If you hate shedding, stop reading. If you hate long walks in the park, seriously: Scram. If you want a low-maintenance lap dog, why are you still here? Samoyed puppies aren’t for you.
If your idea of a perfect dog breed is a snuggly, smiling ball of energy with a big personality and even bigger fur, however, you’re in the right place. Check out these adorable Samoyed puppies and learn what it’s like to actually own one.
Can You Believe These Guys Were Bred To Pull Sleds?
It’s hard to picture a gleeful cotton ball working hard on the Siberian tundra, but believe it. Samoyeds were bred by the Samoyede people of northwestern Siberia to pull sledges, herd reindeer and hunt.
They were great at it, too, and still have enough energy to make eager working dogs.
Samoyeds Were Also Tasked With Keeping Their Owners Warm
But wait. There’s more. Samoyeds were hard workers, but they were also tasked with much snugglier duties: keeping their owners warm at night by sleeping on top of them like living heated blankets.
The only downside of their Snuggie-like qualities is that Samoyeds don’t do well in hot weather. They need lots of exercise, but when the temperatures climb, it’s best to keep activity to the cooler morning and evening hours.
Sammies Are Stubborn, but They Get Along With Everyone
Like we said, Samoyeds are a working breed. As such, some tenacity and wit is desirable. But for those who aren’t expecting it, their spunk and stubborn streak can be startling.
If you can handle the sass, however, Samoyeds more than make up for it with their cheerful, gentle and affectionate personalities.
Despite Their Floof, Samoyeds Are One of the 14 Original Dog Breeds
Samoyeds are one of 14 so-called primitive dog breeds. Primitive dog breeds, most of which are Spitz-type dogs like Akitas and Shiba Inus, share more DNA with wolves than other dog breeds.
They haven’t been selectively bred to the same extent as many other breeds, so they retain more of their willful, independent and resourceful traits than other breeds. That’s where that stubborn streak we mentioned comes from.
They Love to Smile
Ever heard of the Sammie smile? Just look at the picture above, and you’ll see what we mean. Samoyeds are known for always looking cheerful and friendly, and they were literally bred to look that way. They have a black muzzle with rounded corners, which gives the appearance of a 24/7 smile.
In reality, that trait was selectively bred for a purpose beyond sheer cuteness. The shape of their mouth prevents drooling, which is a plus in their native land of Siberia. Frozen, fluffy, drool icicles would be a nightmare.
Their Personalities Can Be Challenging
If you’re trying to imagine the personality of a Samoyed, think of the more well-known husky. They’re friendly, spirited and quite talkative. Samoyeds can carry on full-blown conversations with their humans. Arguments, really.
If they aren’t given enough exercise and mental stimulation, arguments are inevitable, along with compulsive squirrel chasing expeditions and couch murder.
If you’re looking for a couch potato, a Samoyed puppy is best appreciated from afar.
Training Sammies Is Also Tricky
The personality of a Samoyed puppy is a double-edged swords. They’re challenging to work with, but they’re quick as a whip, hard-working, strong and agile.
Challenge a Sammie, and you’ll have a fascinating, delightful best friend. Let them get bored, and you’ll have an adorable wrecking ball on your hands.
They’re Extremely Tolerant of Cold Weather, for Obvious Reasons
Dogs with a slim build and little fur, like greyhounds and chihuahuas, don’t do well in cold temperatures. They’re just not built for it. Samoyeds laugh in the face of blizzards.
Their most distinguishing feature is their dense, alpaca-like coat. In winter, it becomes so thick that finding their skin to apply flea medication is a challenge.
While this should never be used as an excuse to leave your dog outside in the yard overnight, Samoyeds can survive negative temperatures much better than most other breeds.
They’re quite comfortable in the 40s and 50s, but avoid leaving even a fluffy Samoyed out for hours on their own when the temperatures drop below freezing.
Sammies Shed Like Nobody’s Business
If it’s too cold to go out, no worries. With a Samoyed puppy, you’ll have your very own blizzard indoors. Their insanely beautiful coat is also insanely high-maintenance. It needs to be brushed several times a week to prevent uncomfortable mats, and shedding is unavoidable.
Twice a year, Samoyeds also “blow” their coat, shedding copious amounts of fur all at once. If you’re not a fan of vacuuming and swearing off black pants, don’t get a Samoyed.
If you love knitting or crocheting, however, you’re in the right place. Samoyed fur is wool-like in texture, and some owners opt to spin it into yarn to use in sweaters or scarves.
They Like To Play in the Mud, but Swimming Isn’t Their Forte
Can you blame them? Imagine going for a swim while wearing a snowsuit. Their fur functions similarly, absorbing water and weighing them down.
They’re not bad at swimming, but many of them avoid it when they can.
They’re Actually Known As ‘Teflon Dogs’
You’d think that cleaning up a muddy Samoyed would be a chore, but it’s surprisingly easy. Their coats have a unique quality that repels dirt and dust.
Just brushing or blow drying it will get most of the dirt out with little effort.
Some Samoyeds Are Independent, but Most of Them Are Extremely Snuggly
Despite the stubbornness, Samoyeds love to snuggle.They live for belly rubs, and many of them are velcro dogs. They can become very attached to their owners, preferring to accompany them everywhere for round-the-clock head pats and cuddles.
They’re also wonderful with kids and other dogs, although some are prone to chasing cats.
Don’t Be Deceived: Sammies Are Not Meant for Apartment Living
As peaceful and gentle as Samoyeds are, they need copious amounts of physical activity to remain that way. They’ll always be gentle with people, but furniture? Not so much. Living in a small space isn’t their cup of tea, and a yard is highly recommended.
It’s also worth noting that Samoyeds have a high prey drive, and even a well-trained Sammie shouldn’t be trusted off-leash without a sturdy fence to keep them away from busy roads.
Raising Samoyed Puppies Comes With Special Considerations
Samoyeds tend to go through a rapid growth spurt between the ages of four and seven months. If you raise a Samoyed puppy, extra caution must be taken during this vulnerable period of growth to avoid damaging their bones or joints.
It’s best to avoid letting your dog play on pavement, and jumping on hard surfaces in general is a bad idea. Encourage play on grace and stick to agility courses with small jumps until your dog is at least two.
With the Right Family, Samoyed Puppies Are a Bundle of Joy
Sure, Samoyeds are a lot of work, but they’re also a delight to own. They’re loving, loyal and beautiful to look at. It’s like welcoming a happy pillow to the family.
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