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GIANT SCHNAUZER |
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The Giant Schnauzer
was developed in southern Germany as a cattle herder from smoothhaired
droving dogs, a variety of rough-coated indigenous shepherd dogs and,
perhaps, the black Great Dane. He was known as the Munchener Dog at one
time, due to the area of origin near Munich. He was used from the 15th
century until the arrival of the railroads, when the large cattle drives
waned. Farmers then lost interest in feeding these big eaters, and the
Giants moved into the towns to become the guardians and mascots of beer
halls and butcher shops during the 19th century.
Theory has it
that, during this era, breeders noted his similarity to the existing smaller
Schnauzers and aimed their breeding programs toward increasing that likeness.
This is when most breed historians feel a cross was made to the Standard
Schnauzer. The results were called Munich Schnauzers for a time, until
the imposing term "Giant" was adapted around the turn of this
century.
Introduced to
dog shows in Munich in 1909, they attracted immediate attention and a
national club was formed. Although they landed on the American shores
at about the same time as the German Shepherd, the Giants were simply
overshadowed by demand for their native relative. The breed has never
gained a large following in North America but, at home, it is still one
of the principal breeds used for security work. During both World Wars,
the Giant gave valiant service as a police and war dog, suffering so many
casualties that many thought the breed was lost. Thankfully, dedicated
breeders have maintained the Giant in many countries around the world.
Their coat is
similar to that of the other Schnauzers, and requires stripping twice
a year. A strong tendency exists to regress to a soft, woolly coat, and
care must be taken by breeders to maintain the true Schnauzer "hard"
terrier coat. This hair not only is easier to care for than the woolly
coat but keeps the breed distinct from its distant relative, the Bouvier.
Ears are cropped and the tail is docked. The Giants still retain their
guardian instincts and do well in schutzhund trials.
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