Last Updated on February 24, 2022 by Pets Feed
The Samoyed is one of the most popular Russian dog breeds in the world. Its dense and fluffy white coat is really popular and appreciated by dog lovers. However, this dog also shows a very special and sociable character, perfect for active families with children or adolescents.
For thousands of years the Samoyed dog has faithfully served and serves the northern peoples, sharing with its owners all the hardships of life in the harsh climate of Siberia. This is one of the oldest spitz-like breeds.
Samoyed is a gushing source of energy, and also a loving and devoted friend.
A distinctive feature of these animals is their trademark “smile”, which gives the Samoyed a mischievous, cheerful look.
Other names: Samoyed Spitz
Common nicknames: Smiley, Sammy
Many have never heard of or seen the Samoyed, as it is a relatively unknown breed. The Samoyed was discovered “relatively late” and presented as a domestic dog. But who first sees a Samoyed, will immediately fall in love with him and want to have one. If you plan to adopt a Samoyed or if you already have one, in this breed sheet of ‘ Pets Feed ‘, you can discover much more. Here we show you everything you need to know about the Samoyed:
The Samoyed dog is considered one of the oldest breeds and is closely related to the Spitz.
Samoyed photos
Physical characteristics of the Samoyed
The exterior of the Samoyed clearly shows strength and endurance, combined with elegance and softness. It is impossible to confuse with another kind of Samoyed. The unique shape and position of the eyes, combined with the slightly raised corners of the mouth, creates the appearance of a smile. White fur and signature Samoyed smile are the main distinguishing features of this animal species.
Samoyed huskies are medium-sized breeds. There are three different species: fox, bear and wolf. In this way, dogs are distinguished by the type of head. The weight of adults is 17-30 kg., The height is about 53-57 cm. Males differ from bitches in large size.
The powerful head rests on a strong, slightly arched neck. The ears are triangular, slightly rounded at the ends, small in size, mobile, set wide and high. The muzzle gradually tapers towards the nose; square or narrow format is not allowed. Almond-shaped brown eyes, slightly slanted. The jaws are powerful, the bite is scissor.
The physique is compact. Legs straight, parallel, muscular. In a calm state, the tail is lowered to the bottom, when the dog is alarmed, excited, the tail is thrown over its back.
The unique shiny coat of the Samoyed is self-cleaning, it does not have a specific dog smell and is waterproof. The guard hair is straight and coarse. The undercoat is soft and dense. In males, the coat is longer and harder than in bitches. The head is framed by a lush “collar”, on the limbs there are “trousers”.
The following coat colors are allowed: white with biscuit, cream, snow white. Pale brown color is not allowed according to the standard.
Character and temperament of the Samoyed
The Samoyed is usually a sociable dog, outgoing and faithful. It knows how to protect its house well: no intruder will enter without warning you.
It likes to be included in all family activities and can be destructive or noisy if left alone or bored for a long time.
This dog likes to dig and is a big fugitive; it is therefore essential to strengthen the safety of the garden.
The Samoyed is by no means aggressive. Conviviality is one of its exceptional qualities. Nevertheless, this dog must socialize from an early age, especially in the case of cats and other pets.
Samoyed dogs have a very positive and friendly character. They love to play and cuddle. They are by no means aggressive. Conviviality is one of its exceptional qualities. The FCI defines the Samoyed as a friendly, lively and alert dog. Although its origin may make us think that it is a dog predisposed to hunting, the truth is that its instinct is very light. It is a friendly dog, which generally gets along with children and other animals, provided that efforts are made to socialize them.
The FCI defines the Samoyed as a friendly, lively and alert dog. Although its origin may make us think that it is a dog predisposed to hunting, the truth is that this instinct is very light. It is a friendly dog, which generally gets along with children and other animals, provided that efforts are made to socialize it.
Samoyed Health
Like all Siberians, the Samoyed dog is hardy, strong, nature has awarded it with good health. If properly cared for, a Samoyed can live up to 15 years.
Health problems are rare, but you need to be prepared for them. The list below sets out the diseases that Samoyed dogs are most likely to suffer:
• Diabetes mellitus is a disease associated with a lack of insulin. With proper treatment and nutrition, the animal will be able to lead a full life.
• Deafness is a genetic predisposition.
