Short Information
Breed name: Samoyed dog
Country of origin: Siberia and northern Russia
Time of origin of the breed: XI century BC e.
Type: Companion Dog
Weight: 15-30 kg
Height (height at the withers): 50-55 cm
Life span: 12-15 years
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Basic Moments
- Samoyed is a primitive breed. This means that there was practically no human intervention in inbreeding, which is why dogs are distinguished by enviable health.
- The Arctic Spitz is an animal accustomed to living in a pack and obeying its laws. This must be taken into account when building a relationship with a pet.
- The Samoyed dog is distinguished by an agreeable character, mobility, courage, and a friendly attitude towards people and other animals.
- Samoyeds do not tolerate loneliness. This breed is not suitable for use as a yard or chain.
- Pamper your pet with fish – unlike other dogs, Samoyeds are very fond of seafood.
- The snow-white fur coat of an animal, contrary to popular belief, does not require frequent bath procedures.
Characteristics of the Breed
The Samoyed dog not only has a magnificent appearance, but also has an enviable intellect, an excellent docile character, and dedication. In conditions of high latitudes, it has faithfully served people for many centuries. The harsh conditions of the north impose special requirements on a dog living next to a person. Protecting reindeer herds, hunting wild animals, working in a team, and almost any kind of activity in the Arctic is impossible to imagine without the participation of trained huskies. These animals are highly valued in the conditions of the “civilized” world.
The Samoyed dog is a very interesting breed. It is so unusual that even the names Samoyed Laika or Arctic Spitz used in the scientific community cannot fully reflect all of its characteristic features. Magnificent thick fluffy white coat with a soft undercoat and a harder guard hair (a typical polar explorer), slanting, very intelligent, even with some cunning eyes and an all-encompassing love for all living things, manifested every minute – these are the integral features of this magnificent canine family. Maximum attention, admiration, and delight are guaranteed to any owner of an inimitable Samoyed!
History of the Breed
Researchers believe that Samoyed huskies have been living next to humans for about three thousand years, and in almost unchanged form, since their habitat is limited, and mixing with other dogs was impossible for objective reasons.
The breed got its name from the name of the nomadic tribes of the northern regions of the Urals and Siberia, now known as the Nenets. These peoples lived separately from the surrounding world and were self-sufficient, “Samoyeds” – hence the name. You shouldn’t look for any “gastronomic” connotation in the word “Samoyed”.
Ernst Kilburn-Scott, a British zoologist and dog lover, brought several notable dogs to London from these lands in the late 19th century. Among them was a very large snow-white male named Suit. It was from this period that the modern history of the breed began. In 1909, Scott, together with his wife, opened the famous and still kennel “Farmingham”, and a couple of years later the first club of lovers of unusual northern dogs appeared. At the same time, a standard was defined, which has existed unchanged for more than a hundred years. The breed quickly gained wide popularity, and already in the thirties of the last century, Samoyed nurseries appeared in continental Europe. This attention of breeders to the conservation of the species played a positive role. The fact is that the development of civilization has led to irreversible consequences: even in the original habitat, in the Far North, it is very problematic to meet a purebred Samoyed aboriginal.
Appearance
There are two main varieties of the breed – wolf and bear Samoyed. Small differences are observed in the external structure of the torso and head. For the first type, a slightly more elongated body and a relatively narrow cranium are characteristic, for the second, on the contrary, a shortened powerful body, and a wide head.
The English Kennel Club in 1988 defined the following breed standard for the “Samoyed Dog”.
General appearance. A medium-sized dog with a harmonious build. The growth of males at the withers is 54-60 cm, bitches – 50-54 cm. The average weight of a Samoyed is from 20 to 30 kg (depending on gender) Movement is distinguished by activity, accentuated strong push.
Wool. The Samoyed has very thick and fluffy “Arctic” fur. There are a soft, short, almost downy undercoat and a long, straight guard coat. The breed is characterized by the presence of a “collar” around the shoulders and neck. The head and forelimbs are covered with smooth short hair, the back of the thigh is covered with “trousers”. There must be a protective hairline between the toes.
Color. Pure white, white with hints of pale biscuit or pale cream shade. The tips of the guard hairs are silvery, giving the effect of a “sparkling” coat.
Head. The Samoyed skull is wedge-shaped, powerful. The distance between the ears is wide, the hair in this area is short and smooth. The muzzle is of medium length, gradually tapering. Lips – black, with a characteristic “smile”. The eyes are almond-shaped, dark brown in color with a black rim, set wide apart. The nose is black with a well-developed lobe. Another pigmentation of the nose (meat-colored or brown) is allowed, but the black border should be visible in any case. The ears are of medium length, slightly rounded at the tips, covered with thick hair from the inside, in adult Samoyeds they are always erect. Strong enough, but not square jaws. A scissor bite is considered ideal. The head is set on a strong neck of medium length with a noble curve.
