The Samoyed dog is a very interesting breed. It is so unusual that even the names Samoyed Laika or Arctic Spitz used in the scientific community cannot fully reflect all its characteristic features. Magnificent thick fluffy white coat with a soft undercoat and stiffer outer hair (a typical polar explorer), slanted, very intelligent, even with some cunning eyes and a comprehensive love for all living things, which manifests itself every minute - these are the integral features of this magnificent representative of the canine family. Maximum attention, admiration and delight are guaranteed to any owner of the inimitable Samoyed!
Description of the Samoyed Laika breed
Popularity 118th place among 263 dog breeds
Lifespan:
12-15 years
Breed group:
Service
Height:
50-55 cm
Country of origin:
Siberia and northern Russia
Average price:
20-30 thousand rubles
Weight:
15-30 kg
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Video
* We invite you to watch a video about the Samoyed dog . In fact, in front of you is a playlist in which you can select and watch any of 20 videos about a given dog breed by simply clicking on the button in the upper right corner of the window. In addition, the material contains quite a lot of photos. By looking at them you can find out what a Samoyed dog looks like.
In this article:
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Advantages and disadvantages
- Pros:
- good-natured and sociable, including with children;
- gets along well in an apartment;
- has good health, is strong and resilient;
- does not require special care and nutrition.
- Minuses:
- has a hard time with loneliness or resentment, as a result of which things in the apartment suffer;
- sheds heavily and requires combing;
- tries to take the place of leader, which complicates training;
- is quite expensive.
Key facts
You have no chance of being ignored when you go for a walk with this dog: the large snow-white dog invariably attracts attention and causes admiration.
The Samoyed is a primitive or indigenous breed, meaning that no selective breeding methods were used to breed it. This becomes clear upon a quick reading of the main characteristics of the Samoyed breed.
Samoyed huskies live in a pack according to its laws. The Samoyed is a friendly, quick-witted animal, but not prone to obedience the first time. This is where the nature of the breed comes into play.
Don't put the Samoyed on a chain! Although this breed can handle cold winter nights well, it is a companion dog, not a guard dog, and therefore does not like to be alone. The description of the Samoyed breed emphasizes that a dog will not make a watchman.
Samoyeds have the character of a loyal companion, focused on living in human society. For many centuries they have served people in the extreme north and extreme cold. A dog living with a person in such conditions has a special character. In the Arctic, they are indispensable helpers for people - they hunt large animals with them, nurse children, and protect herds of deer.
But they were not particularly used in dog sleds, since the cultural traditions of the Nenets do not allow the use of these dogs as sled dogs. There are several photos of northerners with dog sleds, but they are harnessed to other dogs. At night, Samoyeds are often allowed into the tent and cuddle with them while they sleep.
Thanks to the purity of genes, the life expectancy of Samoyeds is very long. Under appropriate conditions, snow-white beauties live 14-15 years or more.
The Samoyed Laika is an unusual breed; none of its names reflect all of its characteristics. You can immediately recognize her by her fur, easy smile, curiosity and love for people. This dog delights those around him and his owners.
Kinds
There are two subspecies of this breed:
- Bear Samoyeds are large, stocky dogs with a short body. Designed for heavy traction work;
- The wolf Samoyed is lighter, more elongated, and more agile. They were grazing deer.
Samoyeds are not only white in color, although few people know about this. And the white color has its own characteristics: the coat should fully reflect sunlight and be illuminated by this effect. The ends of the hair should be completely translucent.
The cream color is characterized by a warm tint. Although the cream color is not very popular at shows, it is still specified in the breed standard.
The rarest color is white with biscuit spots. The Samoyed Laika dog with biscuit spots has a snow-white coat with slightly darkened pale spots along the body. Under no circumstances should the spots be yellow - this is a sign of illness and improper care.
Samoyed with biscuit spots
History of the origin of the Samoyed dog
For about three thousand years, Samoyed dogs have been faithful companions of people. Their appearance has remained virtually unchanged since ancient times.
The first mentions of them can be found in the Samoyed language. Some of the Samoyeds - the ancestors of the Nenets - separated from the main people and moved from the Sayan Mountains in modern Khakassia to the Arctic Circle.
The Samoyed people also bore other names - “Samoyeds”, “Samoyeds”, “Samoyeds”. Their dogs got their name from the name of the nationality. The sammie is believed to be a domesticated polar white wolf. Northern working dogs are especially similar to their ancestor.
