Airedale Terrier vs Giant Schnauzer

An Airedale Terrier
Photo: Michail Jungierek
A Giant Schnauzer
Photo: Original uploader was Der Schnauzer at fr.wikipedia

Side by side

Airedale Terrier
Giant Schnauzer
Adult weight
23–32 kg (50–70 lb) (breed club figure)1
35–47 kg (77–104 lb)2
Lifespan
Median 12 years3
Median 12.1 years3
Fully grown
11 months, both sexes4
13 months, both sexes4
Group
Terriers5
Pinschers & molossoids2
Coat
Wire or harsh coat5
Wire or harsh coat2
Shedding
Holds loose hair until it is brushed or clipped out
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Health
Mouth melanoma (more likely); Skin melanoma (more likely)6
Toe melanoma (far more likely); Skin melanoma (much more likely)6
Class
Family
Watchdog

Which suits you

Size
The Giant Schnauzer is larger: about 41 kg (90 lb) as an adult, against 27 kg (60 lb) for the Airedale Terrier.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Airedale Terrier: affectionate on its own terms; Giant Schnauzer: likes its own space) and on independence (Airedale Terrier: decides for itself; Giant Schnauzer: cooperative, with its own ideas).
Alike
Both are rated the same on intelligence: needs daily brain work.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Airedale Terrier
Terriers · Large

In temperament the Airedale is confident, alert and lively, with the independent streak of a working terrier. It tends to stay playful well into adulthood and to be watchful with strangers.

Giant Schnauzer
Pinschers & molossoids · Large

In temperament the Giant Schnauzer is bold, alert and strongly territorial, reserved with strangers and devoted to its household.

The Airedale Terrier page →The Giant Schnauzer page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Airedale Terrier
Giant Schnauzer
Activity
Needs lots of exercise
Needs lots of exercise
Intelligence
Needs daily brain work
Needs daily brain work
Handler demand
Needs an experienced owner
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Airedale Terrier
Giant Schnauzer
Affection
Differs
Affectionate on its own terms
Likes its own space
Loyalty
Differs
Bonded to its family
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Airedale Terrier
Giant Schnauzer
Sensitivity
Differs
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Average
Voice
Barks to alert, then settles
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Differs
Likely to chase small pets
Chases; needs managing
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour7. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home8,9.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Giant Schnauzer grows to the heavier adult, about 41 kg against the Airedale Terrier's 27 kg.
Airedale Terrier
Giant Schnauzer
02040602m4m6m9m12m18m
02040602m3m4m6m9m12m18m

More comparisons

Compare the Airedale Terrier with
Black Russian Terrier vs Giant SchnauzerAiredale Terrier vs Standard SchnauzerBouvier des Flandres vs Giant SchnauzerAiredale Terrier vs Welsh TerrierGiant Schnauzer vs Standard SchnauzerAiredale Terrier vs Irish TerrierAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·