Giant Schnauzer, also known as Large Schnauzer, originated from the Bavarian Plateau in southern Germany in the 15th century. It is the largest breed among the three types of Schnauzers. It is a crossbreed between a rough-haired herding dog and a miniature Schnauzer. It is also related to the Belgian Shepherd. It is lively, intelligent, brave, playful, loyal to its owner, and has a highly sensitive sense of perception. It can run fast with endurance and has a strong work ethic. It gives people a feeling of being light and agile. In addition, its dense rough coat provides protection, enabling it to adapt to various harsh weather conditions. It has astonishing strength and endurance, making it a versatile working dog with one or more purposes.
Giant Schnauzer originated from Germany in the 15th century, and has been known as the Russian Schnauzer and the Munich Schnauzer in history. In China, it is generally referred to as the Large Schnauzer, which is the largest breed among the three types of Schnauzers. According to records, the appearance of the Giant Schnauzer came relatively later compared to the other Schnauzer types. In 1909, the Giant Schnauzer was first exhibited at the Munich Dog Show in Germany. Because of its intelligent and brave character, it is an excellent companion dog in families.
There is a saying that the Giant Schnauzer may have been bred from a crossbreed of the Great Dane, the Flemish Cattle Dog, and the Standard Schnauzer. In early Bavaria, it was mainly used to drive livestock herds. Later, because it had innate strength and endurance and excelled in many aspects compared to hunting dogs, it was also used as a police dog.
The Giant Schnauzer is not suitable for small apartments and busy professionals as it requires a larger living space and plenty of exercise due to its size and temperament. It is lively, brave, quick-witted, and easily trained with good adaptability. As an owner, it is important to regularly play with them, provide exercise, and groom their coat.
1. Heart Disease
Dog heart disease is often associated with obesity and old age. When dogs have heart disease, they mainly show symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. Dog heart disease is difficult to detect, and by the time owners notice it, the dog is usually very sick.
2. Infectious Diseases
Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common and deadly infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in time are very susceptible to these two infectious diseases. Once they get sick, they will experience symptoms such as apathy, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney Disease
When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, we have to mention kidney disease. The terrifying thing about dog kidney disease is the unconsciousness of the disease process. By the time the owner notices, the damage to the dog's kidney cells is often over 75%. When dogs have problems, the symptoms usually include blood in the urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms are common parasites in dogs. When dogs are infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms are weight loss, apathy, diarrhea, presence of worms in the feces, and pale gums. Heartworms are parasites that live in the dog's heart. After infection, dogs will exhibit symptoms such as weak vitality, cough, anemia, asthma, and abdominal fluid.
5. Canine Pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but canine pneumonia is a complication of other diseases. It often occurs in dogs with abnormal upper respiratory system, bacterial infections, canine distemper, viral colds, impaired lung function, and heartworm infection. Coughing, nasal congestion, and elevated body temperature are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
1. 300-400 grams of meat should be provided every day, which should be cooked, chopped, and mixed with an appropriate amount of water and an equal amount of cooked dry food or biscuits. Feeding should be done on a regular schedule, and the meal should ideally be consumed within 15-25 minutes. After the designated time, the remaining food should be removed and not left for the next meal.
2. Due to the characteristics of the Giant Schnauzer's coat, it is not as tolerant to heat and climate as other dogs. Therefore, it is advisable to take it for play and exercise outdoors when the weather is cool. It can also be taken for water play during hot weather.
3. The doghouse should be regularly cleaned, and the dog should be dewormed both internally and externally on a regular basis. Pay attention to the dog's physical condition and supplement it with calcium to promote bone growth.
1. Don't bathe frequently
When bathing your dog, it should not be done too frequently. The frequency of bathing depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, you can bathe your dog one or two more times, while in winter you can reduce it by one or two times. But overall, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Brush regularly
Dogs shed almost every day, especially during spring and autumn seasons when seasonal shedding is more severe. Regular brushing is an important step for healthy hair growth. Pet owners can use a pet-specific brush to help dogs remove naturally shed hair and prevent tangling. Brushing once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's fur. In addition to giving the fur a glossy appearance, letting the dog sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, pet owners can let the dog exercise a bit to improve its physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworming
Poor fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving it of nutrition. Therefore, deworming is essential. It is recommended to do internal and external deworming together. Also, deworming medication can cause significant damage to the dog's gastrointestinal system, so it is advisable to feed probiotics regularly to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order for the dog to have a beautiful coat, a good nutritional foundation must be established and daily diet should be taken into account. On the one hand, feed the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food, choosing a brand that is suitable for the dog and provides sufficient nutrition to meet its needs. On the other hand, you can also give the dog a moderate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolk, and vegetable oil.