All three variations of the Schnauzer were developed in Wurttemburg and Bavaria in Germany. The original size of the Schnauzer was the Standard Schnauzer which dates back as far as the 15th century. It was from the Standard Schnauzer that all of the other variations were created. It is believed that the original Schnauzer was created by crossing the German Pudel, the German variation of the Poodle, with the Wirehaired Pinscher and the German Wolfspitz.

Schnauzers were originally part of the Terrier Group from 1899 to 1945 because of the similarities between the two. The Schnauzer was transferred to the Working Group after it was discovered that the Schnauzer had originally served as cattle tenders and guard dogs. Just prior to World War II the Giant Schnauzer started being used as Police Dogs.

Giant Schnauzers are the newest of the Schnauzer breeds. The Giant Schnauzer was first developed by Bavarian Cattlemen to assist in hearding cattle. The Giant Schnauzer was created by crossing the Standard Schnauzer first with the Bouvier des Flandres and later with the Black Great Dane.

The Giant Schnauzer was first brought to the United States in the 1920s.