Giant Schnauzer Prices Australia

Are you thinking about getting a Giant Schnauzer? Get ready for a big personality, a big beard, and an even bigger financial commitment! This strong, intelligent breed needs proper training, high-quality food, and regular grooming to keep them looking their best, not to mention there’s the upfront price of buying your pup in the first place. So, how much does it cost to own a Giant Schnauzer with all of this in mind? That’s what we’ll be looking at today. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about the care needs of this wonderful breed and, importantly, how much you’ll need to budget for throughout their lifetime.

How Much Does a Giant Schnauzer Cost in Australia?

The first cost of owning a Giant Schnauzer is the price of the dog, and this will vary depending on where you buy it from. For instance, buying a Giant Schnauzer from a registered breeder will come with a price tag of around $4,000 – $6,000, while adopting is much cheaper, with fees averaging $400 – $800.

You might spot Giant Schnauzer puppies being sold at prices much lower than this, but consider this a red flag. These puppies are likely from unregistered breeders, who will prioritise profit over the health and wellbeing of their puppies and parent dogs, potentially resulting in medical and behavioural issues down the line. So, to make sure you’re getting a healthy, happy, well-adjusted puppy, only ever buy from a registered breeder or through a rescue shelter.

Average Price of a Giant Schnauzer When Buying Through a Registered Giant Schnauzer Breeder in Australia

If you feel the best approach for you is buying a Giant Schnauzer through a registered breeder, you should be prepared to spend between $4,000 and $6,000 for a puppy. Within this range, the actual price will depend on several factors, which we’ll look at in more detail in a moment. But as an example, a puppy who has undergone health screenings and has a champion heritage will be at the higher end of the price scale.

Average Price of a Giant Schnauzer When Buying Through an Adoption Shelter in Australia

Adoption is your other option, and it comes with a much lower price tag of around $400 – $800. This also usually covers the cost of some first-year vet care like vaccinations and microchipping, as well as desexing, which is something every good rescue shelter will arrange before you can bring your pup home. Sounds good, right? But before you head to your local shelter, it is worth remembering that as Giant Schnauzers are a pretty rare breed in Australia, it can be difficult to find one in need of a second chance. Luckily, there are some breed-specific shelters, like Schnauzer Rescue Australia, where you can register your interest and potentially speed things up a bit.

Factors Influencing the Cost of a Giant Schnauzer

As we mentioned above, there are a few things that influence how much a Giant Schnauzer will be priced. Here’s what you need to know:

Lineage

Giant Schnauzers that come from show-winning bloodlines and have ancestors who have continuously met the breed standards outlined by Dogs Australia will be priced higher than pet-quality dogs. This is because they’ll not only stand a much better chance of excelling in dog shows but will also be less likely to suffer from inherited genetic disorders. This isn’t the only thing that lineage plays a role in when it comes to pricing, though. For instance, Giant Schnauzers bred for working roles (such as police, military, or protection work) will often have a higher price tag because they’ve been bred for a specific purpose and will have inherited the most desirable traits from their parents for their intended role.

Coat

The Giant Schnauzer’s coat will also play a role in how much a breeder is asking for their puppies. Giant Schnauzers come in either solid black or pepper and salt, but as the latter is the rarer, puppies sporting this coat will likely have a higher price tag compared to the much more common solid black coat.

Breeder Reputation

Then, there’s the work that the breeder has put into raising their puppies. A registered breeder with a good reputation will have spent money on providing their puppies with the best possible start in life, including the best possible nutrition and making sure they have early socialisation. This increases their costs, which will be reflected in the price of the puppies. Likewise, a reputable breeder will also invest in genetic health screenings to test for problems like hip dysplasia and cardiomyopathy. Again, this comes at a cost to the breeder, which is picked up in the price of the puppies.

Costs of Essentials for Your Giant Schnauzer

Regardless of where you buy them from, before your Giant Schnauzer comes home, you’ll need to pick up some essentials. Here’s what you should budget for:

