Samoyed

For the nomadic Nenzen (Samoyed) people, the pretty Spitz-type dogs were much more than just working dogs—they were full-fledged family members who slept in tents with their humans, providing comforting warmth in their owners’ beds during cold Siberian nights. Their people-friendly nature, openness, and affectionate character still reflect their past. The Samoyed loves company and seeks closeness with its family—keeping it in a kennel would starve its sensitive soul.

Sociable Sports Companion and Friendly Playmate.

Its cheerful temperament and strong drive for activity make it an ideal partner for sporty people who want to enjoy adventures with their dog. Thanks to its happy and gentle nature, it is also a wonderful playmate for children, who it deeply loves. Shyness or aggression are entirely foreign to the friendly Samoyed. Because of this, it is only partially suitable as a guard dog—while it will bark when someone enters its territory, it usually does so merely to curiously greet the stranger with a wagging tail.

Is the Samoyed Difficult to Train?

Despite its friendly nature, the Samoyed also has a proud and self-assured side. Blind obedience and subservience cannot be expected from it. Even though it is deeply attached to its family, this intelligent four-legged friend likes to go its own way, especially if it sees no sense in a given task. This sometimes leads people to see it as stubborn or difficult to train. However, with a bit of finesse, loving consistency, and positive motivation, it is indeed willing to follow its owner. Even its light hunting instinct, which occasionally appears despite the breed standard, can be controlled with proper training.

You can truly believe in the friendly and open character of this breed because it matches the typical “smile” of the Samoyed created by the slanted position of the eyes and the slightly upturned corners of the lips. Another characteristic feature that makes this sled dog popular is its lush, white fur coat. At the neck and shoulders (especially in males), it forms a sort of mane, and at the back of the thighs, it forms so-called breeches. The high-set, bushy rod usually carried over the back or to the side completes the picture.

Ideal Protective Coat in Polar Climates.

The hair on the head and front of the legs is shorter and smoother. Behind the small, erect triangular ears, the short hair stands out. Compared to other sled dogs, such as the Siberian Husky or Alaskan Husky, the Samoyed’s fur is generally longer. The longer, coarse topcoat combined with the short, soft undercoat provided perfect protection from the cold polar climate of its homeland. It’s almost self-explanatory that with this thick, brilliant “coat,” the Samoyed prefers to be outdoors. Nonetheless, it is surprisingly adaptable to climate changes. There is even a small Samoyed kennel in Zimbabwe, whose dogs handle the African climate well. However, it is wise to provide enough shaded areas in summer and to avoid overly hot temperatures.

Colour, Size, and Weight.

While original Samoyeds could have brown or black coats, the modern breed standard requires a pure white coat, which may be tinged with white beige (with few biscuit-coloured marks) or cream. With a withers height of 57cm for males and 53cm for females, these white dogs are medium-sized. Depending on size, their weight should be between 20 and 30kg.

© kinomaster / stock.adobe.com

As mentioned earlier, the Samoyeds were originally kept by the Nenzen (Samoyed) tribe, from which they got their name. The nomads valued them as versatile and highly valuable working dogs in the harsh Siberian climate. They herded reindeer, bravely defended them against wolves and bears, helped with hunting, and pulled sleds. At night, their owners would cuddle up to their warm fur, enjoying the dogs’ warmth in the cold nights.

Expedition Companions to the North and South Pole

The Nordic dogs were first introduced to Europe by British zoologist Ernest Kilburn Scott, who brought the first specimens to England after a three-month stay with the Samoyed tribes in 1889. The enduring and frugal sled dogs were positively mentioned in the reports of the Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen about his failed North Pole expedition in 1894. Consequently, European and American scientists repeatedly used the dogs as companions for expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. In 1911, Samoyeds were the first domestic animals to reach the South Pole with Roald Amundsen.

From Sled Dog to Family Dog

The first breed standard was established in England in 1909. Around the same time, the first specimens arrived in America. In 1913, Samoyeds were officially recognised as a breed. In the USA, the “Samoyed Club of America” was founded in the early 1920s. However, intensive breeding and popularity of the dogs began after World War II, from the 1950s onwards. Today, besides breeding facilities in the US and England, there are breeders in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and even in Australia and New Zealand. The northern Spitz are mainly bred as house and family dogs and as show dogs. They are less commonly used as sled dogs in sled dog races, where faster and stronger Huskies or Malamutes have taken their place.

