The Riesenschnauzer is the largest of the three Schnauzer breeds. This dog breed has a powerful appearance and a loyal, gentle and friendly character. Originally, the Riesenschnauzer comes from Germany, where it was used as a cattle dog. His origin as a hard worker is nowadays still reflected in his character, he is namely very willing to work towards his owner. Because of his size, the Giant Schnauzer needs a lot of exercise.
It is important for him to stay physically and mentally healthy. Do you live on a farm or have a fenced garden? Then the Giant Schnauzer might be the dog you are looking for! Have you become curious and would you like to know more about the Giant Schnauzer? Then read this article for more information!
The history: cattle dog from Bavaria
The Riesenschnauzer originated in Germany in the 18th century, specifically in the countryside of Bavaria and Württemberg. He was bred there to serve as a cattle drover on farms. It is likely that a cross between the standard Schnauzer and larger breeds such as the Great Dane and the Flemish Cow hound resulted in this dog breed.
In Germany, the popularity of the Riesenschnauzer quickly increased. Especially when around the beginning of the 20th century the intelligence and eagerness to learn of the dog was discovered. They excelled in their task as a guard and police dog at the time, but even today this breed is widely used by security services in Europe.
The character: powerful, friendly and loyal
The Giant Schnauzer is a real working dog. He is loyal and willing to work hard for his owner. In addition, this breed is intelligent, eager to learn and obedient. If a Riesenschnauzer is well socialized, he often gets along well with children and other pets. This makes him suitable as a family dog. It must be said that the Giant Schnauzer is generally friendly and gentle, but can sometimes be aggressive towards other dogs. Towards strangers, this breed is reserved. It is a real watchdog that will protect you and warn you if there is danger.
A good socialization and education is very important for a Giant Schnauzer. This breed can exhibit dominant behavior if he is not raised properly. Later in this article you can read how to deal with this. Stubbornness can also occur in this dog. But if the Giant Schnauzer has a close relationship with its owner, it is a loyal quadruped. Overall, building a good bond is essential for the behavior of the Giant Schnauzer.
The appearance of a Giant Schnauzer
The Riesenschnauzer is an impressive dog with a powerful appearance. He is a lot larger than the Miniature Schnauzer and the Schnauzer. A male dog has a height at the withers between 65 and 70 centimeters and weighs between 27 and 48 kilograms. A female has a height at the withers between 60 and 65 centimeters and weighs between 25 and 34 kilograms.
The physique of the Giant Schnauzer is robust, square and powerful. It is a large and impressive dog to see. The back is sloping and short. The tail is carried high and is quite long. The body parts are muscular and powerful.
The coat of a Riesenschnauzer is black or salt and pepper colored. He has a soft undercoat and a rough outer coat. The hairs of his coat are close together, so it can look tousled. Characteristic of Schnauzer breeds are the long mustache, beard and eyebrows.
The care
The coat of a Riesenschnauzer needs intensive care. The coat has a special structure and remains the best when brushed every day. You should also comb the beard, mustache and eyebrows thoroughly. Twice a year a Riesenschnauzer must go to the groomer to trim the coat. A Riesenschnauzer loses little to no hair and is therefore suitable for allergy sufferers.
It is also important to keep the ears and eyes of a Giant Schnauzer clean; this reduces the risk of bacteria and infections. It is sufficient to check this weekly. If you notice that your dog has a lot of problems with dirt, you can ask the vet for advice. In addition, it is important to check and trim the nails every month.
If a Giant Schnauzer has nails that are too long, then problems can arise during movement. This applies to every dog. The teeth should also be checked regularly. To maintain your dog’s teeth, you can brush them with a special dog toothbrush. It is wise to get your dog used to this early on.
Besides the external care, it is important that a Giant Schnauzer gets enough exercise. This dog breed has an increased risk of obesity. He needs food of high quality to keep his weight under control. Also, the number of treats during training should be limited.
Are there any diseases that occur in this breed?
The Giant Schnauzer reaches an average age of 10 to 12 years. This dog breed has a large size and this causes a greater chance of certain hereditary diseases and disorders. A Riesenschnauzer is predisposed to:
- Elbow and hip dysplasia
- Atopy
- Epilepsy
The Riesenschnauzer is a large dog and therefore more likely to develop elbow and hip dysplasia. In this condition, the hip and elbow joints do not fit together properly. This can cause wear and tear. Symptoms may include the dog walking lame and experiencing movement problems. This condition can occur at either a young or late age. Being overweight can make the situation worse.
