
Gunner, a three-year-old Giant Schnauzer, was a gift to me from my nephew, Jimmy Pierce. Jim had done some shopping for me and I was down to southern Ohio to pick up the items and admired his beautiful, black Giant Schnauzer.

In the late 1700's the German butchers and brewers needed a more agressive dog than their Standard Schnauzers. They cross-bred one half Schnauzer, a quarter Great Dane and a quarter Rotrieller. The result was a huge dog with good temperment but with definite guard dog tendencies. A Giant Schnauzer.
After consulting with his wife, Carol, Jim gifted this beautiful, AKC registered dog to me. Jim and Carol had paid $800 for the dog--the prices I saw were more in the $1,000-$1,500 range--as a pup. They brought the dog home and, for the most part, confined him to a new pen off their rear deck.
He had not been obedience trained and was not used to a one-on-one, in house association. He was like a two-year-old child. A giant two-year-old child. He would not only jump up on Julie and I but he would also jump from chair to couch to another chair. He jumped over tables. He jumped on the beds. He knocked things over. A mule pulled less than Gunner did on the lead. He was wild!
He is so tall he looks down on the table and so far has managed to steal a slice of toast, two strip steaks and a meat loaf. He did this without our seeing him. He is one slick food thief! Thats the bad part.


He pees and poos when and where I tell him. I've taught him "Home". On command he runs out to take a pee, comes to a sliding squat, does his business and makes the gravel fly as he launches himself for "Home". Yes, he gets a treat at the door. Or, at least he used to get a treat but now mostly just settles for an "Atta-Boy".

Yes, I have worked with him a lot, however, he is truly a joy to train considering that he is three years of age instead of a seven week old puppy. He has about a five mile run each day, two shorter walks and a work session. This breed must have excercise or they get into trouble. Getting the excercise, however, is what keeps them quiet and calm. That and my "grumpy" disposition. HA

Like I said, he is a fast learner and hunger is a great teacher. He now sits quietly until I tell him he can eat and then quickly licks his bowl clean before I can dump it. HA!
He had an ear infection. The vet treated him, gave me medicine to put into his ear every day for a couple weeks and then I'm to have him reexamined. He also got all his shots, a flea treatment and blood drawn for a heart worm test.

Bye-the-bye, his registered name is "Pierce's Knight Hunter" and he was called "Hunter". I just couldn't get my tongue around that name so called him "Gunner", eventually "Gunnie". Thats the nickname of a Gunner's Mate in the Navy or a sergeant in the Marines and I think a good name for a guard dog.
People with dogs live longer. At coming 79 I need all the help I can get. HA. Actually I have greatly increased my exercise as I excercise and work him. I do have a sore, left hip but am gimping along like Grandpa McCoy. I also needed some responsiblity, something nearly 20 years of retirement has eliminated.


Bring on the Obama winter. I'm ready.
Edward Jesse:
"With the exception of women, there is nothing on earth as agreeble or necessary to the comfort of a man as a dog".
God Bless!
2 comments:
Gunner is a very handsome fella! Glad the training has gone so well. I know he must be a joy. Love the name (both of 'em)!
Gunner is adorable!
Post a Comment