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

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Giant Schnauzer Versus Pekingese: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese? 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese 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 Pekingese. 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 Pekingese.

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 Pekingese.

Giant Schnauzer versus Pekingese

Giant Schnauzer versus Pekingese: Overview

A very important difference between the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Giant Schnauzer is a large-sized dog while the Pekingese is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Giant Schnauzer belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs 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.

On the other hand, the Pekingese belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Giant Schnauzer versus Pekingese: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Giant Schnauzer to the Pekingese 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 Pekingese

Factor Giant Schnauzer Pekingese
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 5/5
Height 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder
Kid-Friendly 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Weight 55 to 80 pounds 7 to 14 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2220 $1930
Price Range $1800 – $2500 $1288 – $2500
Temperament Score 77.4 percent 93.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 77 86
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 28 73

    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 Pekingese. 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 Pekingese is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pekingese is a better pet than the Giant Schnauzer. So, you should get the Pekingese!

    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 Pekingese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Giant Schnauzer versus Pekingese

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese

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

  • Giant Schnauzers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Pekingeses adapt well to apartment living.
  • Giant Schnauzers are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Pekingeses are good for new dog owners.
  • Giant Schnauzers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Pekingeses have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Giant Schnauzers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Pekingeses have low exercise needs.
  • The Similarities Between the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese

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

  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Giant Schnauzer versus Pekingese

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

    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, Pekingeses weigh 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Pekingeses are 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Giant Schnauzer versus Pekingese

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

    The lifespan of Pekingeses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pekingeses is 13.5 years.

    Pekingeses live longer than Giant Schnauzers.

    Giant Schnauzer versus Pekingese

    Temperament of the Pekingese Versus the Giant Schnauzer

    The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Giant Schnauzer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 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 93.3 percent, the Pekingese has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese by measuring the temperaments of 265 Giant Schnauzers and 15 Pekingeses.

    Price of Giant Schnauzer versus Price of Pekingese

    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 Pekingese puppy is $1930. The price of the Pekingese typically ranges from $1288 – $2500. However, the price of the Pekingese can be as low as $700 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 138 Pekingese puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Giant Schnauzer is more expensive than the Pekingese.

    Giant Schnauzer Pekingese
    Average Price $2220 $1930
    Price Range $1800 to $2500 $1288 to $2500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Giant Schnauzer and Pekingese. For different price points, the charts show how many Giant Schnauzer puppies or how many Pekingese 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 Pekingeses?

    A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Giant Schnauzer puppy or the Pekingese 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.

    Giant Schnauzer versus Pekingese

    Adopting the Giant Schnauzer versus Adopting the Pekingese

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Giant Schnauzers and many Pekingeses are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Giant Schnauzer named Hendrix – Costa Mesa Location that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Giant Schnauzers like Hendrix – Costa Mesa Location on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Giant Schnauzers, Pekingeses are also available for adoption. For example, Peabody is a Male Pekingese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pekingeses like Peabody that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Giant Schnauzer and the Pekingese can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Milo is the name of another Giant Schnauzer (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Dog is an adorable Male Pekingese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Giant Schnauzers and Pekingeses are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Giant Schnauzers and Pekingeses that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Giant Schnauzer versus the Intelligence of the Pekingese

    Giant Schnauzer Pekingese
    Intelligence Rank 28 out of 130 dog breeds 73 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More!

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Giant Schnauzer has an obedience intelligence rank of 28 out of 130 dog breeds. The Giant Schnauzer belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Giant Schnauzers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.

    The Pekingese has an obedience intelligence rank of 73 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pekingese belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pekingeses tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.

    The Giant Schnauzer is more intelligent than the Pekingese.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Giant Schnauzer versus Popularity of Pekingese

    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 Pekingese over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Giant Schnauzer is more popular with dog owners than the Pekingese. 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 Pekingese is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Giant Schnauzer

    Popularity of Giant Schnauzer

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Year Giant Schnauzer Popularity Rank Pekingese Popularity Rank
    2013 83 77
    2014 83 82
    2015 81 80
    2016 79 93
    2017 80 88
    2018 78 92
    2019 71 83
    2020 67 95

    Tolerates Being Alone: Giant Schnauzer versus Pekingese

    Giant Schnauzers do not like to be left alone.

    Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Giant Schnauzers shed more than Pekingeses?

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

    Pekingeses shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Giant Schnauzer or the Pekingese

    Giant Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

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

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

    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.

    Pekingeses 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.

    Do Giant Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Pekingeses?

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

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

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

    Giant Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Giant Schnauzer vs. Pekingese

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

    Pekingeses have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Giant Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Giant Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Giant Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Pekingeses?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Giant Schnauzers and Pekingeses?

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

    Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the Giant Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Pekingese?

    Giant Schnauzers are very easy to train.

    Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.

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

    Giant Schnauzers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pekingese 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 Pekingese:

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Giant Schnauzer vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Mal Shi (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Giant Schnauzer vs Mal Shi.
  • Pomeranian (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Giant Schnauzer vs Pomeranian.
  • Pomsky (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Giant Schnauzer vs Pomsky.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Giant Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Giant Schnauzer versus Berger Picard     Giant Schnauzer versus Saluki     Giant Schnauzer versus Yorkshire Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Korean Jindo Dog     Giant Schnauzer versus Tibetan Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus German Longhaired Pointer     Giant Schnauzer versus German Longhaired Pointer     Giant Schnauzer versus Saint Berdoodle     Giant Schnauzer versus Chinese Crested     Giant Schnauzer versus American Water Spaniel     Giant Schnauzer versus Azawakh     Giant Schnauzer versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Giant Schnauzer versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Bich Poo     Giant Schnauzer versus Norwegian Buhund     Giant Schnauzer versus Maremma Sheepdog     Giant Schnauzer versus Portuguese Pointer     Giant Schnauzer versus Siberian Husky     Giant Schnauzer versus Morkie     Giant Schnauzer versus Airedale Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Boerboel     Giant Schnauzer versus Yorkshire Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Cavachon     Giant Schnauzer versus Pug     Giant Schnauzer versus Pyrenean Shepherd     

    Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pekingese versus Lancashire Heeler     Pekingese versus Chi-Poo     Pekingese versus Shiranian     Pekingese versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Pekingese versus Kishu Ken     Pekingese versus Shiba Inu     Pekingese versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Pekingese versus Standard Schnauzer     Pekingese versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Pekingese versus Australian Terrier     Pekingese versus Yorkipoo     Pekingese versus Alaskan Malamute     Pekingese versus Lakeland Terrier     Pekingese versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Pekingese versus Saint Bernard     Pekingese versus Giant Schnauzer     Pekingese versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Pekingese versus Schipperke     Pekingese versus Bolognese     Pekingese versus Labrador Retriever     Pekingese versus Standard Schnauzer     Pekingese versus Black Russian Terrier     Pekingese versus Miniature Pinscher     Pekingese versus West Highland White Terrier     Pekingese versus Labrador Retriever     

    Conclusion: Giant Schnauzer versus Pekingese. 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 Pekingese better suits you and your family.