Samoyeds

Thanks to the authors of the Alaskan Malamute FAQ, which provided the model and some of the text for this FAQ.
Copyright 1993, 1995 by Michael D.Jones. Revision History

Dec 1995, SCA club secretary info updated

Table of Contents

• Description
• History
• Characteristics and Temperament
• Coat and Grooming
• Temperament
• Barking, Talking, and Howling
• Care and Training
• Special Medical Problems
• Frequently Asked Questions
• References
• Online Resources
• Books
• Periodicals
• Breed Rescue Organizations
• Breed Clubs
• Breeders

Description

The Samoyed is a strong, medium-sized sled dog. They stand 19 to 23-1/2 inches at the shoulder and typically weigh 45-65 pounds. They are very handsome dogs, friendly but dignified. Samoyeds are in many ways medium between the smaller Siberian Husky and larger Alaskan Malamute, and this is reflected in many places in the standard. There are many similarities between these breeds, particularly between the Samoyed and the Malamute. The Standard is the physical "blueprint" of the breed.
It describes the physical appearance and other desired qualities of the breed otherwise known as type. Some characteristics, such as size, coat quality, and movement, are based on the original (or current) function for the dog. Other characteristics are more cosmetic such as eye color; but taken together they set this breed apart from all others. The Standard describes an ideal representive of the breed. No individual dog is perfect, but the Standard provides an ideal for the breeder to strive towards. Because ofcopyright concerns over the collection of all the Standards at any single site storing all the faqs, AKC Standards are not typically included in the Breed faqs. The reader is referred to the publications at the end of this document or to the National Breed Club for a copy of the Standard.

History

The Samoyed dog takes its name from the Samoyed tribes of Sibera from whom the founding stock of the breed was obtained. The name was originally spelled Samoyede, but the final "e" was dropped by the AKC in 1947. The word "samoyed" translates literally as "living off themselves", referring to the self-sufficiency of both the dogs and tribes. The natives themselves called the dogs "Bjelkiers", or "white dogs that breed white."
The proper pronunciation of the name is sammy-YED, not sam-OY-ed or SAM-oyed; there is no "oy" sound in the native language. The Samoyed is a true working dog, having served as a herder of reindeer, as a sledge dog and as a household companion, watchdog and helper. The breed may be best known to the public for its work as a sled dog in both Arctic and Antarctic exploration. As the lead dog on Roald Amundsen's expedition, a Samoyed was probably the first non-native creature to set foot (or paw) on the South Pole. All the major characteristics of today's Samoyed - the erect ears, the smiling face, the buff to white coat, and the plumed tail - are natural, and may be seen clearly in photographs of the breed from the early 1800s.

Characteristics and Temperament

Coat and Grooming

The Samoyed is a double coated breed. This coat consists of a woolly undercoat and longer guard hairs. Twice a year, Samoyeds "blow" their undercoats, that is, they shed their undercoats completely. It is a very intense shedding period that can last up to three weeks from start to finish. The good news is that this only happens twice a year. The remainder of the time, Samoyeds are relatively shed free (unlike smooth coated breeds). The bad news is that the shedding period can be rather messy. The hair comes out in large and small clumps. Lots of vacuuming and brushing are in order.
The undercoat can be carded and spun into yarn; it is best when blended with about 40% other fiber, such as wool or alpaca. Due to the Samoyed's subpolar origin, the fur is very warm despite its lightness. The Samoyed is a very clean and relatively odor free dog. It tends to clean itself like a cat. Even when a Samoyed becomes covered in mud, it will clean itself. Casual observers might think that keeping a pure white dog clean would be a major chore, but fanciers of the breed understand its uncanny ability to shed dirt and most stains. Even grass stains disappear from the coat in just a few days.
Bathing needs are minimal; thorough brushings and/or "dry baths" using a mixture of cornstarch and baby powder often suffices. A full bath may not be necessary more than once per year; in fact, too frequent bathing may remove some of the gloss and stain-resistance of the coat. Special "white-enhancing" shampoos with bluing are available to make your Samoyed sparkly white. Other than during coat-blowing season, the Samoyed needs relatively little grooming.
Daily brushing is ideal, but two or three times a week is sufficient; the brushing should be thorough to penetrate the outer coat and remove any loose undercoat. A long pin brush, a slicker brush and possibly a rake are essential grooming tools. Trimming needs are minimal, and if done should be done so that it looks natural and uncut. The body coat should never be clipped or trimmed except for medical reasons. Their nails should be checked and clipped periodically. NEVER clip a Samoyed for the summer. After the undercoat has been "blown out", the outer coat provides insulation from the heat and protection from the sun. It is actually reflective. Exposed skin will be very sensitive to the sun, and will sunburn very easily; this can lead to skin cancer. Regular grooming and constant access to cool water are particularly important in the summer, especially in warmer climates.

