Informal Groups

Informal Local Group Events

Informal local group events are a great way for Giant Schnauzer owners can meet other owners. Share tips and learn more about the breed from others. These events are also great place to socialize your giant. We encourage all giant owners to get to know other owners in their area.

This idea is based off the group started in Northern California by Carie May-Bower, Judy Frazier, Lawrence T. Gurley, Gary Parker and Terry Parker. The Northern California group meets every third Sunday of the month at a dog park in Richmond. They meet at noon and everyone introduces themselves and their giants. They then head out for a walk together. During this walk, everyone talks about anything and everything to do with giants. They stop to let the giants play on the beach, weather permitting. This walk takes about 2 hours. This is a regularly scheduled event and happens rain or shine, 2 people or 20 people.

It is hoped more groups get started across the US. Maybe you already have a friend or two you meet with and would enjoy meeting with others. All that is needed is one volunteer to say they will commit a little time to coordinate the get-together. Pick a suitable place, a time and be willing to provide information or directions to others. One thing that needs to be really worked hard on is to make sure that this event is open to all Giant owners, club members, non-club members, pet owners, rescue owners, confirmation people, obedience people, or those that are simply interested in the breed. Make sure that everyone feels welcome joining the group and that no one feels uncomfortable or unwelcome. Education on the breed is important for everyone, and each group member may have something they can contribute to the development and education of another. If you are interested in starting a group or listing one that is already started, please contact the webmaster@giantschnauzerclubofamerica.com

Groups

California

Northern California Giant Fun

Contact Person: Carie May-Bower maybowers@earthlink.net

Meets: Every third Sunday of the month at noon.

Place: Point Isabel Dog Park, Richmond, CA Click here for map

About: This group is for people owning, loving, and rescuing Giant Schnauzers in Northern California/Bay Area (San Jose to Sacramento and growing). Giant Schnauzer monthly meetings welcome all family members -- human and canine -- regardless of breed, and also welcome people wanting to learn more about this breed before bringing one into the household. Good manners are expected. Ill-mannered humans will be asked to leave, ill-mannered dogs will be loved and trained (we'll show you how). They meet at noon and everyone introduces themselves and their giants. They then walk together. Leash or no leash. Leash is not required in dog park. Takes about two to three hours.

Visit the yahoo group "NCalGiantFun" on the web.

Maryland

Contact Person: Rebecca Bally@purpleandor.org

Meets: Second Sunday of every month at 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM (Rain or Shine) with the initial outing on Nov. 12, 2006.

Place: Oregon Ridge Park, Cockeysville, MD Click here for map

About: We will meet in the non-playing field near the parking lot and wander our way through the park. There are many trails. The terrain is hilly. Dogs are allowed on leash only. Clean up after your own dog is mandatory.

New York

Giants Along the Mohawk!

Contact Person: Doug Hill and Luke Norton dhill4@nycap.rr.com

Meets: Last Sunday of the month at 1:00PM.

Place: Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, Yankee Hill Lock Click here for map

Join us for a walk through one of the most historic and beautiful places in central NY. We will start at the Yankee Hill Lock State Historic Site minutes from the NYS Thruway, exit 27 in Amsterdam. This site is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the Erie Canal. The park gives a real touch of life on the canal. We'll meet at the restored canal store with a historic lock from the 1850s and head up the old towpath and make a round trip turning back at the Schoharie Crossing Aqueduct and Boat launch. Total walking distance is about 8 miles. Plenty of spots for the dogs to get drinks and take a dip in the Mohawk River and plenty of smelly old canal watering holes that you'd probably just as soon keep them out of, too! The entrance is off Queen Anne Road from Route 5S. We will be there at 1:00. If you need directions or would like to make sure we wait for you, call Doug and Luke at 518-883-5885 or email dhill4@nycap.rr.com .

Washington

Western Washington Group

Contact Person: Ivona Zuchowski ivonka@gmail.com

Meets: Second Sunday of the month at 10:00AM.

Place: Marymoor Park in Redmond, WA Click here for map

About: This group is for Giant Schnauzers and their people in Western Washington. We welcome all family members – canine and human – regardless of breed. We also welcome people interested in learning more about Giants before bringing one into their family. We meet at 10:00AM in the off-leash area of Marymoor Park (in the big, open field adjacent to parking lot “G”). After canine and human introductions, we walk together and talk! Giants for a couple of hours. Leashes are not required in the 40-acre dog park Mecca.