Samoyed

Breed Type: Spitz
Country of Origin: Siberia and Russia
Size: Medium
Males: Height 53–60cm, Weight: 25-30kg
Females: Height 48-53cm, Weight 20-25kg.
Care Requirements: High
Lifespan: 13-15 and years
Exercise Requirements: Medium
Best Suited as: Family Pet

Developed in northern Russia the Samoyed dog was bred as a utility work dog. Their tasks included herding of reindeers, as draught animals pulling sleds, and his companions and guard dogs. The name is derived from the Samoyedic people of this area who first bred them.

Appearance
they are distinctly cold climate bred Spitz type dog with permanently pricked ears, very thick fluffy white coat and thick tail which Coles up over the back. Bred as utility dogs they lack the size of the larger Siberian and even the Alaskan huskies as its large size would make them unsuitable as herding dogs.

Nevertheless their competency a sled dogs with high. Their build and skeletal structure was designed to get them maximum power for their size without being limited by an overly stiff, heavily bones and muscular body. The back is neither short or long and somewhere in between thus lacking the weakness associated with a long back yet retaining the flexibility and springiness not seen in short back dogs. This springiness being required in order to cushion the force placed on the dogs back in attempting to get a heavy sled started.

They are moderately deep chested in June in order to ensure maximum pulling power and thus they are long lead to compensate.

There are likely, spirited and active breed as you would expect with a working bred dog. There is the coat provides them with immunity to almost any climate that mother Earth can throw at them as long as it is cold. They do not do well in very hot climates.

History
They are perhaps one of the most ancient breeds of dog and their history working with the Samoyed people can be traced back over 3000 years. Regardless of their ancient past they were not introduced to the UK or the US until the beginning of the 20th century with breed clubs created shortly after arrival.

Temperament
the Samoyed was bred to live in close quarters with its humans in difficult climates and thus it was important that as well is being non-complaining and hard-working that they have easy going natures. Indeed this trait remains highly ingrained in the breed today. Their face seems to be fixed in a permanent smile. Fans of the breed described as the most lovable and loyal family dogs, beautiful and caring towards the children, protective but never aggressive and generally a lovely dog to have around. They do love a good pat. Too friendly to be much good as guard dogs their alertness however and their tendency to bark and strange sounds and sights makes excellent watchdogs.

They are not wasters of energy and will not bound around with unnecessary excitement unless doing so it seemed appropriate for example when their beloved family arrives home from school or work.

Having been bred as pack dogs and to live closely with their family they do not do well when kept alone for long periods. Expect a solitary Samoyed to destroy the your backyard garden if left alone for long periods during the day. Certainly if you are considering a Samoyed considered two. Their herding nature remains strong and when rough housing the children expect them to display their herding abilities with the children being their de facto reindeers.

They are very trainable as a result of their herding background and their desire to please though as they were also required to be independent thinkers to an extent than a guarded their reindeer flocks you cannot expect them to obey every command absolutely and immediately.

Care and Grooming
Their two laid coat is surprisingly easy to care for as it lacks the tendency to tangle are seen in other long-haired breeds with finer silkier fur. The Samoyed will require brushing and combing at least once a week expect to take up to an hour to complete. Regular bathing is not necessary in a generally not smelly dogs. In most cases you’ll be able to brush the dirt off them.

Their white fur is extremely attractive to fleas and their thick fur makes an ideal place for these fleas to breed so it is important to use either a flea tablets or spot on to keep them free of these pests -probably an oral solution is best considering the long fur will make a spot on difficult to apply.

Nails have a tendency to grow faster than they can be worn down to check them and keep them clipped. Their beautiful white coats are designed to keep them warm in the coldest climates and will keep them a hot on the hottest of climates so if you live in a hot environment and you don’t intend to show your Samoyed certainly consider showing them in the hotter months. Shaven or not it should not be exercised vigorously in the heat of the Australian summer day.

Health
Surprisingly for a cold weather climate bred working dog there are a number of significant genetic problems that affect the breed. Males are more commonly affected in the conditions include renal failure and diabetes. The renal failure condition is hereditary, genetic but there is no test for the condition. Luckily the condition is extremely rare in Australia though more common in the US.

Hip dysplasia were not common is also known to occur in the breed so you should ensure you view the hip scores of your breeders breed stock as well is the potential puppies hip scores.

In most cases assuming you buy from a reputable breeder you will end up with a very healthy loving dog will make a wonderful family member for as long as 15 years.