Puppy Training Home > Dog Breed Information > Samoyed
Samoyed Puppy Facts
Did you just bring home a new Samoyed puppy and want to learn more about the breed? Or maybe you are thinking about buying a puppy and want to know if this
is the right breed for you?
No matter what your situation may be, you will find the answers to your questions right here!
History
Also known as "Bjelkier" (mostly in Europe) or simply "Sammy" in the United States, the breed originated in western Siberia.
The tribe of local people after which the breed was named had used Samoyed dogs as hunters, sled dogs and reindeer herders. They also used them to stay warm at night.
The breed became very popular, especially among English aristocracy, after early arctic explorers brought these dogs home with them in the late 1800s.
It was brought to the United States in the late 1800s and is now very popular as a pet and a companion dog.
Physical Characteristics of a Samoyed Puppy
This is a medium-sized breed. It has a wedge-shaped head, prickly ears and almond shaped eyes. It has a long tail and its body is slightly longer than it is tall.
As all Northern breeds, it has a double coat that consists of a very dense and soft undercoat and a much coarser and longer outer coat. The coat is usually white, but some dogs have a combination of white and light beige.
One of the most distinctive features of this breed is its facial expression - dogs always appear to be smiling.
| Height | Weight | ||
| Male | 21 to 24 inches | 45 to 65 pounds | |
| Female | 19 to 21 inches | 35 to 50 pounds |
Temperament
This is a good "people" dog. It's affectionate, good natured and gentle. It loves being around people and craves their attention. And, unlike many other breeds, it's good with children.
Unfortunately, their friendliness extends to almost everyone, including intruders. Needless to say, they make lousy watchdogs.
But their good nature doesn't extend just to humans - they also get along well with other dogs.
Though intelligent, they are known to be stubborn and may be difficult to train.
Best Owner
Samoyed puppies are very active and are not well suited for an "apartment lifestyle". They are also not the easiest dogs to train.
Because of these two facts, they require an experienced dog owner living in the suburbs.
Some Samoyed breeders may interview prospective owners to make sure they are qualified.
Activity and Exercise
I already mentioned earlier that this is a very active breed. It needs plenty of exercise to stay healthy.
If you like jogging, this is a perfect dog to take along, but be careful when the weather is warm. Because of the heavy coat, they can overheat quite easily.
At a minimum, take your pet for one or two daily walks.
Grooming
This is not the easiest dog to care for. It's a heavy shedder and requires regular brushing.
During the shedding season, it will completely replace its undercoat. To speed up the shedding process and prevent matting, brush daily.
Because his coat is semi-waterproof, bathing a Samoyed dog is a time consuming affair. When rinsing, to prevent an allergic reaction and fungal infection, make sure to get all shampoo out. It's also a good idea to dry his coat with a blow dryer.
Health Concerns
Some of the known health concerns include cardiac problems, renal disease and hip dysplasia.
To avoid the above and many other problems, buy only from reputable Samoyed breeders.
Life Expectancy
The average life expectancy is between 12 and 15 years.
Back to the top of Samoyed
