Origin
Giant Schnauzers are powerful looking dogs with an imposing air about them. They are the epitome of agility, strength and unique looks which are just some of the reasons why the breed has become so popular with people all over the world. But it's not just their charming looks that get these dogs noticed because they boast wonderful personalities and rarely would a Giant Schnauzer display any sort of aggressive behaviour, unless they feel threatened that is.
These distinct looking dogs are a good choice for first time owners as long as they realise the cost of keeping such a large dog and are able to meet all their exercise and grooming needs which are to say the least, substantial.
The Giant Schnauzer has been around for centuries and were used in their native Germany by farmers on cattle drives. For a while the popularity of the breed diminished thanks to the fact Giant Schnauzers were no longer needed to drive cattle when the railways took over this task. However, they proved to be a hit with people in towns and cities where these large dogs were given a different job which was one of a guard dog. Giant Schnauzers were even used as mascots for both butcher shops and beer halls. Later, early in the twentieth century, they became a preferred breed used by many police forces across Europe. In their native Germany, they are called Riesenschnauzers which translated means "snout".
It was not until the early sixties that the first Giant Schnauzer was seen in the UK, joining the Miniature and the Standard Schnauzer, but it was only 10 years later in the seventies, that the breed finally made its mark in the dog world. Over time these larger than life dogs have been developed into intelligent, bold, reliable and nice natured characters that are not only popular as a companions and family pets, but also as therapy dogs, helping the police in their work, they are used as search and rescue dogs as well as doing valuable work as sniffer dogs.
