developed chewing muscles; there is no “cheekiness” to disturb the rectangular head appearance (with beard).

How can the chewing muscles be well-developed without appearing cheeky? If you look from overhead, the cheeks shouldn’t protrude farther than the edges of the skull.

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.

This is a very similar description to that of other breeds. The Doberman Pinscher Standard is very similar, yet the Giant possesses a slightly broader muzzle that allows for large, strong teeth.

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.

This is generally a strong suit of the breed. Giants typically have large, strong teeth, nice broad jaws, and good occlusion.

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 outer 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.

Uncropped ears are a little more difficult to judge as there are several possible faults; being long, houndy or carried too low.

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.

Many of us, myself included, tend to leave so much eyebrow that the eyes can’t be seen without pulling the hair back. The eyes really are beautiful and expressive. I’ve always felt that when I look into the eyes of a Giant, there’s an intelligent, soulful being looking back.

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.

Two words that I’d like to point out are “moderate” and “harmony.” The fact that it’s of moderate length and in harmony with the dog’s build all goes back to the fact that all aspects of this breed are predicated on its square, compact build.

THE GIANT SCHNAUZER BREED STANDARD – 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.

A square build is the most efficient for a working dog, assuming all aspects are correct. It’s imperative that the angulation of both front and rear assemblies is adequate, to ensure proper movement. Over-angulation creates movement faults in order to compensate for over-reaching, while under-angulation is not as efficient because it requires extra movement to accomplish the same forward locomotion.

Understanding the build of a Giant requires one to have a basic familiarity with the history of the breed. It was bred specifically to drive cattle through the Bavarian Alps. It was also the protector of the farmers, their families, and their possessions. This is why we see adjectives such as strong, compact, robust, and moderate all used to describe the breed. It must be strong enough to accomplish its purpose and agile enough to trot across rough terrain all day.

THE GIANT SCHNAUZER BREED STANDARD – 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.

Again, everything fits tightly and is in balance in order to allow this breed to work as efficiently as possible. The Bavarian farmers didn’t have ATVs with which to drive their cattle; relying instead on the acute ability of these magnificent Giant Schnauzers.

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.

Again, this section continues the theme of having the power to accomplish what the breed was intended to do while maintaining the necessary agility and stamina.

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.

The total balance of front and rear angles utilized in a square dog is a very sensitive equation. If allcomponents are in synch, the result is efficiency; if any part of the equation is not a good fit, the dog requires extra effort to move. Understanding the importance of the Giant’s ability to trot all day over rough terrain shows us why we must pay attention to these important details as breeders.

THE GIANT SCHNAUZER BREED STANDARD – BACK

Short, straight, strong, and firm.

This section is self-explanatory and fits into the overall picture concerning the necessary balance requested by our written standard. When I first started showing Giants, I noticed the poor toplines, first and foremost. Many of the Giants at that time were high in the rear as a result of too little angulation in the rear. These specimens usually had a severe dip in the topline as well; this being the result of a difference in angulation from front to rear. Standing alertly, a Giant may have a slightly sloping topline, but it should remain flat when moving. A sloping topline when moving indicates more angulation in the rear than in the front.

What the standard is about is balance and the ability to work.

THE GIANT SCHNAUZER BREED STANDARD – 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 at maturity).

This section is very specific. The docked tail should consist of either two or three joints. No guideline was established for undocked tails by the authors of the standard, leading us to believe that the concept was either not considered or it was rejected. Keep in mind that the standard includes descriptions for both cropped and uncropped ears. An undocked tail is not a listed disqualification, so how should a judge treat an undocked tail? Refer to the section on 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. Since a full tail is quite a deviation from two or three joints, it must be considered a serious fault. Keep in mind that the judges should be making their picks by considering how exhibits compare to the standard rather than through individual, personal tastes or convictions. Another common fault, discussed in the Illustrated Standard, is the gay or “squirrel” tail.

An undocked tail is NOT a disqualification. However, a person wishing to show an undocked Giant must understand that it is a fault that must be overcome with sufficient overall quality and breed type.

THE GIANT SCHNAUZER BREED STANDARD – 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 shoulder. Croup full and slightly rounded.

