Samoyed

The Samoyed has a compact muscular body. The wedge-shaped head is broad. The muzzle is in proportion to the size of the dog, tapering to the nose. The nose colour can be black, brown, or liver. The lips are black. The dark almond-shaped eyes are deep-set, somewhat wide apart, with a slanting lower lid and dark rims. The erect, triangular ears are slightly rounded at the tips. The tail is moderately long well covered with hair, carried rolled on the back. The legs are solid and muscular and the feet are flat and covered with hair. The thick, double coat is profuse. The undercoat is soft, short, thick with longer hairs growing out to the outer coat. The outer coat is harsh and stands straight out, not wavy. There is a ruff around the neck and shoulders, framing the head. Coat colours include pure white, biscuit, yellow, and cream. Sometimes white with silver tips.

Samoyeds are an ancient working breed. They have lived in Siberia with hunters and fishermen known as Samoyeds, hence where the breed received its name. The Samoyed people used the dogs to pull their sleds, guard their property, and for herding reindeer. Their gene pool is closely related to the primitive dog with no wolf or fox mixed in. The dogs slept with the people to keep them warm.

Samoyeds are gentle dogs. Very devoted, easy-going, friendly, and quite playful, they love everyone. They will gladly be friendly to all, including intruders. They are too friendly to be of much use as a watchdog, although its bark will alert you to the presence of strangers. It willingly adapts to family life and gets along well with children. They are highly intelligent and will respond to firm, patient training, which should be started at an early age.

Needs a reasonable amount of exercise. Take it easy during warm weather because the woolly undercoat inhibits loss of the heat built up during exercise. Extensive grooming is needed. They are seasonally heavy shedders. The fluffy double coat needs frequent brushing but tends to stay white without bathing. Some people with allergies have reported that the coat of the Samoyed did not bother them.