© Евгения Майорова / stock.adobe.com

If you are interested in a Samoyed as a family dog, be aware that this breed still has a strong need for activity. As originally working dogs, they need a lot of exercise outdoors and a meaningful task that challenges them both physically and mentally. They require close family ties and a lot of contact with other dogs and people. These needs should be considered by the breeder. A breeder who raises their dogs in a bare, dirty kennel and prioritises profit over socialisation, training, and exercise is certainly not the right person to approach for buying a healthy and well-socialised puppy.

What Criteria Should the Breeder Meet?

A puppy is not something you buy like a pair of shoes that you can simply gift or exchange. Hence, the breeder from whom you intend to buy your Samoyed should be well-chosen. But how do you recognise a reputable kennel? Here are some points that indicate a breeder’s reliability:

• The breeder invites you to their home and willingly shows you the breeding facility and the mother dog. (Puppies are often not shown at the first meeting, either because they have not yet been born, are still too young, or because the breeder wants to prevent impulse buying at the sight of the adorable fur balls.) 
• The dogs appear friendly and open during your visit. Samoyeds that are aggressive, shy, or apathetic probably are not well-treated by the breeder. Do not buy such dogs out of pity, as it would only encourage the breeder’s criminal behaviour. 
• The breeder should be a member of a breeding association and have extensive knowledge and experience with the Samoyed breed. 
• The breeding animals are thoroughly examined before their use, and the puppies are given all necessary papers, pedigree documents, and a family tree. Other indicators of controlled breeding are an FCI kennel card, a litter acceptance protocol, and a breeding facility inspection report. 
• Before the puppies are taken home, they are health-checked, vaccinated, and chipped. The suitability of the parents as breeding animals is also officially documented. 
• The breeder inquiries about your living conditions to determine if you are suitable as an owner of one of their puppies—responsible breeders remain interested in the well-being of their dogs even after the sale. 
• The breeder charges a reasonable price for their puppies and does not promise you dubious “bargains”.

Of course, it doesn’t always have to be a purebred dog, but in terms of health, a purebred puppy from a reputable breeder often has advantages. Strict breeding approvals and comprehensive health checks ensure that the spread of breed-specific diseases is controlled and stopped. However, Samoyeds are occasionally associated with the following hereditary diseases:

• Dwarfism (associated with eye malformations)
• Pulmonic stenosis (shortness of breath/cardiac arrhythmia)
• Diabetes mellitus
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
• Deafness
• Hip dysplasia (HD)
• Hereditary kidney inflammation

A balanced diet plays a crucial role in maintaining your dog’s health. For the Samoyed to remain active and have a beautifully shiny coat, it needs adequate nutrient supply with minerals, trace elements, and vitamins. Your vet or breeder can give you valuable tips and inform you about your dog’s exact requirements. Generally, the Samoyed should eat plenty of (fresh) meat or fish combined with vegetables. Grain is not typically on a carnivore’s diet and should only be given in small amounts. Thus, you should carefully check the ingredients when purchasing ready-made food.

In addition to healthy food, proper care also affects the coat quality of your Samoyed. The motto here is: “Less is more!” Shampoo and soap can destroy the natural and very important wool fat of the dog’s skin and should only be used in an emergency—when the coat is heavily soiled. Usually, it is enough to brush your dog once or twice a week, as the coat predominantly cleans itself. Only during the moulting season does the grooming effort increase to daily brushing. During this period, the Samoyed loses hair in clumps, which can either be removed with a comb or vacuumed from carpets and the sofa with a vacuum cleaner.

What Else is Part of the Grooming Routine?

• Regularly trim your dog’s claws. As soon as the claws click on the floor, it’s time for a trim. With some practice, you can do this yourself or ask your vet for help.
• Regularly check and clean your dog’s ears (approx. once a week). Red ears or other changes can indicate an infection.
• Regularly clean your dog’s teeth and check its mouth (approx. two to three times a week).