We should always keep in mind the purpose for which this breed was developed; to drive cattle through the Bavarian Alps. Our Standard is predicated on that concept. The Giant must be strong and hardy enough to accomplish the assigned task. Dogs with weak or over-angulated rears cannot hold up over long days in rough terrain. A very common fault is sickle hocks. This is a product of incorrect bone lengths, and it greatly affects movement and stamina.

Feet – Well arched, compact and catlike, turning neither in nor out, with thick tough pads and dark nails.

This section is concise and to the point. Again, it describes what is necessary for a drover dog. Of course, the dark nails are a product of the strong pigment inherent in the breed.

Dewclaws – Dewclaws, if any, on hind legs should be removed; on the forelegs, may be removed.

No comment is necessary for this section.

THE GIANT SCHNAUZER BREED STANDARD – 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.

A trot is the working gait of the Giant. It was bred to work at this gait over rough terrain all day long. Efficient movement is absolutely necessary. Balance from front to rear is required to ensure the dog both reaches and drives. Common faults are poorly constructed fronts that flip or swing, and rears that have incorrect angles or long hocks. The back should be firm and flat when moving, though the topline may appear high-stationed while the dog is standing alert. The back is more likely to remain firm and flat when the dog is compact and balanced.

THE GIANT SCHNAUZER BREED STANDARD – 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.

Let’s delve into one important aspect of our Standard; the Coat. I’m not sure why this subject seems to engender the most debate or why it seems to be hard to understand. The Standard is quite clear in its description of the ideal Giant Schnauzer coat. Let’s go back to the origins of the Giant. This breed was developed in the Bavarian Alps to drive cattle and to protect livestock and the owners. Conditions and the elements predicated a serviceable coat to best protect the dogs while working.

Now let’s look at this a little more closely. It is a double coat. When the coat is correct, it will consist of both the softer, insulating undercoat and the harsh, protective outer coat. Both elements are necessary in order to meet the desired effect. Generally speaking, when the dog is single-coated with only top or outer coat, it will not likely have a lot of leg furnishings. Likewise, if a dog has only undercoat, it will likely possess profuse, soft furnishings. These two likelihoods are not written in stone. The real test is whether the body coat is correct. The aforementioned two sentence section on coat says what about furnishings? It simply states that the beard and eyebrows are harsh. No mention is made of furnishings or leg hair. The judge has no guidance to penalize for either having furnishings or not having them, and should not care whether or not they are present. My personal feeling is such; if an exhibit of mine has furnishings, I would prefer they be well-trimmed so as not to interfere with the judge’s ability to see the dog’s movement. If the dog doesn’t move very well coming at you, it may make sense to use furnishings to cover. However, if it moves like a Sunbeam Mixmaster, it’s probably best not to draw undue attention to this fact by having long, flowing furnishings blowing in the wind.

We all have personal preferences. I’ve heard people state that a particular breed, including our own, no longer performs the intended function or purpose for which it was originally bred. None of that matters when judging dogs. As I’ve stated, what matters is what the standard says pertaining to the breeds. Hair may be pretty to some, but not to others. “Pretty” is a personal perception, but it is not part of our standard. To me, a pretty Giant is one that looks like a one-piece dog where all the parts fit together smoothly in a moderate, functional way.

What’s important in the coat? “Hard, wiry, very dense; composed of a soft undercoat and a harsh outer coat…” Exclusion of either element is a fault.

THE GIANT SCHNAUZER BREED STANDARD – COLOR

Solid black or pepper and salt.

Only two colors are accepted; Black, and Pepper and Salt.

Black – A truly pure black. A small white spot on the breast is permissible; any other markings are disqualifying faults.

The only marking allowed in the Black is a small spot on the chest. The Standard does not define what constitutes a small spot, so the guidance I offer is a spot approximately the size of a half dollar or smaller. Stray white hairs do not constitute a spot. An actual spot has white pigmentation in the skin below. White or silver stickle hairs are common in the Giant Schnauzer. These are hairs that appear sporadically in the coat and are basically a whisker. They are not considered a fault, regardless of how many the dog possesses.

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.

