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The Samoyed is a popular dog breed thanks to their majestic all-white coats and curled tails. Apart from their physical attributes, these dogs are also known for their friendly personality, affinity to cold weather, and lively energy. Initially built for herding in harsh climates, and the direct descendants of Russia’s Reindeer Spitz, the Samoyed has served the Nenets people for centuries. In this article, we share everything you need to know about the Samoyed dog breed.
What is the Samoyed?
Samoyed dogs are medium-sized working dogs that were once valued companions of the Samoyede people of northwestern Siberia. Today, they are affectionately called Sammies and are used to haul sleds, herd reindeer, hunt, transport goods, and warm their humans when asleep. While they can be strong-willed because of their working ancestry, their temperament includes a gentle, devoted, and friendly nature.
History of the Samoyed
It’s believed that the first Samoyeds descended from the Reindeer Spitz and were used to hunt, herd, and pull sleds for the Samoyede people who treated them kindly and allowed them to join in with family activities. At the end of the 19th century, these dogs were chosen to pull sleds for Sir Ernest Shackleton’s journey into the Antarctic, where they endured hardships and only the fittest and strongest dogs survived.
A Samoyed by the name of Antarctic Buck may have been the first to reach England, where Queen Alexandria soon became an enthusiast of the breed. Many experts believe that present-day American and English Sammies descended from her kennels. The first standard for these dogs was first developed in 1909 in England. By 1923, the first Samoyed Club of America was established, and the breed was soon registered with the American Kennel Club.
Samoyed Appearance
Samoyeds are functional and active dogs that come with naturally upturned corners in their mouth, making them look like they’re always smiling. This is an adaptation to the cold weather from where they come from, which works by preventing excessive drooling so that icicles won’t form on their face. These medium-sized dogs were originally bred in Oymyakon, the coldest town in Siberia which has temperatures of -60°; this is why Samoyeds come with a thick coat.
Male Samoyeds can grow between 21 to 23.5 inches and will weigh around 45 to 65 pounds while females can grow between 19 to 21 inches tall and will also be lighter at 35 to 50 pounds. These cute dogs come with white fluffy coats that can grow pretty long so they will need frequent grooming. Their outer coat comes with harsh hair that’s longer, while the undercoat comes in a thicker, softer, and wooly texture.
Samoyed Temperament
These intelligent dogs are also loyal and gentle; they are friendly and affectionate towards their family including kids, and will thrive when included in household activities. They enjoy close associations with their owners and shouldn’t be left alone inside a backyard or a kennel. At heart, the Samoyed is a hunter who’s likely to run after small animals that it sees as prey.
Their temperament can be affected by a wide range of factors which include heredity, socialization, and training, so they will need early socialization that exposes them to different sights, people, sounds, and situations. Inviting friends and family, taking it out for walks, and going into stores that let dogs inside can help to polish their social skills. Overall, their alertness and loyalty can help them become good watchdogs.
Samoyed Care
When you want to give your Samoyed the best care possible, be sure to follow our quick guide below which covers their nutrition, grooming, exercise, and training needs.
Nutrition
Fortunately, Samoyed aren’t too picky about what you feed them and they will like all kinds of meals, including canned foods and homemade items. Just ensure that if you do opt for a homemade meal you first speak to a veterinary nutritionist to ensure that your food meets their dietary needs. It can be hard to make sure that your pup gets all the appropriate nutrients when making dog food; always get your vet’s approval before serving homemade meals to your pet.
Your dog’s nutrition will vary depending on its age and size; some dogs will gain weight faster compared to others and will be more likely to gain weight. As such, take care not to give them too many sweets and treats, which can lead to a wide range of health conditions. No matter what kind of treat you feed them, make sure that they don’t account for more than 10% of their daily calorie count.
Grooming
Because these dogs come with a thick double coat that consists of a soft, thick undercoat and a straight outer coat, daily brushing is a must, especially when their coat starts shedding. They will need bathing around once every month or whenever they get too dirty or smelly — this will require some dedication since you will need to thoroughly shampoo, rinse, and dry their fur. Many dog owners choose to hire a professional groomer for their Samoyed and while this is a bit costly, it can take the burden off you but you will still need to brush your pup regularly.
