All Dog Breeds >>History of Giant Schnauzer
Giants have been described as far back as 1832 from cattle and pig farms in the Bavarian highlands region of Germany and had been called oberlanders, although a written breed standard was not established until 1923. It was at this time (breed description and showing of these dogs) that some breeders used standard schnauzers to help fix the schnauzer type and developed the central German type Giant Schnauzer.
The Munich type and oblanders were used for power and size. After World War I, the Giant Schnauzer was significantly reduced in numbers. The Kennel (Kinzigtal) owned by C. Clalaminus, contributed to reestablishing the breed. It was this kennel that admitted to three crosses to dogs of other breeds to assist with dominant black colour, well-crested neck and correct head proportions. It is speculated that the black Great Dane, and or the Bouvier des Roulers may have been the breed of the three unknown crosses.
Still the foundation stock was oblanders to which oversize standard schnauzers were added. In the book Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, Celia raises giant schnauzers on Shelter Island, New York.