Giant Schnauzer
A bodyguard with a beard.
- Weight
- 55–85 lbs
- Height
- 23.5–27.5 in
- Lifespan
- 10–12 yrs
In short
The Giant Schnauzer is a powerful Bavarian working dog — 55–85 lbs, 23.5–27.5 inches tall, living 10–12 years — bred to drive cattle and now a devoted family guardian. It needs 60–90 minutes of vigorous daily exercise, firm consistent training, and early socialization to channel its protective instincts.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- you want a fearless family guardian
- you are an experienced owner who can give 60–90 active minutes a day
- you want a smart dog with a real job to do
Think twice if you…
- you are a first-time dog owner
- you have small children or small pets at home
- the dog would be alone long hours or live in an apartment
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Training
- 2–3 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 110–150 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study8.5/10
EnergyAthlete9.0/10
Calm at homeSettles well7.0/10
SheddingSheds seasonally6.5/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Harsh wiry double coat
A dense, wiry outer coat over a soft undercoat. Solid black or pepper-and-salt are the standard colors; fawn and black-and-tan occur but are non-standard.
-
02
Beard and eyebrows
The breed’s signature furnishings: a full beard and bushy eyebrows over dark, watchful eyes. The beard needs regular cleaning after meals.
-
03
Powerful working build
A square, sturdy frame — 23.5–27.5 inches at the shoulder, 55–85 lbs — with a deep chest, built for driving cattle and later for police and military work.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 60–85 lbs | 55–75 lbs |
| Height | 25.5–27.5 in | 23.5–25.5 in |
| Daily calories | 1,170–1,950 kcal | 1,095–1,775 kcal |
| Lifespan | 10–12 yrs | |
| Coat | Harsh, wiry double coat with beard and eyebrow furnishings | |
Personality
A fearless guardian with a family heart. Highly intelligent and quick to learn but with a stubborn streak, deeply loyal and affectionate with its own people, and naturally wary of strangers — this is a dog that takes its guarding seriously and needs an owner who does too.
With children
Good with older children (10 and up) when socialized early — sturdy, playful and devoted. Not recommended for families with small children; always supervise.
With other pets
Can coexist well with dogs it is raised with, though same-sex dominance can occur. Not trustworthy with cats or other small pets.
With strangers
Wary and distrustful by nature — an excellent watchdog and guardian. Early, ongoing socialization is essential, not optional.
Alone time
Thrives on human companionship and wants to be with its people; long days alone are a poor fit. Keep absences moderate and give it a job to do.
Training
-
How often
2–3 sessions daily, 5–10 minutes each.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Socialize heavily between 8–16 weeks with strangers, children, other dogs, sounds and new places — wariness of strangers is built in, so this window matters enormously.
-
Self-control
Teach rock-solid obedience before trusting it off leash; channel the guard instinct into structured work such as obedience, agility or tracking rather than letting it freelance.
-
What it works for
Use small, high-value food pieces in short, upbeat sessions; keep training fair and interesting — a bored Giant invents its own games. Count every piece against the daily treat budget.
Exercise
Exercise a day
60–90 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- 60–90 minutes of vigorous exercise daily
- Brisk walks, jogging or hiking with its owner
- Fetch, flirt-pole play and swimming
Brain work
- Obedience, agility or tracking work
- Scent games and nose work
- Food puzzles and training games
Watch for An under-exercised Giant turns destructive, so the daily 60–90 minutes is a floor, not a target. Rest after meals and avoid vigorous exercise right after eating to reduce bloat risk. Go easy on forced running and jumping until growth plates close (around 18 months).
Feeding
A powerful working breed that stays lean on 60–90 minutes of daily work; feed two measured meals a day — split meals and rest after eating help guard against bloat — and keep treats to 10% of daily calories.
