looking for a Giant in Scotland

[paws_up]

Hi there

I'm new to this forum, but thought it would be a good place to ask for some advice.

Myself and my partner are looking to take on a Giant Schnauzer this year, or perhaps next. We ideally want a puppy, ideally a bitch, but a male pup/young dog would be fine. My partner really likes the Minis, but he wants a big dog. He is allergic to some dogs, especially fluffy golden retriever types. He is not allergic to my collie, who is medium-haired (not smooth and not long!). This is the main issue, I have read that Scnauzers are low-allergenic dogs, but this cannot be guaranteed, I have heard from lots of owners of minis that they have family members who are allergic, but do not react to their dog. He wants to meet lots of Giants and test if they make him allergic before deciding. I am keen to learn how to hand-strip, I have watched it being done lots of times and understand it is a dying skill amongst dog groomers! We are both very active and want a dog that will keep up with running and cycling (once fully developed). I want a dog to train for obedience and perhaps agility, depending on the dog.

My daughter is 2 years old now so out of the baby stage. I'd ideally want a puppy for her to grow up with, but am not opposed to taking on a young dog to train up/socialise as long as she/he hadn't been traumatised by children. Im a firm believer that when children get bitten, it is almost always the parents' fault for not supervising them properly and educating the child in dog language and etiquete.

I'm a veterinary nurse and I run puppy and adult dog training classes so have lots of dog experience. I own a 14 yr old Border Collie and have lived with a malamute cross, plus caring for numerous other dogs over the years, so understand about high energy dogs. I have had very little experience with Giant Schnauzers. I have only met two now (both at the end of last year) and spent a brief amount of time with them and their owners, but I really like the ones that I have met.I have known a Standard who was a client of a vet I worked for, he was a lovely dog, very friendly and clever. I love the solidness of the breed, their intelligence and their loyal nature.

I want for my partner and I to meet a few Giants before we fully commit to choosing this breed as a dog to take into our lives, we live in Scotland so location is the issue. I have looked on the kennel club website for registered breeders, but there appears to be none in Scotland. We are going to attend dog shows this year to try and meet some Giants, but as they seem to be quite rare, this isnt ideal. We are going to go to Crufts, so if all else fails we can definelty meet some there.

So, Im asking from the forum, does anybody here live in Scotland who owns a Giant and would be up for meeting up with us? Just to go for a dog walk and ask questions. Or if there are any breeders in the North, who would be happy for us to arrange a visit. We are quite prepared to travel anywhere in UK to meet the perfect dog for us, but really need to meet some closer to home first before making our minds up. Also, does anyone have a dog allergy and keep a Giant? Do they enjoy Agility?

Also I have noticed that not many of the breeders' webpages state that their dogs are hip scored. They seem to advertise that they have been eye tested. As a veterinary nurse, this would be very important to me to ensure a pup I was buying came from parents and grandparents with low hip scores. If there are any breeders reading this who have had their dogs' hips scored and may have litters over 2012/13, please get in touch!

Thanks for reading

[riiseni]

Hi and welcome!
You sound like a sensible lady and a good candidate for a Giant. There are couple of people here who live in Scotland and I'm sure they'd be delighted to meet up with you. There is also a Championship show in Edinburgh where you could go and have a look and talk to people. I'll be at Crufts with one of mine if you fancy a chat. I have 3 Giants at the moment. Erik is my 4th and I can tell you that I will NEVER have another breed. They are addictive and you'll want more, believe me!
I'd recommend a bitch to start with, because they will give you a softer landing for the world of Giant. A world that is very different from your 'normal' dogs. You'll understand what I mean when you get one.
Hipscoring is in childs shoes as far as Giants come. A lot of breeders do now hipscore, but not many pedigrees have grandparents scores yet, some might. To be honest, I have been involved in a breed now for 10 years and I don't know any black Giants with hip dysplasia. I do know couple of p/s's with dodgy hips, but it's nothing like the other big German breeds.
Anyway, good luck with your search and keep us posted!

[montykins]

Hi

I'm in Newcastle and if you want to meet my Giant I'll pm you with my phone number
I amtoally besotted with Dylan who is my 2nd Giant, and it's nearly a year since I
travelled up to just south of Glasgow for him.
Kath

[BFG]

My hubby is allergic to moulting dogs but schnauzers are fine. We borrowed a mini before we got our Giant as i didn't know about this site then otherwise we would have probably done the same as you, we didn't know anyone who had a Giant 7 years ago.

Good luck with finding your pup.

[olly]

Hi, I have a Giant (Olly 18 months) and a Mini (Flynn 7 months). I live south of Glasgow and if you want to meet up that would be great. My son is allergic to dogs and cats (if we are visiting anyone with dogs he had to take his medicine before we go and that is also one of the reasons why we went for a Schnauzer) but he has had no problem at all with either of the dogs.

I also got both dogs from the same breeder in Scotland.

pm me if you would like to meet my two boys.

[Giantman]

Hello. Jenny. Were in Scotland are you ? I may be able to asssist you with both viewing giants and a puppy. Please get in touch to discuss. Regards. Andrew

[paws_up]

Well, we went along to the Caledonian Canine Society show in Edinburgh on Saturday, to be told there was possible 1 Giant going to be there, we waited at the working group ring, but possibly missed him/her, or possible he/she didnt enter. Oh well!

Does anyone know the date of the championship show that

There is also a Championship show in Edinburgh where you could go and have a look and talk to people.

quoted by riiseni above?

thanks!

[BBG]

That'll be the Scottish Kennel Club show. Last year it was at the Royal Highland Showground, but there is no show schedule available yet to check. 18th -20th May. I think the Giants are on the 18th but you'll have to check nearer the date. If you want to check schedules you can have a look at the Higham Press site.

[Caramomo]

At the Scottish Kennel Club the Working group is on the 20th, here is the schedule;

http://www.fossedata.co.uk/entry.asp?ref=SKC_MAY_12

[BBG]

Thanks Elaine.

Couldn't see it on Fossedata, and Higham don't have any info yet!

[Giantman]

Hi paws up. Please get in touch. ASAP. Thanks. Andrew

[henrys mum]

Hi Andrew if you send Jenny aka paws up a private message (button bottom left on posts) then she'll get an email notification of your message ;)

[Giantman]

Thanks

[kell]

Hi Jenny
I live in Dundee and have a 4 year old giant bitch. You would be welcome to visit and go for walk and meet Luath. You really will become addicted to the giants they are a handful at first for 2 - 3 years but if you are strict they turn into your best friend. I have had a stnadard, mini and this is my second giant. I want to breed from Luath but want to find a friend for her up here in Scotland but everyone I try in Dundee have had their dog neutered. Where do you live?

[sebi83]

[quote="kell"]Hi Jenny
I live in Dundee and have a 4 year old giant bitch. You would be welcome to visit and go for walk and meet Luath. You really will become addicted to the giants they are a handful at first for 2 - 3 years but if you are strict they turn into your best friend. I have had a stnadard, mini and this is my second giant. I want to breed from Luath but want to find a friend for her up here in Scotland but everyone I try in Dundee have had their dog neutered. Where do you live?[/quote

Hello Im from Colliston and have 6mth boy and i looking for profes grooming Can U help me??