• Dysplasia is a hereditary disorder that affects the joints.
• Digestive problems – An improper diet can cause bloating or volvulus.
• Diseases of the eyes.
• Cystitis is a serious inflammatory disease of the bladder and urethra.
• Change in nose pigment – As a result of changes in weather conditions, when daylight hours are reduced, the dog’s nose loses pigment.
Samoyed owners should be very careful when treating their pets. The fact is that representatives of the breed in many cases may have an allergic reaction to certain medications. Self-medication without the supervision of a veterinarian is strictly prohibited.
In order for the dog to develop correctly, so that the disease can be detected in time, it is recommended to undergo an X-ray once a year and show the dog to the veterinarian at least twice a year for preventive examinations. It is also important to carry out routine vaccinations on time.
Basic care
It is not recommended to keep such an energetic, restless and freedom-loving dog in an apartment. The chain and kennel are also not recommended for a Samoyed. He needs space, freedom of movement, will. If a northern dog is locked for a long time in a cramped apartment or put on a chain, he will become bored, angry and even get sick due to the stress received.
If there is a private fenced yard, the Samoyed will happily walk around the area. He can also adapt to apartment and aviary content, subject to long daily walks with active pastime. Having chosen an aviary as a home for a pet, be sure to release it every day for jogging. The aviary should not be cramped; for the Samoyed, build it in a spacious, open type.
When living in an apartment, equip a sleeping place for the Samoyed with a rug or a couch. This place should not be in a passing place, in a draft, near heating appliances. Set up bowls for water and food.
The Samoyed cannot be kept on a chain, they cannot stand it, they begin to ache and wither.
Surprisingly, with a thick coat, the Samoyed calmly tolerates a hot climate. The main thing is to properly care for the pet, observing the rules and carrying out all hygiene procedures:
- Comb out 2-3 times a week. Brush out daily during molting. This procedure prevents tangling, wool loss, gets rid of dead hairs, and also cleans from dust.
- Bathe twice a year using a special shampoo for white-colored dogs. An exception is in cases of heavy pollution.
- The eyes and ears are wiped 1-2 times every 7 days.
- Claws are cut as they grow back.
- To clean the teeth regularly, it is recommended to buy special bones for the dog.
Note! Samoyed males have a longer coat than females.
Exercise
This breed of dog needs a lot of exercise, with or without leash. They have a natural tendency to pull their owner, although you can train them to walk by their side or put on a scalpel.
When he is outside, it is not always obedient, it needs to exercise and is always eager to hunt birds and cats. Its natural curiosity also causes him to commit silly things. For this reason, you must offer the Samoyed a lot of variety and exercise.
Important! The Samoyed must run around, play with the ball and sticks, following the owner’s commands. Only in this case there will be a completely calm obedient dog at home, and not an uncontrollable animal charged with endless energy.
An adult Samoyed needs a few hours of daily exercise.
Nutrition
Despite the active lifestyle inherent in the northern breed, the Samoyed does not differ in gluttony, he eats relatively little. You can feed this dog dry food or natural products. In the first case, it is recommended to purchase premium food from reliable, trusted sellers. In the second case, the products for the dog should not be expired. Food is bought of high quality, fresh. Only with a properly composed diet will a beautiful, healthy, active dog grow from a puppy.
Nutrition should be balanced. It is necessary to provide the Samoyed with vitamin and mineral supplements. It is forbidden to feed food from the master’s table, as spices and salt harm the animal’s body. It is also forbidden to feed the dog with smoked meats, sweets, small chicken and pork bones, fatty dairy products.
Advice! It is very difficult to find food specifically for the Samoyed, so you can choose food for medium-sized dogs or for very fluffy dogs.
The favorite delicacy of the Samoyed is fish. It is recommended to add marine fish to food or give it as a treat. Cottage cheese and seaweed are also useful, these products are recommended to be fed in the morning.
With natural feeding, meat is the basis of the diet. At the same time, pork is prohibited, the ideal option is beef.
The Samoyed may be prone to swelling and stomach problems. One way to minimize this risk would be to provide less abundant and more frequent meals.
As a guide, a Samoyed puppy can be fed 3 or 4 times a day.
Note! Once a puppy is 12 months old, it can be fed with food for adult dogs.