Temperament

Samoyeds are friendly by nature to both people and other dogs. Their demand for affection is moderate; they like being with their pack, but are usually not "lap dogs" by any measure. This pack-oriented nature means that they do better when included in the family (pack, from their point of view) than when left outside by themselves. As befits their Northern ancestry, they may enjoy spending periods outside - particularly during cold weather - but their "place" should be inside with the rest of the pack. Samoyeds are quite intelligent, and can be very stubborn and get bored easily; all these are characteristics they share with Malamutes and Siberian Huskies. Their strength and quickness can be quite surprising to someone who has met a fluffy white Samoyed during a quiet period, for their appearance is quite gentle and, as Daniel Pinkwater said of Malamutes, they can "sleep like cinderblocks." Their intelligence, and strong independent nature make them a challenge to train; where a Golden Retriever, for instance, may work *for* his master, a Samoyed works *with* his master or not at all. Holding the dog's respect is a prerequisite to training. They learn quickly; the trick is teaching the dog to behave reliably without hitting his boredom threshold. It is these characteristics that have earned Samoyeds (and with the other Northern breeds) the appelation "non-traditional obedience dogs." Samoyeds do compete successfully in obedience trials, though, so it is not a hopeless cause. Samoyeds are often not the best choice for the first-time dog owner. By nature, Samoyeds are friendly dogs. They were used as watchdogs by their native owners in Siberia, though, and display relatively more watchdog behavior than their Northern cousins the Malamute and Siberian. They are completely unsuited to guarding duty, though.

Barking, Talking, and Howling

Samoyeds both bark and talk, though they generally do not howl. They tend to be rather quiet, with big deep barks that can be quite startling. Some Samoyeds are more frequent barkers, and these tend to have more high-pitched piercing barks. The Samoyed may also "talk" with a soft "aroo" or "woo-woo" sound similar to the Malamute.

Care and Training

Feeding

When you collect your puppy, your breeder should tell you what the puppy's diet has been to date, as well as recommendation as to the best food and feeding frequency in the future, both for while the dog is still a puppy as well as when the dog is an adult. You should try and follow the puppy's diet at the time you collect him from the breeder as best you can, until the puppy is settled in to its new environment. Then you can gradually change the diet to suit your preferences. Remember that sudden changes in diet can severely disrupt the puppy's digestive system and cause gastric distress. As for the type and "brand" of dog food, basically any reputable dog food manufacturer provides a dog food that is sufficient to keep a dog healthy. However, the premium brands of dog food have the advantage that one can feed the dog less and still get very good nourishment. In addition, stool size and amount is generally less with the premium dog foods. Keep in mind that feeding dogs is partly art, and partly science. The dog food manufactures have done the science part. The rest is up to you. Some people feed their dogs a mix of canned and dry food twice a day. Others feed only dry and allow free feeding, and so on. Be sure and pick a frequency of feeding, brand, and type of food to suit your dogs needs. For working Samoyeds, something equivalent to a Science Diet Performance or Eukanuba is in order. For Samoyeds that go for walks and hikes, a Maintenance formula is usually best. Consult your breeder and veterinarian for advice. One other thing worth mentioning here is how long to feed puppy food.
Some research indicates that feeding puppy food for too long can increase the incidence of hip dysplasia in dogs that are susceptible to it. Some breeders start feeding adult food very soon. Samoyeds are often extremely fond of fish, which many people find surprising. Fish can often be used as a diet supplement or special treat for Sammys.

