The Giant Schnauzer is an extremely popular breed in South Africa, where it functions as a guard dog and family companion. This couple, Johan and Edith Gallant, with dogs from their well-known Wareheim Kennels, are actively promoting the breed there.
“What a dog!” Giant Schnauzer owners often hear such comments. Indeed, the largest of the Schnauzers is an exceptionally impressive canine. He is tall yet powerful; dignified yet ever watchful and alert. His symmetry is appreciated by all with an eye for artistic balance and grace. Sylvia Hammarstrom, one of the world’s top breeders, describes the Giant as “aristocratic in his carriage.”
The more one learns about Giants, the more one comes to respect and admire the breed and the talents of those who brought him to the state of perfection that he currently enjoys throughout the world. His birthplace is, of course, Germany, an enterprising country that has given the world many utilitarian yet stylish canines like the Riesen-schnauzer—the Giant Schnauzer. The Germanic talent for creating a handsome dog that performs a useful duty to man is well documented. The Giant Schnauzer is an excellent example for, even today, he retains an inherent ability to guard, control and move cattle, and, upon occasion, he has been known to use these skills with sheep as well. Although his herding capabilities are seldom utilized today, the attention to duty that made him such a great choice as a protector of the cattle traders makes him an ideal family protector.
CANIS LUPUS
“Grandma, what big teeth you have!” The gray wolf, a familiar figure in fairy tales and legends, has had its reputation tarnished and its population pummeled over the centuries. Yet it is the descendants of this much-feared creature to which we open our homes and hearts. Our beloved dog, Canis domesticus, derives directly from the gray wolf, a highly social canine that lives in elaborately structured packs. In the wild, the gray wolf can range from 60 to 175 pounds, standing between 25 and 40 inches in height.
The Schnauzer developed into three distinct sizes that became three separate breeds, each the embodiment of power and function. The Standard, or medium-sized, Schnauzer is the oldest and was a highly regarded home companion. In England, the breed is simply known as the Schnauzer. He is represented in paintings by Albrecht Durer, dated about 1492, who himself owned a Standard for many years. Rembrandt, Lucas Cranach the Elder and other famous artists depicted the Schnauzers in many media, ranging from oil to tapestry. The Standard Schnauzer of that time, known as one of the Nachwachter-Brunnen or night watchmen, was even characterized in a poignant statue erected in the square in Stuttgart, Wurttemberg, about 1620. Another statue of a hunter with a Schnauzer at his side appeared in the market place in Mecklenburg, Germany. It is said to represent a dog of such overall breed type that it might well compete in today’s show rings. Such works of art help students of the Schnauzer breeds to pinpoint their breeds’ origins and stages of development.
True to the purpose of men who set about developing a helper that was fleet of foot, large in courage and keen of mind, the three sizes of Schnauzer were shaped by local custom, weather and the occupation of the owner. Their genetic beginnings are believed to have been in Wurttemberg and Bavaria. In those areas, sheep and cattle had to be driven to the marketplace. There were no railroads, trucks or boats. There were only the hard-working farm dogs, each beginning to develop very specific skills, depending on the demands of the era and locale.
As cattlemen from Bavaria journeyed into Stuttgart, they must have been quite impressed by the medium-sized Schnauzer. The dog’s coat was perfect for the climate and rough terrain. His terrier-like qualities ensured the agility needed to traverse rough countryside with the added benefit of possessing the courage required to handle a stubborn bull. As the breed was quite muscular and strong, many thought that an even larger, stronger dog would better handle their cattle.
So began the work of crossing the medium-sized Schnauzer with larger cattle- and sheepdogs. Dogs that developed into what we now recognize as the Bouvier des Flandres preserved coat type, and the largest working breed, now known as the Great Dane, was subsequently used to increase size even further.
Whereas the smaller-sized Schnauzers were invaluable as exterminators of vermin and were later used as dispatch carriers in war time, the Giant or Munchener dog began to earn quite a reputation as both a droving dog and guard dog. He not only guarded the cattle but he also watched over the men who tended the cattle, as they often carried large sums of cash. Von Stephanitz, the founder of the German Shepherd Dog, actually identifies the southern part of Bavaria as the primary place of the Giant Schnauzer’s development, and the breed is believed to have been perfected in a region between Munich and Augsburg. During the 1800s, the Giant Schnauzer’s courage and size also made him a favorite of the German working class. He was welcomed in the beer halls and was always found wherever men gathered to socialize and boast.
