Samoyed
The Samoyed or “Smiling Sammie” has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.
Origin
The Samoyed is considered to be one of the oldest living dog breeds. Their ancestors were believed to have roamed the earth some 12,000 to 14,000 years ago.
The Samoyed is named after a nomadic tribe known as the Samoyedes that originally lived in Asia and migrated north to Siberia. In the cold and snow of Siberia, the Samoyedes used their dogs to help them herd reindeer, hunt and pull sleds. They called their dogs “Bjelkier,” which meant “white dog that breeds white.” The Samoyedes held the Bjelkier in high regard and treated them like members of the family.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Bjelkier began making their way to Europe and the United States. The breed was eventually renamed Samoyed.
Size
The Samoyed is a medium-sized dog that weighs 50 to 65 pounds and measures 19 to 23.5 inches.
Grooming Needs
The Samoyed has a very thick double coat that never needs to be trimmed. The undercoat is soft and wooly while the top coat is long and coarse. The Samoyed should be brushed twice a week. The Samoyed’s coat is dirt resistant and has no doggie odor; therefore the Samoyed only needs to be bathed occasionally. Their coat can take a long time to dry given its thickness.
Like all dogs, the Samoyed also needs basic grooming. Brush their teeth, clean their ears and trim their nails on a regular basis.
Character
As their “Smiling Sammie” nickname suggests, the Samoyed is a happy and playful dog.
Temperament
The Samoyed is people-oriented and very welcoming. The Samoyed makes a wonderful family dog but a poor choice for a guard dog because of their friendly nature. Samoyeds are alert and will bark when someone rings the doorbell, but only because they are excited to meet a new friend. Samoyeds are great with children.
The Samoyed has a mischievous streak and loves to play. The Samoyed retains their energy and playfulness well past puppyhood.
Training Needs
The Samoyed is smart and thrives on having a task or job to do. However, the Samoyed can be challenging to train. They are known for being stubborn and independent thinkers that bore easily. Some Samoyeds also bark quite a bit. The Samoyed does best with a firm handler, short and varied training sessions, and lots of positive reinforcement, especially in the form of treats. With proper training, the Samoyed can compete in agility, weight pulling and herding.
Activity Level
The Samoyed loves to be outside, especially in the winter months. The Samoyed is an energetic and athletic dog that needs a daily walk at the very least and can be a good partner for jogging and hiking. The Samoyed should also have playtime in a secure area to run around.