The ancestor of modern dogs is the Aboriginal Samoyed. We owe the existence of the breed in its current form to Londoner Ernst Kilburn Scott, who brought three dogs from a trip to the Arctic - a coffee baby with the simple name Dog, a cream-colored female White Pechora and a snowy male Masti. The modern Western Samoyed dates back to these and other dogs brought by researchers a little later.
In 1909, Scott created the Farmingham kennel, and a little later a club for admirers of northern dogs arose. Around the same time, the breed standard was determined, which has remained virtually unchanged since then.
E. C. Scott informally classified all Samoyeds into three types: wolf-shaped, bear-shaped and fox-shaped. This division continues today. Their difference lies in the structure of the head.
The standard has remained virtually unchanged since its inception, last modified in 1988 by the British Kennel Club.
For 20 years, the breed won the hearts of people, and by the 30s, nurseries appeared in different parts of Europe. Thanks to them, we know the Samoyed Laika, since in our time it is almost impossible to find an aboriginal Samoyed even in the Far North, although Nenets Laikas live there, among which there are many white dogs that look like the aborigines. The number of Samoyeds in the Russian Federation today is about 2,500 individuals.
Appearance of a Samoyed dog
General impression
The photo of the Samoyed shows that the dog is medium in size, harmonious in build, full of dignity. It is impossible not to notice it and not pay attention to it.
Head
The head is wedge-shaped, powerfully developed with a slightly convex forehead. The ears are set at a sufficient distance. The muzzle gradually tapers away from the skull and ends in a black nose. The rim of the nose always has black pigmentation, and the nose itself can become lighter in winter (the so-called “snow nose”).
The lips also have black pigmentation, and are turned up at the corners in a “Samoyed smile.” The dental formula is complete, the teeth are closed in a scissor bite. The eyes are almond-shaped, with an oriental slant and black edging, set at a wide distance. The ears are triangular in shape, slightly rounded at the ends, mobile, set wide apart; they shouldn't hang.
Neck
The neck is strong and proudly arched.
Torso
The body is almost square, slightly elongated in length. It begins with a powerful chest, continues with a strong back with a pronounced waist, and ends with a slightly sloping croup.
Forelegs
The forelimbs are straight and even, widely spaced, parallel when viewed from the front. The paw is slightly elongated, with elongated toes, between which hair grows to protect against the cold.
Hind limbs
The hind limbs are also straight and parallel, with clear articulation angles and a developed muscle corset.
Tail
The tail is set high, very fluffy and long. When running and when excited, the tail is carried over the back or to the side, but not curled into a donut. When at rest, it hangs relaxed, reaching to the hock joints.
Movements
All the power and tirelessness of the Samoyed is visible in movement. The hind legs push strongly, the front legs move with a powerful swing. The step itself is long.
Wool
The coat is fluffy, the coat is “double”: the top layer is made of long and hard guard hair, and the bottom “lining” is made of short, soft undercoat, similar to fluff. A particularly thick “collar” is formed around the shoulders and neck. In males it is more pronounced than in females. On the head and front legs the hair is shorter, on the ears it grows perpendicular to the surface of the ear, and there is also hair inside the ear.
Hind legs with good feathering, forming fluffy pants. Males have coarser hair than females. The Samoyed's fur sparkles and has miraculous abilities - it fluffs up in the cold, and the stronger the frost, the fluffier the dog. In addition, she knows how to clean herself. Wool is hypoallergenic and has no characteristic odor.
Color
Samoyed colors come in several variations: snow white, cream or basic white with a few biscuit spots. In no case should the color or markings appear beige or light brown.
Dimensions
Samoyeds vary in height by gender. Males are taller than females, their height is 54-60 cm, females - 50-54 cm. The weight of a Samoyed, depending on height and gender, ranges from 20 to 30 kg.
The size of the Samoyed allows it to be kept in an apartment - but only on condition of daily long walks with increased activity.
Character of the Samoyed dog
The Samoyed is an ideal companion, calm, but not phlegmatic. Sammi's positive qualities are energy, trustfulness, and courage. Their busy mind must be constantly busy with work. One of the disadvantages of the Samoyed's character is stubbornness.
Living in difficult conditions and the need to coexist peacefully with people and other animals have made Samoyeds conflict-free dogs, so you don’t have to fear for the lives of cats, parrots and hamsters when you adopt a Samoyed husky puppy into your family. This same feature makes the Samoyed unsuitable for security and guard duty: the Samoyed will, at best, be wary of an intruder.
