Samoyed – the big dog soul from the vastness of Siberia

With its characteristic “smile”, the Samoyed inspires dog lovers all over the world. Once used as a working dog and fluffy warmer by the Samoyedic nomadic peoples of Siberia, the four-legged friend is now a valued family companion. Lively and persevering, this is how the sociable dog with the magnificent light coat keeps its humans on their toes.

Endurance sled dog and cuddly soft bed warmer

Pulling sleds, herding reindeer herds and keeping watch: the tasks that a Samoyed had to perform hundreds of years ago in Russian Siberia were diverse. But the dogs were much more than just farm animals for the nomadic tribe of the Nenets or Samoyeds: they slept with the people in their tents, warmed them with their soft fur on cold winter nights and gave the children security and security. In the 19th and 20th centuries, they were used by researchers as enduring sled dogs for expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic.

Are you interested in other Russian dog breeds? Then maybe the Russkiy Toy or Borzoi is exciting for you.

Character and character: Is a Samoyed a family dog?

As a sled dog, the character of the Samoyed is extremely sociable and eager to move. He needs to join his pack and is therefore also suitable as a family dog. He is considered accessible and fond of children. His gentle nature and calm charisma characterize him as well as his devotion. Aggressiveness is alien to him. In addition, Samoyed is said to be intelligent and open-minded. Due to its approachable nature, it is ideal as a therapy and visiting dog. However, the Samoyed is less suitable as a protection dog or guard dog – it simply looks too friendly for that and behaves like that to almost everyone. Dogs of this breed sometimes tend to bark, which is why the Samoyed may at least be attentive. How well a Samoyed is suitable as a family dog depends not only on the characteristics of the dog, but also on whether the keeping meets its needs. It must therefore not be neglected in family life, and it is absolutely important to plan sufficient time and space for exercise and occupation.

Is a Samoyed difficult to train?

Basically, a Samoyed is not difficult to train. But as with any dog, a consistent and – from the dog’s perspective – sensible training style is important. In order for the Samoyed to feel comfortable and to develop its balanced nature, it is a prerequisite to meet its breed-specific needs.
In concrete terms, this means that a Samoyed dog needs mental and physical activity. This includes daily extensive exercise in all weather conditions and intensive activity. For this reason, people with an active lifestyle are just right for this robust and open-minded four-legged friend. He will be happy to accompany you on a run or bike. Mantrailing or tracking games are also ideal for him. Another particular advantage of dog sports is that it is not only fun for dog and human, but also strengthens the bond between the two.

ProfileSamoyed

How to keep your Samoyed properly busy

The Samoyed’s hunting instinct is not too strong. Nevertheless, it is certainly helpful to reliably train his obedience during walks. Like many dogs, a Samoyed can come up with stupid ideas if he is not challenged. For example, boredom or underemployment can tempt him to go on a journey of discovery outside a garden that is not adequately secured. This dog only feels comfortable in the apartment if it has the opportunity to spend a lot of time on walks or hikes outdoors. In addition to the obligatory sled dog sport, other sports recommended are movement-intensive species such as agility or dog dancing.

Is a Samoyed a beginner dog?

In general, beginners can also get along well with a Samoyed, but should always deal with the education of dogs. If you buy a Samoyed puppy, it is advisable to attend a puppy school with him. There, young dogs have the opportunity to learn healthy social behavior, while their humans are given basic training advice. This means that the chances are good to do a lot right from the start and to create the basis for a successful coexistence. The breed-typical characteristics that must be taken into account include the self-confidence and independence of a Samoyed. Therefore, consistency and clear rules are required when training these dogs. The chances of success that you can enforce the rules are increased by a lot of positive motivational incentives and a lot of tact.

How much does a Samoyed cost?

The price at which a Samoyed is offered can vary. You can expect a Samoyed puppy to cost around 1,200 euros. If you want to buy a Samoyed puppy, however, you should not pay attention to the price in the first place. It is much more important to find a responsible Samoyed breeder. There are various criteria for choosing the right breeder.

Buying a Samoyed – what you should consider

Before buying your Samoyed, you should also take a look behind the scenes of the respective breeder: A reputable breeder will show you his animals on site, i.e. in the environment in which they actually live. You will see both the puppies of the litter and the mother, because they are of course still together. A provider who only shows you a single animal, possibly on neutral terrain, such as a parking lot, should definitely make you skeptical. In addition, a reliable breeder does not push you to buy and ideally gives you the opportunity to visit one or more times before you decide on one of the dogs.