Housing

Samoyeds are happiest when they can share in family activities. The best arrangement is one in which the dog can come in and out of the house of its own free-will, through a dog door. If a dog door is not possible, then training the dog to go to an outside door to be let out is also very easy to do. Outside, the dog should have a large, fenced yard. The fence should be strong and at least 4 feet tall. Samoyeds are not as prone to digging or escape as Malamutes, but they rate pretty high by normal standards. They are prone to dig shallow "wallows" in hot weather; they will typically just turn over a layer of dirt to get to the cooler earth just below the surface. Because the Samoyed is an arctic dog, it can remain outside in very cold weather. However, it should be provided with shelter from the elements in the form of a good sturdy house. A good insulated house with nice straw bedding is perfect for Samoyeds that spend most of their time outside. Heating the dog house is usually not necessary. It should be stressed that leaving a Samoyed outside all the time is definitely inferior accomodations to being inside with the family.

Special Medical Problems

The Samoyed, as a breed, is relatively free of particular breed-related medical problems.

Snow Nose or Bad Pigmentation?
Snow Nose is described as a pink/reddish marking on the black nose. It is commonly experienced amongst the northern breeds. Snow Nose can disappear over the warmer months and reappear over the winter months. There is nothing wrong with snow nose. Pink or mottled noses are not faults in the Samoyed, and pink noses appear to be more "natural" based on research into the early history of the breed. One of the few "changes" we've made in the breed in the last hundred years is selecting for black noses.

Bloat
Bloat is a condition that affects all large, deep chested breeds. It is a potentially life-threatening condition which usually affects dogs in the prime of life. Basically, the dog's stomach will swell from gas, fluid, or both (this is acute gastric dilation). Once distended, the stomach may twist abruptly on its long axis. If it does twist, but the twist is less than 180 degrees, it is called a torsion. If greater than 180 degrees, it is called a volvulus. Therefore, the term bloat can refer to any of these three conditions (acute gastric distortion, torsion, or volvulus). Acute gastric dilation is not serious, and may clear up itself in a few minutes. Torsion or volvulus are life threatening and immediate veterinary attention is required. The chance for recurrence is around fifteen percent. The cause of bloat is unknown.

Hip Dysplasia
This is a genetic disorder that affects Samoyeds. Simply put, hip dysplasia is a deformation in the hip joint. That is, the head of the femur does not sit solidly in the acetabulum. The joint lacks tightness, and the condition results in a painful and often debilitating life for the dog. Hip dysplasia is considered to be a moderately inheritable condition. Breeders will usually have breeding pairs OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) certified prior to breeding. OFA certification can be given only after a dog is over 24 months old.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Samoyeds handle the summer heat?
Like any dog, to cope with summer heat the Samoyed needs a constant supply of water to drink and shade from the sun. If the dog is allowed inside then it will find its own cool spot (probably on the kitchen or bathroom floor if it is tiled or linoleum floored). Outdoors, the dog will probably dig a shallow "wallow" by turning over a layer of soil to get to the cooler earth just beneath the surface. Some dogs like having ice added to their water to help keep it cool. Some also enjoy a children's wading pool filled with water in the summer time. The Samoyed sheds a lot of coat before summer, as soon as the whether starts to warm up, which also allows them to keep cool. Heavy exercise should be avoided in excessive heat. Curtail exercise times to be early morning or just after sunset. Once the dog is acclimated to his environment, he is usually fine. NEVER clip a Samoyed for the summer. The outer coat is actually reflective and shades the dog's skin. Exposed skin is very prone to sunburn, which can lead to skin cancer. Samoyeds are remarkably adaptable animals. However, one should never try and push a dog beyond his capability to cope with the heat. To do so can be disastrous. One must keep in mind the type of climate the dog is acclimated for and not look for signs of heat stress. Do not ever lock any dog in a car in direct sunlight, or in the shade for a great deal of time, even with the windows down a little for ventilation the heat generated by the dog is still enough to cause heat stress in summer.

What are they like with children?
Due to their gentle temperament the Samoyed is generally a very good family dog. They seem to enjoy the company of children, though common sense must be used when mixing any dog with young children. They are powerful dogs; children should not be left in total control of the dog. Samoyeds are generally patient by nature and will tolerate young children fawning over them, but this should be strictly supervised for the sake of the dog as well as the child. With these caveats in mind, since Samoyeds love attention, well behaved children get along wonderfully with well mannered and socialized Samoyeds.

