Country of Orgin: Germany

GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Giant Schnauzer is the greatly enlarged and much more powerful version of the Standard Schnauzer, in all respects a bold and resolute dog of imposing appearance. His typical traits are: boldness coupled with composure and reliability, a good-natured temperament and unconditional loyalty to this master. His highly developed senses, intelligence, adaptability to training, strength, endurance, speed and resistance against weather and illness make the Giant Schnauzer a hardy and tough utility dog.

HEAD
The head is strong, long without pronounced occiput gradually tapering from the eyes to the tip of the nose. The total length (from the tip of the nose to the occiput) in proportion to the length of the back (from the withers to the base of the tail) is about 1:2. The head has to harmonize with the substance of the dog. The marked stop is emphasized by eyebrows, the straight bridge of the nose runs parallel with the topline of the unwrinkled, flat forehead. The masseters are strong; however, the cheeks should not be protruding to disturb the rectangular shape of the head (with its whiskers). The muzzle ends in a moderate blunt wedge. The tip of the nose is full and black. The lips must be tight, and are black in all varieties.

TEETH
A full complement of pure-white strong teeth meeting in a scissors bite.

EARS
The ears are set high, identically cropped and carried erect. When uncropped, the ears are V-shaped, folding close to the head.
(NB: Cropping the ears is prohibited in Sweden.)

EYES
The dark eyes are oval and directed forward. The lower eyelid is tight so that the conjuctive is not visible

NECK
The neck should be elegant and strong, it must not be short or thick. The nape is well arched with the skin fitting tightly (dry neck) without dewlap.

BODY
The chest is moderately broad, ribs well sprung, the cross-section is oval in shape. The brisket extends beyond the elbows and is well curved. The forechest is formed by the prosternum extending clearly beyond the shoulder blades and upper arms. The underbody rises slightly toward the rear with a moderate tuck-up at the loin area. The distance from the last rib to the pelvis is short giving the impression of a compact, short-coupled dog. The length of the body is approximately equal to the dog's height at the withers. The back is short and slightly sloping. The topline is not absolutely straight but shows a slight, elegant curve from the first vertebra of the withers over the back the slightly rounded croup to the base of the tail.

TAIL
The tail is high set and carried erect. It is docked to approximately 3 joints.
(NB: Docking the tail is prohibited in Sweden.)

FOREQUARTERS
The sloping shoulder blades and the upper arm are well angulated, flat, but well muscled. The front legs form strong supports and are straight when viewed from all sides. The elbows are close to the body.

HINDQUARTERS
The hindquarters have strong-muscled, slanting thighs. The hock joints are well angulated.

FEET
The feet are short, round and tight with well arched toes (cat's paws), dark nails and tough pads.

COAT
The coat is wirehaired. It should be harsh and dense. The cost consists of a dense undercoat and a harsh topcoat which should be short. The topcoat should be harsh but not shaggy or wavy. The hair at the head or legs is also harsh; on the forehead and ears it is shorter. The typical hallmarks of the Miniature Schnauzer are the harsh whiskers and bushy eyebrows which slightly overshadow the eyes.

COLOR
The colors are solid black, and salt and pepper. The breeding aims for the salt and pepper color are a medium shade, evenly distributed and well pigmented with a grey undercoat. Admissible are the shades ranging from dark iron-gray. A dark mask is desired which emphasizes the typical Miniature Schnauzer appearance. The mask must harmonize with the corresponding shade of the coat color. White marking on the head, ches or legs are undesirable.

SIZE
The height at the withers is 60 - 70 cm. Under- or oversize is a fault.

FAULTS
Body too plump, too light or too high on the legs. Too coarse or round skull, wrinkled forehead, low set ears. Eyes too light, too large or round. Strongly protruding cheekbones; dewlap, ewe-neck. Level bite, overshot or undershot bite. Distemper reach-back. Sloping croup. Rabbit's Tail (tail set low), loose elbows. Cow-hocked. Steep rear or bowlegged. Long feet. Pacing gait. Coat too long, soft, wavy, shaggy, silky white or spotted or other additional shades. Black stripe down the back (trace), back saddle or stripe. Terrier expression.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

La Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) 181b