Giant Schnauzer vs Brittany - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Giant Schnauzer vs Brittany - Breed ComparisonGiant Schnauzer is originated from Germany but Brittany is originated from France. Giant Schnauzer may grow 18 cm / 8 inches higher than Brittany. Giant Schnauzer may weigh 28 kg / 62 pounds more than Brittany. Both Giant Schnauzer and Brittany has almost same life span. Giant Schnauzer may have less litter size than Brittany. Giant Schnauzer requires Moderate maintenance. But Brittany requires Low maintenance

History

giant schnauzer - historyAs a working dog breed, the Giant Schnauzer, known also as the Riesenschnauzer, hails from Germany.

It is believed that the first Giant Schnauzers emerged in Bavaria in the 17th century already. It is the largest of the 3 Schnauzer dogs – Miniature, Standard and Giant. There are quite a few breeds which have been used in its development – Bouvier des Flandres, Great Dane and the German Pinscher among other.

The dog was bred to work on farms and also used as a military dog during the World Wars.

brittany - historyOne of the most intense bird dog breeds in existence is the Brittany, bred for hunt. The breed used to be called the Brittany Spaniel, but since the breed is closer to a setter or pointer, that moniker has been dropped. The Brittany is named for the French Province in which they were originally developed. Sometime from the 17th to the 19th centuries, the breed was developed. Images of a very similar dog can be found on 17th century paintings and tapestries. However, the first written description comes from 1850 by a Reverend Davies, describing a hunting episode. The breed was recognized officially in the early part of the 20th century and made a splash at the 1900 Paris Dog Show.

The first official standards were written in about 1907 and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1934.The Brittany is expected to point to and then retrieve birds and other small ground game. Because the Brittany both points and retrieves they are known in the U.K. as a Hunt, Point and Retrieve breed or an HPR, and they have more Dual Champions than the rest of the AKC Sporting group.

There are actually two types of Brittanys in the minds of many breeders. There is the “French” Brittany and the “American” Brittany. When the breed arrived in the United States in 1931 they became immensely popular in a short period of time. In 1942 American Breeders began the American Brittany Club, rewriting the French standard to fit the dog they knew. Today there are definitely difference between the two sub-sets that can easily be seen. The French dog is smaller than the American dog. The American dog is a runner pacing ahead of the hunter while the French dog works more closely with their human companions. Another visible difference is that the French accept black spotted Brittanys, while in the United States a black spotted coat is considered a fault. Both sub-sets are known for their willingness to follow human directions, their eagerness for the hunt, and their agility and speed.

Unfortunately, the European wars took their toll on this breed as they did on many others. Following the second World War, their numbers in Europe were drastically reduced. The French had stop breeding them altogether during the war. It was in this depleted gene pool that the French agreed to accept the black spotted Brittany. Along with the U.S., Canada also does not recognize the black spotted Brittany.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Gun dog
Origin:
Germany
France
Height Male:
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
43 - 52 cm
16 - 21 inches
Height Female:
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
40 - 50 cm
15 - 20 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 48 kg
55 - 106 pounds
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 48 kg
55 - 106 pounds
12 - 18 kg
26 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 8
1 - 12
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Riesenschnauzer
Brittany Spaniel Brittany Wiegref Epagneul Breton French Brittany
Colors Available:
Black, salt and pepper grey color
tricolor, orange roan, liver roan, black roan
Coat:
Medium length, wiry and hard
Flowing Medium length
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

giant schnauzer puppy - descriptionWith a thick, medium length double coat to protect him from the weather, the Giant Schnauzer’s coat is essentially wiry and hard and in solid black or in a greyish salt and pepper color.

The dogs have always traditionally had their ears and tails docked at the 2nd or 3rd joint to set them apart in looks, but these days both the ears and tail are left.

The tail is always held high. He has dark eyes. Like all Schnauzers, they have that distinct beard and eyebrows. The dog is large and well built and stands at 60 to 70cm in height and weighs anything between 25 and 48kg.

Temperament:

Intelligent, strong willed and energetic, the Giant Schnauzer is actually a quiet dog who doesn’t respond too well to strangers, being reserved around them.

He has a natural guarding and territorial instinct. When he is trained and socialized he makes a wonderful pet, responding well to a firm, consistent owner.

He loves his human family, and as a stable, reliable kind of dog, whether you’ve got children in the home, pets or elderly people, you can rely on your Giant Schnauzer to be a dependable, gentle pet at all the right times, being playful and energetic at other times.

brittany puppy - descriptionThe Brittany is much like other hunting dogs – pointers and retrievers – in size and stature. He is solid and strong but not heavy. He is compact with an average size head and floppy ears, docked tails or short natural tails, and expressively intelligent looking eyes. He is athletic, energetic, and alert. He has a long, elastic and free gait. The French dog is smaller and the dog with black spots is accepted. The American Brittany is larger and only a tri-color of orange, liver and white is acceptable.

Characteristics

giant schnauzer dog - characteristicsThe Giant Schnauzer has many excellent characteristics which make it such a great pet. He is composed, alert, intelligent, loving and loyal to his human family.

He is also playful, being happiest when roped into everything going on in the family. He has a solid, balanced nature, is robust and hypoallergenic.

He is powerful and needs a good dose of exercise and will love to join you on your cycle- and hiking trips. Good with children and pets in the home, this is a dog breed that will make a splendid, reliable pet.

brittany dog - characteristicsThe Brittany is particularly trainable and friendly. They love to play and are sweet-natured. They don’t due well with harsh correction though and a stern look will cause them to wither. Socialize them young or they can become shy around strangers. They are loyal and family oriented. They can easily become attached to their humans.