Make sure to brush your pup’s teeth at least 2 to 3 times every week to protect them from plaque and tartar buildup; daily brushing can also prevent bad breath and gum disease. It’s also a good idea to trim their nails every 2 weeks or when they become too long for the floors around your house. Finally, their eyes and ears should be checked for signs of discharge or infections; look for a pH-balanced ear cleaner to clean their ears and prevent infections.
Exercise
The Samoyed dog breed loves to be a part of their family and will be happy to participate in all kinds of activities since they’re highly energetic. They enjoy playtime with their owners and will be great buddies for outdoor activities — they run pretty fast though, so be sure to keep them leashed or leave them inside fenced yards where they can play safely. Providing your pup with regular exercise won’t just keep them physically fit but will also ensure their mental health.
While you can take them out for walks, this won’t be enough for Samoyeds; these dogs thrive with engaging activities such as playing fetch, running, and dog sports such as Obedience Trials or Agility Courses. Winter sports such as sledding can be a great way for them to burn excess energy but keep in mind that these dogs can retain puppy-like enthusiasm into adulthood, so you’ll need to gauge how much energy they have. Incorporating puzzle feeders and interactive toys into their routine can also help stimulate their minds while providing cognitive challenges apart from physical activity.
Training
These highly adaptable dogs will need firm owners to train them; be sure to stay with them whenever they’re left inside an open backyard since they can become destructive on their own. Samoyeds are known to be mischievous and smart dogs but the best way to train them is to be loving but strict with them. They respond well to positive reinforcement techniques but getting harsh correction can harm the bond you share with your dog.
Rather than getting angry or becoming frustrated with your dog, stop the training session and come back when both you and your dog are ready to try again. Try to use rewards such as paradise, treats, and play to help motivate them and to make training more fun and enjoyable. As mentioned, these dogs will need socialization from an early age so they don’t chase after smaller animals and to help them become more tolerant of young children.
Samoyed Health Problems
When given proper care and attention, these purebred dogs can live an average lifespan between 12 to 14 years. While Samoyeds are relatively healthy dogs, they can develop and inherit certain health conditions. These dogs may have also been bred from different breeds, so they may come with genetic issues found in their parents, which include the following.
Hip Dysplasia
This is a common skeletal condition in dogs and occurs when the socket and ball of the animal’s hip joint don’t fit or don’t develop properly. As such, their bones end up rubbing and grinding against each other which causes severe pain. When left untreated, this disorder can get worse over time and can lead to the deterioration of the hip joint; common symptoms of hip dysplasia include low muscle mass, stiffness, extreme pain, and decreased activity.
Samoyed Hereditary Glomerulopathy
Samoyed hereditary glomerulopathy (SHG) is an inherited kidney disease related to the dog’s sex; while this disease is more common in males, females are the primary carriers. The glomeruli located in the kidneys help to filter blood, and remove waste as well as excess water; glomerulopathy is caused by structural weaknesses in the kidney’s filtration layer, known as the glomerular basement membrane. Symptoms in females appear at around 2 to 3 months old but won’t usually result in renal failure as they get older that way it does in males.
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes in these dogs is similar to human Type 1 for insulin deficiency but with some differences; this affects dogs in their middle ages, with the average age for diagnosis at 7 years. This health condition is caused by the chronic inflammation of the pancreas in dogs — another reason is due to autoimmune damage of the beta cells which results in increased insulin production. Common symptoms of diabetes in canines include excessive appetite, increased urination, vomiting, dehydration, infections, weight loss, frequent seizures, and poor coat health.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Located at the back of the eye, the retina contains photoreceptors that sense light and send images to the brain; PRA is a collection of degenerative diseases that slowly deteriorate vision. This disease targets the dog’s photoreceptor cells and may lead to blindness. The first symptoms may appear between 2 and 5 years of age in dogs and may include clumsiness, dilated pupils, and night blindness.
