What should you consider before getting a Giant?

[Grovelea]

All the time that there is a supply of 'off the shelf' puppies there will be a demand. If people had to wait to get their pup they may in the cooling off period decide this breed is not for them.
As far as temperements are concerned this argument has raged for many years between breeders, because the majority of puppies sold go to normal households who want a pet that looks like the 'one that won Crufts', breeders , well some, have to consider breeding softer temperements. And when you breed copious amounts of litters per year, you really couldn't care less about correct 'this, that or anything really'.
The more you breed the more health issues and temperement issues arise, it's the law of averages.
In England we have the worlds blood lines, it's up the breeders to do the best they can with them, but, when they can't even agree with each other what the dog should look like and what it's purpose is, how on earth will we ever reach a type that will fit everyones ideal?
You will allways get those who breed for correct type, those who breed for a show winning type, and those who just breed anything and everything to make a buck.

[Mari Obi and Fingal]

In England we have the worlds blood lines, it's up the breeders to do the best they can with them, but, when they can't even agree with each other what the dog should look like and what it's purpose is, how on earth will we ever reach a type that will fit everyones ideal?
You will allways get those who breed for correct type, those who breed for a show winning type, and those who just breed anything and everything to make a buck.

...but it is not up to the breeders to decide the looks and purpose of the breed, it is the breed standard which dictates how the breed should look like and what is the purpose of the breed (question)
I agree, there will always be different types of breeders, and there will be different types of Giants, and there will be a demand for different types of Giants, BUT it does not remove the fact that the breeders have an obligation to the breed to maintain the original breed standard, and guard and protect the breed from any deterioration in mental and physical health, looks, and mental and physical abilities.
Just because unsuitable owners want a Giant, it does not mean that they should get a Giant--it is the breeders responsibility to vet the buyers, and make sure the particular puppy will fit the proposed owner as well as possible (as examples, breeder should not sell a dominant male pup to a first time dog owner, and the breeder should not sell any pup to a couple expecting their first child---the buyer should be honest, and so should be the breeder..in the ideal world)

I know that I come across very strongly on the topic, but I am absolutely passionate about the breed, and sub-standard breeding (which alters the Giants looks, mental and physical health and abilities so that the end product does not fulfil the breed standard) should not happen..

The European system of "breeding suitability test" is a sound system providing essential information of the quality of the tested dogs, and UK should really adopt the system, as most of the countries have done already. The test looks at the individual dog against a set standard and grades how well it will represent the standard set, and if the dog is suitable for breeding.
The key is that many the qualities of the dog are tested against the breed standard, not only the looks as so often occurs in the UK.

Sorry to go slightly off-topic...

[Grovelea]

I couldn't agree more with you Mari, maybe I didn't explain myself very well, I have allways bred as close to the standard as I possibly can for type and temperement. But as I said in the previous post a proportion of those who breed do not care how close there dogs resemble a correct Giant as long as it wins prizes or in other camps makes lots of money.
When I looked into my first Giant I had to wait nearly a year untill the breeder had one for me. nowadays it is very rare that anyone has to wait longer than about six weeks, some breeders have litters maybe as often as every two months (approx 6 plus litters a year).
I have allways advocated the german scheme, where not only are your bitches and dogs looked at to see if the are fit to be included in a breeding programme but also the litter is looked at by a club representative to see if the they are of correct typical type in mind and body.
But, in this country it would be very hard to find someone from the breed club who would be totally impartial.

[BBG]

I would agree that as a minimum the parents are screened in such a way but can't see how you would extend this to inspecting a litter of puppies. What happens to the 'sub standard' pups? A breeder can't keep loads of dogs so they would have to be sold or euthanised. You can't just euthanise a healthy pup because it doesn't conform.


Back to the topic -

From the posts above perhaps one of the considerations for new owners is - If you've done the research - Don't be surpirsed if you have to wait for the right puppy from the right breeder.

Don't be tempted to buy a puppy just because it is available at the time that you decide you would like a dog. Do your research first.

