All about the Giant Schnauzers

Among the modern varieties of dogs, there are many charming, intelligent and loyal representatives. One of the striking examples is the Giant Schnauzer breed. They differ from other dogs by their massive body, as well as a charming beard and mustache, which give these pets the appearance of a wise old man. In this material you will get acquainted with the most interesting information about the Giant Schnauzers: the history of the breed, especially the feeding and maintenance of these dogs.

Today it is believed that Germany is the birthplace of the Giant Schnauzers, but this is only widespread, and not reliable information. There are several versions of the origin of this breed of dogs.

• The main official version says that the Giant Schnauzers were bred at the end of the 19th century to help German shepherds. It is believed that these dogs helped herd livestock and protected the herd and domestic animals from wild animals and thieves.
• This version is inclined to believe that the breed was bred exclusively for hunting activities. This is indicated by both the exterior of the animal, the type of wool, and some records in the stud books of breeders of the early 20th century.
• According to another version, the ancestors of the Giant Schnauzers first appeared on the territory of modern Bavaria. According to this version, the ancestor of rizenov is a wire-haired pinscher. The fact that this breed of dogs participated in the formation of the Giant Schnauzers, no breeder doubts.

Many countries have tried to appropriate themselves the honor of the birth of this unique breed. The difficulty in determining the homeland of these dogs arises from the complete absence of records of the species until the beginning of the 20th century.Regardless of which version is still true, all breeders are inclined to believe that these dogs have a rich historical heritage and originated from aboriginal dog breeds.

Below we will consider just the widespread official version of the origin of this breed. Based on it, it is believed that the first representatives of these dogs were first shown only in 1909 at an exhibition in Munich. All 9 presented individuals were from Munich and had an almost identical exterior, which made it possible to distinguish this breed from other German mestizos.

Despite the fact that 9 individuals presented at the exhibition in 1909 were far from purebred representatives of modern Giant Schnauzers, on the basis of their genetic material, further selective breeding of the breed was carried out. The active work of German breeders lasted at least 20 yearsDuring this time, hundreds of individuals with insufficiently proportional limbs or body, weak immunity were culled by breeders. An interesting fact: to determine the ideal of this breed, individuals of the Mittelschnauzer breed were used, which by the beginning of the 20th century already had a formed exterior and were popular in Germany and throughout Europe.

This breed received official recognition only in 1925 in Germany. Around the same time, the first standard was formed, the main provisions of which are still based on today. The breed was designated as a service breed, which gave impetus to the further breeding and use of these dogs in everyday life. As soon as the Risens received official status, in the same year the breeding registers of this breed were replenished with more than 30 individuals with the characteristics of a purebred Giant Schnauzer.

Unfortunately, the names of only three individuals out of those 9 that took part in the breeding of Giant Schnauzers are known... However, we can assume that most of the modern purebred representatives have in their pedigree the roots of these three males: Batsi, Roland and Fels.

The Second World War had a disastrous effect on the development of many breeds, including the Giant Schnauzers. Since 1956, the first attempts have been made to restore this breed, however, the process proceeded extremely slowly due to the small number of purebred individuals.

At the same time, the breed standard was corrected, where changes were made regarding the height, weight and features of the appearance of the rizen. We can say that the standard became more loyal, since the genetic material of many other individuals was required to preserve the breed. Some breeding breeders allowed breeding with mestizos, which led to a partial loss of the identity of these dogs.

Giant schnauzers appeared on the territory of the Russian Federation at the beginning of the 20th century., however, none of the Russian breeders attempted to breed the breed. The Krasnaya Zvezda nursery played a huge role in strengthening this species on the territory of the USSR. It was here in about 70 years that 2 Giant Schnauzer puppies were brought (male and female - Akbar v. Raaksee and Anni v. Raaksee). It can be assumed that the vast majority of modern Russian Giant Schnauzers descended from these babies.

The Giant Schnauzer dog breed has an individual appearance, which was officially recognized in the first half of the 20th century. The main characteristics of this exterior are presented in the ICF (International Cynological Federation) standard dated April 6, 2000.

It is worth considering its general provisions.