PURE-BRED PURPOSE
Given the vast range of the world’s 400 or so pure breeds of dog, it’s fair to say that domestic dogs are the most versatile animal in the kingdom. From the tiny 1-pound lap dog to the 200-pound guard dog, dogs have adapted to every need and whim of their human masters. Humans have selectively bred dogs to alter physical attributes like size, color, leg length, mass and skull diameter in order to suit our own needs and fancies. Dogs serve humans not only as companions and guardians but also as hunters, exterminators, shepherds, rescuers, messengers, warriors, babysitters and more!
The Bouvier des Flandres was introduced into the Schnauzer gene pool in order to increase size and contribute to coat type.
The Giant was, however, a closely held secret outside Bavaria until well into the 20th century. By then, cattle were being moved in vehicles and by rail; therefore, the breed seemed to have outlived its purpose. This was far from the case. As cities developed and cattle were moved by rail, butchers and operators of stockholding facilities (often one and the same) depended on the big dogs to move the cattle to the appropriate holding pens. The Giant also remained a favorite with the breweries, where he continued to afford bragging rights due to his outstanding guarding abilities. Although the amount of quality food needed to maintain a large working dog was sometimes in short supply, the butcher was sure to find a few scraps for such a prized working companion.
The smallest of the Schnauzers, the Miniature Schnauzer is most well-known as a vermin exterminator and even classified in the AKC’s Terrier Group.
Before World War I, the breed also caught the eye of men who enforced the law. Bavaria’s secret was discovered! Just as the Doberman Pinscher was to become a favorite for those who patrol the night, the Giant Schnauzer also began to be considered for this purpose. His desire to please and protect his human partner and his steadfast loyalty and devotion to whatever task he was assigned began to be assessed as very valuable tools. Police training schools in Berlin and other large cities began to work with the breed and, more than ever, the Riesenschnauzer demonstrated a natural aptitude that forever changed his job description.
He was, and is, an intelligent, attentive pupil. He is blessed with an extraordinary combination of courage and calmness, tenacity and tenderness and, above all, dedicated devotion to his family or handler. His usefulness as a guarding companion combined with such a commanding appearance began to be noticed outside his homeland. Despite the horrors of war, the scant food supplies and the long periods of recovery, the Giant Schnauzer gained in popularity all across continental Europe and the British Isles.
Quoting from breed information published in the UK, Sue Cox, proprietress of Grovelea Giant Schnauzers in Kent, England says, “It was in the early 1970s that serious breeding of the Giant Schnauzer began. With dogs imported from Sweden, Holland and Denmark, Mr. Donald Becker and Mrs. Angela Gwinell started the ball rolling. It was not long before there were more breeders contributing to these early times in English Giant Schnauzer history.” To attest to the Giant’s quality in the UK, Eng. Ch. Jafrak Phillipe Olivier, bred by Jack and Frances Krall, was recently England’s Number-One Dog All-Breeds.
RUSSIAN SPINOFF
If “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” then the Giant Schnauzer breed feels duly flattered by the Black Russian Terrier, a very recent addition to the pure-bred dog world. Devised in the 1960s by the Soviet Red Army, the Black Russian Terrier is derived from the Giant Schnauzer crossed with other hard-hitting, hard-working breeds, such as the Rottweiler and the Airedale Terrier. This handsome Russian creation, colored not coincidentally in solid black or salt/pepper, has gained a following outside the Russian states since the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Black Russian Terrier
IT’S A SCHNAUZER THING
Germany is the homeland of many of the world’s most famous dogs, including the Dachshunds, Poodles and German Shepherd Dogs, but the Schnauzer breeds hold a special place in the world’s dog-loving heart. The Standard Schnauzer (known simply as the Schnauzer in some countries, like the UK) is colored identically to the Giant and stands “in the middle” at 17.5 to 19.5 inches tall. The Miniature Schnauzer, known in Germany as the Zwergschnauzer, also comes in solid black and salt/pepper in addition to black/silver. This smallest of Schnauzers stands from 12 to 14 inches tall. The Miniature Schnauzer is exhibited in the AKC’s Terrier Group while his two larger relatives are members of the Working Group.