Check that your puppy will be registered with the kennel club and has not been bred from unendorsed parents. Reputable breeders should put a progeny registration restriction on pups to protect the breed.

[Mari Obi and Fingal]

Once more off the topic ;-)
Sue, you don't need to explain any better, I've seen some of your dogs and I know from our previous chats what your breeding aims are, so in no way were my comments of some breeders aimed at you

BBG, the "breeding suitability testing" is done to adult dogs who are potentially going to be used for breeding. There are always going to be "sub-standard" pups born, and these pups obviously should be sold to suitable homes. There is not reason to cull them just because they would not suitable for breeding--most Giants born are not used (and definitely should not be used!) for breeding, but will make wonderful pets to the right owners.

[Maybee]

A bit off topic again but maybe there should be a thread like this in each of the three "size" forums - at least for the benefit of people like me who are just at the considering stage and want to make sure they've thought about everything.

[Eddie]

That's not a bad idea but I think we are concentrating on giants at the moment as they seem to be the ones coming up for rehoming.

[BBG]

A bit off topic again but maybe there should be a thread like this in each of the three "size" forums - at least for the benefit of people like me who are just at the considering stage and want to make sure they've thought about everything.

I would imagine new owners should be asking themsleves the same questions for all 3 sizes of schnauzer. (or any dog) There are quite a few mini's in the rehoming section and they are more often found in re homing centres than giants.

[Tulip]

I'll start one for Minis in a bit, I think that's a great idea!

[Jo&Jodie]

What are the main differences between the standards and giants? I mean temperament wise not size lol. Not that I'm allowed one yet as our standard is a tiny pup at the moment, I'm just browsing! And he's a stubborn handful so not until I'm deadly sure he's all trained and socialised and grown up!

[Sianny]

I would literally scour our standard and giant section for real, warts and all accounts if both sizes! I don't think we have a single member who has one of each (if there is - now is your time to shine!)
Good luck. You may well gather amongst other things that you need patience, will, consistency, durable furniture, an active lifestyle (or desire to have one) and durable family members that will work as hard as you. What I understand from my reading is that the reward is great

Get reading! Let us know what you are leaning towards afterwards we'd love to join you on your journey.

[Captain Chaos]

Just refering back to costs, mentioned in the first part of the thread. If you are thinking that once you have paid for a puppy/ paid a rescue for a Giant that the big bills are over, can you just check you have enough money for some of the basics, and to give you an idea, this is the rough cost per year, although different Giant owners probably spend varying amounts:

Dog Food - approx £1.20 per day - £438
Insurance - approx £40 a month (may be less as a pup, more than this as they get older) - £480
Vets - annual jabs - £40
Grooming 5 x £40 - £200
Frontline - £162
Worming - £120

Total - 1440, £120 per month.

Plus leads, bed, toys, treats, and you may also want to start a back up fund for the vets fees not covered by insurance - you may be well advised to keep at least £500 in this account. Also, you may perhaps want to look at whether you can extend your home insurance to check it covers damage done by dogs. Also, if you take your dog to training, this is an extra cost not in the above list.

[black beard]

Good post CC, and one that would be useful added to the other threads.

[dannie_kl]

I would agree that as a minimum the parents are screened in such a way but can't see how you would extend this to inspecting a litter of puppies. What happens to the 'sub standard' pups? A breeder can't keep loads of dogs so they would have to be sold or euthanised. You can't just euthanise a healthy pup because it doesn't conform.

BBG as I understand from those who are german/live in germany or my german friends over there your dog must be graded a certain grade in the show ring by 3 different judges before being given permission to breed from your dog and working dogs i think must have achieved at least the level of IPO working test too. when you have the pups they have a kennel inspector come round to check the pups before kennel club registration is granted. I believe what happens here is that the dogs which have faults such as incorrect dentition either then dont recieve papers or have endorsed papers (not 100% on this exactly) and that puppy can only go as a pet. There is nothing else wrong with the pup its just not good enough to be bred from.

Its certainly a system I wish we had over here!

[dannie_kl]

PS good post by captain chaos!