The Samoyed, a medium-sized dog with a white coat and a recognizable smile, was used as a hunting dog, sled dog, sheepdog and guard dog by t...
The Samoyed, a medium-sized dog with a white coat and a recognizable smile, was used as a hunting dog, sled dog, sheepdog and guard dog by the Samoyed peoples of Siberia. Even today, the friendly and lively Samoyed still needs close contact with man to flourish.
Samoyed Dog Article Contents
- Character of the Samoyed
- Appearance of the Samoyed
- History of Samoyed
- Samoyed Dog Education
- Samoyed Food
- Samoyed Dog coat care
- Living conditions in the Samoyed
- Samoyed health and susceptibility to disease
- Adopt a Samoyed
Character of the Samoyed
An ancestral race
For the nomadic Nenetse (Samoyed) people, beautiful Spitz-type dogs represented much more than just working dogs. They were considered full-fledged family members, sleeping in tents with their masters, providing them with precious warmth on cold Siberian nights. The sociable, open and endearing character of the Samoyed still bears witness to its Siberian history. The Samoyed likes to live surrounded and is always looking for closeness to his family.
A sporting companion and playmate
His cheerful temperament and his great need for physical exercise and activities make him an ideal partner for dog sport enthusiasts looking for moments to share with their dog. Gentle and cheerful, the Samoyed is also a good playmate for children, whom he loves deeply. This dog knows neither shyness nor aggressiveness. This is why he is not the best candidate to become a guard dog. When someone enters his territory, his barking is often synonymous with curiosity: the Samoyed usually welcomes the visitor by wagging his tail.
Appearance of the Samoyed
A teddy bear dog
The friendly and open character of the Samoyed breed dogs is instantly visible, particularly by their characteristic "smile", due to the inclined position of their eyes and the corners of their lips which rise slightly upwards. The second physical characteristic appreciated by many admirers of this sledge dog is its dense white coat. The hair on the neck and shoulders of the males forms a kind of ruff, and the hair on the thigh a kind of "trousers". The Samoyed's bushy tail is set relatively high and falls to the hock, although it rests mostly on his back, thus presenting a crown shape.
An ideal coat for icy climates
On his head and chest, the hair of the Samoyed is fairly short and smooth. Behind its small, straight, triangular ears are short hairs. Compared to other sled dogs, such as the Siberian Husky, the Samoyed's coat is rather long. The combination of short, soft undercoat and long, thick, smooth topcoat provides the Samoyed with optimal protection against the polar climates of his native regions.
No wonder that with such a dense and thick coat, the Samoyed prefers to spend time outdoors. Surprisingly, however, it adapts well to changes in temperature. In Zimbabwe, there is a small Samoyed kennel and the dogs are very well adapted to the climate. Nevertheless, in summer, you should protect your Samoyed dog by offering him some shade and avoid too hot temperatures.
Color, size and weight of the Samoyed
Although Samoyed dogs are born with brown or black coats, the current breed standard only provides for dogs with white coats. Dogs with shades of beige mixed with white (with few biscuit markings) are allowed, as are dogs with cream coats. With an average height of 57 cm for males and 53 cm for females, the Samoyed ranks among the medium-sized dogs. Depending on size, the Samoyed should weigh between 20 and 30 kilos.
History of Samoyed
As mentioned earlier, the Samoyeds were originally the dogs of the Nenetse (Samoyed) people, from whom they took their name. Nomads have always held the Samoyed breed in high esteem, describing them as versatile and valuable in the harsh Siberian climate. Their mission was to guard reindeer herds, to protect them by defending them from wolves and bears, to help in hunting and to pull sleds. At night, the masters huddled up against their coats and enjoyed the warmth of the cold temperatures.
North and South Pole Expedition Dogs
These Nordic dogs were first encountered in Europe thanks to the British zoologist Ernest Kilburn, who in 1889 brought back various dogs of the breed after a three-month stay with the Nenets tribes. They were the first Samoyeds in England.
Following the failure of his expedition to the North Pole in 1894, the reports of the Norwegian researcher Fridtjof Nansen mention enduring and easy-going dogs.
Subsequently, European and American scientists mentioned the Samoyeds as companion dogs on expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. In 1911, together with the explorer Roald Amundsen, the Samoyeds became the first dogs accompanying explorers to the South Pole.
Samoyeds: from sled dogs to companion dogs
The first breed standard was established in 1909 in England. At the same time, the first dogs of the breed were welcomed on American soil. In 1913, the Samoyed was officially recognized as a breed in its own right.
The first breeding of Samoyed dogs was created in the 1920s in the United States, with the " Samoyed Club of America ". But it was only in the post-war years, from the 1950s onwards, that the Samoyed gained popularity and was intensively bred. In addition to American and English breeders, there are now breeders in France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Spain and even Australia and New Zealand.
This Nordic dog is mainly bred for its qualities as a companion dog for a family and as a show dog. Nowadays, Samoyeds are more rarely used as sled dogs. The more powerful and faster Huskies and Malamutes are more likely to be used for these functions.
