Too huge to be a pomeranian. And too distinct to be anything except a Samoyed. Get to know about this gorgeous hound’s health, grooming requirements, and history.
Quick Facts
- Height: 48 – 60cm
- Lifespan: 12 – 14 years
- Weight: 20 – 30kg
- Breed variety: Working Group
- Country of origin: Siberia, Russia
Ideal Breed For:
- Dog owners who spend a significant amount of time at home
- Families with kids (particularly older children)
- Active dog owners
The History Of The Samoyed Breed
Most people think that Siberian huskies are the only dogs from Siberia’s Icy tundra — the samoyed is here to set the record straight. The reality is, Samoyeds may have been creating dog snow-angels for the same amount of time, if not longer, than the Siberian huskies.
First off, Samoyeds belong to the basal breeds. Like other varieties such as Akita, Saluki, and Siberian Husky, Samoyeds have less genetic variation than dog breeds made in the 18th century. Samoyeds have been in the picture for thousands of years in the secluded Siberian regions.
Initially, together with the community that domesticated them (the Samoyedic people), Samoyeds lived a nomadic life. The Samoyedic community were mainly reindeer herders, and their furry pups kept the herd safe by warding them against wolves and other predators.
However, the Samoyedic people didn’t just consider the fluffy pups as guard dogs; they were also treasured family pets. These friendly pups slept inside alongside their owners and were known to be caring and protective of kids.
While people often confuse Samoyeds with the Siberian Husky, the two dog breeds have significant differences. Even though Siberian huskies were also domesticated by a native Siberian community (the Chukchi), who were also primarily reindeer herders, there aren’t any overlapping similarities between the two indigenous groups.
The two Siberian dog varieties may never have stumbled upon each other were it not for Russian explorers going across the Arctic Tundra. These travellers often relied on the assistance of the natives for food, navigation tips, and at times their hounds.
Unlike the Siberian Husky, Samoyeds weren’t known for their sled-pulling speed or power. However, the explorers found their friendliness and work helpful ethic. These white dogs were better at navigating Siberia’s most complex challenges.
People started bringing Samoyeds to the United States and England at the start of the 20th century. Nevertheless, they were considered more expedition hounds than family dogs. Many were showcased in zoos and other animal exhibitions. Nonetheless, with time, they were accepted into kennel clubs, causing dog owners to start seeking out the companionship of these white dogs.
Samoyed Breed Personality Traits
This easy-going dog breed turns heads anywhere they go. And as friendly as they are, they appear to love the attention!
At home, these dogs are even-mannered and gentle. Samoyeds love being around kids, and they’ll follow them around to ensure they’re safe. They tend to be a bit overly energetic. Therefore, you have to ensure they get adequate training and exercise to be gentle with children.
This dog breed usually creates a strong connection with one household member. Still, they’re loving and loyal to everyone within their close family. Samoyeds are social and dislike spending time alone in the backyard without family. If you usually spend a lot of time away from home, consider getting a pet sitter.
If you’re searching for a watchdog, Samoyeds don’t fit this description. They aren’t territorial or guarded around strangers, but they’ll bark when they hear weird sounds or noises. However, Samoyeds are more of a furry welcoming committee than a ferocious guard dog when it comes to house guests.
Samoyeds are outgoing and playful in the presence of other dogs. Some animals can, at times, bring out their hunting and herding instincts. Obedience and socialisation training is required if you want this dog breed to get along with cats and prevent them from hunting wild animals.
Samoyed Breed Trainability & Training Pointers
As well-behaved as these canines are, they’re also very intelligent and have a stubborn streak. Therefore, training a Samoyed will take time, willpower, and patience.
First off, you have to remember that recall is not this breed’s strongest suit. Thus, when training a Samoyed, it’s best to keep them in a restricted area or on a leash. Otherwise, this long-distance runner will likely get away from you pretty fast.
This breed is an independent thinker. Samoyeds feel comfortable when they can make decisions and get rebellious when using overly strict training tactics. You should structure the training periods around rewards and incentives. That way, your furry friend will feel more involved.
Timing is also an important issue that you have to look into. As an intelligent, boisterous hound with an eye on the horizon, a regular training program will possibly bore this dog breed. It’s best to keep the training sessions as short as possible and don’t force the dog to stay engaged with something when they indicate that they want to move on to something else.
It might take your Samoyed longer to learn basic commands than other engaged dog breeds. However, they’ll eventually take in whatever you teach them with continued practice, flexibility, and patience.
In summation, the best way to train this breed is by using incentives and rewards, keeping the sessions brief, and using training methods that are more enthusiastic than disciplining.
Samoyed Living Conditions And Exercise Requirements
Samoyeds are very energetic and require regular mental and physical stimulation to be happy. This means that this breed needs a minimum of 1-hour exercise every day and some mentally engaging activity.