Standard Schnauzer
The Giant Schnauzer’s reception in the United States was somewhat overshadowed by the well-established German Shepherd Dog. The Giant Schnauzer presented a very “foreign” look to American fanciers, but they gradually began to realize the Giant’s capabilities as a family protector and devoted companion. The Giant Schnauzer was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1930 but did not truly establish a foothold until a few decades later. The Giant Schnauzer Club of America was established in 1962. In the early 1960s, Sylvia Hammarstrom, a very talented breeder who had worked with Schnauzers in Sweden, moved to the United States and established the famous Skansen Kennels. Through the efforts of Sylvia Hammarstrom and other Americans who recognized the multiple talents of the Giant Schnauzer, the breed is now very much appreciated throughout the United States. Canada also loves the Giant Schnauzer. Janine Starink owned the top Canadian Giants for several years during the late 1990s.
The Giant has also aroused strong interest in South and Central America, and one of America’s top handlers has presented some fabulous South American dogs to top wins in AKC competition. Gabriel Rodriguez Colona of Guatemala owns many top show Giants. With the British Pet Travel Scheme and changes to quarantine laws, there will no doubt be even more sharing of bloodlines and great breeding strategies between the US and the UK. It is now much easier to fly dogs from country to country today. As quarantine regulations have eased up, dogs now can get “passports” and travel to almost anywhere in the world to compete in dog shows.
As the use of frozen semen is perfected and accepted between registering bodies, new horizons will be reached. Dogs will still be flown across the oceans, but new genetic combinations will become easier as vials are sent instead of the dogs themselves. Owners are reluctant to part with their good dogs, but science has now given us the means to share them around the world.
Ch. Skansen’s Youngblood, from top bloodlines of Sylvia Hammarstrom, pictured here as a youngster on his way to his championship.
The Giant Schnauzer has made great leaps forward in quality of temperament, health and conformation. The breed is now regularly represented in Best in Show lineups. A recent star in the US is the Number-One Giant Schnauzer for 2003 and 2004, the beautiful Ch. Lowdown Jaquie Frazier (“Jaqui”), owned by Mr. and Mrs. Lowe of Arizona and presented by Gabriel Rangel. She is a classic combination of the best of Europe and the US, with her father, the Spanish import Ch. Lennox Lewis, and her dam, Ch. Skansen’s Singular Sensation.
One of the well-known British breeder Sue Cox’s dogs, in a show pose. In the UK, all Giant Schnauzers have natural ears.
Ch. Happy Holiday V. Winriks Hof, Best of Winners at a Giant Schnauzer Club of America specialty show.
This exchange of bloodlines has truly improved the overall quality of our dogs, widening the gene pool. Spain has been the most popular country from which to import. In addition, good dogs come from Russia, where they work with old Finnish bloodlines, as well as from Sweden, Norway, Germany and Holland. These days, one can truly claim a very international background on most winning Giants in the US and Europe.
It’s been exciting to see how the breed has improved around the world. The American-style Giant, the variety with a lot of hair on the legs, is still the most popular in the US. The German style, with a very wiry-type coat and very little leg hair, is still the type most in demand in Europe. However, both types are available everywhere, as the genes for both types of coat are deeply ingrained in most bloodlines worldwide.
The pepper and salt (p/s) Giant, who is still rare, has become widely accepted in the US since Sylvia Hammarstrom and other breeders have promoted the heavier leg furnishings by breeding them to blacks. The conformation, character and health profiles of the p/s dogs have also improved greatly, benefiting from this exchange.
In Europe, breeders are not permitted to breed p/s to black, while this is permitted in the US. By mixing the two colors, breeders have expanded the gene pool of the p/s Giant, which was needed even if it meant losing the perfect p/s coloration for a generation or two. The V. Winriks Hof p/s kennel in Holland has imported several of the mixed black and p/s bloodlines, with great results. Some of these dogs have come back to the US, so it is a regular exchange in both black and p/s that has truly been mutually beneficial.
PRICK UP YOUR EARS!
Why do breeders crop their puppies’ ears? As the song goes, “Tradition! Tradition!” The practice of ear cropping goes back many years to when the ears were “surgically” altered on fighting dogs, working dogs and terriers. Dogs with pendant ears faced a greater danger of their foes’ grabbing onto their ears, whether that opponent was a badger, rat or another dog. Today the surgery is considered routine and removes a portion of the ear cartilage. Following the surgery, the breeder sets the ears with surgical tape and splints to “train” the ears to stand erect. Ear cropping is typically done to puppies at around 8–12 weeks of age, depending on the breed and breeder. If purchasing a Giant Schnauzer, and you want a puppy with natural ears, it is essential for you to inform the breeder from the start.