• Frame. Massive, rather compact than elongated, square type. The ratio of the height of an individual to the length of the body is practically the same. Developed muscle groups are clearly felt on the shoulders, shoulder blades and neck. The back is powerful, but rather short, as is the loin. The croup is slightly prominent, of a rounded type.
• Head. The skull is small, but strong and slightly oblong. The occipital transition is weakly noticeable. The head looks proportional to the entire body. The forehead is flat, there are no folds or wrinkles, it is parallel to the bridge of the nose. The stop is sharp and short, perfectly visible due to the special hair growth.
• Muzzle. Long and massive, wedge-shaped. Due to the characteristic beard in individuals of this breed, it seems to widen towards the nose, but in fact it narrows in a standard way.
• Lips. It is dark in color, fits snugly to the gums, does not form folds.
• Oral cavity and teeth. The jaws are massive and strong, with well-developed muscles, scissor bite. The teeth themselves (42, based on the dental formula) and the canines are exceptionally white, compactly located, close together without problems. The entire row of teeth and canines is hidden in the mouth.

• Eyes. Not too large, almond or oval in shape. Set on straight, they do not stand out against the background of the head. Set at a considerable distance from each other. The color of the eyes is predominantly dark, but there are also hazel or honey shades. The eyelids are extremely dry and should fit snugly against the eyeball.
• Ears. Set high and far apart. Hang down from the cartilage in a triangle shape so that the tips touch the dog's cheekbones. The ear cavities are closed, but look forward. The tips of the ears are most often pointed, however, due to the abundant amount of hair, they seem to be rounded.
• Neck. Exceptionally powerful and muscular, although not particularly long, with little noticeable curvature. Smoothly into the withers. It is thanks to their neck that Giant Schnauzers look so stately and graceful. The skin is tightly attached to the neck and throat, and there should be no folds.

• Rib cage. The chest is wide and massive, remarkably developed, oval in shape, which gives the entire body of the dog a stately appearance.
• Stomach. Well tucked up, with a good haircut forms a graceful curved line, starting from the genitals to the oval rib cage.
• Tail. Not too long, tapering towards the tip, sometimes forming a slight resemblance to a brush. Covered with a thick layer of wool. In a resting position, it is crescent-shaped. Individuals with an uncropped tail are suitable for exhibition activities.

• Front legs. Straight, strong and massive, set parallel to each other. The forearms are straight, on the shoulder blades there is a group of well-developed muscles. The humerus bones also have developed muscles. The elbows are set high and close to the ribcage. The paws themselves are rather short, rounded. The toes are tightly knit, the pads are dark and hard. Nails are large, most often they are dark or gray.
• Hind legs. Ate to examine an individual of this breed in profile, then they are located parallel, but at a slight inclination relative to the body. They are set quite wide. The knees are well developed, but not turned inward. The thighs and thighs are long and extremely muscular, which, together with the powerful hock joint, provides a high initial and constant speed. Metatarsus straight and short, at right angles to ground level. The shape of the paws is also rounded here, the toes are tightly gathered.

• Leather. Fits tightly to the whole body, rarely forms folds. This is especially true for young individuals. Skin color depends on the color of the dog itself, it can be either dark or light.
• Wool. Rigid and wire-like, slightly springy when stroked. There is a thick undercoat that provides protection from even the most severe frosts. The length of the coat on the chest, belly and back is slightly longer than on the head and limbs. An exceptional feature of the breed is its pronounced long eyebrows, as well as a long beard that does not touch the hair on the chest. The cheeks near the nose are also covered with a layer of thick hair, which gives the dogs a special look of a wise old man.
• Color. There are two officially recognized colors of this breed: 1) coal-black (or black-haired), when the whole body is covered with rich black wool with olive or silver tints; 2) "pepper and salt" - here silver, gray or platinum tones with smooth transitions throughout the body are acceptable. Regardless of the type of color, the muzzle of the Giant Schnauzer should always remain exactly dark (without white spots on the muzzle, head or chest).

