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Animal register · DogIn the app

Giant Schnauzer

Riesenschnauzer, Munich Schnauzer

The Giant Schnauzer comes from Germany; the FCI lists it as the Riesenschnauzer among the pinscher and schnauzer types. The Royal Kennel Club standard describes a powerfully built, robust, sinewy dog that appears almost square, bold, reliable, good natured and composed, with a harsh, wiry top coat and a good undercoat. It gives a height of 65–70 cm for dogs and 60–65 cm for bitches; the FCI standard gives a weight of 35–47 kg. Pure black, pepper and salt with a dark facial mask, and black and silver are accepted — any other colour is not.

The Royal Kennel Club recommends more than two hours of exercise a day, says the breed suits a large house with a large garden, needs grooming every day and does not shed. The PDSA says the coat needs daily grooming and regular trimming, that Giant Schnauzers can be lovable pets for families with older children if they are well socialised as puppies, and that these strong-minded dogs suit experienced owners. PetMD adds that the coat is professionally hand-stripped every few months and that the breed does not do well in homes where people are not home much.

Available in the 12-week PetPrep Challenge (paid breed).

Updated:

Giant Schnauzer — photo (AI)
AI-generated photo

At a glance

Size
large — The Royal Kennel Club S495
Adult weight
males 35–47 kg, females 35–47 kg — FCI S492
Daily exercise
more than 2 hours a day — The Royal Kennel Club S495
Brushing
every day — The Royal Kennel Club S495
Shedding
does not shed (not the same as hypoallergenic) — The Royal Kennel Club S495
Lifespan
more than 12 years — The Royal Kennel Club S495

Key facts from the sources at the bottom of the page. Where sources differ, each value is listed.

Who it suits

Good for:

  • an active familyS495
  • family lifeS496
  • a large house and gardenS495
  • homes that prefer less sheddingS495

Keep in mind:

  • needs lots of exercise every dayS495
  • powerful dog — needs an experienced ownerS496
  • large dog — not for homes with small childrenS497
  • loves company — best with someone home most of the dayS497
  • needs brushing several times a weekS495S496

The same tags as in the app. Each tag is backed by the sources listed at the bottom of the page.

What it needs

From breed standards, kennel clubs, veterinary charities and studies. Where sources differ, each one is shown.

Exercise

  • Daily exercise: more than 2 hours a day — The Royal Kennel Club S495

Coat and grooming

  • Coat: medium length — The Royal Kennel Club S495
  • Brushing: every day — The Royal Kennel Club S495
  • Shedding: does not shed (not the same as hypoallergenic) — The Royal Kennel Club S495

Meals

General guidance for dogs (not breed-specific):

  • 8–12 weeks: 4 meals a day — ASPCA S18
  • 3–6 months: 3 meals a day — ASPCA S18
  • 6–12 months: 2 meals a day — ASPCA S18
  • Adult: at least 2 meals a day — VCA Animal Hospitals S19
  • Senior: 2–3 meals a day, smaller portions — Dogs Trust S14

Lifespan

  • Lifespan: more than 12 years — The Royal Kennel Club S495

Life stages

  • Reaches adult size at: about 15–18 months (guidance for its size class) — PetMD S10

General guidance for dogs (not breed-specific):

  • Puppy: until about 6–9 months — AAHA S11
  • Young adult: until 3–4 years — AAHA S11
  • Senior: the last 25 % of the expected lifespan — AAHA S11

Size and weight

  • Size: large — The Royal Kennel Club S495
  • Height at the withers: males 65–70 cm, females 60–65 cm — The Royal Kennel Club S494
  • Adult weight: males 35–47 kg, females 35–47 kg — FCI S492

Training

  • No. 28 in Stanley Coren's ranking of working and obedience intelligence. — Wikipedia S35
  • FCI standard no. 181, group 2 (pinscher and schnauzer types, molossoid breeds and Swiss mountain and cattle dogs); origin: Germany. — FCI S491

Questions and answers

Answered only from the sourced facts on this page; every answer names its sources.

How much exercise does a Giant Schnauzer need?

According to our sources, the Giant Schnauzer needs this much exercise: more than 2 hours a day — The Royal Kennel Club S495.

How long does a Giant Schnauzer live?

According to our sources, the lifespan of the Giant Schnauzer is: more than 12 years — The Royal Kennel Club S495.

How big does a Giant Schnauzer get and how much does it weigh?

Size and adult weight of the Giant Schnauzer, according to our sources: Size: large — The Royal Kennel Club S495; Adult weight: males 35–47 kg, females 35–47 kg — FCI S492.

