The Samoyed makes the perfect pet for anyone that lives in a cold climate area and is looking for a protective watch dog, and one that also thrives on love and affection. This breed is the perfect companion for anyone at any age. Samoyed dogs must have human interaction at all times and they connect deeply with their owners.

A Brief History Of The Samoyed

The Samoyed breed goes back as far as the Ancient times. The original area of origin for the bloodline is in Russia, specifically Siberia. The original function of the dogs were to herd reindeer and act as a guard dog. Today’s function of the Samoyed are for herding trials and sled pulling.

The breed is named after the nomadic Samoyed people, who came from central Asia and arrived in the northwestern region of Siberia. Their survival depended on herding groups of reindeer of which they used as food. In order for those reindeer to stay alive they had to always be on the move to feed. The job of the Samoyed was to herd the reindeer and protect them from hungry predators.

In addition to guarding herds of reindeer against attacks from Arctic predators and keeping them on the move, the Samoyed was also an avid hunter, often used to hunt down bear. When needed, these dogs were also great at towing boats and sledges. Another job of the Samoyed was to sleep inside the villagers’ tents at night with the children to help keep them warm.

The Samoyed made its way to England around the late 1800s. But many of these early dogs were not the all-white versions you see today. When Queen Alexandria was given a pure white Samoyed as a gift she immediately took kindly to the dog and promoted its beauty around the country. You can still find descendants of the Queen’s dogs in many of today’s pedigrees.

Samoyed dogs made their way to the United States in the very early years of the 1900s. They quickly became popular as sled pulling dogs because they out-performed most other breeds that were used to pull at the time. In fact, it was the Samoyed that was used in traveling to the discovery of the South Pole.

Upkeep Requirements For The Samoyed

This is one breed that needs plenty of daily exercise. Families that enjoy an active lifestyle will make a happy Samoyed pet. Vigorous play sessions, plus brisk walks outside will be more than enough to satisfy their energy requirements. These dogs also enjoy pulling and herding.

The ideal climate for the Samoyed is in cold weather. The breed is genetically programmed to thrive in the Arctic region so it does not tolerate heat well at all. They should be able to run outside during the day but sleep indoors with the family at night. Grooming requirements consist of a thorough brushing of the dog’s thick coat about two to three times per week.

Health Concerns

The average life span of the Samoyed is between ten and twelve years. The only major health concern that runs common in the breed is CHD. Minor issues include hypothyroidism, cataracts, and gastric torsion. Veterinarians suggest that all Samoyed dogs get tested for DNA for PRA, hip, eye, and thyroid problems.

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