The torso. The back is muscular, straight, somewhat longer in bitches than in males. Strong, well-defined loin with a firm, slightly sloping croup. The ribcage is long, powerful, and deep.
Extremities. The front ones are of medium length, parallel and straight, with the elbows pressed to the body. The paw is oval with long, not too close toes. Hind feet – Very muscular, straight, and parallel. The hock joint is quite low, and the articulation angles are clearly visible on it. The shape of the paws is the same as on the front legs.
Tail. Fairly long, very well pubescent. When moving and in an excited state, it is located above the back, twisted straight or sideways. A ring-shaped tail is considered a disadvantage in Samoyeds. At rest, it can go down to the hocks.
Character
If you are looking for a dog with the perfect temperament, then the Samoyed is the one for you. Representatives of this breed are surprisingly friendly, playful, and quick-witted. However, you cannot call them phlegmatic and quiet. The spirit of enthusiasm, passion for teamwork, the need for constant communication, ebullient energy, and at the same time amazing, sometimes even excessive gullibility towards others are the main character traits of a Samoyed. To make the portrait of this northern handsome man more objective, it is worth mentioning his stubbornness, which the owners of these dogs associate with an innate sense of self-esteem. The habit of working in a team and living in close contact with other pets, laid down at the genetic level, practically negated the tendency to conflict behavior, although the Samoyed Laika cannot be denied courage. This character trait is indicative of the breed, and any manifestation of cowardice or aggressiveness is considered a serious fault. For the same reason, you should not count on the Samoyed as a guard dog. Mistrust and suspicion may be the only behavioral responses to a stranger.
The Arctic Spitz hunter, despite his historical past, is also very mediocre. Of course, he will not refuse to drive a neighbor’s cat into a tree, but he will definitely not understand and share your passion for hunting. Active games and competitions are another matter. Here his energy is in full swing. Her favorite pastime is driving. Even the opportunity to simply ride your children on a sled will be the best reward for the dog.
The Samoyed Laika is a dog that needs constant contact with its “pack” (and your family is for it). Loneliness is simply harmful to these handsome men. Many owners noted in their pets even manifestations of such a purely human feeling as fear of the impending separation. Keeping a Samoyed dog on a chain or locked in an aviary is simply inhumane. As a result of such treatment, the animal may develop persistent mental disorders.
Samoyed dogs get along well with young children, although overwhelming feelings can be shown with excessive assertiveness. Samoyed will quickly find contact with your child and will become a great companion and playmate. Arctic Spitz puppies are notable for their restless, even slightly hooligan character, so they just need constant attention from the owner.
For busy people, rarely at home, this breed is not suitable. It is unlikely that the advantages of a Samoyed dog will be appreciated by people who are calm, preferring a measured course of life, because the animal loves to bark and to maintain its vitality, it needs systematic physical activity. But if you decide to have a Samoyed, be prepared for the rhythm of your life to change dramatically.
Education and Training
Samoyeds, like any other dogs, lend themselves well to training. But the peculiarities of the breed have left their mark on this process. The main difficulties, paradoxically, arise from the highly developed intelligence of the snow dog. The habit of learning the world independently and trusting only oneself in this, coming from the depths of centuries, has formed those character traits that many consider being a manifestation of stubbornness and independence. In their development, the Samoyeds are very dynamic, and the monotony of the situations created in the process of training quickly bothers them and becomes uninteresting. By showing originality and originality in the methods of education, you can achieve amazing results.
Pet training should be started at an early age. Since the Samoyed is a pack dog, the first thing he needs to do is make it clear who is in charge of the house. Having recognized your authority as a leader, in the future, the puppy will better succumb to education.
Experts recommend starting training a Samoyed Laika puppy from the age of three months. First, you need to teach your baby to follow the simplest commands. You can cope with this task on your own – you only need to show perseverance and patience. It is better to train a Samoyed dog to perform more complex commands under the guidance of an experienced instructor. He will tell you how to build a training process based on the temperament and character of your pet.
Samoyed training and education have their own nuances. You must remember that your Samoyed dog is a pack-oriented animal. Understanding of the hierarchy, its strict laws are embedded in it at the genetic level, therefore it is important from the very beginning of the puppy’s stay in your house to clearly and unequivocally make it clear to him who is in charge here. Everything is like in a dog or wolf pack:
- the elders are the first to start the meal. Give your puppy food only after you have left the table;
- by the right of the chief, always enter the house first;
- the affairs of the pack are discussed and decided only by the older members. Allocate a specific location for your puppy so that he will not be near you without permission.
The rules are not at all complicated, and, most importantly, their implementation will be taken by your pet for granted.