Health Problems

giant schnauzer puppies - health problemsA healthy Schnauzer can reach 10 – 12 years of age, but even so, they are a dog breed prone to high rates of hip- and elbow dysplasia, hereditary eye disease and thyroid disease.

Blood-clotting diseases and epilepsy are also concerns with Giant Schnauzers as well as bloat. As with all deep-chested breeds, Giant Schnauzers are more at risk with this gastrointestinal syndrome known as bloat and which can be life threatening.

It is your right to ask the breeder about the medical history of your puppy’s parents.

brittany puppies - health problemsThe breed is a hardy one and Brittanys are mostly healthy dogs. In Europe 1 in 5 dogs dies of old age and that age is usually 14 or 15 years. They do have a few issues that they may be susceptible to. These would include:

Ears – prone to infections

Hip Dysplasia – bones don’t fit well into joints

Epilepsy – mild or serious seizures are possible.

Hypothyroidism – Low levels of thyroid hormone

Canine Discoid Lupus Erythematosus – autoimmune disease

Caring The Pet

giant schnauzer dogs - caringHe is a particularly low shedding dog and so brushing him twice a week will suffice. He loves the closeness with his human family during these grooming sessions.

If you don’t know how to groom yourself, the Giant Schnauzers coat will require hand-stripping or clipping. If you want to keep your dog with that typical Schnauzer look, a visit to a professional groomer will be required as they will also tidy the hair around each paw as well.

Now that the ears are no longer cropped, he has fairly short floppy ears and it will be necessary to ensure that dampness, ear wax and dirt don’t build up to cause ear infections.

The teeth must also be brushed 2 or 3 times a week otherwise plaque buildup can cause dental disease as well as lead to other more serious diseases such as kidney- and heart disease.

Diet:

If you’re a new dog owner, it can be hard to know which dog food to buy and which ingredients to look out for. Nutrition is of vital importance, and bad ingredients can make your dog sick and shorten his life.

A mix of the best commercially manufactured kibble mixed with home-made food full of the right balance of vitamins and minerals will be important as well as including some raw meat into the diet.

If in any kind of doubt about how to feed a large, energetic dog breed like this Giant Schnauzer, speak to your vet.

Exercise:

As a big, energetic dog, the Giant Schnauzer needs to live on a property where there is a garden. He will be requiring some hectic exercise every day.

Feeding

brittany dogs - caringDon’t overfeed your Brittany. Keep him at hunting weight by feeding a half a cup up to 2 cups per day depending on the size of your dog and activity levels. Serve this in two meals not one.

Health issues

Ears – prone to infections – make sure that you check them and wipe them out routinely to prevent infections.

Hip Dysplasia – bones don’t fit well into joints – this can be genetic or otherwise, causing lameness and arthritis. If severe it can require surgery to correct.

Epilepsy – mild or serious seizures are possible. This can be genetic/hereditary but is set off by an infectious disease of the brain, head injury, poison, tumor, or metabolic disorder. There is no cure, but medication can be very effective.

Hypothyroidism – Low levels of thyroid hormone – can cause drooping eyelids, obesity, lethargy, mental difficulties or irregular heat cycles or all of this. Medication is available as it is for humans but must be taken daily for the rest of the dog’s life

Canine Discoid Lupus Erythematosus – autoimmune disease that is rare in dogs. Cats and humans can also have it. It is a skin disease and does not become the more serious and deadly Systemic Lupus. The Discoid version of this disease causes loss of pigmentation and a scaling on the nose which can then progress to the skin around the ears, eyes and genitals. There could be ulcerated lesions and tissue death in more severe cases. Sun exposure can make the condition worse.

Exercise and games

The Brittany is a hunting dog that acts like a pointer but will retrieve fowl and birds in the water or on land. If you don’t hunt, the Brittany can still be your family dog. They need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. They need a job if they are not going to hunt and expect them to be distracted by every bird they see. Try flyball, agility, FAST CAT, field trials and dock diving. They are very task oriented and have boundless energy. They excel at obedience and confirmation as well.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  2. Great Pyrenees vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  3. Presa Canario vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  4. Labrador Husky vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  5. Giant Schnauzer vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  6. Giant Schnauzer vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  7. Giant Schnauzer vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  8. Giant Schnauzer vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  9. Giant Schnauzer vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  10. Giant Schnauzer vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  11. Giant Schnauzer vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  12. Giant Schnauzer vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  13. Giant Schnauzer vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  14. Giant Schnauzer vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  15. Giant Schnauzer vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  16. Giant Schnauzer vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  17. Giant Schnauzer vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  18. Giant Schnauzer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  19. Giant Schnauzer vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  20. Giant Schnauzer vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  21. Giant Schnauzer vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  22. Giant Schnauzer vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  23. Giant Schnauzer vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Giant Schnauzer vs German Longhaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  25. Giant Schnauzer vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison
  26. English Springer Spaniel vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  27. Brittany vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  28. Brittany vs Boykin Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  29. Brittany vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  30. Brittany vs Braque d'Auvergne - Breed Comparison
  31. Brittany vs Barbet - Breed Comparison
  32. Brittany vs Blue Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  33. Brittany vs Canadian Pointer - Breed Comparison
  34. English Setter vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  35. French Brittany vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  36. Pudelpointer vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  37. Picardy Spaniel vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  38. Ariege Pointer vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  39. Pont-Audemer Spaniel vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  40. Irish Water Spaniel vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  41. Deutsch Drahthaar vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  42. Clumber Spaniel vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  43. Stabyhoun vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  44. Styrian Coarse Haired Hound vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  45. Vizsla vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  46. Large Munsterlander vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  47. Tyrolean Hound vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  48. Cockalier vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  49. Braque du Bourbonnais vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  50. Cesky Fousek vs Brittany - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds