Is the Giant Schnauzer Better than the Komondor as a Pet? Answer…

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Giant Schnauzer Versus Komondor: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Giant Schnauzer and for the Komondor. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Giant Schnauzer or the Komondor.

Giant Schnauzer versus Komondor

Giant Schnauzer versus Komondor: Overview

Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor are similar in size. The Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor are both large-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor are Working Dogs. This means both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Giant Schnauzer versus Komondor: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Giant Schnauzer to the Komondor based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor

Factor Giant Schnauzer Komondor
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 5/5
Height 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Kid-Friendly 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 55 to 80 pounds 80 to 100 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2220 $840
Price Range $1800 – $2500 $550 – $800
Temperament Score 77.4 percent 90.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- min age 9 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 77 170

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Giant Schnauzer in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Komondor. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Giant Schnauzer is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Komondor is 70 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Komondor is not better or worse than the Giant Schnauzer. So, you can get the Komondor or the Giant Schnauzer!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor

    Below is a list of where the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor are most different:

  • Giant Schnauzers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Komondors have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • The Similarities Between the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor

    The Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor are most similar:

  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor are very easy to train.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Giant Schnauzer versus Komondor

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor.

    Giant Schnauzers weigh 55 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Giant Schnauzers are 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Komondors weigh 80 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Komondors are 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Giant Schnauzer versus Komondor

    The lifespan of Giant Schnauzers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Giant Schnauzers is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Komondors is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Komondors is 11.0 years.

    Temperament of the Komondor Versus the Giant Schnauzer

    The Komondor has a better temperament than the Giant Schnauzer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Komondor is 90.0 percent while the temperament score for the Giant Schnauzer is 77.4 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 77.4 percent, the Giant Schnauzer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 90.0 percent, the Komondor has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor by measuring the temperaments of 265 Giant Schnauzers and 10 Komondors.

    Price of Giant Schnauzer versus Price of Komondor

    The average price of the Giant Schnauzer puppy is $2220. The price of the Giant Schnauzer typically ranges from $1800 – $2500. However, the price of a Giant Schnauzer can be as low as $1200 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 114 Giant Schnauzer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Komondor puppy is $840. The price of the Komondor typically ranges from $550 – $800. However, the price of the Komondor can be as low as $500 and as high as $1800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 17 Komondor puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Giant Schnauzer is more expensive than the Komondor.

    Giant Schnauzer Komondor
    Average Price $2220 $840
    Price Range $1800 to $2500 $550 to $800

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Giant Schnauzer and Komondor. For different price points, the charts show how many Giant Schnauzer puppies or how many Komondor puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Giant Schnauzers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Giant Schnauzers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Komondors

    A breakdown of the prices of Komondors

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Giant Schnauzer puppy or the Komondor puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Popularity of Giant Schnauzer versus Popularity of Komondor

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Giant Schnauzer is more popular with dog owners than the Komondor. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Giant Schnauzer is 77 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Komondor is 170 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Giant Schnauzer

    Popularity of Giant Schnauzer

    Popularity of Komondor

    Popularity of Komondor

    Year Giant Schnauzer Popularity Rank Komondor Popularity Rank
    2013 83 159
    2014 83 168
    2015 81 163
    2016 79 177
    2017 80 163
    2018 78 173
    2019 71 181
    2020 67 178

    Health Problems of Giant Schnauzer versus Health Problems of Komondor

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Komondor is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Giant Schnauzer.

    3 health tests are recommended for Giant Schnauzer while 3 tests are recommended for the Komondor.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Giant Schnauzers and in Komondors.

    Giant Schnauzer Health Problems

    Giant Schnauzers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Giant Schnauzer puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Giant Schnauzer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Giant Schnauzer breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Giant Schnauzers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Giant Schnauzers here.

