Breed Portrait – The Samoyed

A breed known for its friendly disposition, striking appearance and rich history as a companion and working dog.

Origin

Its name comes from the Sami people, a Ukrainian ethnic group that inhabited the tundras by the White Sea. The Samoyedic peoples were reindeer nomads and lived in pole tents. The dogs primarily served as guardians and protectors of the reindeer herds, but they also assisted in hunting fur-bearing animals and were harnessed to sleds when needed. The breed entered official cynology in 1889 when an Englishman brought some Samoyed dogs to England. From England, the Samoyeds then spread to Europe.

Characteristics

The Samoyed is friendly and open towards people. Typical of northern dogs, it does not tend to be overly reckless but is also not fearful; Samoyeds can be daring but are easily impressed (Starling et al., 2013). They are lively, curious, and very sociable dogs (Svartberg and Forkman, 2002) and are not suited as guard or protection dogs due to their strong independence. An important aspect of sled dogs is their sociability with other dogs; thus, Samoyeds are generally compatible with their peers (Coppinger and Coppinger, 2001).

Samoyeds are somewhat difficult to train and can be very stubborn (Draper, 1995; Miklósi et al., 2012). They impress with their intelligence and teachability, but this is not utilized for subordination (Draper, 1995). Choosing this breed means having a spirited and adventurous companion with whom you will never be bored. Therefore, they are not suitable for lazy people or novice dog owners, as their independent nature and low willingness to “please” can create challenges. They are also suitable as draft and sled dogs but are not as fast as Huskies. The Samoyed loves being outdoors and staying active.

Training

The Samoyed is a joyful and sometimes sensitive companion. They love the cold season and also enjoy life in the garden. Like all dogs of the “primitive type,” where no selection for beauty has occurred, these dogs are often very independent. This can be a problem for many dog owners. Free running is particularly relevant here, as these dogs need a lot of exercise, which is hardly feasible with just a long lead. They love to “run”. It is also important to note that “simulated prey,” which triggers the hunting behaviour in Samoyeds, can be used for training purposes. They still possess a hunting motivation that can be very beneficial. For this, it is essential that the dog owner can control this “simulated prey” and use it as a reinforcement for the dog’s correct behaviour. Special attention should be given to recall training, which should be practiced early on and reinforced with high-quality rewards. Additionally, it must be practiced consistently under increased distraction.

Proper upbringing is (as with all dogs) very important for the Samoyed, as socialisation lays a crucial foundation for their future life. If given the choice, these dogs often prefer to live outdoors under appropriate conditions.

Tip: Focus on making grooming a positive experience from a very early age onwards, as these dogs will need to be groomed several times a week and especially young Samoyed will shed heavily.

Sources: Udo Gansslosser, Yvonne Adler, Gudrun Braun; Hunderassen, Zoologie, Zucht und Verhalten neu betrachtet. 2021 Franckh – Kosmos-Verlags-GmbH & Co.