How much grooming does a Giant Schnauzer need?

Coat and grooming of the Giant Schnauzer, according to our sources: Brushing: every day — The Royal Kennel Club S495; Shedding: does not shed (not the same as hypoallergenic) — The Royal Kennel Club S495; Coat: medium length — The Royal Kennel Club S495.

Who is the Giant Schnauzer a good fit for?

Our sources describe the Giant Schnauzer as a good fit for: an active family — The Royal Kennel Club S495; family life — PDSA S496; a large house and garden — The Royal Kennel Club S495; homes that prefer less shedding — The Royal Kennel Club S495. Keep in mind: needs lots of exercise every day — The Royal Kennel Club S495; powerful dog — needs an experienced owner — PDSA S496; large dog — not for homes with small children — PetMD S497; loves company — best with someone home most of the day — PetMD S497; needs brushing several times a week — The Royal Kennel Club, PDSA S495S496.

Game rules, not veterinary advice

How PetPrep simulates it

In PetPrep one real week is one month of the pet's life. These are the rules the game uses for this breed. PetPrep chose them from the sources on this page; they are not care instructions for a real animal.

Life stageStartsMeals a dayDaily step goal
Puppyarrives at 2 months4; from month 3: 3; from month 6: 21,000 steps per month of age (2,000 on arrival), up to 12,000 from month 12
Young dogmonth 929,000 → 12,000 steps
Adultmonth 36 (3 years)212,000 steps
Seniormonth 108 (9 years)29,000 steps
  • Step goal = minutes of daily exercise × 100 steps: an adult gets 2 hours, so 12,000 steps a day.
  • Learns commands 1.2× as fast as the mixed breed of the free plan.
  • Becomes a senior in month 108 (9 years) — the last quarter of the breed's expected lifespan.
  • Walks count real steps from Apple Health or Health Connect (with permission, read-only) and the phone's motion sensor — no GPS.
  • Combing 7 times a week.
  • Care: checking and cleaning the ears once a week — a task for the child.

Each game number is a PetPrep decision recorded with its sources. — PetMD, AAHA, Dogs Trust, ASPCA, VCA Animal Hospitals, The Royal Kennel Club, Purdue University Canine Welfare Science, Wikipedia, British Journal of Sports Medicine S10S11S14S18S19S21S24S35S45S495S497

Health

For information only, not vet-reviewed. Ask your vet about your own animal.

  • Hip dysplasia, a poorly developed hip joint that can lead to arthritis, occurs in the breed; breeders are advised to have the parents' hips scored. — PDSA S496
  • Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), where the stomach twists, can occur in the breed — it is an emergency that needs a vet straight away. — PDSA S496
  • Cardiomyopathy, an enlarged heart caused by a weakening of the heart muscle, can occur in the breed. — PDSA S496
  • An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), which can affect weight, skin and energy levels, can occur in the breed. — PDSA S496
  • Panosteitis, a painful inflammation of the long bones that usually affects young, growing dogs, can occur in the breed. — PDSA S496
  • Urinary incontinence, an uncontrolled leaking of urine, can occur in the breed. — PDSA S496
  • Bladder stones, collections of minerals that form in the bladder and urine, can occur in the breed. — PDSA S496
  • Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), a disorder of the joint cartilage in growing dogs, can occur in the breed. — PetMD S497
  • Progressive retinal atrophy, an inherited eye disease that can slowly lead to blindness, occurs in the breed; DNA tests and eye testing are available. — The Royal Kennel Club S495

Before you buy: what to check with the breeder

Questions to settle before you take a puppy home. The points are advice from vets, welfare charities and kennel clubs; each cites its source.

For every breed

  • See the puppy with its mother, where it was born. — PDSA, RSPCA K1K2
  • The puppy should not leave its mother before 8 weeks of age. — PDSA K1
  • Ask for the pedigree. Under FCI rules a pedigree may be issued for correct parentage only. — FCI K7
  • Ask to see the health-test results of both parents. Which tests matter depends on the breed. — PDSA, British Veterinary Association, FOUR PAWS UK K1K9K10
  • National kennel clubs can set breeding rules that go beyond the FCI's — ask the breed club which tests the parents need. — FCI K7
  • Ask for a written sale contract that records the puppy's background and health. — British Veterinary Association, FOUR PAWS UK K9K10

Laws on the minimum age, microchipping and vaccination differ by country — check the rules where you live.