• Movement. These dogs combine ease and sweeping movements with grace and grace in their movements. The hind legs provide thrust, and the front legs throw as much forward as possible. A feature of this movement is precisely the simultaneity: the hind legs provide a push exactly at the time when the front ones swing.
• Medium height. Giant schnauzers are large-sized representatives among their relatives, adult males can grow up to 70 centimeters at the withers, females - up to 65 centimeters. Such large sizes will cause a lot of inconvenience when kept within the walls of an ordinary apartment.
• Average weight. In terms of weight, this breed can seem truly gigantic. Giant Schnauzer males can weigh 45 kilograms and females 37 kilograms.
• Life expectancy. None of the Schnauzer breeds are distinguished by significant longevity. Basically, these dogs do not live longer than 12-13 years, but in good conditions they can live up to 15 years.

Each dog breed has moments that seem more or less pleasant for the owner. It is worth familiarizing yourself with them in more detail.

Positive traits:

• a sharp mind and strong attachment to a person, which allows you to quickly establish trusting relationships with your family;
• wonderful guarding qualities: these dogs will protect their owner until their last breath, rush into fire and water to save a member of their family;
• quick socialization and adaptation to any environmental conditions due to thick and warm wool, the ability to keep outdoors and in an aviary;
• the beauty and grace of this breed make it popular among wealthy people and aesthetes;
• not very high cost relative to other dog breeds.

Negative qualities:

• thick hair and frequent shedding: these pets need constant grooming, in addition, to maintain the neat appearance of the Giant Schnauzer, it is recommended to regularly take the pet to grooming salons to correct eyebrows, mustache and beard;
• extreme distrust of strangers, which can cause problems when buying an adult that previously had a master;
• in addition, these dogs are most often monogamous;
• predisposition to many breed diseases;
• these dogs require a special approach to feeding and keeping;
• if the dog itself is not that expensive, then regular care of it will require significant funds from you.

When buying representatives of any breed, the owners pay attention not only to the features of their appearance, but also to the character traits inherent in a certain variety of dogs. Below you will find out about the character traits of the Giant Schnauzers.

• Communication with the owner. Risens are completely devoted to their owners, they will spend all their free time right next to you. So they feel safe and can protect you from the whole world around you. These dogs are good primarily as companions and protectors.

• Energy. It is difficult to find dogs more active and more cheerful than Giant Schnauzers. In the open air, they frolic like small children, adore games and entertainment, they can run in the morning with the owner and do not get tired for a long time. The release of energy for these dogs is extremely important, otherwise they will express all their enthusiasm within the walls of the apartment.

• Attitude towards children. In relation to the little members of their family, the rizen are always well-disposed.They will be happy to take part in any game and venture that kids come up with, and they will also warn the owners if the fun goes beyond safety. Risens do not pay any attention to harassment and negligence, if it does not come to open aggression and teasing. Some breeders note that these dogs are wonderful nannies, who not only protect babies from trouble, but also protect their sleep, protect them from strangers and street animals.

• Self-love. There is no need to doubt that Giant Schnauzers are remarkably aware of their attractiveness and gracefulness. If the owner does not show enough assertiveness in raising the individuals of these dogs, the rizen will constantly try to take a leading position in such a relationship. These dogs are very fond of signifying their importance, and also often suffer from a lack of attention. They fight this in a very original way - they are capricious, scatter toys, bark loudly.

• A born hunter. The sense of smell and hearing of Giant Schnauzers is sharpened for tracking down small game and animals. Sensing that there is some small animal or bird nearby, these dogs can completely lose the sense of time and forget about the owner. In order to control these skills, it is recommended to walk these dogs mainly on a leash so that they get used to calmly reacting to the external environment.

• Relationship to other pets. Like all other dog breeds, Risen are reserved for other pets. The relationship between a Giant Schnauzer and a cat is especially ambiguous - friendly games are physically impossible here due to the oversized size of the dog. If the pets grew up together from birth, then such a friendship will surely be strong and fruitful.

• Attitude towards strangers. Despite their good-natured nature, Giant Schnauzers are extremely suspicious of all strangers who enter their personal space or the space of the owner. The pet will not show obvious aggression, however, you should not expect affection from him either. At the slightest sign of danger, these "bearded old men" will first bark warningly, and then turn into formidable defenders who will not hurt themselves or their family members.

• Bravery. In an extraordinary and dangerous situation, Giant Schnauzers will not just stand aside, but will try to make their "feasible contribution" to the situation. If the situation gets out of control, the rizen very quickly assess the state of affairs and clearly act according to their plan.

