Friendly, gentle, and adaptable.
White, fluffy, and the perfect cuddle buddy.
Hardworking, adventurous, and loveable.
Sounds perfect right?
That is just a small glimpse into the Samoyed breed!
The name, Samoyed, is pronounced suh-moy-uhd.
Samoyeds were named after a nomadic tribe in Serbia.
These pups were given the fun nickname Sammies!
So if you happen to be searching for a new buddy, you came to the right place!
You heard a brief overview of these adorable fluff balls, but now you can get a deep dive into getting to know them yourself!
This article will teach you all you need to know in order to own a Sammy yourself!
You can learn the basics like what to feed them, how to keep their snow white coat clean, and what games to play with them.
Also discussed in the article are their bubbly personality, their clingy nature, their rambunctious energy, and their illustrious history!
Let’s learn about the Samoyeds!
Appearance
Standing anywhere from 19-23 inches tall, and 35-65 pounds, the Samoyeds are definitely a substantial breed!
Almost every Sammy is completely white, however, some have a light to dark brown tint called ‘biscuit’.
Typically this tint is on the ears but can sometimes appear all over the body.
Their piercing almond-shaped eyes will steal your heart with one glance!
Eye color varies from black, brown, or sometimes blue!
The Sammy’s ears stand straight up at attention, always listening for their next command.
Perhaps their most distinguishing feature is their tail.
Samoyeds’ tails favor the spitz curved style, and very much resemble the Alaskan Malamutes.
However, instead of curling over the back, their tails are held flat against their back.
Despite their unique features being pleasing to the eyes, they also serve very practical purposes.
Their thick white coat keeps them warm in the harsh, winter conditions that they are accustomed to.
More about how to keep their gorgeous coat healthy will be discussed in a later section.
Sammies are known as the ‘smiling sled dogs’. And yes, there is a reason.
Even though their smile brings joy to many, it also serves as a help to Sammies.
These dogs are used to working in extreme weather, sometimes temperatures down to negative 60.
So the upturned corners of the Sammie’s ceaseless smile keep the dog from drooling, and thus preventing icicles from forming!
There are many things that make these wonderful dogs unique, but enough about their outward appearance, a look at the Sammies delightful personality!
Personality
Despite their beautiful look, I guarantee it will be their quirky personality that will steal your heart!
Sammies are family dogs all the way!
They are affectionate to the point of being lovey-dovey and clingy.
If they are left alone for too long, they can become depressed and destructive.
Make sure to include them in your everyday tasks, no matter how mundane.
Another reason Sammies are great family dogs is that they get along well with children and other pets that they are raised with.
They make wonderful playmates for your kids!
Sammies are exceptionally friendly, if not trained they will approach strangers with their tails wagging, waiting to be petted.
This trait makes the Sammies perfect for traveling or meeting new people, they are very adaptable!
Naturally, they don’t make great watchdogs, however, with the right training, they can be taught to alarm their owners of strangers.
More about their training needs will be discussed later.
Samoyeds were bred to live in close quarters with their family, so they thrive on human companionship.
They are very active, so they suit an athletic lifestyle.
But being a couch potato with their humans is also perfect for them.
Overall a very diverse and adaptable doggo!
Exercise
Exercise is very important with this breed, as with any dog.
Simply setting your pup free in a fenced-in yard will not suffice. That would be more like confinement.
Sammies really enjoy running, so taking them to a dog park or a large open space to let them burn off their energy is ideal.
This breed is very intelligent, so activities that challenge it physically as well as mentally are important.
They enjoy participating in family activities and being included.
Sammies need lots of human interaction to stay happy, they don’t enjoy being alone for too long.
Give your Sammy jobs to complete as this will help him feel satisfied and happy!
There are many games and tricks to teach your Sammy, they enjoy out of the box exercises.
Training will be discussed in more detail later.
Physical activity is important for your Sammy and for you, enjoy it together!
Grooming
Sammies have a dense, double-layered coat.
The overcoat has longer, more coarse hair.
A soft, thick, wooly undercoat lies beneath.
This coat was perfect for keeping Sammies warm in the harsh Arctic weather.
This breed is known for its easy-to-clean coat, often called the ‘Teflon dog’ because dirt doesn’t tend to stick to its coat.
Another fun fact is that Sammies are generally free from the normal dog odor. Most owners of this breed can attest that they don’t usually smell.
Some shedding is expected with all of this fur.
However, a daily brushing can help prevent this, brushing also helps remove dirt and loose hairs.
Mats and tangles can be taken care of by a slicker brush or metal comb.
Shedding of the undercoat happens twice a year, extra brushing is recommended at this time.
Periodical baths are necessary to keep their white coat sparkling.
Nails should be trimmed every 3-4 weeks at most.
The Sammie’s grooming can easily be done by their owner, but some find it easier to let it to the professionals.
By taking care of your pup, you show them that you care for them.
They can never be shown that too much!
Training
The most important thing to remember with training is that it should be started as early as possible.
Sammies are very intelligent but they do have an independent streak.
A firm but loving hand is most needed in training.
