Giant Schnauzers [Paperback]

Joe Stahlkuppe (Author)

Book Description

Series: Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals | Publication Date: March 31, 2002

This large and intelligent canine is a sturdy friend and a loyal family member. When trained for the purpose, it also makes a formidable guard dog. All Complete Pet Owner's Manuals are heavily illustrated with color photos and line art, and are filled with reliable, easy-to-understand information on pet care. The many titles in this series show and tell pet owners how to care for dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, gerbils, hamsters, and virtually every other animal that is kept as a pet. The books give advice on purchasing and otherwise acquiring a pet, maintaining health care, housing, proper feeding, and where applicable, grooming and training. Clear, straightforward text comes with high-quality, full-color photos and anatomically accurate line art, as well as helpful tables and charts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (March 31, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764118846
• ISBN-13: 978-0764118845
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,570,586 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading, January 27, 2003

By 

Timothy Sullivan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Giant Schnauzers (Paperback)

Giants are a very unusual breed and they take an unusual owner. We have two Giants and this book is right on the money. It should be required reading for anyone thinking about adding a Giant to their home. These dogs are powerful, stubborn, loving and loyal. Not everyone can be a successful Giant owner and that is why so many of these dogs end up in rescue.

Giant Schnauzers by Joe Stahlkuppe clearly describes these wonderful dogs and their needs. If you are thinking about purchasing a Giant, please read this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars The basic bronco, August 9, 2011

By 

Ashtar Command "Seeker" (Stockholm, Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Giant Schnauzers (Paperback)

My grandmother's sister had a Schnauzer, although I'm not sure whether it was Standard or Giant. It looked Giant to us kids. Apparently, this particular dog was almost a Schnauzer caricature: a virtual lap dog towards the owners, and extremely aggressive towards everyone else, including neighbours, relatives and us kids. Its barks sounded psychotic, and the dog had to be placed in a literal cage on the front yard every time grandma's sister had visitors. Approaching the cage was a bad idea. A causal stroll outside Little Pumpkin's doghouse was another no-no.

As you might imagine, I enjoyed reading "Giant Schnauzers" by Joe Stahlkuppe. While Mushkins might have been extreme, her "issues" were certainly typical of Giants in particular. This is definitely not a breed for the beginner, or for families with small children. Indeed, the author recommends new owners to have a mentor or pay for a special trainer! Stern, consistent and constant training is required to socialize a Giant Schnauzer, and even then, some dogs might still not "get it". The innate suspicion of the Giant against strangers makes it the perfect protector, but also a potential threat to the pizza delivery man, mail man or door-to-door salesman. As Stahlkuppe points out: "A Giant Schnauzer loose in a suburban neighbourhood is, at the very least, a potential lawsuit".

One thing that struck me while reading the book, is that Giant Schnauzer's require stable, conservative families. Divorcing your wife and then introducing the dog to your new companion and her kids would be a VERY bad idea. It probably wouldn't accept them - ever. Small wonder this breed is a product of 19th century Germany. Nor is it surprising that the Giant Schnauzer is a popular police dog. On the other hand, even Giants have a certain "feminist" potential. Had I been a childless, old widow in bad surroundings, this would definitely be my first choice for a pet/protector!

"Giant Schnauzers" is an introductory book for people who never heard of this particular breed before. Still, I think it contains enough information to decide whether this is your kind of dog or not. (Probably not!) It also contains a lot of colour photographs of this adorable creature, including a photo of a Giant approaching two leashed sheep. The caption reads: "It is important to socialize a Giant with any animals that it may encounter".

You might say that again.

(This review is based on the 2002 edition.)

5.0 out of 5 stars Origins, Temperament, Physical Traits, And More, September 4, 2008

By 

Aung Htun (811 Lavina St. Fort Wayne IN 46802-4030) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Giant Schnauzers (Paperback)

"The Typical Giant Schnauzer:
ORIGINS, TEMPERAMENT, PHYSICAL TRAITS, AND MORE

Expert advice:
Selecting, feeding, health care, training, grooming, and more

Understanding your Giant Schnauzer:
Special dietary needs, understanding its vocal and body language, more....."
[from the book of the back cover]