After loosing my beloved Sarge in December, I now feel ready for another dog as much as I love Bullmastiffs and would really love another one I know I will never find another friend that was quite like him, so I would like to take a different direction and own a completely different breed altogether I've always admired the Giant Schnauzer and would really like to know more about them, I assume they are an active dog which is not a problem I love spending a lot of time out in the open with my dogs I always like them to be with me whatever I am doing :) 
Now about Giant Schnauzers? :D  What are they like to live with in a family life?  I have my husbands children that spend an awful lot of time with us, how do they cope living with other dogs & animals? How often would their coats need clipping, are they clipped? (I don't actually know) so I apologise in advance to all the questions, do they shed, does their hair grow?  Are they prone to health problems?  If so what?
Sorry if I sound a bit clueless just trying to get together all the information I can before I really make up my mind wether they would be the right breed for me and the family.  Thanks in advance :)

Can you get to Crufts? You could go to Discover Dogs and talk to owners (and dogs!) there, and see the judging too if you go on the right day (Friday 9th March for the Working Group)!

Alternatively you could contact: GIANT SCHNAUZER CLUB. Sec. Mrs Carroll. Tel No: 01524 411220
SCHNAUZER CLUB OF GB. Sec. Mrs C Browse. Tel No: 01235 851952
and ask for information. They should even be able to put you in touch with breeders who'd be glad to advise you of the pros and cons of the breed.

Beware, though, of a breeder who tries to make out that the breed is perfect and has no faults. That breed doesn't exist, and you're talking to someone who values £££ over honesty! ;)

Thanks for all the information, much appreciated :)  I think I will go along to discover dogs, see some of those wonderful dogs in the flesh and speak to people who live with them :)  Thank you :)

If you can get a hold of the last few months copies of Your Dog magazine they have been doing a series callled the puppy diaries and one of them is a Giant Schnauzer

The GS is also a breed I have looked into , I spent a lovely day at a champ show last summer, sitting watching these dogs, and also happened to speak to a very old breeder, she gave me a huge insight to these dogs.  I adore them,

some of the things she told me,  I have forgotten a lot.

they need to be stripped, if you are considering showing them,  you can clip  , but the coat will do better if you strip,   also there are two coat types,  she told me,  a Schnauzer  coat should be corse  , but you do get some  lines that are more fluffy,  the corse coat is the true type, and   you will know the difference when you brush them after a walk, as the course coat will will easyerly brush out all the mud and rubbish, the fluffy coat  will get tangled, plus if you plan to show , it is the correct coat type, she did give me some kennel names  , (got them somewhere)

They are very much a people dog, they love their families and love to be with you,  they have a very strong gaurding instinct, and in her words , you dont see it till you need it. 

They are a dog friendly dog,  but they will not tolerate over boisterous dogs, (as I have Boxers she said they will not mix), as the Schnauzer  will not put up with an over zealous dogs.   this was also told to me by another Schnauzer breeder,  who also breeds Boxers.

she also told me, that the males will test you   around adolecence, 12 mths of age all of them  and you have to be very firm with them ,   the females are a lot more amenable , both sexes being  fairly easy to train,  but beware , if you dont put the work in and keep them stimulated, they will become headstrong, and make their own rules up.

They are very similar to the Boxer in some respects,  big bouncy hooligins  , full of life and clowns in the making, 

they are very protective of the breed, and you will not see a lot of them,  if you stand round the ring side you will never see an overflowing class,  and they intend to keep it that way.

Good luck with your seach,  go to crufts and sit and watch  , they are a very friendly bunch of people,  willing to answer all questions,  I  intend to own one myself one day, maybe when my dogs are old and grey , and not so bouncy

I meet two brothers regularly on my walks, super dogs.  Is it true that they are related to the Doberman but with the wire coat, as I understood that German Pinchers and standard schnauzers are related.

There is a beautiful GS where I walk my dog in the woods. They also have a wire haired pointer who is beautiful as well - may have to be our next dog :)

They are a non shedding breed,  hence they need to be stripped.

here is the name of the lady I spoke to , if  you would  like her contact number, you can PM me.

Selma Cook ( Eskaidee)