    Komondor Health Problems

    Komondors are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Komondor puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Komondor puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Komondor breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Komondors for:

  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- min age 9 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Komondors here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Giant Schnauzers and Komondors

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Giant Schnauzer Breed is Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    This is because the Giant Schnauzer ranks 9 out of 32 dog breeds for Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 86 Giant Schnauzers, 1 of them had Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Giant Schnauzers, and how common these diseases are in Giant Schnauzers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 9 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 26 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 48 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 51 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 54 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Komondor Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Komondor ranks 19 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 54 Komondors, 1 of them had Eyes problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Komondors, and how common these diseases are in Komondors relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Eyes problems: Rank 19 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 30 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 90 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Giant Schnauzer and in Komondor and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor:

    Disease Giant Schnauzer Rank Komondor Rank
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 9 out of 32 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 26 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 48 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 51 out of 182 dog breeds 19 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 54 out of 198 dog breeds 90 out of 198 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 30 out of 70 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Giant Schnauzer versus Komondor

    Giant Schnauzers do not like to be left alone.

    Komondors do not like to be left alone.

    Do Giant Schnauzers shed more than Komondors?

    Giant Schnauzers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Komondors shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Giant Schnauzer or the Komondor

    Giant Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Komondors do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Giant Schnauzer or the Komondor?

    Giant Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Komondors require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Giant Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Komondor?

    Giant Schnauzers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Komondors have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Giant Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Komondors?

    Giant Schnauzers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Komondors are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Giant Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Komondors Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Giant Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Komondors can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Giant Schnauzer vs. Komondor

    Giant Schnauzers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Komondors have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Giant Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Komondors Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Giant Schnauzers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Komondors can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Giant Schnauzer or the Komondor?

    Giant Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Komondors do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Giant Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Komondors?

    Giant Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Komondors are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Giant Schnauzers and Komondors?

    Giant Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Komondors get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Giant Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Komondor?

    Giant Schnauzers are very easy to train.

    Komondors are very easy to train.

    Is the Giant Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the Komondor?

    Giant Schnauzers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Komondors do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Giant Schnauzer or the Komondor?

    Giant Schnauzers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Komondors are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Giant Schnauzer

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Giant Schnauzer that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Giant Schnauzer:

  • Airedale Terrier (76 percent match with Giant Schnauzer). Here is our comparison of the Komondor vs Airedale Terrier.
  • Gordon Setter (79 percent match with Giant Schnauzer). Here is our comparison of the Komondor vs Gordon Setter.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Komondor

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Komondor that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Komondor:

  • Belgian Tervuren (70 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Giant Schnauzer vs Belgian Tervuren.
  • Black Russian Terrier (70 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Giant Schnauzer vs Black Russian Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Giant Schnauzer and how the Komondor compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Giant Schnauzer and of the Komondor to other breeds:

    Giant Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Giant Schnauzer versus Mudi     Giant Schnauzer versus Cockapoo     Giant Schnauzer versus Manchester Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Irish Wolfhound     Giant Schnauzer versus Norwegian Buhund     Giant Schnauzer versus Boston Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus American Water Spaniel     Giant Schnauzer versus Skye Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Coton de Tulear     Giant Schnauzer versus Australian Kelpie     Giant Schnauzer versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus American Eskimo Dog     Giant Schnauzer versus Sealyham Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Giant Schnauzer versus Beaglier     Giant Schnauzer versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Giant Schnauzer versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Giant Schnauzer versus Borzoi     Giant Schnauzer versus Puggle     Giant Schnauzer versus Rottweiler     Giant Schnauzer versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Shiba Inu     Giant Schnauzer versus Kooikerhondje     Giant Schnauzer versus Silky Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     

    Komondor Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Komondor versus Shih Tzu     Komondor versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Komondor versus Norfolk Terrier     Komondor versus Karelian Bear Dog     Komondor versus Pomchi     Komondor versus Bouvier des Flandres     Komondor versus Pointer     Komondor versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Komondor versus Coton de Tulear     Komondor versus Boykin Spaniel     Komondor versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Komondor versus Brussels Griffon     Komondor versus Boykin Spaniel     Komondor versus Berger Picard     Komondor versus Bearded Collie     Komondor versus Shichon     Komondor versus Portuguese Pointer     Komondor versus Portuguese Water Dog     Komondor versus Bulldog     Komondor versus Labradoodle     Komondor versus Norwegian Lundehund     Komondor versus Frenchton     Komondor versus Black Mouth Cur     Komondor versus Irish Water Spaniel     Komondor versus Canaan Dog     

    Conclusion: Giant Schnauzer versus Komondor. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Giant Schnauzer and the Komondor better suits you and your family.