Hello:
I don't know if this will make sense or not, but I would not recommend a Giant Schnauzer for anyone unless they have some experience with working dogs. While having a Giant might work for your friends allergies, he/she might end up with a dog that is very difficult to work/train especially for a novice. The allergy might be ok, but are they willing to make a trade for a hard headed, generally non willing to please, dominate, usually handler hard dog? Just something to ponder.
Regards,
Brandon

W. Stevenson,
After owning a Giant Schnauzer female Pia v.d. Frankenhohe,Sch3,FH,AD,V1,SAR, Best of Breed in 89 in Schweinfurt,Germany I know I'm bragging but she was my first true love and K9 I trained <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> for 17 years, I found very little sheding, I also kept her coat clipped very short and I stripped her twice a year. She was from German working lines she had a hard wiry coat beautiful over the American teddy bear coats. Like several have said a Giant Schnauzer is not a K9 for the novice alot of energy, they will try to out smart you at every turn <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> , mine hated repatisions, she loved life! a real lady but piss her off on the field of battle she took the gloves off! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> .
As far as allergies, they do have very little dander but again point mentioned it's up to you to maintain a healthy coat on the dog! some can get very dry skin but Biotion(Spelling) works wonders) help keep amino acids up.
If your friend doesn't have the time to commit to a Giant Schnauzer then I would deeply suggest another breed!!! Sorry but that's my view!
Everyone you did a Great Job! on this post! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Be Safe All!

Lewis/Argoand Riley

W.Stevenson,
Forgot to mention Giant Schnauzers make awesome working K9's <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> just find the RIGHT WORKING LINES! American lines DUE NOT HAVE IT IN THEM!
And the Giant is a super Socialable K9 with family and with friend just make sure you socialize the K9.
Lewis/Argo and Riley

Hello All:
I would have to "ditto" a number of statements about the Giant, GS/RS or "Reisenschnauzer" as its sometimes called. I am currently on my 2nd RS and while both dogs had very similar characteristics there are a couple of things that you should know about them.
1. Very High Energy Level and will often hurt themselves by jumping and climbing and trying to run in circles (like little dogs do). So you have to be very careful when they are pups and young dogs.
2. Super social with the family,but they tend to favor one person in the family. As an example my current dog "Yasko" loves and prefers my son much more over me. I do all the feeding and training, bathing, bonding, grooming etc. But if he can see my son, he will literally start to cry and whine until he comes and plays with him. When Yasko is off lead (in the yard) and I call him, he will come, but if my son is around he is like "who in the hell are you and why are you calling my name."
3. They are thinkers, slow to mature, but they like to think things out and problem solve.
4. Jealous of other dogs in the family, or maybe spiteful. (my wife always lets her Jack Russel out of the kennel first and then will let the my dog out of the kennel). As soon as Yasko is out of his kennel, he will run into the JR's kennel and pee in/on his water bowl (don't ask me how or why but he does it).
5. They tend to be very dog aggressive with dogs outside the family (I wouldn't trust them at the dog park, etc)
6. They will tolerate other people but won't be submissive to them (a caution when going to the vet or groomers)
7. They tend to graps things and people with their paws (I never had another breed that did that)
8. Lucky for me, neither have had any food or toy possessiveness or agression.
9. Good trackers (I am weak in this area and he is coming along nicely).
10. The drive levels are different than a shepherd, I guess I would describe them as not as high driven as a Shepherd, but their drives are more intense at comparable ages. Things are not always a game with them, they try to win but are not very sportsman like.
Also for those who are interested, my current dogs pedigree is primarily DDR (ish) and goes back on the following dogs: Vasko v. Muenchbach SCH3,IP3,DPO2, Basko v. Messeler Park,SCH3,IP3,
Riga v. Muenchbach SCH3,IP3 who goes back to Ali v. Hilbort SCH3,IP3 (Ali is probably the greatest producer of working dogs in modern RS history so I've been told). On the mothers side we have Quiki v. Hatzbachtal, SCH1, Alf v.h.Weisman SCH3,IP3, Vina v. Hatzbachtal SCH3,IP3 (Vina has competed at the BLSP numerous times) she goes back to Ali v. Hilbort & Chris v.d. Rammelburg SCH3,IP3. I hope this helps and if anyone has any other info they would like to share or comment on, just drop me a line.
Regards,
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Brandon

OK, good topic <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Where are the Rottweiler folks, they have a short coat too! I have a friend who believes the Rottweilers are the best protection dog around.

They are under the rottwhiner section... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

In all seriousness, the stuff BC and Lewis have said is all true. They are a tough breed to live with if you don't have a sense of humor and like to butt heads with your dog a lot. Oh, and the beard is messy too.

Number 2 in brandons post is soooo true. My ex roomate was all excited because she got Sacha to do some rapid fire obedience one day when I was gone, then she tried to show me.... "who, what, I don't think so..." <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

The same things that would drive some people nuts are the things that I will miss the most..

Oh, and they LOVE to BARK! LOUD! If they aren't able to bark(bark collar on) they do this lovely nasal whine which is more annoying than the barking.

I'm glad your having good memories Deanna, you made me smile too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I would like to read up on the Giant, any good web links that can be offered.

Hi All:
Finding information about the RS (especially the working lines dogs) is almost impossible. If you go to http://www.workingschnauzer.com (or do a search on Pangia or now it's Covenant kennels) you will find some information regarding the availability of working RS and litters. I know of like 1 or maybe 2 litters that are breed every like 18 months or so. Also, they are a hard breed to import. What I mean is, there aren't a lot of people who are into the RS and the RS people are not as open about informatin about the dogs. I'm not saying they aren't friendly, but it takes a long time to crack into the RS working network. I guess that is good because it keeps the groups small and everyone tends to know someone else. Also if you do a google search for Armin Winkler (he is a trainer, etc) who has been instumental and the most informative RS person that I have every spoken to. Armin does some training with the Alle Rassen Training Group (Spelling) and writes a lot of training articles as well. Hope this helps.
Regards,
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Brandon

Hey Guys,
When I was looking for another Giant Schnauzer(Working Lines)I found a kennel in Marion, Ohio the owners name was Cratty, awesome lines with Giants to die for <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> . I visited there for 2 days just looking at pups and adults most of the lines were DDR and a few W. German Lines, and most where black. Very thick bodies with the german coats and working drives that where off the scale! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> The consistancy was across the board with the breedings. They also breed Beacerons which where very impressive, new to me but I saw them work in France with the police.Cool K9's
My Giant was from the Hassenburg lines from the Schweinfurt, Germany area.
I agree with the post on the Giants they are one of a kind, The only thing I found unusual was the aggression someone mentioned towards other dogs, my female and the other Giants at the training club in Germany where very socialible, but again in Germany dogs are allowed everywhere ie resteraunts, stores etc. As far a jealous and one person bonding dog, yes I remember my first girlfriend my Giant met she went to hug and kiss me and Pia pinned her against the wall and barked to get her away from me! talk about a jealous bitch! LOL
Anyway be safe all!

Lewis/Argo and Riley