A cowardly or aggressive Samoyed is excluded from breeding. Although in the past people hunted shoulder to shoulder with these dogs, hunting is now not included in the list of functions of the Samoyed. But they are active and love to play. The best entertainment for Samoyeds is sled riding competitions, and children love it when dogs ride them in sleighs.
The Samoyed family is a pack for him, he builds a clear hierarchy in it. Samoyed huskies do not like to be alone, they are sociable and sociable, so this breed is unlikely to suit you if you are rarely at home. Although Samoyeds feel great outdoors in winter, it is absolutely forbidden to put him on a chain in the yard or keep him in an enclosure for a long time: it is better for the dog to live at home and closer to people.
The Samoyed is an ideal pet for a family with small children. Sammies love playing with babies. At the same time, the size of the dog is large enough, which eliminates the possibility that a child will harm the pet. A Samoyed puppy will become your little one's best friend, and an adult dog will become an attentive nanny.
Samoyeds rarely bark, but their owners often say that the dogs “talk.” They need physical exercise, so if you want to get a Samoyed, be prepared for an active pastime. If you are a homebody who prefers reading a book in the apartment instead of going for a run, consider a calmer breed.
Application
Its gentle character and beauty make the Samoyed more and more popular. He is brought in primarily as a companion.
The meaning of life for a Samoyed Laika is to be close to a person and serve him.
In America, Sammy has the title of “Good Mood Dog.”
Laika Samoyeds were primarily herding dogs and only then sled dogs. They are also excellent herd guards and bodyguards.
Arctic Spitz are also used as hunting dogs. The peoples of the north rarely harness them to sledges. For them, the husky is primarily a shepherd who leads a herd of deer.
Sammi are good guards. But they do not attack a stranger, do not bite, but warn the owner about an uninvited visit by barking. Therefore, Samoyed huskies are multifunctional, and it is wrong to attribute only the prefix “sled” to them.
The Samoyed dog breed is distinguished by intelligence, intelligence, and excellent learning abilities. She is easily given a general training course, bidience, agility, and other types. It’s just important not to bore the dog with the same type of exercises and tasks.
Now they buy dogs for skiing (skijoring), sledding, and sledding. But breeders still do not recommend breeding a Sammy for sport. They are hardy, strong, but not fast. Although the Samoyed has courage and if you put on a harness, he will happily pull the sled. He doesn’t even need to be taught this.
Education and training
Samoyeds are highly trained and trainable, but historically they have been forced to make their own decisions to preserve their lives, and this independence often interferes with training. They do not like monotonous exercises: you will have to strain your imagination if you want to keep the dog’s attention for a long time during training.
The first play-based training should begin as early as possible. By this point, you must already put yourself in the place of the leader in the puppy’s hierarchy, otherwise there will be great difficulties with education.
There are certain techniques for establishing leadership in your relationship with your puppy; By following them, you will easily rise in the dog's hierarchy.
- The leader eats first. Feed your dog after you have eaten lunch.
- The leader is the first to enter and exit all doors. If the puppy climbs forward, pull him back.
- The leader is sleeping upstairs. Do not allow a dominant dog to climb onto elevated surfaces such as sofas and beds.
- The initiative for the game comes from the leader. Don't give in to your dog's requests to play, wait a while and offer the game yourself.
- If you give your dog a command, always ensure that it is executed correctly.
- Impermanence is your worst enemy. If you allow something today and prohibit it tomorrow, the dog will not react to the ban.
- If the puppy becomes impudent and snaps, press him to the floor until he is completely submissive, or, if his weight allows, you can lift him by the scruff of the neck and shake him lightly.
These rules may seem harsh, but they are necessary for raising a large dog. If a dog considers itself a leader, this is a direct path to problems. Earning authority from an adult dog is much more difficult than from a puppy.
To successfully raise and train a Samoyed, you will need patience and self-control, but the results will delight you for many years.
How to measure height correctly?
To correctly measure the height of a Samoyed, you need to place the dog in a show stand on a flat, hard surface.
If the dog is not trained to take a show stance on the owner’s command, then its attention needs to be attracted with a toy or treat..
It is very difficult to do this yourself, while simultaneously measuring the height of the Samoyed, therefore, it is better to seek the help of one of your relatives or friends.
Next, a measuring tape is applied to the top point of the pet’s withers, the edge of which is released to the floor. Considering that the Samoyed is a long-haired dog, it is recommended to spread the hair on the withers as far apart as possible before doing this.