It should be understood that all of the listed qualities should be gradually instilled in the course of patient and correct upbringing. In the case of an unfair attitude to the physical and mental health of the dog, Risen dogs grow up aggressive, cowardly, capricious and passive.

The choice of a Giant Schnauzer puppy should be treated with great attention, the future health of the pet, its mood and energy will depend on your choice.

You have two options when choosing purebred Risen puppies:

• buy in the nursery;
• buy from a private person.

Each of them has its pros and cons, it is worth considering them in more detail.

• Such individuals, as a rule, are much cheaper than those sold in nurseries. Most often, the price depends on the completeness of the package of documents, as well as defects in appearance.
• Breeders, unlike nurseries, do not cull individuals with obvious defects in appearance, they only reduce their cost. This allows non-professional breeders to choose an almost purebred Giant Schnauzer at a budget price.
• As a rule, private breeders pay more attention to individual puppies as opposed to keeping animals in kennels, where care, vaccinations and feeding are selective at best, rather than general to all individuals.

• The so-called private traders rarely present a full package of dog documents.In the absence of information about the pedigree of the pet, you will not be able to tell exactly which individuals blood flows through your dog's veins. This can lead to many diseases in the future.
• Private traders have fewer resources for quality pet care. Most often, these dogs live either in enclosures or in closed rooms without access to fresh oxygen and walks.
• Puppies bought from private hands very often have real flea and lice colonies on their wool. As a rule, such owners leave pets for the maintenance of parents who painstakingly take care of puppies only up to a certain age.

• You will receive a full set of pet documents and, if desired, by his parents. You will be able to soberly assess the pedigree of an individual, the behavior of its parents and distant relatives. So you will more accurately understand whether a certain pet is right for you or not.
• The nursery provides full control over the health of the animal. This means: carrying out regular and timely vaccinations, as well as supplying the diet with vitamin supplements.
• If a private owner can easily imitate high-quality conditions of detention, then it will be difficult for a nursery. So, you will be able to make sure live in the real conditions of the existence of a pet and its parents.
• Kennels only breed and sell purebreds, which means that you will not receive any surprises or defects in appearance / behavior when the pet grows up. Moreover, in kennels there is a much larger selection of young dogs than when buying from private hands.

• Generalized Approach to Puppy Care. In nurseries, attention is rarely paid to any particular individual (unless, of course, we are talking about pregnancy, injury or estrus).
• High cost due to the availability of all documents and pedigree. However, the nursery staff will certainly give valuable advice on keeping young animals within the walls of the apartment.

When choosing a puppy in both cases, you should pay attention to other points.

• The appearance of the pet. By the way the pet looks, it is possible to identify defects in appearance, as well as determine the presence of certain diseases. The poor health of the puppies can be guessed by the condition of the coat and skin. Common signs are matted lumps, tangles, wet hair and dirty fur in the genital area, redness and itching on the skin, dirty ears, and cracked paw pads.
  • Also, check the fatness of the individual - it is better to take heavy puppies with strong bones. Also, pay attention to the color of the eyelids and lips: if it is black, then before you is a future representative of a coal-black color.

• Activity. The behavior of the puppies can also be used to assess the current health of the babies and their chances of training. It is better to choose exactly active kids: they can be trained and taught to obedience at any time. But the weak and passive will hardly be possible to fatten.

• The age of the puppies. Despite the fact that the ICF standard does not allow the sale of these puppies under 10 weeks old, it is advisable to start training as early as 1.5-2 months. At this age, it is easiest to establish contact with a pet, gain trust and indicate your authority. At this stage, you can fix the correct growth of the incisors to form a scissor bite. However, if you are going to represent your pet at exhibitions, then it is worth taking a puppy at least 3 months old - until this age, the puppies' body is actively formed, and some features of appearance may be invisible.

• A package of documents. Regardless of whether you are buying a puppy from private hands or in kennels, make sure you have all the necessary documents. These include: metric, pedigree, veterinary passport. You also have the right to demand documents from the puppy's parents in order to determine the breed's predisposition to diseases and defects.
  • Be sure to check the number of babies in your puppy's mother's litter. The optimal amount is 6–8 individuals.If the breeder speaks of 12-14 individuals, then such puppies should be discarded. An excessive number of puppies can indicate both prematurity and insufficient vitamin nutrition of individual individuals through breast milk.

