Dogs

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Western Siberia.

MOST SUITED AS Herding-dog, watchdog, sledge dog, hunting dog, and family pet.

SIZE
The shoulder-height is 57cm (22 1/2in) for dogs and 53cm (20 1/2in) for bitches. Variance of 3cm (11 1/2in) above and below these heights is permitted.

COAT
The protective topcoat is wiry and erect, while the undercoat is short and dense. The coat is white, cream, or white with light brown.

CARE REQUIRED
Do not brush the Samoyed too much because this can harm the underlayer of its coat. If too many hairs are shed in your home, use a comb with a double row of metal teeth to remove the loose hairs from the undercoat.

CHARACTER
The Samoyed is a dog of contradictions. It is friendly and cheerful, intelligent and reasona­bly obedient, yet never follows your orders slavishly and can be extremely stubborn. It is sensitive and gentle natured but dominant and vigilant, affectionate but not obtrusively so. The Samoyed loves to wander, has considerable stamina, and remains playful into old age. They love to hear themselves and can be very noisy.

TRAINING
Training the Samoyed is no easy task and needs to begin very early. Make sure there is plenty of variety in the drills. Constantly practising the same command can have an adverse effect on this breed, its stubbornness taking over. Teach it when very young that it must come to you when you call and arrange for as many positive encounters with cats and other household ani­mals as possible. Your authority should be clearly seen but with a friendly touch. Scre­aming and shouting at it and hitting it will lose you any respect it may have had.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
These dogs are gentle-natured and patient with children but can be rather dominant towards their own kind. Do not forget that the Samoyed is a hunting dog which enjoys chasing something if it gets the chance. Social training with cats and other pets is therefore very important! The dog is reasonably vigilant.

EXERCISE
The Samoyed needs lots of exercise. Once it is fully grown, take it on really long walks or get it to run alongside a cycle to keep it in good condition. Because they naturally like to wander, it is ad­visable to make sure your garden is properly enclosed with a fence.