The Samoyed is a breed that is particularly well known in Northern Russia and Siberia. The Samoyed was widely used in hunting wild animals, but they were also often used to pull sleds and boats. This dog was really seen as part of the family and had, among other things, the important task of protecting the children from the cold.
By nature, this breed is therefore gentle and playful. But the Samoyed also has a mischievous side and can be quite stubborn. Furthermore, this breed stands out because of its white, thick coat and its very friendly facial expression. The Samoyed is especially known for its Samoyed smile. Would you like to know more about this interesting breed? Then read on quickly.
History: a strong breed originating from Siberia
The name of this breed is derived from the people who developed it, the nomadic Samoyed people. In Siberia they bred with the aim of creating a breed that could cope well with low temperatures. The Samoyed was the result of this: a strong breed that was very resistant to the cold climate.
This breed was widely used to help with work. Its tasks included herding reindeer and towing sleds and boats. In addition to these activities, this breed was also used to keep people warm. The coat of a Samoyed is very thick, which is why the Samoyed people would lie against the dog in their tents to stay warm.
The Samoyed was mainly used to keep watch and guard land. At the end of the 18th century, this breed was imported to England, where the Samoyed quickly became popular. Queen Alexandra, the queen in power at the time, was a huge fan. Partly thanks to her, this breed became so popular.
The character: friendly and attentive
The Samoyed has a very friendly character. It is a sweet family dog that likes to have people around him. Whether these are children or adults, it makes no difference to him. This breed adapts quickly and gets along well with other animals. Besides this gentle nature, the Samoyed also has a mischievous and stubborn side.
He is very smart and needs a lot of attention to keep him happy. If he gets bored he may start digging and barking. Despite this trait, your Samoyed does want to fulfill his owner’s wishes. A good education and sufficient attention is therefore essential to minimize this undesirable behavior.
By nature, the Samoyed is a dog that was used for herding, so it can happen that he sometimes tends to chase children. But he will never really harm them. In addition, he is very observant and he quickly notices when there is danger. So it can be a very good watchdog. It is also important that you do not leave this breed alone too much, they will be unhappy.
The appearance: a strong body and a friendly smile
The Samoyed is a strong breed and can be recognized by its white, thick coat. The coat is so thick that he has no problem being outside in cold temperatures. The Samoyed has an average size and lives to be approximately between 12 and 15 years old. The head of the Samoyed is quite broad and it has upright, triangular ears. In addition, this dog is known for its friendly expression. The eyes of the Samoyed are alert and lively, and its mouth creates a cute and unique smile.
The Samoyed’s neck is strong and very muscular and flows nicely into the rest of his torso. The chest is deep and broad. The rest of the body is of medium length and is also very powerful. With his strong and muscular body he is very capable of combining power, speed and agility. So the Samoyed can be very fast and easily turn through corners. The tail of this breed, like the rest of the body, is covered with a thick coat.
He carries the tail over his back and when he is alert he carries his tail on the side. What is even more striking about his coat is that a Samoyed is equipped with a double coat. The undercoat is short, thick and soft. Around the neck and shoulders the coat is often different in structure than on the rest of the body. The color can be cream in addition to white.
The care: intensive care is important
The Samoyed needs quite a lot of grooming; this is mainly due to the coat. On average, a Samoyed needs to be brushed about three times a week, but this can be more since this breed loses a lot of hair. The Samoyed also needs to be bathed more often than the average dog. The nails should be trimmed about every three weeks to prevent them from getting too long and causing issues. Also, the teeth of this dog need to be brushed regularly, otherwise dental problems can occur.
Other than that, there are no points of interest and standard grooming procedures apply, such as cleaning his ears and eyes. It is important that you maintain a clear rhythm regarding its care, because sometimes the Samoyed can be a little resistant. It is therefore wise to plan the grooming at a fixed time from a young age. By starting grooming at a young age, the dog gets used to the touches and attributes that are used when grooming.
Diseases that are common with the Samoyed
Despite the fact that the Samoyed is a relatively healthy breed, there are a number of points to keep in mind regarding its health. One of the most important points to consider as an owner are the teeth. The teeth of the Samoyed are fragile and therefore need to be brushed often and thoroughly. In addition, it is wise to have the Samoyed checked regularly by a veterinarian for health problems. When breeding we take into account a number of disorders that occur regularly in the Samoyed, these disorders are:
- Eye problems
- Unstable hips
- Heart problems
These are the most common problems in this breed. Especially eye problems and poor vision are relatively common. Nevertheless, through a good breeding program some of these problems can be excluded. For this reason, as of May 1, 2021, there is a special standards matrix in the Netherlands where extra testing is done for these disorders. In this way the breed can remain as healthy as possible.
Did you know?
When the South Pole was discovered in 1911, several dogs of this breed were taken to assist and protect the people. Norwegian researcher Roald Amundsen made the discovery.
Dog training: be strict, but respectful
Training a Samoyed is tremendously important. During training you must be very clear. Be strict, but in a respectful way, that works best with this breed. Due to its friendly nature and intelligence, it is otherwise fairly easy to train a Samoyed. Be aware that they can sometimes be a bit independent. In such cases, extra attention is needed.
Puppy training and early socialization is essential with the Samoyed to prevent behavioral problems. A good socialization ensures that this breed fits perfectly within a family. You will then have a lot of fun with this loyal four-legged friend.
What does a Samoyed cost?
The purchase cost of a Samoyed is between $1200 and $2400 euro. The price may vary somewhat from breeder to breeder. If you find this breed for a price much lower, you can assume that you are dealing with a breeder. So always look critically whether the breeder has the best intentions for both the puppies and the mother dog.
In addition to the costs of purchasing a puppy, you must take into account vet costs, deworming and vaccinations. Also maintenance costs for the care, toys and food should not be forgotten, these costs could quickly go towards $60 per month.
The exercise that this breed needs
The Samoyed needs a lot of exercise. They are energetic and enough exercise is needed to maintain their health. You can do this by taking brisk walks or by playing with different dog toys in an open field. This breed also likes to run longer distances. You can therefore take him with you when you go cycling or when you go running.
It is therefore important that before you buy a Samoyed you think carefully about whether you can give him enough exercise. Ideal for this breed would be a large garden where he can run and romp. Do you not have a garden? Then you should consider whether there are enough places in the neighborhood where your Samoyed can run and play. Consider first whether you can meet the needs of a Samoyed before you buy a puppy.
The recognition of the Samoyed
The AKC recognized the Samoyed in 1906. After the recognition, a breed club was established that is concerned with the well being and future of this breed, the Samoyed Club of America. Among other things, this club ensures that this breed is bred in the right way. Through the website of this association you can get in touch with approved breeders.
Is the Samoyed something for you?
The Samoyed fits perfectly in an active family and gets along well with children and other animals. The education of a Samoyed is very important and must be done in a proper way. Once this is done, you will have a loyal and friendly buddy to the Samoyed. What do you think about the Samoyed? Is it something for you? Do you have any questions or comments about this breed? Then leave a comment below this article. We are very curious about your opinion of the Samoyed.