The Pepper and Salt coat is made up of banded hairs, which are black with white and white with black bands. The term for these banded hairs is “agouti.” These banded hairs are accompanied by black hairs and white hairs. This combination of colors produces a gray coloration from a distance. Any shade of gray is acceptable, but all Pepper and Salt Giant Schnauzers must exhibit a darker gray mask. Although the legs, under the throat, and other points are lighter in color, markings are not allowed. These lighter areas include “peppering” of darker hairs and, when closely examined, are not actual markings.

THE GIANT SCHNAUZER BREED STANDARD – HEIGHT

The height at the withers of the male is 25-1/2 inches to 27-1/2 inches, and of the female, 23-1/2 to 25-1/2 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.

The section concerning heights is short and simple. Bitches should be 23-1/2” to 25-1/2” at the withers while dogs should be 25-1/2” to 27-1/2” with the mediums being desired. The reason given for this average is strength, coupled with agility for the performance of duties.

Most of our Giants are either at the top of the standard or over. Keeping in mind that we are given a two-inch variance in each sex with mediums being desired, how much over the limit would be considered a serious fault? If we stretch the limit by another two inches, wouldn’t this be a serious deviation? This would probably constitute a serious fault, but we have to remember that the standard says that size alone should never take precedence over type, balance, soundness, and temperament. There is no measurement because there is no disqualification for size. Size is certainly a consideration in the overall judging process, and cannot be disregarded, but we seem to get plenty of latitude in this area.

THE GIANT SCHNAUZER BREED STANDARD – 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.

This section of the the Giant Schnauzer Breed Standard deals with faults starting with the “extent of deviation” yardstick we use to determine how serious any particular fault should be considered.

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.

THE GIANT SCHNAUZER BREED STANDARD – DISQUALIFICATIONS

Overshot or undershot. Markings other than specified.

The Giant Schnauzer Breed Standard states that the judge SHALL dismiss from the ring any shy or vicious Giant Schnauzer and it succinctly defines both shyness and viciousness. Most judges will give a puppy more than one chance to stand for exam, and judges may use
discretion interpreting whether a dog is fundamentally shy. The disqualifications are few and are clearly stated, though markings can confuse newer judges. Hopefully, those questions were answered in the Coat and Color discussion.

SUMMARY

Purebred dogs, in general, are breeds developed by humans to exhibit certain desired traits that set them apart from other breeds. These purebreds did not “happen into existence” purely by natural selection. Most physical traits are the product of genetics. Grooming, cropping, and docking aspects are distinctly controlled by the human hand. These issues were originally based on practical application rather than aesthetic value.

The written Standard for any breed is the blueprint for that breed. The Standard is in place to ensure that the traits associated with that breed are maintained in order to preserve that breed. The purpose of conformation judging is to choose the breeding stock that best exhibits those traits. The concept of conformation judging is simple: One person, serving as the judge while having a working understanding of that breed’s Standard, chooses the exhibits that best exemplify the image created by the written Standard. In any given competition, the Standard used is the particular Standard for that breed and is endorsed by the registry holding the event. In our case, the registry is the American Kennel Club. The judge is obligated to follow the Official Breed Standard to the best of his or her understanding.

The Breed Standard that we use was originally written by the Pinscher Schnauzer Klub in Germany. These were people who had a hand in the development of the breed. They had a vision of what the ideal Giant Schnauzer should look like and transferred this vision into written word. This breed was developed by humans to perform certain tasks on behalf of humans. This took place in a particular region of the world during a particular period in history.

To sum up this article, “type” is always the main consideration when judging. Knowing what constitutes type is the key to correctly choosing the best breeding stock. The Giant Schnauzer is a square-built dog of medium size with a rough coat, harsh beard and eyebrows, and a frame that supports trotting over rough terrain for hours. Not to be overlooked is the temperament. Temperament is featured in the General Description, the section on Size, and the section on Faults. Half of the General Description is devoted to the subject. Temperament is one of the most important factors in determining breed type and should NEVER be overlooked. If we lose temperament, we have lost the breed’s ability to work and, in effect, the breed.

All aspects of the Breed Standard point back to the breed’s original purpose. The history of the breed is the key to understanding the Standard.

Photographs by:  Thris Keck & Gay Glazbrook

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