Health tests of the parents for this breed

Tests the Royal Kennel Club recommends as a minimum

  • Genetic diversity — check the inbreeding coefficient — The Royal Kennel Club S495
  • Elbow X-ray screening for elbow dysplasia (UK: BVA/KC scheme) — The Royal Kennel Club S495
  • Hip X-ray screening for hip dysplasia (UK: BVA/KC scheme) — The Royal Kennel Club S495
  • DNA test for progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA) — The Royal Kennel Club S495

Further tests for best practice

  • DNA test for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a heart muscle disease — The Royal Kennel Club S495
  • DNA test for progressive retinal atrophy (PRA5) — The Royal Kennel Club S495
  • Eye examination by a veterinary eye specialist (UK: BVA/KC/ISDS scheme; for some breeds with gonioscopy) — The Royal Kennel Club S495
  • DNA test for hyperuricosuria (HUU) — The Royal Kennel Club S495

These lists come from the UK's Royal Kennel Club and are an orientation; national kennel clubs can set their own, stricter rules. Ask the breed club and the breeder which tests the parents have done.

Similar breeds

Other dogs in the register with similar needs — each with sourced facts.

Sources

Every fact on this page cites one of these sources.

  1. S10PetMD — S. C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP, 2025-05-20 — When Do Dogs Stop Growing?https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/when-do-dogs-stop-growing
  2. S11AAHA — 2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines — Canine life stage definitionshttps://www.aaha.org/resources/life-stage-canine-2019/canine-life-stage-definitions/
  3. S14Dogs Trust (UK) — Caring for an older doghttps://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/at-home/looking-after-an-older-dog
  4. S18ASPCA — General Dog Carehttps://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/general-dog-care
  5. S19VCA Animal Hospitals (2025-02-21) — Feeding Times and Frequency for Your Doghttps://vcahospitals.com/pets-first/know-your-pet/feeding-times-and-frequency-for-your-dog
  6. S21The Royal Kennel Club (UK) — Puppy feeding tipshttps://www.royalkennelclub.com/health-and-dog-care/health-dog-care/health/health-and-care/a-z-of-health-and-care-issues/puppy-feeding-tips
  7. S24Purdue University Canine Welfare Science (content: Pet Leadership Council 2019, bedogsmart.com) — Dog Fitness and Exercise (PDF)https://caninewelfare.centers.purdue.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Dog-Fitness-and-Exercise.pdf
  8. S35Wikipedia — The Intelligence of Dogshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligence_of_Dogs
  9. S45British Journal of Sports Medicine (2018) — Tudor-Locke C. et al. How fast is fast enough? Walking cadence (steps/min) as a practical estimate of intensity in adults. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2017-097628https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6029645
  10. S491FCI — FCI breeds nomenclature — Group 2 (Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs), RIESENSCHNAUZER (181)https://fci.be/en/nomenclature/2-Perros-tipo-pinscher-y-schnauzer-Molosoides-Perros-tipo-montana-y-boyeros-suizos-181.html
  11. S492FCI — FCI-Standard Nr. 181 RIESENSCHNAUZER (German, published 06.03.2007, PDF)https://dev.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/181g02-de.pdf
  12. S494The Royal Kennel Club — Giant Schnauzer — breed standard (last updated 1 April 2026)https://www.royalkennelclub.com/breed-standards/working/giant-schnauzer/
  13. S495The Royal Kennel Club — Breeds A to Z — Giant Schnauzerhttps://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/working/giant-schnauzer/
  14. S496PDSA — Giant Schnauzer breed informationhttps://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/large-dogs/giant-schnauzer
  15. S497PetMD — Emily A. Fassbaugh, DVM (published Feb. 22, 2023) — Giant Schnauzerhttps://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/giant-schnauzer
  16. K1PDSA — Getting a puppyhttps://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/getting-a-puppy
  17. K2RSPCA — Buying a puppyhttps://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy
  18. K7FCI (copy hosted by Norsk Kennel Klub) — International Breeding Rules of the FCIhttps://nkk2023.stage22.coretrek.no/getfile.php/131987377-1520848467/Dokumenter/Registrering/FCIs%20avlsregler%202013.pdf
  19. K9British Veterinary Association — What should you consider when buying a puppy?https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/blog-article/what-should-you-consider-when-buying-a-puppy/
  20. K10FOUR PAWS UK — Questions to ask when buying a puppyhttps://www.four-paws.org.uk/our-stories/publications-guides/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-puppy

PetPrep is a simulation for families. This page is not veterinary advice — for a real animal, ask a vet or the breed club.

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