What are they like inside a house?
Samoyeds, aside from the occasional invasion of masses of fur when they are shedding coat, are excellent house dogs. They are extremely clean dogs and surprisingly quiet. They are very sure-footed and in no way clumsy around furniture. They will often pick out a favorite sleeping spot and stay there for hours. Favorite spots seem to be tiled and linoleum floors in warm weather, soft pillows or beds at other times. The dog may seek out drafty areas and possibly lie in front of doors with cold drafts during the winter.

How much do they eat?
It depends on the type of food. An average Samoyed will eat about 2 or 3 cups of a "premium" dog food (like Science Diet or Eukanuba) per day. The actual amount of food will vary depending on the metabolism and activity level of the dog, and the type of food that is given. A working adult will eat approximately 3 cups of high density food per day. Other dogs will generally eat less. Puppies require smaller, more frequent meals.

How much exercise do they need, and what kind?
You should not strenuously exercise a puppy under 6 months of age. Their muscular-skeleto system is not developed enough yet. Their play is enough to keep them healthy. You should play with your puppy and work on some of the basic obedience commands with him, in a playful way. Once the dog is 6 months old, a kindergarten puppy training class or a basic obedience class is a very good idea. It will start you both out on the right foot. You can then more easily start taking the dog for walks in your area on a leash. By the time the dog is full grown, at around 12 months, he will be ready for much longer walks, an hour per day or more. The obedience training will make the walks much more enjoyable. Hiking, with a dog back-pack is great fun. One can also bike with a dog, with a nifty device known as a "Springer." Finally, sledding is an excellent form of exercise, and is what the dog was bred for. Skijouring is an alternative winter sport. The sled dog part of the FAQ for rec. pets.dogs covers these things in more detail.

Do they pull sleds very fast?
The Samoyed, again, is the "happy medium" dog. They are not as fast as Siberians, but they are faster than Malamutes. They excel at endurance, though, and were the preferred dogs of a number of early polar (North and South) explorers.

How strong are they?
Again, the medium. Stronger than Siberians, but not as strong as Malamutes. A Samoyed won the 50-76 pound class at a recent [as this was written] weight pull by pulling 2,130 pounds (on a wheeled cart) 16 feet in 10. 3 seconds.

Do they shed a lot?
Samoyeds blow their undercoats twice per year. They do not typically shed year round like many dog breeds. When they do blow their coat, they lose lots of hair (several grocery sacks full per week).

Do they like to fight other dogs?
No. Samoyeds are very pack oriented dogs. As such, they communicate with other dogs in a variety of ways. An ill mannered, aggressive dog is not a good team dog and therefore not a good sled dog. However, poorly socialized and trained Samoyeds can be aggressive towards other dogs. For this reason, it is very important for a Samoyed owner to train the dog carefully and make sure to properly socialize it with other dogs.

I've heard Samoyeds are dumb. Is this true?
No! Samoyeds are extremely intelligent working dogs. People often mistake the fact that they can be difficult to train as a sign of stupidity. Samoyeds are very clever and easily bored. The key to training them is to keep them interested and to challenge their intelligence. A Samoyed probably knows what you want him to do, he just may not want to do it!

Just how cold can a Samoyed live in?
Samoyeds worked on Antarctic expeditions, where temperatures reguarly reached -50 degrees (F) and may have touched -70. Dogs raised in more temperate zones will not develop the quality of coat necessary for those temperatures.

References

Online Resources

subscribe SAMFANS

Books

Ward, Robert H. and Dolly. The New Complete Samoyed, 1985, Howell Book House. ISBN 0-87605-298-7.

Periodicals

Breed Rescue Organizations

There is no national breed rescue organization for Samoyeds, but many local breed clubs engage in rescue work.

Breed Clubs

Samoyed Club of America
Corresponding Secretary
Sandy Hill, 4582 N.E. Sunnyview Rd., Salem, OR
97305-1872 Publicity Writer/Legislative Liason Tom Weems,
your area, contact the Samoyed Club of America.

Breeders

In the United States: Contact the Samoyed Club of America for breeder recommendations in your area.

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