• Appointment. Often, breeders bring out several directions of dogs at once for each specific breed. This means that the Giant Schnauzer can be bred exclusively for the family, for security activities or for the service. Family "Bavarians" are suitable for buying into an ordinary family with children: they are more friendly, less aggressive and tend to trust every family member. Service Giant Schnauzers are extremely stubborn, distrustful and aggressive - they can only be raised by professional breeders.

• Conditions of detention. Visit the place where the pet is kept before your purchase, as well as the place where its parents are kept. This will help you get an idea of ​​the approximate conditions of care and feeding, and you will also be able to decide whether to trust an individual breeder. Also, having familiarized yourself with the conditions of keeping newborn puppies and their diet, it will be easier for you to draw up identical conditions for keeping in your apartment.

Today kennels with Giant Schnauzer puppies can be found in every major city of Russia. The price for them is not very high and strongly depends on individual external qualities. As a rule, purebred puppies do not cost more than 30–35 thousand rubles.

If in nutrition and care the Giant Schnauzer does not differ from other dogs, then with regard to the conditions of detention, everything is more complicated.

• Place of containment and activity. Risens are dogs that can be kept both in an apartment and outdoors. Their coat and undercoat are quite dense and warm to protect pets from severe frosts and drafts. The best option for keeping an animal would be a closed aviary or a section of a private house with a reliable booth or a covered house with constant access to fresh air.

• Walks. Try to walk your dog at least twice a day. Adult dogs need an hour's walk, young dogs need half an hour. Some are of the opinion that these dogs should only be walked after 3-4 months, which is a very gross mistake. Late acquaintance with the street, yard animals and strangers can irreparably affect the socialization of the animal - it will make it fearful, spiteful or aggressive. For walks, you should choose a strictly defined time every day, while you need to walk before eating.

• Energy. Regardless of the place where the dog is kept, it should be constantly provided with physical activity and training. Here, 2 regular walks a day will not be enough, where you just take your pet around the yard, and he relieves his needs. Risens must run, jump, chase birds, look for insects in the grass. A passive lifestyle not only leads to obesity, but also negatively affects the psyche of the animal.

• Freedom. Under no circumstances should the Giant Schnauzer be chained. These dogs are extremely freedom-loving and feel oppressed on a chain, which for them is akin to a real prison.

• Contact. Risens are extremely sociable and resourceful with their family, and therefore their place in the apartment should be visible and have eye contact with other rooms. These dogs are very fond of just watching their owners and even imitate some of their movements and reactions. Risen are able to remain alone for a long time and provide for themselves on their own, however, too long separation will make them pessimistic, lethargic and passive. Do not be afraid to take these pets on hikes and barbecues - they love to actively spend time and have fun in the open air.

The food of the Giant Schnauzer can hardly be called any exceptional or special. All the rules that are used by experienced owners in feeding all other dog breeds apply here.

The healthiest natural foods list includes the following:

• all varieties of lean meat (lamb, hare, turkey, veal), meat is served boiled or raw with vegetables or cereals, and chicken and pork should be discarded;
• offal - cartilage and bones fit well (the main thing is that they are of a non-tubular type);
• fermented milk products (kefir, cottage cheese, cheese);
• vegetables (tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, beets);
• fish products (boiled sea fish);
• cereals (rice, buckwheat, millet, oatmeal).

For young puppies, it is especially beneficial to add so-called marrow bones to the diet. They will help with the stabilization of the digestive tract and will serve the pet perfectly during the period of growth and change of teeth.

In addition to the main dishes, some additives can be added to the diet of the Giant Schnauzer, including: greens (parsley, dill, celery leaves), animal and vegetable oils, seaweed (a rich source of iodine and vitamins A, C, E, D, B1, B2, B6,). You can mix dried or fresh fruits (apples and pears) into your pet's portions as an additive. They will provide the body with the necessary fiber, but do not forget that about 1/3 of the diet of a young puppy should be meat products.

If you have chosen the option of feeding with ready-made feed, then you should focus on varieties of the "premium" or "super-premium" type.

