Giant Schnauzer

Truly named Riesenschnauzer, the Giant Schnauzer is, like all types of Schnauzer, originating from southern Germany, towards Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. Nowadays, it is mainly used for guarding houses and owners; but its excellent sense of smell allows it to shine in the search for people, drugs or explosives. It is a balanced, resilient dog that loves children. It is also a good guardian.

It is an imposing, powerful dog that commands respect by its stature. The male measures 70 cm high for approximately 45 kg but supports a few kilos more without appearing heavy. The female is slightly smaller and lighter. The body is cob, built in a square, the length is equivalent to the height at the withers. The line of the back starts from the withers and descends in a slope towards the rear until the tail attachment. The withers are the highest point of the back. This is solid, short and firm. The distance between the last ribs and the hip is short. The dog appears short and compact. The croup, very muscular, forms a slight rounding from the tail root. The chest, of moderate width, is oval. It descends to the elbows. The brisket appears powerful because it is clearly accentuated by the point of the sternum. The rib cage draws a beautiful arched line with the flanks that are not exaggeratedly raised. The head, like the body, appears square, powerful. Its length is almost half that of the back. It should be in keeping with the power of the dog. The skull is strong, elongated. The flat forehead, without wrinkles, and the straight muzzle, are separated by a well-marked and accentuated stop by the very bushy eyebrows, which must be parallel and of equal length. The muzzle ends in a truncated wedge. The nose is well-developed and of intense black; the nostrils are widely open. The black lips are well applied flat against the jaws, they are hidden by significant beard. The jaws are solid, articulated in scissors with 42 teeth of pure white. The masseters are developed without excess, accentuating the rectangular shape of the head (with the beard). The eyes dark brown are of medium size. Oval, they are directed forward, and give a lively expression to the head. The eyelids must perfectly match the shape of the eyeball. The ears are folded and pendulous, attached high, in the shape of "v", they must be carried symmetrically and pointed forward towards the temples. The inner edge of the ear is joined to the cheek; the parallel fold must not exceed the level of the skull. The neck is muscular and robust, it is firmly implanted, slender and nobly arched. The neck merges harmoniously into the withers in keeping with the power of the dog. The skin of the throat is firmly applied to the muscles and does not form wrinkles. The tail, natural, forms a whip about 40 cm long. The forelegs are solid, straight and not too close together. The shoulders are firmly attached to the chest wall, well muscled. The arms are close to the body, solid and muscular, and the elbows are correctly applied, not turned. The forearms are absolutely straight, developed and well-muscled. The hind legs are oblique, parallel and not too close together. The thighs are of medium length, broad and strongly muscled with long and nervous legs, they are extended by a strong hock with marked angulation. The feet are short and round. The toes are tight and arched like cat's feet, the pads are resistant and the nails hard and dark. Throughout the body, the skin is well applied to the underlying tissues.