This will help avoid serious errors when taking measurements.
For the same purpose, you can attach a small weight to the bottom of the measuring tape, which will prevent it from swinging in the air or twisting, which also facilitates the process of taking measurements and reduces possible errors.
To make it more convenient to measure the dog’s height at the withers, you can use not only a measuring tape, but also a special device in the form of a long ruler with a limiter attached to it, which rises to the level of the withers line.
Health and diseases of the Samoyed dog
Possible diseases
Samoyed huskies are a healthy breed. But there are a number of possible diseases for the breed - hereditary, infectious and accidental, and the future owner should be aware of them.
- Infectious diseases. Dogs from the north are susceptible to infections, and Samoyeds are one of them. Therefore, it is necessary to vaccinate on time. Puppies receive their first vaccinations from the breeder, that is, the veterinary passport should already contain marks. The breeder or veterinarian will tell you about the further vaccination regimen. The frequency of vaccinations may vary depending on the vaccine.
- Hereditary diseases. To avoid hereditary diseases, all matings are carefully calculated, but still sores sometimes creep out. These include hip dysplasia, which manifests itself after six months. The dog gets tired quickly, does not run and becomes less energetic. Timely treatment will not get rid of the disease completely, but will give your pet many years of vigor. Another hereditary disease is the scourge of all white dogs - deafness. In the case of a Samoyed, it is quite difficult to notice it. Usually the dog does not respond to the name, does not respond to voice commands. There is no cure for deafness. Hereditary diseases also include a variety of eye diseases - cataracts, glaucoma, retinal atrophy. Some of them are treated more successfully, some are not. Be reasonable, respect the work of breeders and do not breed dogs with hereditary diseases!
- All other diseases are classified as random diseases. The most common occurrence is bloating. To avoid it, you need to monitor your pet’s diet and not feed the dog before a walk.
Treat your dog against insects in a timely manner. When bitten by a tick, carefully monitor your dog, as ticks carry such a deadly disease as piroplasmosis. There are now vaccinations against this disease.
If you see that your pet’s behavior has changed, he turns his face up from food, goes to the toilet differently - it’s better to play it safe and go to the veterinary clinic.
Reproductive health
Bitches come into heat early, between six months and a year. In the future, it repeats with regularity every 6-7 months. Males also mature before the age of one year, but it is too early to breed dogs of both sexes.
The optimal time for breeding a bitch is 18 months, given that she has passed all examinations and is completely healthy. Males can be born from 15 months.
Socialization
The Samoyed Laika is completely devoid of aggression. Moreover, aggression is considered a breed defect. This is a completely social animal. The Samoyed dog belongs to a pack, and this is how it perceives all family members. Therefore, the puppy also needs to be explained who is boss in the house.
The white husky knows how to use its charm, and the owner himself will have to learn to resist it. She's very smart. The presence of high intelligence is a distinctive characteristic of the breed.
The husky gets along with other animals without problems, and has a special love for cats. They become real friends.
The Samoyed Spitz is clean, free of hereditary defects, gets along well with children, showing great tolerance with them. Siberian huskies were originally nannies for children and have not lost these traits. They are able to tolerate any child, even if he is annoying. The dog will leave, hide, but will never touch a person. It is believed that if there are small children in the family, it is better to have a Samoyed girl. For older children (from 10 years old) a boy is suitable.
Features of feeding and diet
When selling a puppy, the breeder will tell you how to feed, what to feed and how many times to feed the Samoyed. Initially, it is better to follow the breeder’s recommendations, and then you can decide for yourself what food to feed the dog. If you want to switch your dog to a different type of food, do not do it suddenly. You need to add a few granules of new food to the old food and gradually increase the amount. The transition takes 10-14 days.
If you choose dry food as food, purchase high-quality premium food or holistic food with a high protein content.
You can give your Samoyed fish and cottage cheese daily. It is better to give the natural part of the diet in the morning feeding.
If the food is balanced, then additional vitamin complexes are not required.
Care and maintenance
The luxurious white coat of a Samoyed can bring a lot of unpleasant moments if you care for it rarely and irregularly. A dog's love for brushing will make life much easier. Teach your puppy to brush himself about once a week from early childhood and accompany the process with positive reinforcement so that the puppy associates it with pleasure. A Samoyed does not require a haircut, but sometimes show dogs undergo grooming to highlight their strengths and hide body flaws.