Atopy is a skin condition that occurs in many dogs. This condition can be compared to allergy or hay fever in a human. The dog reacts hyper sensitive to substances in the environment, which can lead to allergic reactions. The reaction can occur due to hypersensitivity to pollen, grasses, fabrics or trees. It is important to find out what triggers the allergic reaction. The veterinarian can make a diagnosis based on physical examination. Treatment through the veterinarian is also possible.
A Giant Schnauzer has an increased risk of epilepsy. With a DNA test you can determine this condition. Symptoms include abnormal behavior, coordination problems, muscle spasms, disorientation and loss of consciousness. Epilepsy results from a sudden disturbance in brain cells, causing the dog to lose consciousness. After epilepsy is diagnosed, treatment is possible. Medication ensures that the seizures are reduced or even eliminated.
In addition to the above conditions, there is a chance that a dog may develop another disease or condition. If you have purchased a Riesenschnauzer from a recognized breeder, he is aware of any hereditary disorders in the pedigree and can inform you. If you have any doubts about the health of your dog, you can always consult your veterinarian.
Dog training for this breed
The Giant Schnauzer is an intelligent dog, but can be stubborn at times. His stubbornness sometimes makes this dog breed difficult to train. A good socialization and education is important to make the Giant Schnauzer a loyal and obedient companion.
A basic course or puppy course for a Giant Schnauzer is highly recommended. In a basic course the dog learns to deal with other dogs. During the training you build a bond with your dog and the dog learns to listen to his owner. The basic commands are also discussed and it has been shown that the Giant Schnauzer learns them quickly.
Make sure there is enough variety in the upbringing and training. This will keep the Giant Schnauzer happy. You should also use a clear and consistent approach. Make sure that you remain friendly; this is conducive to building a relationship with the dog. If a Riesenschnauzer is given too much space and is not raised consistently, he may exhibit negative and dominant behavior. Once you have gained a Riesenschnauzers’ trust and socialized him properly, you can enjoy a loyal four-legged friend who is eager to please his owner.
What does a Riesenschnauzer cost?
A Riesenschnauzer with pedigree costs between $900 and $2200. This depends on the breeder and the purpose for which you want to use the dog. For a family dog you pay between $900 and $1400 at a recognized breeder. These puppies are not allowed to be bred with. If you are looking for a pup you can eventually breed with, you will pay between $1400 and $2300. These dogs have breeding rights and are fully registered. Family dogs have limited registration.
There are several breeders in the Netherlands who offer Riesenschnauzer puppies. It is wise to make the purchase from a recognized breeder. An authorized breeder breeds according to the rules and takes good care of the mother dog and the puppies. He is aware of hereditary diseases in the pedigree. If you are looking for an adult dog, you can contact an animal shelter nearby.
If you take a dog into your home, then you also need to consider maintenance costs. There are costs that recur on a regular basis. Think of the costs of the vet, food, taxes and training. There are also one-time products that need to be purchased such as a basket, leash and food bowl. A Giant Schnauzer is a large dog and therefore needs a lot of food. High quality food is recommended.
How much exercise does this breed need?
The Riesenschnauzer is a large and active dog. This dog breed therefore needs a lot of exercise. Variety is also important here. You must ensure that you do not walk the same round every day or undertake the same activity. The Giant Schnauzer likes to undertake activities with his boss. You can for example:
- Take long walks in the woods
- Let your dog run alongside the bike
- Take your dog for a run
- Play some catching games in the park
Due to its size, the Riesenschnauzer is not suitable to live in an apartment. This dog breed prefers to live on the farm or in a spacious house with a garden. It is important that the Giant Schnauzer gets enough exercise so that he stays mentally and physically healthy. In a garden or in the countryside, he has enough space to move around freely and spend most of his energy already.
Recognition in the US
The AKC officially recognized the Giant Schnauzer in 1930; this means that it is a healthy dog breed that may be bred and can participate in various sporting events. There is also a breed club active in the US that is concerned with maintaining a healthy breed. This is the Giant Schnauzer Club of America. This breed association organizes events for Schnauzers. You can also contact them if you are looking for a Schnauzer puppy.
Do you already own a Riesenschnauzer or are you planning on getting one?
The Riesenschnauzer is a large, friendly giant. With proper socialization, it is a suitable family dog. He likes to live on the farm or in a house with a fenced garden. The Giant Schnauzer is friendly, loyal and obedient. He is full of energy and likes to undertake activities with his owner. His coat needs special care to keep it looking healthy.
For people with allergies, the Giant Schnauzer is a suitable dog, because this dog breed does not shed. Do you have a Riesenschnauzer at home and want to share your experience with this dog breed? Or are you looking for a dog and does the Riesenschnauzer seem the right dog for you? Then leave a comment below this article!
