Today, the Giant Schnauzer participates in numerous dog sports, including Schutzhund.

The first Giant Schnauzers emerged from Swabia in the German state of Bavaria, and Württemberg in the 17th century.

[1] The origins of the breed are unclear, but sources speculate it originated through some combination of black Great Danes,[1] German Shepherds,[1] Rottweilers,[1] Dobermanns,[1] Boxers,[1] Bouvier des Flandres,[1] Thuringian Shepherds,[2] and the Standard Schnauzer.

[2] The Giant Schnauzer was originally bred as a multipurpose farm dog for guarding property and driving animals to market.

[8] By the turn of the 20th century the Giant Schnauzer was being used as a watchdog at factories, breweries, butcheries, and stockyards throughout Bavaria.

The focus in many European Schnauzer clubs is not so much on conformation shows, but on the working ability of the breed.

[1] It has the potential to be aggressive,[1] but Giant Schnauzers are usually reserved[2] – they are "amiable in repose, and a commanding figure when aroused".

[1] They are also very energetic and highly spirited,[7] which, when coupled with boredom, can lead to unwanted and destructive behavior.

Some breeders believe that pepper and salt colored Giant Schnauzers are more docile than their black-furred counterparts.

[12] A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 12.1 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.

Their beard can collect drool and food particles, making frequent cleanings essential.

[15] They are also prone to skin diseases, such as seasonal flank alopecia, vitiligo, and follicular cysts.

[15] Some Giant Schnauzers develop central diabetes insipidus, autosomal recessive hypothyroidism, selective malabsorption of cobalamin, narcolepsy, cataplexy, and various seizure disorders.