Breed guide

Giant Schnauzer: healthy weight & calories

A healthy adult Giant Schnauzer usually weighs 25 to 48 kg (55.1 to 105.8 lb). That is a wide range because frame size varies a lot even within one breed, so how they feel under your hands matters more than the number alone.

Daily calories by activity level

Estimated for a Giant Schnauzer at 36.5 kg, a healthy weight in the middle of the breed range. Resting energy is 70 × weight0.75 kcal; the multiplier below scales it up for how much they move and whether they are desexed.

ActivityDesexedEntire
Mostly restsa few short potty walks 1,247 kcal 1,455 kcal
Short daily walks20 to 30 minutes total 1,455 kcal 1,663 kcal
Active most days45 to 60 minutes, some play 1,663 kcal 1,871 kcal
Very activeruns, hikes or dog sport 1,871 kcal 2,079 kcal

Puppies get roughly twice their resting energy while growing, about 2,079 kcal a day at this weight, but puppy needs change every few weeks so this is a starting point, not a fixed number. Seniors typically need about 10% less than an adult at the same activity level.

Good to know for a Giant Schnauzer

High energy dogs often gain weight when the exercise drops rather than when the food goes up. Keep the weekly plan steady and the portions weighed.

Why the weight matters

Studies of dogs a similar size to a Giant Schnauzer found overweight dogs had a shorter median life span than lean ones, by 0.4 to 0.9 years (Salt et al. 2019). That is an association from observational data, not a promise, but it is one of the largest studies of its kind.

Get their exact numbers

This page gives a breed-level estimate. For portions in grams, a calorie target adjusted for your dog's own age, activity and desexed status, and a 7-day activity plan, take the free 60-second check.

Check Giant Schnauzer free →

How much should a Giant Schnauzer weigh?

A healthy adult Giant Schnauzer typically weighs 25 to 48 kg (55.1 to 105.8 lb). Frame size varies a lot within a breed, so body condition (can you feel the ribs?) matters more than the number on the scale.

How many calories does a Giant Schnauzer need a day?

A desexed adult Giant Schnauzer at a healthy weight typically needs roughly 1,455 kcal a day with short daily walks, more if they are very active or not desexed, less if they mostly rest. Use the calculator below for a number tailored to your dog.

Similar breeds: Doberman, Dogo Argentino, Weimaraner

Also see: the dog calorie calculator · is my dog overweight? · all breeds

This is an estimate, not a diagnosis. Talk to your vet before changing your dog's diet or exercise. How we work this out