Himalayan Mastiff vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison

Himalayan Mastiff vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed ComparisonHimalayan Mastiff is originated from India but Giant Schnauzer is originated from Germany. Both Himalayan Mastiff and Giant Schnauzer are having almost same height. Himalayan Mastiff may weigh 30 kg / 67 pounds more than Giant Schnauzer. Himalayan Mastiff may live 3 years more than Giant Schnauzer. Both Himalayan Mastiff and Giant Schnauzer has almost same litter size. Both Himalayan Mastiff and Giant Schnauzer requires Moderate maintenance.

History

himalayan mastiff - historyThe Himalayan Mastiff or Tibetan Mastiff is an ancient breed. Bred to be guardians of the flock, they could take care of leopards and wolves or anything else that tied to hurt the flock. The Himalaya Mastiff is found in the Himalayan area of Tibet. They are descendants of the Tibetan dogs that developed almost any Mastiff or Molosser on earth. They may have been in the mountains since the early 1100 BC. and have been fairly isolated. It was in this isolation that the Himalayan Mastiff developed.

Their function at that time was mostly to guard property. In some circumstances an entire village is guarded by one dog. It was also during this period that the breed was taught to be aggressive by tying them up as puppies. They guarded families while the men moved the village flock higher up in the mountains. They stayed in isolation until the mid-1800’s when the Queen of England was given a Himalayan Mastiff. For thousands of years, this dog was a nomad.

Soon the breed was being exported to England. A standard was developed, and the British began to breed them. Next, they were exported to Nepal, Afghanistan, India and the United States. They are rare in Tibet these days but more popular than ever in England and the United States. The first American Himalaya Tibetan Mastiff Association came into being in 1974 and in 2006 it was recognized by the AKC.

Today in the West, the Himalayan is a domesticated, family dog. It hardly fits in an apartment of course. These new western Himalayan Mastiffs are more easy- going than the Tibetan ones, but they are still wary of strangers and somewhat aloof. They are also still very protective and nocturnal. They are smart, independent and stubborn. They are not easy to train but socialization and obedience training is essential.

A study done in 2011 showed that it is very likely that many large breed dogs were descended from this Mastiff. This includes the St. Bernard, the Rottweiler, Bernese Mountain Dog and the Great Pyrenees. Later studies showed that the Mastiff’s ability to survive in the rare air of the Himalayans was due to interbreeding with Tibetan wolves in ancient, prehistoric times. Now they are competing in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

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.

Description

himalayan mastiff puppy - descriptionThe Himalayan Mastiff is a giant, massive dog longer than it is tall. The breed has a heavy, broad head and square muzzle. They have black noses, a level bite and almond shaped, slanted, deep set eyes. They are brown, and the ears hang close to the head. They are heavy, muscular and sturdy. They have a feathered tail curving over their back. With a heavy, thick double coat and mane they resemble a lion at times. The coat can be brown, black, and gray-blue with gold or tan markings. These are impressive and noble dogs, athletic, with cat like feet. They are agile and light on their feet.

According to some breeders there are two different kinds or types of Himalayan Mastiff. These are the Tsang-khyi or the monastery mastiff type and the Do-khyi or the nomad mastiff type. The monastery is a heavier, taller dog who face is very wrinkled while the nomad is a leaner dog with less facial wrinkles. In any litter there can be both kinds. The kind of work that was given to each dog was dependent on their type. The Monastery kind is given stationary jobs and the nomad kind got the active jobs.

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.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

himalayan mastiff dog - characteristicsyes, they are if properly socialized.

Special talents

Their athletic ability

Adaptability

They cannot live in an apartment. They need a large yard.

Learning ability

They are intelligent, but difficult to train. They are stubborn and independent.

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.

Health Problems

himalayan mastiff puppies - health problemsBeing a large breed of canine, the Himalayan Mastiff has some of the typical health issues of large dogs. However, they also face a serious genetic disorder as well.

Canine Inherited Demyelinative Neuropathy (CIDN) – a fatal disorder seen in puppies by seven weeks of age. Puppies die before they are 5 months old.

  • Hip dysplasia – can cause lameness and arthritis.
  • Thyroid Issues – hypothyroidism or low thyroid test results.
  • Ear Infections – clean ears regularly to avoid these.

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.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

himalayan mastiff dogs - caringThis breed will eat less than you think they should but don’t overfeed. Puppies need a solid dry food for large dogs. You can free feed 1 cup three times per day.

Feeding the adult

For dogs over a year old you can free feed anywhere from two to four cups of dry food per day. Unlike many other breeds, the Himalaya Mastiff will only eat when hungry and they may not eat more than once a day. They will not overeat. The males might not eat at all when females are in season if they are around them.

Points for Good Health

They have good strength and athletic ability.

Games and Exercises

The Himalayan Mastiff needs regular, routine walks. It is important during these walks that the human leads the way, or the dog heals. Do not overwork a young Himalayan Mastiff. They need work related jobs like structured play time, walking the boundary of their territory, playing frisbee or catch. They work and play in short bursts then rest.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
India
Germany
Height Male:
61 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Height Female:
59 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
64 - 78 kg
141 - 172 pounds
25 - 48 kg
55 - 106 pounds
Weight Female:
61 - 75 kg
134 - 166 pounds
25 - 48 kg
55 - 106 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
5 - 8
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Do-Khyi Tsang-khyi Tibetan Mastiff
Riesenschnauzer
Colors Available:
brown, sable with white markings, blue, red, black, gray, gold
Black, salt and pepper grey color
Coat:
double coated, with a heavy, wooly undercoat and coarse guard hair.
Medium length, wiry and hard
Shedding:
Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  2. Presa Canario vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  3. Labrador Husky vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  4. Mackenzie River Husky vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  5. Pyredoodle vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  6. Lurcher vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  7. Maremma Sheepdog vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  8. Sarplaninac vs Himalayan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  9. Himalayan Mastiff vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  10. Himalayan Mastiff vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Himalayan Mastiff vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Himalayan Mastiff vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  13. Himalayan Mastiff vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  14. Himalayan Mastiff vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  15. Himalayan Mastiff vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  16. Himalayan Mastiff vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  17. Himalayan Mastiff vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  18. Himalayan Mastiff vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  19. Himalayan Mastiff vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  20. Himalayan Mastiff vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  21. Himalayan Mastiff vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  22. Himalayan Mastiff vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  23. Himalayan Mastiff vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  24. Himalayan Mastiff vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  25. Himalayan Mastiff vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  27. Great Pyrenees vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  28. Presa Canario vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  29. Labrador Husky vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  30. Giant Schnauzer vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  31. Giant Schnauzer vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  32. Giant Schnauzer vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  33. Giant Schnauzer vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  34. Giant Schnauzer vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  35. Giant Schnauzer vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  36. Giant Schnauzer vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  37. Giant Schnauzer vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  38. Giant Schnauzer vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  39. Giant Schnauzer vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  40. Giant Schnauzer vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  41. Giant Schnauzer vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  42. Giant Schnauzer vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  43. Giant Schnauzer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  44. Giant Schnauzer vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  45. Giant Schnauzer vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  46. Giant Schnauzer vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  47. Giant Schnauzer vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  48. Giant Schnauzer vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Giant Schnauzer vs German Longhaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  50. Giant Schnauzer vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds