The Samoyed is one of the Russian dog breeds most popular in the world. Its white, fluffy and dense 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 teenagers.
Whether you are considering adopting a Samoyed or if you already have one, in this tab on our site you will be able to discover much more about him. Next we show you all about the Samoyed dog:
Origin of the Samoyed
The Samoyed tribes inhabited the territory between northwestern Siberia and Central Asia. These nomadic peoples relied on their dogs to herd and care for reindeer, protect themselves from predators, and hunt. They also slept next to their prized dogs to keep warm.
Dogs from the southernmost regions were black, white and brown, and had a more independent temperament. However, dogs from the northern regions had pure white fur and were more docile.
These dogs captivated British explorer Ernest Kilburn-Scott during his Arctic research in 1889. Upon his return toEngland , Kilburn-Scott brought along a brown Samoyed puppy as a gift for his wife.
Thereafter, other explorers and the Kilburn-Scott family took it upon themselves to bring more of these dogs to Europe. The Kilburn-Scott dogs were the basis for today's European Samoyeds. The family was so enchanted with the white dogs that they decided to use them as the basis for their upbringing.
The breed spread throughout Europe thanks to the fact that some personalities became fond of these beautiful white dogs. In addition, many Arctic explorers used Samoyeds and Samoyed crosses during their journeys, increasing the fame of the breed.
The race was also used to explore the other hemisphere of the planet. It is said that the dog that led Roald Amundsen's expedition to the South Pole was a Samoyed named Etah. This dog is the first of the canine species to have passed through the South Pole… and yes, a little before the first man to do so.
Later the breed spread throughout the world thanks to its beauty and good character. Today the Samoyed is a well-known and appreciated dog everywhere, and is mainly kept as a family dog.
Physical Characteristics of the Samoyed
The Samoyed is a medium-sized dog that looks elegant, strong, resistant and graceful. He has a characteristic expression where it looks like he's smiling. The head of this dog is wedge-shaped and is very well proportioned to the body.
The naso-frontal depression (stop) is well defined but not very pronounced. The nose is black but it can partially lose its pigment at certain times of the year, in what is known as "nose of winter". The eyes are almond-shaped, obliquely arranged and dark brown in color. The ears are erect, small, triangular, thick and rounded at the tips.
The body is slightly longer than it is tall, but compact and flexible. The chest is broad, deep and long, while the belly is moderately retracted. The tail is set high and reaches the hock. At rest it may be hanging down, but when the dog is active he carries it folded over his back or to his side.
The coat is made up of two layers The outer coat is straight, dense, rough and thick. The undercoat is short, soft and dense. Although the dogs of the nomadic tribes of yore were of different colors, the modern Samoyed is only pure white, cream, or white with a biscuit color
Samoyed Character
The FCI defines the Samoyed as a friendly, lively and alert dog Although its origin may lead us to think that it is a dog with a predisposition to hunting, the truth is that his instinct is very slight. It is a friendly dog, which usually gets along with children and other animals, as long as we dedicate efforts to its socialization.
Samoyed Care
The Samoyed's coat should be brushed at least three times a week to prevent tangles and remove dirt. It is essential if we want it to stay clean and he althy. In times of moult it is necessary to brush it daily. On the other hand, we can bath him every 1 or 2 months, when we consider that he is dirty.
Due to your moderate exercise needs, it is advisable to take between 2 and 3 walks a day It is also indicated to dedicate between 2 and 3 days to week to do some activity. Dog sports such as herding, dog freestyle, and agility are also good options to practice with a Samoyed. The breed adapts well to life both in the countryside and in the city. Given enough exercise and walks, he can adjust very well to life anywhere.
Apart from the exercise, it will be essential to offer our Samoyed different exercises that help him stimulate his mind An example of an exercise in smell and relaxation could be the crop, but we can also buy food vending toys and/or intelligence toys on the market.
Food must always be accompanied by the dog's lifestyle. If we do regular physical exercise with him, it will be important to consider it to adapt his diet and offer him the necessary extra kilocalories. We recommend you always look for a quality foodand according to his needs
Samoyed Education
The list of most intelligent dogs according to Stanley Coren points to the Samoyed as a dog with an intelligence above average It is not of a canine breed that has learning difficulties, yes, provided that its development as a puppy has been positive and appropriate, taking into account animal welfare.
To achieve a balanced and sociable dog, we must bear in mind that it will be essential to socialize it from puppyhood so that it learns habits and social relationships. We will carry out positive training, with which the best results and the best relationship between dog and human are achieved.
Later on, we will introduce you to the basic training commands, essential for good communication and for your safety. Finally, note that when these dogs are isolated in a garden or left alone for a long time, they can develop behavior problems and become destructive dogs.
Samoyed He alth
As is the case with virtually all dog breeds, the Samoyed is predisposed to certain pathologies, most of which are estimated are of genetic origin, according to the UPEI (University of Prince Edward Island) databases. Below we offer you an ordered list where we mention the most common diseases of the Samoyed, ordered from most to least frequent:
- Hip dysplasia
- Subaortic stenosis
- Atrial septal defect (ASD)
- Waterfalls
- Ataxia
- Corneal dystrophy
- Deafness
- Familial kidney disease
- Glaucoma
- Adrenal sex hormone sensitivity dermatosis
- Hemophilia
- Hypomyelogenesis
- Leukodystrophies
- Osteochondrodysplasia
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Pulmonary stenosis
- Retinal dysplasia
- Sebaceous adenitis
- X-linked muscular dystrophy
- Zinc-sensitive dermatitis
- Microphthalmia
- Myasthenia gravis
- Shaker syndrome
- Spina bifida
To prevent and promptly detect any he alth problem in the Samoyed dog, it is essential to visit the veterinarian every 6 or 12 months to carry out a general examination, as well as correctly follow the dog's vaccination schedule and regular internal and external deworming. The life expectancy of the Samoyed is between ages 12 and 14