If you are not going to show your dog, washing it a couple of times a year is enough. Exhibition specimens are washed with special shampoos before each exhibition. You can wash off dirt from your paws and belly after each walk. On particularly dirty autumn and spring days, wear a waterproof mudguard on your Samoyed to keep his coat clean.
An indispensable assistant in the care and maintenance of a Samoyed will be a compressor and a grooming table. The compressor dries the fur several times faster than a hair dryer, without drying out the skin and fur of the animal. Your back will thank you for the grooming table; Plus, it has been noticed that dogs behave more quietly on the table.
During shedding, you need to brush your long-haired Samoyed more often than usual. You can blow dry hair with a compressor - a stream of air blows out fallen hairs and dead skin particles, massages the skin, improving blood circulation.
The dog's coat perfectly regulates temperature not only in the cold, but also in the heat. Therefore, if you shave or trim your pet's thick coat, he is more likely to suffer from overheating than from being covered in fur.
Teeth are brushed once a week, ears are sometimes wiped with a dry cloth. Samoyeds' claws usually wear down on their own if you walk them enough.
Walks should be quite long, at least an hour and at least twice a day. It is better to spend this time actively and variedly - running, playing, doing a little training. A well-walked Samoyed will calmly take its place on the bedding and will not cause damage to the house.
What to do if your weight is below normal
The data given in the tables are conditional and averaged, and therefore the dog does not have to correspond to them exactly.
A slight discrepancy between the actual weight and that indicated in the table is allowed if the dog looks harmonious and correctly built.
If thinness and protruding ribs are clearly noticeable, then there is indeed cause for concern.
What to do in this case? First, you need to understand why the Samoyed does not gain weight. Perhaps this is due to genetics, for example, dogs of this line mature late.
That is why, perhaps, an adult dog already looks too long-legged or a little skinny . In this case, nothing needs to be done, but you just need to wait until the dog’s physical development is completely completed.
If the lack of weight is associated with a disease suffered at an early age or the puppy was poorly raised by the breeder, then it is recommended to consult a veterinarian.
If the reason for weight loss is poor nutrition or living conditions , then you need to try to adjust the feeding of the Samoyed and place it in more comfortable conditions .
Increasing the duration of walks and their intensity can also help, but only if the dog previously did not receive sufficient physical activity, which is why it did not gain muscle mass well, and this led to weight loss.
CAREFULLY!
If your dog is underweight, you should not feed your dog drugs to increase weight, as they will do nothing but harm.
The same applies to attempts by some owners to force Samoyeds to wear harnesses with weights. Even if the dog pumps up his muscles in this way, his physical development in this case is unlikely to be harmonious.
It is especially harmful to wear such a “harness” for growing puppies . And wearing such “decoration” will also not benefit young, fully formed dogs.
Tips for choosing a puppy
Answer yourself the question, why do you want a Samoyed?
- For home, for family, for the soul, that is, a friend and companion. In this case, you can just take a healthy puppy you like.
- Samoyed for exhibitions and shows. If you are a beginner, it is better to consult with someone who understands the breed. The pedigree must be of the RKF-FCI system; it is good if the puppy has ancestors with a championship background. Often the breeder assumes the chances of the puppies, and the most promising one can be sold only on a co-ownership basis. You may still have to convince the breeder that you are worthy of buying the best puppy in the litter, and prove your readiness to pursue a dog's show career. The price of such a puppy is high.
- Working dog for participation in sledding competitions. Such a puppy must have working parents.
In addition to a set of documents, Samoyed puppies have a brand, and with the breeder you will sign a contract for the purchase and sale of the dog, and possibly a co-ownership agreement.
How much does a Samoyed dog cost?
The price of a Samoyed with documents starts from 15 thousand rubles and can reach up to hundreds depending on the blood and class of the puppy. The seller reserves show and working puppies from trusted producers who produce high-quality offspring at the stage of pregnancy of the bitch, and sometimes even before mating.
The cost of mating is approximately equal to the cost of a puppy, and if the mating involves traveling to foreign nurseries, it is even more expensive if you count travel expenses.
The high cost of a show dog is a guarantee of your solvency and the ability to pursue a dog’s career, since exhibitions and preparation for them are also expensive and take time.
You should not buy a dog “for the child”, “as a gift for the child” or because “the child really asks”; be prepared that caring for the dog will fall on you. And if you treat your dog with love, it will repay you a hundredfold.
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