Cattle

Archive for February 26th, 2010

The Giant Schnauzer, also referred to as a Riesenschnauzer, is a German breed that was developed to be a cattle dog. It is suspected that this breed was created by crossing rough-coated shepherd, Bouvier des Flandres, smooth-coated drover dogs, and Great Danes. Today this breed is used as a guard dog, as a watch dog and as a family dog.

This impressive breed stands between 23.5 and 27.5 inches tall and weighs between 70 and 77 pounds. Their coat is short and wiry and it comes in solid black or salt and pepper variations. This is a very loyal and protective breed that can fit into just about any type of family as long as they are socialized properly. To keep the Giant Schnauzer happy and healthy you will need to provide it with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Giant Schnauzers are actually not gigantic dogs as suggested by their name, but simply a larger and more powerful version of the Standard Schnauzer.

They will only reach the heights of 28 inches for males and 26 inches for females. Giant Schnauzers that go beyond 80 pounds are considered overweight.

Origin:

The breed was developed in the Wurttemberg and Bavarian sections of Germany. These places were agricultural areas. Dogs like the Giant Schnauzers are in high demand as farm workers that help in variety of tasks. They were used as livestock controllers and they aid shepherds with driving livestock to market. They were also used as guard dogs

Appearance and Abilities:

Giant Schnauzers are practically enlarged standard schnauzers. In general appearance, they should resemble their smaller relatives. They are robust, strongly built, nearly square in proportion of body length to height at withers, active, sturdy, and well muscled.

They have a rugged build with a dense weather resistant coat that is wiry. They are powerful dogs and are very useful as working breeds. Giant Schnauzers are versatile and very intelligent. Their high train-ability makes them useful for police work as well.

The Giant Schnauzers coat, distinctive beard and eyebrows are its trademark appearance. The breed is accepted in solid black or salt and pepper.

They have free, balanced and vigorous gaits, with good reach in the forequarters and good driving power in the hindquarters. When moving at a fast trot, a properly built dog will have a strong, firm, and flat gait.

Temperament and Tendencies:

Giant Schnauzers are active and always in high spirits. They are extremely intelligent and have reliable temperaments. This breed loves to work and it naturally wants a job to do.

They have strong territorial; instincts which makes them very good watchdogs. The Giant Schnauzer loves his owners and feels great responsibility to protect them. Fortunately, its remarkable intelligence makes it learns quickly to distinguish between friend and foe.

Giant Schnauzers are bold and valiant creatures. They are courageous and enduring. They have profound alertness with intelligence and reliability. However, they are genuinely composed and deeply loyal to family. They can be amiable and playful with people they are comfortable with. But they are very commanding creatures when aroused.

Training and Care:

The objective in training this dog is to achieve the alpha dog status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack works together under a single leader. As an owner, always assume the top position to manage and control your Giant Schnauzers behavior.

This breed must be socialized early and extensively to prevent the strong territorial instincts and to keep them from becoming hostile.

Giant Schnauzers need a lot of exercise, requiring daily walks, playtime with another dog or romps in the yard.

The breed requires regular grooming, including brushing and stripping. Giant Schnauzers’ owners should be prepared to spend time maintaining the breed’s coat.

So, you have wanted a horse all your life, but you can’t seem to get your parents to agree to get you one. Well, what you need is a plan, a parent friendly plan that shows your parents just how a horse will affect your life.

Start off by getting a job. I know, everyone says that, but it is really important. By getting a job you will show your parents that you are responsible enough to manage money. You will need at least $500-600 a month to care for a horse, so show your parents that you can earn that much money. Start a savings with your income and set aside enough money to pay for at least two months of board.

Next, find a barn that is local where you could keep your horse. Find out what the costs of keeping a horse there are. Be sure to include vet and farrier costs in your cost estimate. Get all these numbers on paper so that you can show your parents the actual costs.

Now consider what you could be doing if you did not have a horse. Are you currently spending a lot of time out partying or hanging out with friends? Be prepared to lose much of that time to your horse. Show your parents that these things are less important to you than your horse would be. Explain to them that you would be more concerned about paying your horse’s upkeep and working with your horse than going out late to parties or getting into things your parents would prefer you avoid (after all, who can afford drugs or alcohol if all the money is going to the horse).

With this information in hand, sit down with your parents and have a long talk. Discuss doing a trial run of horse ownership. You can either take on a part board situation or a lease of a horse. This way you avoid the initial cost of buying a horse, but still get the chance to show your parents how you will handle horse ownership.

If your parents agree to the trial, be sure to keep up your side of the bargain. Pay your horse’s expenses. Your parents should not have to foot the bill unless there is an unforeseen emergency. Go out to the barn as often as you can, and avoid going out and partying late. If you can keep this up for a year’s lease or part-board, your parents might actually start to see things your way.

Owning a horse is a huge responsibility, and you will need to do everything in your ability to prove that you are up for the challenge. Many kids just can’t manage the stress of having a job and paying for their own horse. On the other hand, parents are stressed enough just paying for the general bills. If you can prove that you will be self sufficient, you will give your parents the chance to accept your proposal without fretting that you will leave them in the lurch.