Training and education
It is impossible to raise an obedient dog without training. Education begins in the first months of life. A Samoyed puppy often shows stubbornness during training, the owner must be ready for this and be patient. For example, if a small pet refuses to obey the command for the third and fourth time in a row, and the owner did not seek obedience, the puppy will systematically ignore the commands. It is important to bring the matter to the end every time and to get the ward to fulfill the order.
During education and training, coercion and encouragement are used. Penalties should be minimal. Samoyed – a proud dog, despite all its friendliness, can be very offended and flatly refuse training. It should be borne in mind that this is a schooling breed, for its representative it is important to know who the leader of the pack is. The owner must show the pet that he is a leader and his word is law.
Samoyed fun facts
- In some countries, it has sometimes been known as Bjelkier, although its most common name is Samoyed.
- Some recent analyzes on the DNA of dog breeds have placed the Samoyed among the fourteen oldest breeds in the world, where other Nordic dogs are also found such as the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Malamute or the Chow Chow.
- In addition to its functions in the Arctic, the breed came to explore the South Pole during the expedition of Roald Amundsen, who had a female Samoyed who led the expedition at all times.
- It is one of the purest breeds in existence, since since the beginning of its history and since its creation, it has not been crossed with other breeds or with other specimens.
- Despite popular belief that the Samoyed is a draft dog like the Siberian Husky or the Alaskan Malamute, the reality is that this breed is much closer to herding dogs. However, he can do an activity if the opportunity arises.
Samoyed Dog Breed Highlights
When buying a puppy of the Samoyed breed, you need to really assess your strengths and capabilities. This dog will require a lot of attention from you. Like any breed, the Samoyed has its pros and cons:
Samoyed positive points
• The Samoyed is a loyal dog by nature.
• It makes an excellent pet and thrives in a family environment.
• It is playful, likes to have fun and enjoys participating in canine sports.
• The Samoyed is very intelligent and learns quickly.
• This dog is extremely tolerant with children of all ages, which is why it makes such a wonderful pet.
Samoyed negative points
• The Samoyed is extremely difficult to maintain.
• It loses a lot of hair throughout the year but especially in spring and autumn.
• This dog can sometimes be a little stubborn, which makes its training more difficult
• The Samoyed is very sensitive by nature and does not respond well to severe corrections.
• It is not the best choice for new owners, as the Samoyed can be quite dominant and independent by nature.
• Gardens must be ultra-secure to keep a Samoyed safe.
• It has a strong sense of prey.
Based on the characteristics of the Samoyed dog, it can be argued that it is ideal for families with children who like to lead an active lifestyle. Samoyed dogs will be happy to accompany the owners on their hikes to nature, and charge them with optimism and good mood.
If after all this information, you think that a Samoyed is perfect for sharing life with you, then go to a specialized breeder with experience in the breed, because he will be able to provide you with all the information you have need and also guarantees on his health.
The history of the breed
The homeland of the Samoyed dog is Siberia, the northern territories of Russia. Breeders did not have a chance to work on this breed, since nature itself worked on its formation. The purity of the breed and its genetic code have remained intact for millennia.
The Samoyed is a very ancient breed that has been living in the North with the northern tribes for a long time. These hardy and adapted to harsh natural conditions animals were used in sledges as sled dogs, they also guarded herds of livestock, helped the owners during the hunt, although they practically have no hunting instinct. In addition, the Samoyeds make excellent nannies, they are ready to endlessly play with children, carefully and affectionately treating the kids.
Northern dogs have another important purpose. When the frost was too strong at night, the owners let the Samoyeds into the chum. Animals went to bed next to people, warming them with their warmth. There is no substitute for such a “heating pad”. Modern Samoyeds, kept in cozy apartments, just like their ancestors, strive to warm and create comfort for a person. If he falls asleep with a pet at his side, the dog will lie quietly, without movement, waiting for the owner to wake up.
With regard to the name of the breed, there are different versions, the most reliable options are the following:
- The sled dogs kept and bred by these tribes were called Samoyed dogs.
- When the Samoyeds were harnessed to a team and the sledges were driving through the white snow, against its background the dogs with a light coat color were practically invisible. A person observing such a team from afar might think that the sled was going by itself. From this came the name of the “invisible” dogs – Samoyeds.