If you have any health concerns regarding your dog, be sure to speak to your vet to discuss diagnosing any potential issues and how you can treat them.
Finding Your Samoyed
The sad thing about these dogs is that many will often purchase them without understanding what it takes to own one. Because of this, many of them end up in need of fostering and adoption. Luckily, many rescues have these dogs and there’s nothing more rewarding than taking a dog in need of a family and giving them a loving home.
- Northern California Sled Dog Rescue
- Buckeye Samoyed Rescue
- Samoyed Rescue of Texas
- National Samoyed Rescue
- St. Louis Samoyed Rescue
- Northern Illinois Samoyed Assistance
- San Francisco Samoyed Rescue
However, if you feel that you would rather purchase a Samoyed, the first thing you need to do is to find reputable breeders. They will be committed to providing you with healthy and well-socialized puppies that can be wonderful companions. Good dog breeders will screen their dogs for health problems, socialize their pups at a young age, and give you lifetime support whenever you have questions.
To help you get in the right direction, be sure to visit the Samoyed Club of America to help you get in touch with a responsible breeder.
Samoyed Costs
Samoyed puppies generally cost around $4,000 and $8,000, but this price can be influenced by several factors such as lineage, location, and the breeder’s reputation. Apart from the initial cost of purchasing your pooch, you should also consider regular costs such as food, supplies, grooming, and veterinary care which can cost around $1,500 to $2,500 annually. Moreover, Samoyeds can be prone to health issues which can lead to more veterinary expenses; getting pet insurance can help cover high medical costs.
Samoyed Mixes
Samoyed mixes are the result of combining their genes with many different breeds that are well-loved. Many of these pups come with endearing and attractive traits, but make sure to choose the hybrid that best suits your personality and lifestyle.
German Sammy
The German Sammy is a designer dog resulting in the union of a German Shepherd and a Samoyed. This high energy dog is intelligent, diligent, and hard-working so it will do best when it’s given a job or a purpose. While this mix is quite rare, they have a striking appearance and they look like wolves but if your puppy gets a red coat, it can look like a fox as well.
Australian Sammy
When you combine the Samoyed with an Australian Shepherd, you get the Australian Sammy, a loving dog that’s among the most intelligent breeds in the world. They come with high energy levels and are good working dogs so be sure to give them plenty of things to do around the house. These dogs come with long, luxurious coats and will need regular brushing to keep looking neat and polished.
Golden Sammy
These mixed-breed dogs are the offspring of the Samoyed and the Golden Retriever, one of the most popular dog breeds that are also among the friendliest dogs. Golden Sammies often look like their Golden Retriever parent but with the fluffy white coat and the personality of the Samoyed. They are loyal, happy, loving, and safe for both seniors and kids, making them a great choice for families.
Samusky
Among the best Siberian Husky dog breeds is the Siberian Samoyed, a mix between Siberian Huskies and Samoyeds which possess the blue eyes of their Husky parents. Bright, sweet, and devoted to their family, children, and other pets, they are the ideal choice for many homes. However, because of their background as sled dogs, they come bursting with energy and will need a dedicated family to help them spend all this enthusiasm; they also come with a high prey drive so training and socialization are essential.
Sammy Chow
The cross between a Chow Chow and Samoyed is best suited for cold climates and is ideal for people who live in areas with frigid winter conditions. Thanks to both parent breeds, these puppies are highly fuzzy and come with thick, warm coats that require regular grooming. These dogs can be anxious and may show signs of aggression, so be sure to give them socialization and training starting at a young age.
Other great Samoyed mixes include the Shiba Inu and Samoyed mix, the Samoyed and Border Collie mix, and the Samoyed and Labrador Retriever mix.
Conclusion
When you’re looking for the right dog for your family, you might want to consider the Samoyed dog breed. These energetic dogs come with a friendly demeanor and will need plenty of exercise as well as mental stimulation. They can also produce mixed breed dogs that are paired with many of the world’s most beloved and popular canines, making way for wonderful crosses.
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