A positive sign that speaks for the breeder is also that he will also ask you questions and inquire about your dog knowledge and keeping conditions, for example. Because as a responsible dog breeder, he absolutely wants to place his animals in good hands. Another aspect is the health of the dogs. The animals should live in a hygienically perfect environment, ideally with a family connection. For the breeder, veterinary care for his dogs is a matter of course, so there are also documents on vaccinations and deworming carried out. He also reacts calmly to questions about the occurrence of breed-typical diseases and answers competently. A reputable breeder will also never offer you a dog that is younger than twelve weeks old. Until this age, the puppies should be allowed to stay with their mother and siblings so that they can develop well psychologically and socially.

As an alternative to the breeder, you can contact associations that help Samoyeds in need. Here, dogs are placed that have lost their homes due to separations or death of their owners or for other reasons. Sometimes young animals are also adopted, but they can basically be dogs of any age. It can be a sensible alternative to adopt a dog in need. It is important to inquire well about the previous keeping conditions and experiences of the dog. However, dogs that have had traumatic experiences are not for beginners.

What does a Samoyed look like and what are its special features?

The typical appearance of the Samoyed includes its dense, lush fur in bright colors. It is, so to speak, the trademark of the Samoyed and was originally intended to protect against the Siberian cold. The hair is pleasingly self-cleaning. Regular brushing is usually sufficient. Careful grooming is particularly important during puppyhood and during the shedding process. During this time, a Samoyed can lose a lot of hair. Dog shampoo and soap, on the other hand, should only be used on the coat in exceptional cases, as they could attack the dog’s own wool grease. The Samoyed’s coat is as useful as it is necessary in the regions of origin of this dog breed. In Central Europe, a Samoyed definitely feels just as comfortable in the cold season. Heat, on the other hand, can take its toll on it, so you should offer your Samoyed sufficient cooling in summer. A Samoyed is not suitable for traveling to the south.

Samoyed males reach a height of about 57 centimeters shoulder height, are a little more petite at 53 centimeters. The weight is between 20 and 30 kilograms, the life expectancy is about 13 to 14 years. A striking feature is the so-called smile of the Samoyed. It is created by the position of the eyes and the slightly upturned lip angles and visually perfectly underlines the gentle nature of the four-legged friend. Due to its magnificent coat, the Samoyed is one of the popular show dogs.

What diseases are Samoyeds prone to?

In almost all breeds, breeding-related tendencies to various diseases occur. This does not necessarily mean that these occur in the respective dog, but the risk of this can be increased. Samoyeds are known to have an increased incidence of diabetes mellitus, certain retinal diseases of the eye, a hereditary form of kidney inflammation and heart disease.

Fun fact: Samoyeds have a typical smile

Samoyeds have a smile to melt away. In English, one also speaks of the “Sammy smile”. The blissful facial expression is created by combining the shape and position of the eyes with the naturally upward lip angles in a gentle curve. Who can resist this smile?

Let yourself be inspired by other breeds from the Lace family:

• German Spitz: Especially in rural areas, a German Spitz was omnipresent in ancient times as a domestic and farm dog and had a good view of its territory.
• Eurasians: The Eurasier is an interesting choice for families looking for a warm, active and cuddly companion for their everyday life.
• Finnish Spitz: The Finnish Spitz cannot be overheard: it indicates visitors directly with loud barking. This makes it a reliable guard dog – but it can do much more:
• Icelandic Sheepdog: The Icelandic Dog is one of the rare dog breeds, but is finding more and more enthusiasts among dog lovers who are looking for an intelligent, active and affectionate companion.
• Japanese Spitz: Nihon Supittsu – that’s the name of the Japanese Spitz in its Far Eastern homeland. The elegant small dog has not been at home there for long, compared to time-honored traditional breeds.
• Quay: Once he hunted big game in the pack, today the Kai, or more correctly: Kai Inu or Tora Inu, is a dog that is one of the absolute exotics outside of Japan.
• Kleinspitz: The Spitz is one of the oldest German dog breeds, the Kleinspitz is one of its smallest representatives. However, you should not underestimate the handy companions.
• Mittelspitz: The Mittelspitz is a classic family dog with a long pedigree. As a former guard dog, he still keeps a close eye on your house and yard.
• Dwarf spitz: Small, lively and a living ball of fur on four paws, so to speak: Pomeranian horses are very popular as companion and family dogs. The reasons for this are obvious.