Puppy (4–12 Mos)
- Daily calories
- 990–1,970 kcal
- Protein
- 28%
- Fat
- 18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 100–195 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–10 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 1,095–1,515 kcal
- Protein
- 26%
- Fat
- 15%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 110–150 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–8 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 1,405–1,950 kcal
- Protein
- 30%
- Fat
- 20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 140–195 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 7–10 pieces a day
Senior (8+ Yrs)
- Daily calories
- 940–1,300 kcal
- Protein
- 28%
- Fat
- 12%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 95–130 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–7 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (4–12 Mos) | 990–1,970 kcal | 28% | 18% | 100–195 kcal | 5–10 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 1,095–1,515 kcal | 26% | 15% | 110–150 kcal | 5–8 pieces |
| Active / Working | 1,405–1,950 kcal | 30% | 20% | 140–195 kcal | 7–10 pieces |
| Senior (8+ Yrs) | 940–1,300 kcal | 28% | 12% | 95–130 kcal | 5–7 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| ACVO Eye Exam | ACVO Eye Exam — ACVO Eye Examination, results registered with OFA | As advised by a vet |
| Elbows | Elbows — OFA Radiographic Elbow Evaluation | As advised by a vet |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | Autoimmune thyroiditis — OFA evaluation from an approved laboratory | As advised by a vet |
| Hip Dysplasia | Hip Dysplasia — OFA Radiographic Hip Evaluation or PennHIP Evaluation | As advised by a vet |
| Digital squamous cell carcinoma | Check toes and nails for lumps, sores or swelling — this breed has a documented predisposition | Monthly |
| Bloat | Feed 2 smaller meals daily; rest after eating | Daily |
| Obesity | Weight and body-condition scoring | Every vet visit |
| Dental disease | Dental exam | Yearly |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Giant Schnauzer breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- ACVO Eye Exam
- Elbows
- Autoimmune thyroiditis
- Hip Dysplasia
Also recommended
- Cardiac Exam
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA DNA test)
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM DNA test)
Grooming Low shedding year-round
Brush weekly; hand-strip or clip the harsh coat every few months; clean the beard after meals; check ears weekly; trim nails every 3–4 weeks.
History
Origins
Bavaria’s cattle drover
Developed in the agrarian regions of Bavaria (and Wurttemberg), Germany, as an all-around farm dog whose main job was driving cattle from farm to market. Breed histories trace its ancestry to the Standard Schnauzer with crosses to the Bouvier des Flandres and the black Great Dane.
Standardization
Recognized in 1930
The American Kennel Club recognized the Giant Schnauzer in 1930, placing it in the Working Group. Its courage, power and trainability made it a natural for police and military work, roles it still fills today.
Modern Companion
America’s guardian since 1962
U.S. enthusiasts founded the Giant Schnauzer Club of America in 1962 as the AKC parent club. Today the breed is the AKC’s 52nd most popular by 2025 registrations — a devoted family guardian that still needs a job to do.
Questions owners ask
Are Giant Schnauzers easy to train?
They are highly intelligent and quick to learn — but they have a stubborn streak and bore easily, so training must be fair, consistent and interesting. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes, use high-value rewards, and start early. They are not recommended for first-time owners.
How many calories does a Giant Schnauzer need per day?
An adult Giant Schnauzer (55–85 lbs) typically needs about 1,095–1,950 kcal per day across adult maintenance to active work: about 1,095–1,515 kcal for maintenance and up to 1,405–1,950 kcal when active. Adjust to body condition and your vet’s advice.
What is the best diet and training treat for a Giant Schnauzer?
Small, fast-eaten, high-value pieces. Keep every treat inside the 10% limit: about 110–150 kcal a day in total for an adult Giant Schnauzer of typical size. If you use Saylor's freeze-dried liver, keep it to a small share of that, roughly 5–8 pieces a day: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should stay a topper, not a staple. Adjust for your own dog's size and body condition, and ask your vet if there is a health condition or special diet.
Are Giant Schnauzers good for apartments or first-time owners?
No — this is too much dog for apartments and first-time owners. They need 60–90 minutes of vigorous exercise daily, a job to do, and an experienced hand for their protective instincts. An under-exercised Giant in a small space turns destructive.
How much exercise does a Giant Schnauzer require daily?
Most adults need 60–90 minutes of vigorous exercise every day — brisk walks, jogging, fetch, swimming — plus mental work like obedience, agility or tracking. A tired Giant is a good Giant; a bored one remodels the house.
What health issues are Giant Schnauzers prone to?
Giant Schnauzers are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, eye conditions, autoimmune thyroiditis, bloat, and digital squamous cell carcinoma (toe cancer), which has a documented breed predisposition. Ask for the CHIC tests: hip, elbow, thyroid and eye evaluations.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Giant Schnauzer needs only 5–8 pieces a day, well inside the 110–150 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Giant Schnauzer ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Giant Schnauzer
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
