Black Russian Terrier vs Giant Schnauzer

A Black Russian Terrier
Photo: Seongbin Im
A Giant Schnauzer
Photo: Original uploader was Der Schnauzer at fr.wikipedia

Side by side

Black Russian Terrier
Giant Schnauzer
Adult weight
Males 50–60 kg (110–132 lb); females 45–50 kg (99–110 lb) (breed club figure)1
35–47 kg (77–104 lb)2
Lifespan
Median 10.9 years3
Median 12.1 years3
Fully grown
13 months, both sexes4
Group
Pinschers & molossoids5
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
No sourced figure
Toe melanoma (far more likely); Skin melanoma (much more likely)6
Class
Watchdog
Watchdog

Which suits you

Size
The Black Russian Terrier is a little larger on average: about 51 kg (113 lb) as an adult, against 41 kg (90 lb) for the Giant Schnauzer.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Giant Schnauzer lives longer: a median of 12.1 years, against 10.9 for the Black Russian Terrier.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Black Russian Terrier: affectionate on its own terms; Giant Schnauzer: likes its own space).
Alike
Both are rated the same on loyalty: sticks close to its people.
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

Black Russian Terrier
Pinschers & molossoids · Large

By temperament the breed is calm, self-assured and watchful. It is reserved with strangers and closely attached to its own family.

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 Black Russian Terrier page →The Giant Schnauzer page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Black Russian Terrier
Giant Schnauzer
Activity
Differs
A good daily walk and play
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
Black Russian Terrier
Giant Schnauzer
Affection
Differs
Affectionate on its own terms
Likes its own space
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Black Russian Terrier
Giant Schnauzer
Sensitivity
Average
Average
Voice
Barks to alert, then settles
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Chases; needs managing
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 Black Russian Terrier grows to the heavier adult, about 53 kg against the Giant Schnauzer's 41 kg.
Black Russian Terrier
Giant Schnauzer
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More comparisons

Compare the Black Russian Terrier with
Bouvier des Flandres vs Giant SchnauzerGiant Schnauzer vs Standard SchnauzerAiredale Terrier vs Giant SchnauzerBlack Russian Terrier vs Bouvier des FlandresBlack Russian Terrier vs Cane CorsoBernese Mountain Dog vs Giant SchnauzerAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·