The path to success in training a Samoyed lies only through love, patience, and respect for the animal. Rudeness and violence in dealing with a Samoyed Laika are completely unacceptable. It’s not about permissiveness. If the dog is guilty, it should be punished (and this is also the law of the pack). By the right of the elder, simply lift the dog by the withers, shake it slightly and press it with its muzzle to the floor. You won’t hurt him, but make it clear to your pet that he is guilty.
Ultimately, who will grow out of a cute white puppy of a Samoyed dog will depend only on the owner.
Care and Maintenance
The snow-white luxurious Samoyed fur coat is the subject of special pride of the breed. It gets wet neither from snow nor from rain and has an amazing ability to clean itself thanks to the presence of natural oils on it. Frequent bathing can impair this wonderful ability and can also cause skin problems or colds in your dog. The exception is the paws, which need to be washed after each walk. The frequency of “bath” procedures for the Samoyed is 1-2 times a year. Show animals bathe more often and only with the use of professional shampoos designed for this type of coat.
Protect the eyes and ears of the animal from water and detergent getting into them. After buying your pet, dry it with a towel, dry the coat with a hairdryer, while combing it in the opposite direction of growth.
Molting a dog will not give you such trouble, which at first glance would be logical to assume. Bitches shed twice a year, males only once. The process lasts no more than two weeks, the rest of the time the Samoyed dog does not lose hair at all. Systematic brushing with special combs will shorten the shedding time. Another indisputable advantage of the Arctic Spitz’s wool is that it is odorless.
The fur coat of the snow dog has excellent heat-insulating properties, so the Samoyeds tolerate not only severe cold but also heat well. The only thing that absolutely cannot be done is to walk your pet under the scorching rays of the sun.
The size of the animal is not a problem for keeping in a city apartment. Identify a permanent Samoyed location in a cooler area of your home. The litter should be soft and clean. It is desirable that from its place the Samoyed Laika could control all the events taking place in the house: as a member of the pack, she should be aware of what is happening.
Dental care consists of brushing them weekly with a special paste. It is recommended to wipe the tears with a dry soft cloth once a month. Samoyed dogs do not cut their claws – they grind off during walks.
You need to walk with your pet at least twice a day, the duration of each exercise is at least an hour. Whenever possible on weekends, devote as much time as possible to physical activity and active games.
Health and Disease
Dysplasia of the hip joints is most common. If you begin to notice problems with your pet-related to movement, contact your veterinarian immediately. Modern methods of treatment with timely treatment give a good therapeutic effect. Other genetic problems include congenital deafness as well as certain eye pathologies.
Samoyeds sometimes suffer from bloating. Preventive measures in this case are reduced to adherence to the feeding regime and control over its quality. Do not feed the animal with raw dough, sharp bones, and other foods that may disturb the digestion process. Never take your dog for a walk right after feeding!
Fleas and ticks, which can carry severe, sometimes fatal diseases, bother the Arctic Spitz. In this case, special (preferably fabric) insecticidal collars will help you. They will not spoil the appearance of the coat (unlike drops) but will get rid of insects.
Monitor your dog’s health and behavior closely. Seeing your veterinarian on time will help keep your pet healthy and alert.
How to Choose a Puppy
- Samoyed companion. A dog for a family home is selected by character and temperament. Puppies (even from the same litter) vary greatly in character. There are clear leaders and quiet ones, there are curious and restless ones, and there are balanced and calm ones. But a Samoyed baby should never be aggressive and cowardly. Observe your chosen one for some time, if the breeder gives you such an opportunity. Do not hesitate to ask questions about the parents of the baby: what is their character and behavior, how old are they, whether hereditary diseases have manifested themselves in the foreseeable past. As for gender, observations show that Samoyed boys more often show leadership qualities, independence, and stubbornness, and girls will charm you with their affectionateness, ability to subtly feel the mood of the owner.
- Samoyed champion. These are puppies of the so-called show class, the elite of the breed. The cost of such a dog is very high, so it is better to turn to experts for help in choosing – only they can predict with a high degree of accuracy the exhibition prospects of each puppy from the litter. Be sure to take an interest in the pedigree – it’s good if the ancestors include champion dogs. You can’t buy a show-class puppy that way. As a rule, offspring from promising pairs of Samoyeds are signed in advance. Consider this point!
- Samoyed for work. Such puppies are bought as sled dogs to participate in various sports in the future. The parents of such puppies (or at least one of them) must themselves be working dogs.
A purebred puppy of a Samoyed dog must be branded. The mark is placed on the ear or groin. Check the conformity of the actual mark to the one indicated in the metric and in the veterinary passport.
The animal’s passport must contain all information about the vaccinations performed with the signature of the doctor and the seal of the veterinary clinic, also pay attention that the page about anthelmintic procedures is completed and signed.