It is important to keep this breed active. A bored Sammie is a destructive Sammie.
With enough training, they can be taught to complete tasks, which helps to quench their mental stimulation.
These pups can be house dogs, but this will take extra patience to train them.
Sammies are more than happy to compete in canine events.
They excel in many of the activities.
Dog agility trials, carting, obedience, showmanship, and flyball are just a few examples.
Sammies’ basic herding instincts show when put to the test.
In addition to helping them learn commands and bettering their physical and mental state, training is one of the most important ways to foster the owner-pet bond!
Health
Samoyeds overall are a very healthy breed.
Responsible breeders will screen their stock for any existing or possible future health concerns.
And it never hurts to be in the know about your pup and its health.
Being the active pups that they are, looking out for any damage to their bones and muscles is a must.
Something like hip dysplasia is very common in active breeds.
Pulmonary stenosis appears more frequently in Samoyeds than in other breeds. This disease causes shortness of breath and rapid fatigue when moving, which increases the chance of heart failure.
This breed is sometimes affected by the disease Samoyed hereditary glomerulopathy, a kidney disease.
Symptoms are spotted between 3-4 months of age.
If not treated it can spiral into kidney failure.
There is no cure for this disease, it is only able to be slowed.
Genetic testing is available to find out if this disease exists in your pup.
As with any breed, Samoyeds should be fed high-quality dog food.
Sammies are prone to getting overweight, so smaller portions are recommended.
Give treats scarcely, as too much of them can lead to obesity.
Make sure to keep your pup hydrated, since Sammies are very active.
Don’t be a stranger to the vet!
Schedule a regular checkup, and get recommendations for things like toothpaste, shampoo, and even a meal plan for your pup.
Their health should be a priority!
History
The Samoyeds were first introduced by the semi-nomadic tribe of the Samoyedic people (also their namesake).
Samoyedics camped in tents all throughout Siberia.
Sammies served as their sledge dogs, sometimes hauling almost two times their weight!
These pups thrived in the blinding wind and snow of the vast Arctic.
Not only did they serve as sledge dogs, but also as watchdogs and hunters.
Reindeer was the Samoyedic’s main source of food and also fur and leather, this was the Samoyeds’ prey.
However over time as the Samoyedic culture shifted, Sammies became herders of the reindeer instead of hunters.
These powerful dogs played many roles in the history of the Samoyedic people. Not just as their watchdogs, hunters, and herders, but as their pets and companions.
In the 18th century, Arctic explorers introduced Sammies to British dog lovers.
Queen Alexandra was a strong supporter and lover of the Samoyeds.
Later over in America in 1906, a pup named Moustan of Argenteau gained fame for being the first Samoyed officially registered by the AKC!
These pups accompanied many explorers such as Scott, Shackleton, and Amundsen across the frozen expanses of the Arctic.
Owners of these pups have described them as very strong, reliable, hard workers, and great pets.
What a fascinating history!
Where Can I Find a Samoyed?
Getting a puppy is one of the more important decisions that you’ll make in your life.
You want to make sure that you find the right one for you!
Finding a reliable breeder that you can trust in raising your pup is key.
A good breeder should have all of their pups screened for medical conditions and should have medical documentation on the pup.
They should be able to tell you about their breeding practices and about the dogs.
You want to get a dog from someone who cares about their well-being and takes the time to get to know them.
Ask your breeder questions about the pups and their personalities and little quirks.
Don’t get caught in a puppy mill or somewhere else where they don’t care about the dogs in the way they should.
Spend time with the pup before you decide to take them home, make sure they’re the right one for you!
Lastly, if you are in search of a Sammie, then you’re in luck because you can find them right here at Vip Puppies!
Take a look today!
FAQ
Q: Are Samoyeds lazy dogs?
A: No, Samoyeds are high-energy dogs that enjoy exercise on a daily basis, and will happily join their humans for either walks or runs.
Q: Is a Samoyed a good family dog?
A: Yes! Samoyeds make excellent family companions, especially with children and other pets. They are very active, social, friendly, and loving dogs.
Q: What are the drawbacks of a Samoyed?
A: Samoyeds require lots of exercise, regular coat brushing, and tasks to keep them busy and happy. Some pet parents may have difficulty meeting these needs, especially those who reside in a hot climate, live in an apartment, work long hours away from home, or don’t have a very active lifestyle.
In Closing
So what do you think?
Could these beautiful, white dogs be the companion for you?
Did their fun-loving and energetic personality appeal to you?
Whether it’s walking with their human or completing another task, Sammy is as enthusiastic as ever!
Their timeless smile and their big heart will capture your love forever!
You won’t regret adding a Samoyed to your life!
References
American Kennel Club (2022). Samoyed Dog Breed. Retrieved from the American Kennel Club: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/samoyed/
Wikipedia (2023). Samoyed. Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoyed_dog
Hills Pet (2023). Samoyed. Retrieved from Hills Pet: https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/dog-breeds/samoyed?lightboxfired=true#
Pet Md (2023). Samoyed. Retrieved from Pet Md: https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/samoyed