Among Samoyed’s favourite pastimes is interacting with other hounds. Even though they’re not the fastest dogs, they’re very persistent when convincing other dogs to play. Therefore, whether it’s a playdate with their fluffy friends or a regular visit to the park, a Samoyed will happily run themselves tired in the company of other dogs.
Swimming is also an excellent exercise for Samoyeds; however, only take your furry friend swimming if they enjoy it. Most Samoyeds shy away from water, probably because of their heavy coats. Therefore, if you can convince them to get into the water, don’t be taken aback if they only wish to play around in the shallow end.
Agility training is an excellent option if you search for mental and physical activities that will challenge your Samoyed. These hyper dogs will appreciate the exercise and may even enjoy having an audience.
When it comes to living conditions, this dog breed is very flexible. Although they have heavy coats, they can live in warm regions comfortably. This, however, doesn’t mean they’ll enjoy being out in the backyard on a hot summer day.
It’s also important to note that Samoyeds aren’t the quietest house pets. They tend to bark when sad, bored, and happy. If you reside near neighbours, ensure your furry friend gets adequate exercise and attention to keep them in check.
Lastly, Samoyeds experience fur shedding. This means that your house will have some fur deposits, so you should be ready to hoover your home regularly.
Samoyed Grooming Tips
There are various admirable things about a Samoyed’s coat we can’t overlook. For starters, they have gorgeous, fluffy, and silky fur.
Additionally, their coats are always clean. These dogs don’t have the usual dog smell, and their fur does a great job of warding off dirt and dust. This lets them maintain their brilliant white coat without needing regular cleaning. Most Samoyeds can go for as long as six months without a bath.
In addition, Samoyeds are practically dander-free, making them perfect companions for prospective owners with mild hound allergies or dander irritation. However, this doesn’t mean that Samoyeds are hypoallergenic; their coat is less likely to give rise to an allergic reaction than other dog varieties.
Unfortunately, those are the only positives of grooming a Samoyed. Even though the Samoyed coat has several benefits, this breed is far from low-maintenance.
Samoyeds require regular coat-brushing – at least three to four times every week. You should do this using tools specifically made for their long, soft outer coat and thick undercoat. A long-toothed comb and a pin brush are must-haves.
There are self-cleaning grooming supplies which are helpful since the brush will be full of fur after a couple of strokes. To have effective brushing sessions, you can watch some Samoyed brushing tutorials or consult a professional groomer for the best technique.
A Samoyed also experiences a seasonal coat blow — this fur explosion occurs when your Sammie swaps its summer coat for the winter one and vice versa. Get prepared to groom your pup daily during these two to three weeks.
Besides their brushing requirements, grooming for a Samoyed will include checking the ears for infection, brushing their teeth, and trimming their nails (remember the dewclaws!). Ensure you check the dog for ticks and fleas during the grooming sessions.
Samoyed Health
Considering the breed’s size, the Samoyed’s have a pretty long life expectancy, and they’re usually healthy. However, like most dog breeds, they have specific health concerns, including:
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Patellar Luxation and Hip Dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Samoyed Hereditary Glomerulopathy, a genetic kidney disease
- Certain cancer forms
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Glaucoma
Fidos with long coats can also be more susceptible to obesity because you won’t notice their weight gain quickly. Fortunately, the Samoyed is energetic and can easily stay in good shape with proper exercise. A nutritious, balanced pooch diet is essential for this breed due to its risk of obesity and high energy needs.
Samoyed’s Fun Fact
Fibre arts such as weaving, crocheting, and knitting have risen in popularity in the past couple of years, but most modern-day crafters are sceptical about using pooch fur in their creations.
Seemingly, the yarn spun from Samoyed fur sheddings, or the dog’s wool, is an extremely valuable product, and it’s been available in different cultures for generations.
You can’t just use any dog’s fur; Samoyed wool is silky, soft, and less itchy than natural fibres such as raw sheep’s wool and mohair. Newfoundlands and Chow Chows are the other pooch breeds that are excellent for spinning up a luxurious wool skein.
Bottom Line
Immediately you look past their charming look and amazing coat; you’ll realise that the Samoyed has a heart of gold. This breed adores its owners, easily makes friends with other dogs and is excellent with kids.
Nevertheless, some remnants of Samoyed’s past, like independence and adventure, can make this free-spirited fido challenging to control. With the appropriate training method and patience, this dog is intelligent enough to master commands, tricks, and any agility courses you teach them.
A good diet and exercise are essential for a Samoyed. You also need to prepare yourself for above-average grooming requirements. If you have the time and energy to keep a Samoyed mentally active and stimulated, they will end every day just as they have for several years — huge fluffy cuddlers.