If we talk specifically about unacceptable food, then its list for rizenov is not so long. These are omnivorous dogs, and the diet here should be limited only to unambiguously harmful products, the list of which will be located below. Some tips for feeding these dogs will also be presented here.

• First of all, remove from the diet all fatty, pickled, salty, spicy and smoked foods. Human food is not good for any dog's intestines. The same goes for table-feeding and begging. Despite the fact that such food may seem incredibly tasty to a pet, it will cause irreparable harm to his health.
• Avoid foods high in sugar: sweets, candies, chocolate, baked goods.
• Excessive amounts of protein in foods are also harmful to rizenes. It is not recommended to combine meat, fish and egg white in one serving.
• While boiled meat is preferable for other dogs, raw meat and bones are even more useful for Giant Schnauzers.
• When serving meat or other food to a healthy adult Giant Schnauzer, you should not grind it and bring it to a mushy state. This will damage the development of the teeth, the formation of the bite, and also affect the digestion of food.
• Regardless of the season, it is worth adding vitamin supplements and complexes to the diet. Even with excellent health and a thick coat, Giant Schnauzers are prone to colds and viral diseases.

The health and cheerfulness of the Giant Schnauzer depends not only on proper nutrition or conditions of detention, but also on the regularity of caring for its appearance. The basic rules here relate to ensuring commonplace hygiene and conducting preventive procedures at least 1 time per week.

Rizens have wonderful and beautiful long hair, which, unfortunately, grows back very quickly and prevents the owners of the dog from living. While regular brushing or washing can help with other dogs, a much more radical approach is required. As a rule, the owners prefer to regularly visit grooming salons (adjusting the appearance of the animal's fur) or trim the pet on their own at least once a year.

For the procedure, you will need a trimming knife or a metal-toothed comb. In appearance, this process looks like a real peeling of all the pet's hair, but this is not at all the case. During this procedure, only the hard guard hair is removed, and not the undercoat itself, which warms the animal and protects it from moisture and frost.Unlike a regular haircut, this procedure is much longer (up to 6 hours) and your pet may absolutely not like it at the first stages. It should be taught gradually, but do not trim too often, so as not to weaken the undercoat itself.

Rollers or furminators can be used as a replacement for the trimmer.

Experienced breeders recommend trimming or grooming to treat the animal's hair on the body - the hairs on the head and muzzle are advised to undergo a specific haircut. It is carried out according to the following scheme:

• all hair is trimmed to the head, a semblance of a long bang is formed on the head;
• the length of the eyebrows is completely preserved (the monobrow is divided);
• all hair from the neck and chest is removed, while it is left on the face;
• the upper part of the hairline on the muzzle to the very nose is clipped (or partially corrected) so that a small tousled head of hair remains at the very lobe;
• on the cheeks and chin, the length of the hair is maintained and combed down, the beard and mustache are given a uniform and smooth falling look;
• the hairs that are knocked out in different directions are clipped or stacked.

Wash the Giant Schnauzer no more than once every few months. If after walking the animal's fur becomes dirty, limit yourself to a small shower or rags to wipe the paws and hair near the genitals. The coat of this breed of dogs is oily, dirt or moisture does not linger on it, and therefore it is worth washing such dogs with shampoo only when necessary.

Be sure to take regular care of your pet's teeth, nails, and ears. To do this, you will need a toothpaste and a brush for large breeds of dogs, as well as a nail clipper.

In addition, in the case of rizen, there is a tendency to dock the ears.... This procedure is carried out to give them an elegant standing shape. True, these dogs need to glue cropped ears with a plaster - to fix them in a given position and prevent infection of wounds. This procedure should be entrusted to professionals, at home there is too great a chance to harm the health of the animal, there is even a risk of leaving the pet deaf forever.

Judging by the reviews in the vastness of the network, Giant Schnauzers are loved by the absolute majority of their owners. Everyone notes the incredible dedication, kindness and intelligence of these animals, as well as their ability to grasp everything on the fly during training.

Among the problematic points are:

• the complexity of caring for the appearance of the pet, because the coat requires maximum attention;
• hyperactivity of the breed - these dogs, according to many breeders, are unsuitable for keeping in small apartments and need constant training, walks and physical activity.

There is even more interesting and informative information about the Giant Schnauzer breed in the next video.