• Dog crate: $180 – $300 for an extra-large crate that can be used for training and for providing your Giant Schnauzer with a safe space to rest.
• Dog bed: $100 – $200 for a large, supportive, memory foam bed capable of allowing them to stretch out while taking pressure off their joints.
• Dog collar/lead: $50 – $100 for a strong collar and a heavy-duty lead that offers you good control and can withstand sudden pulling without breaking.
• Feeding bowl: $30 – $50 for a large, non-slip, slow-feeder bowl to help prevent gulping and reduce the risk of bloating or other digestive issues.
• Dog toothbrush: $20 – $40 for a canine-specific toothbrush and enzymatic toothpaste to prevent plaque buildup and improve overall oral hygiene.
• Dog car harness: $70 – $100 for a suitably sized and crash-tested harness that will secure your Giant Schnauzer during car rides.
• Puppy treats: $30 – $40 per month to use for training and positive reinforcement, as well as encouraging self-play and downtime.
• Puppy training pads: $30 – $50 for disposable or reusable pads to aid with early weeks housetraining.
• Dog shampoo & conditioner: $20 – $40 for a deep-cleaning, hypoallergenic shampoo that will remove dirt and excess oils without damaging the skin.
• Dog nail clippers, brushes, & combs: $60 – $90 for a full grooming kit, including a slicker brush, metal comb, de-shedding tool, and nail clippers for at-home grooming.

Giant Schnauzer Maintenance Costs

Along with those essentials, your Giant Schnauzer will also need ongoing care, from food to grooming, which you’ll also have to foot the bill for. Let’s take a closer look at the average prices of these below.

How Much Does it Cost to Feed a Giant Schnauzer?

Giant Schnauzers should weigh between 34kg and 41kg when fully grown, depending on their sex, and they have high energy levels and need around 450g – 700g of food every day to stay healthy. This means, over the course of a month and following the diets below, you could spend between $90 and $360 on dog food.

• Cost per day on a dry kibble diet: $3 – $7 for a high-protein, grain-free mix formulated for large dog breeds and with added muscle and joint health support.
• Cost per day on a wet food diet: $4 – $9 for a high-quality canned food made with real meat and added vegetables.
• Cost per day on a raw diet: $7 – $12 for a custom-designed mix of raw meats, organs, bones, and vegetables.

It is important to remember that the amount you’ll actually spend will vary across these diets and the brand of food you choose, as well as your Giant Schnauzer’s age, sex, and health. It’s always best to consult your vet before deciding which feeding plan works best for your individual dog.

How Much Will Veterinary Care Typically Cost for a Giant Schnauzer?

The next maintenance cost to think about is vet care, which your Giant Schnauzer will need all year round to stay healthy. Here’s what you can expect to pay across various preventative care procedures:

Cost of Routine Preventative Care:

• Annual vet checkups: $100 – $150 for a full health exam, including checking for early signs of disease and illness, monitoring weight, and general wellness advice.
• Vaccinations: $120 – $200 per year for core vaccinations that protect against parvovirus, distemper, and canine hepatitis, as well as optional kennel cough vaccinations.
• Worming and parasite treatments: $20 – $50 per month to stop your Giant Schnauzer from catching fleas, ticks, and various worms, all of which can cause serious health problems.
• Dental cleaning: $300 – $600 every few years to clean away plaque and tartar buildup and perform any necessary extractions under anaesthetic.
• Pet insurance: $50 – $120 per month for help covering the cost of unexpected or expensive medical procedures, with higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions.

How Much Should I Expect to Pay for a Giant Schnauzer’s Grooming?

Grooming is one of the most important ongoing expenses for a Giant Schnauzer, as their thick, wiry double coat needs regular maintenance to prevent matting and keep them looking sharp. Here’s what professional grooming services will cost you on average:

• Hydrobath prices: $50 – $90 for a deep-cleaning bath that removes dirt, oils, and allergens while protecting the skin.
• Full groom prices: $100 – $150 for hand-stripping, bathing, blow-drying, trimming, ear cleaning, and nail clipping.
• Face, feet, and tail groom prices: $40 – $70 for regular touch-ups in between full trims to stop tangling and matting, especially around the eyebrows and beard.

Giant Schnauzer Training Costs

Just like their smaller counterparts, Giant Schnauzers are intelligent but strong-willed, and this means early and consistent training is needed to make sure they’re well-behaved. Here’s what training costs might look like:

• Basic obedience training: $200 – $300 for a 6-week course that covers commands like sit and stay, recall, and polite lead walking.
• Puppy training class prices: $100 – $250 for a multi-week group class focused on socialisation, confidence-building, and foundational commands.
• Specialised training prices: $100 – $250 per session for one-on-one training to help with specific behavioural issues like guarding, prey drive, or excessive barking.

Understanding the Full Costs of Owning a Giant Schnauzer

Giant Schnauzers aren’t just big in size – their expenses are big, too! So, before you decide bringing one into your life is a good choice, take the time to think about the costs we’ve outlined above and the fact they have an average lifespan of 10 – 12 years, meaning you’ll be covering these costs for a pretty long time. If you do feel confident you can give a Giant Schnauzer everything they need for the best possible life, you’ll be getting a gentle giant who will fill your life with endless joy.