Education of the Samoyed
In addition to its golden character, the Samoyed also has a proud and confident side. Obeying with your eyes closed and submitting to orders... it's best not to expect this from your Samoyed. Despite his strong family ties, the intelligent Samoyed sometimes likes to go it alone, especially when he doesn't want to understand the meaning of an exercise. Sometimes this leads teachers to say of him that he is stubborn, obstinate and difficult to educate. But with regularity and motivation, he will be ready to obey. A good education even allows him to control his slight hunting instinct, which is expressed from time to time in the wilderness.
Samoyed Food
A balanced diet plays a decisive role in your pet's health. In order to maintain its vitality and its beautiful shiny coat throughout its life, your Samoyed needs a diet containing vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Your veterinarian and breeder will be able to give you their advice so that you can offer your companion the food that meets its needs. In principle, a Samoyed should eat a large quantity of fresh meat or fish, accompanied by vegetables. Due to its carnivorous nature, carbohydrates are not suitable for the Samoyed's diet and should therefore be consumed in relatively small quantities. When buying ready-made food in the form of cans or kibbles
Samoyed Dog Coat care
In addition to the Samoyed's diet, the appropriate care is also reflected in the quality of his coat. According to the slogan "less is more", "less is better", shampoos and soaps destroy the layer of sebum present on the Samoyed's skin. These care products should only be used out of necessity, when your dog's coat is really dirty. In principle, it is sufficient to brush your dog once or twice a week. During molting periods, the need for care is greater: you will need to brush your dog daily. During this period, the Samoyed loses tufts of hair, which must be removed with a comb or vacuumed from carpets, sofas and other surfaces in your home.
But also :
- You will need to regularly trim your dog's claws. When you hear your dog's claws clicking on your floors, it is high time to cut them off. With a bit of practice, you can take care of it yourself. If you don't have the courage, ask your vet for help.
- Check your dog's ears regularly and clean them if necessary (once a week for example). If your dog's ears are red or have other abnormalities, this may be a sign of infection.
- Wash your Samoyed's teeth regularly and check the condition of his mouth (two to three times a week).
Living conditions in the Samoyed
Offering a balanced diet, adapted care and great attention to his Samoyed is not enough to make him happy. As a Nordic working dog, the Samoyed loves walking in the open air, in all weathers: windy or snowy. It is advisable to have a garden in which your Samoyed can let off steam from time to time, in addition to the long walks you take together.
Of course, a Samoyed can also live in a flat. In this case, his master will have to prove himself to be very resistant, whatever the weather. The smaller the flat, the longer the walks in the open air should be.
Training as a rescue dog or practicing dog sports, such as agility, is quite possible for a Samoyed. In addition to the sports programmed and daily activity programmed of your Samoyed, you should also plan some quiet time. The sociable and people-oriented Samoyed doesn't only need physical stimulation. He also likes the attention of his master and his family. Physically and mentally healthy, Samoyeds are calm and easy to live with at home. He is then ready to spend hours strolling alongside his master on the comfortable sofa in the living room. But as you will have understood, this dog is not made to live with lazy people!
Samoyed health and susceptibility to disease
Samoyed dogs are still associated with certain illnesses, in particular :
- Diabetes mellitus (Diabetes mellitus)
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
- Deafness
- Hip dysplasia
- Hereditary nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys)
- Dwarfism (related to eye malformation)
- Pulmonary stenosis (shortness of breath, heart rhythm disorders)
Adopt a Samoyed
If you are interested in the breed and are considering adopting a Samoyed, you should not ignore that this dog needs a lot of physical exercise. By their very nature, these dogs need to let off steam outdoors and engage in activities that challenge them both physically and mentally. They need strong bonds with family members and frequent contact with other four-legged companions. These requirements should already be met by their breeder. A breeder who keeps his dogs in dirty cages devoid of dog accessories and who puts his own profit first, without taking into account education, socialization and activities, will certainly not be the person you should turn to buy a healthy and well socialized Samoyed puppy.
How to choose the Samoyed breeder?
A dog cannot be bought like a baguette of bread. You have to be sure of your choice, since a dog is not to be traded and not to be offered. This is why you must make your choice well when it comes to choosing the breeder of your future Samoyed. But what is the difference between good breeding and good breeding? A few clues will tell you how serious the breeder is:
- The breeder is ready to invite you to his home and to show you the mother of the puppies and the equipment at his disposal. It is possible that the breeder will not show you his puppies on your first visit. There are several reasons for this: the puppies are not yet born, they are too small, or the breeder prefers not to show them to you in order to avoid an impulse purchase after falling under the spell of these little white plush animals.
- During your visit, the puppies are friendly and curious. Aggressive, fearful or amorphous Samoyeds are probably not treated well by their breeder. Don't buy one of these dogs out of pity, as you will help to encourage the breeder to continue.
- The breeder should be a member of a breeding association and have extensive knowledge and experience of the Samoyed breed.
- Before you make your decision, the breeding animals are sufficiently cared for and at the time of adoption, the puppy is entrusted to you with his identity papers, pedigree and a family tree.
- Before you pick up your puppy, he has been examined, vaccinated and chipped by a veterinarian.
- The breeder will find out about the living conditions you can offer your future puppy so that he can lead a fulfilling life. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for responsible breeders to be concerned about the well-being of their dogs after adoption.
- The breeder asks a fair price for his puppies and does not offer you a "bargain".
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