Giant Schnauzer

The Giant Schnauzer was once known as the Munich Schnauzer as the breed was developed around Munich by cattle farmers who wanted a strong cattle drover. Using the standard Schnauzer as a foundation, the cattlemen added Rottweiler, Great Dane, sheepdogs and perhaps Bouvier to the mix and the result was the Giant Schnauzer, a breed with the strength, stamina and temperament to deal with wayward cattle. When train transportation for livestock was developed, the Giant Schnauzer turned its talents to guarding work in the cities where it has also been used as a police dog and as a tracking dog.

Read the breed standard

Images for this breed

The Working breed group

Over the centuries these dogs were selectively bred to become guards and search and rescue dogs. Arguably, the working group consists of some of the most heroic canines in the world, aiding humans in many walks of life, including the Boxer, Great Dane and St. Bernard. This group consists of the real specialists in their field who excel in their line of work.

Colour Watch

Category 1: Breeds with >0 to 2% registered NBS colours

Read more about Colour Watch.

Breed Standard colours

Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.

Breed standard colours in this breed include:

Black
Pepper & Salt

Non-breed standard colours

(NBS) Black & Silver

Non-breed standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.

Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog, health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.

Other colour/s

'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registrations process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.

Whether you’re thinking of buying a puppy, or breeding from your dog, it’s essential that you know what health issues may be found in your breed. To tackle these issues we advise that breeders use DNA tests, screening schemes and inbreeding coefficient calculators to help breed the healthiest dogs possible.

More about health

Priority health schemes and tests

The Kennel Club Assured Breeders must use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice. All other breeders are strongly advised to also use these.

Eye screening scheme (BVA/KC/ISDS)

Important health schemes and tests

We strongly recommend that all breeders, both assured breeders (ABs) and non ABs, use the following schemes, tests and advice.

Hip dysplasia screening scheme (BVA/KC)
Eye screening scheme litter screening (BVA/KC/ISDS)
Check inbreeding calculators
DNA test – prcd-PRA - part of The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services* (see below). Find a list of tested dogs
DNA test - DCM - part of The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services* (see below). Find a list of tested dogs
DNA test - PRA5 - part of The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services* (see below). Find a list of tested dogs

*The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services - simple to use and easy to organise all-in-one DNA tests

The DNA tests listed above marked with an asterisk (*) are included in our DNA Testing Services. This includes:

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA)
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA5)
DNA profile (SNP ISAG 2020)

Kennel Club Assured breeders and Kennel Club Accredited Instructors receive a 10% discount.

Find out more about our DNA Testing Services.

Find out about a particular dog's results

Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed Register.

You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.

Have any questions about health in your breed?

If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.

Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.

To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email

Breed Health Co-ordinator (Giant Schnauzer Club)

Find out more health information, including relevant news and updates from the breed clubs by visiting their Giant Schnauzer health website.

Breed watch

Category 1

Currently no points of concern specific to this breed have been identified for special attention by judges, other than those covered routinely by The Kennel Club breed standard.