Samoyed (Samoyedskaya Sabaka)

The Samoyed is a gregarious and gentle creature with contagious zest for life. It was created by the Samoyedic folk in the remote areas of Siberia and served as indispensable condition of their survival. It’s important to notice that its lavish coat requires tons of times to be properly groomed.

The Samoyed is considered to be developed directly from the local Siberian wolf somewhat 7000 years ago. However this number rather underestimates the age of this dog since modern genetic research showed that domesticating process actually started millennia earlier. This breed was an essential part of life of indigenous tribes, which lived in the Arctic climate of Siberia. This terrain is known to have one of the toughest living conditions on the earth with its hostile nature and extremely low temperature all the year around.

The Samoyed was as necessary for the survival of the Siberian indigenous people as food and shelter. This Siberian people were nomads and were known as the Samoyeds (evidently the dog was named after this local folk). From the very beginning this dog played multiple roles including helping its owner to carry his possessions and provision across enormous distances, protecting camp from wild beasts and thieves, and being of great use in hunting.

After the invention of the sled the Samoyed was adjusted to pull them in the company of other dogs. It allowed moving much faster across the huge Arctic territory and this hardy and tireless animal suited perfectly for this assignment. An additional point to the dog’s already long list of responsibilities brought the semi-domestication of the reindeer. The Samoyed tribes used their dogs to drive the reindeer on migrations or to some particular place as well as to keep the animals from straying.

Outside its native Siberia the Samoyed came in the spotlight only in the latter half of the XVIII century. At that point the Polar territory represented one of the last unexplored places on the planet. The western explorers mostly preferred the Samoyed as sled dogs because of its docile demeanour and appealing appearance. Moreover this breed was one of few well-known sled dogs in the Western Europe. As a result the Samoyed participated in almost all of the main exploratory expeditions to the North Pole from 1870 until 1915.

The breed drew an attention of the common western people in the United Kingdom and Russia thanks to its important role in success of so many exploratory missions. It was initially kept for its impressive and aristocratic appearance but soon its loyalty and affection as a companion dog were appreciated at its true value. Nowadays the Samoyed is generally bred for companionship or as a show dog in these countries.

The first Samoyeds were introduced to the United States in the beginning of the XX century. The breed was given recognition of the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1906. The United Kennel Club (UKC) recognised the dog in 1927.

If one should describe the Samoyed in only one term he or she would probably use the word «friendly». This loving and kind-hearted dog establishes tight bonds with every member of its family. Despite its outmost devotion the breed is endowed with independent character and prefers to be in equal footing with its master. The well-socialised specimen will become extremely attached to the child of its family and it’s going to handle it with appropriate gentleness.

The Samoyed is prone to perceive all strangers as friends and usually treats them as such. Without correct training it will show its feeling in exuberant way, jumping on and licking newcomers in your house. This watchful dog is a barker and it will timely alert its master about unwelcomed guests. That’s why the Samoyed can be turned into a good watchdog. However this breed will make a terrible guard dog, which would politely escort an intruder in the house rather than display any aggression.

The Samoyed traditionally worked in the company of dozen of other canine animals and as the result it developed a great deal of tolerance to their presence. The dog will peacefully and even eagerly co-exist with one or more canines. Nevertheless this breed is accustomed to hold a leader position in the pack and from time to time it’s going to try to assert its status to other dogs. Generally speaking the Samoyed gets along much better with small dogs than with other breeds of its size.

This amiable breed is ok with other species of animals but only if it has been timely socialised with them. Much of its hunting instinct still lingers in it so its owner should exercise caution while walking with the dog and apply a leash at all times. The dog is predisposed to herd everyone in its reach and this primal habit may not be appreciated by a home cat. However this undesirable behaviour can be controlled with proper training.

The most common problems for the breed include:

• canine hip dysplasia;
• elbow dysplasia;
• eyes problems;
• samoyed hereditary glomerulopathy;
• diabetes;
• skin allergies;
• pulmonary stenosis;
• hypothyroidism;
• gastric torsion.

The grooming of the Samoyed’s coat will consume a great deal of your precious time and energy. It should be brushed on the daily basis and it can become quite a challenge to work out all the tangles in the thick beautiful fur of this breed. It’s also crucial to bath your Samoyed regularly and thoroughly and it usually requires significant efforts to do it properly.

The breed sheds very heavily and almost constantly so be prepared to plenty of the dogs’ locks all over your possessions. The shedding even intensifies when the season changes and the layer of the dog’s hair will cover your clothes, carpets and furniture.

The Samoyed is a capable learner and can be trained to perform the most sophisticated tricks with reasonable amount of effort from its handler. However this dog was bred to be an independent thinker and as such it tends to rely in its own opinion what actions should be taken in any particular situation. That’s way the trainer should play a dominative role in his/her relationship with the dog in order to achieve its full docility.

On the whole the Samoyed responds to training much better than majority of Spitzen. Essential ingredient of successful training of this breed is correct method, which should be founded on abundant food incentives and mild reinforcement.

The Samoyed should get an average amount of exercise and it doesn’t tend to be hyper active as one can suggest from its history of development. The dog requires a long and brisk walk each and every day but it should occasionally have an opportunity to run freely in an area with secure fence. The breed absolutely loves winter and can endlessly play and frisk in snow.

The Samoyed enjoys different games but especially likes pulling sleds and passing through agility training. Its owner should be aware that the dog is extremely sensitive to high temperature and therefore it would be wise to shorten walks with it during summer heat.