ABOUT THE SAMOYED & BREED STANDARD
Background
Medium sized white dog with the "smiling" face, the Samoyed was brought out of Siberia at the end of the last century and the early part of this century to pull sledges on Arctic and Antarctic expeditions. These valiant dogs endured terrible hardships serving man in this quest for the Poles, with only a few returning. The Samoyed was originally used to hunt, herd reindeer, and haul sledges for the Samoyed people in north-western Siberia. The Samoyed tribesmen were peaceful nomads who demonstrated extraordinary love for their beautiful dogs and treated them as members of the family. Thus their dogs developed a love and understanding of humankind and an unfailing sense of trust and loyalty that is retained in the breed to this day.
Average Lifespan
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime. Samoyeds live from between 10 to 12 years of age.
Breed Personality/Characteristics/Temperament
Despite its arctic heritage, the Samoyed has adapted well to warmer climates. It can sleep outside, although it certainly prefers to sleep inside, and needs to spend a significant part of each day being a loved part of the family, at the centre of everything you do. Samoyed fanciers find this zealous participation in the whole of their lives to be the breeds greatest assest. A Samoyed is an active dog, being inquisitive, quick witted, mischievous - remaining playful through old age. With a twinkle in its dark, intelligent eyes and the ever present "Samoyed smile", it is truly a dog with Christmas in its heart the whole year round. The dogs gentle, companionable nature and exceptional intelligence demand the love and loyalty of its owner, which it will return a hundred-fold. Both sexes are loving and friendly, with a wonderful temperament.
Compatibility with other pets
Excellent if brought up around other animals. If you purchase an adult, please let the breeder know what pets you have at home and check if the dog is suitable to go into that environment.
Care Requirements
The breeds magnificent white coat has two layers, a dense, woolly undercoat that is typically shed once a year, and a silver-tipped harsh outer coat of long, straight guard hairs. Grooming this lovely coat can be a pleasure, or a chore for both dog and owner. Bitches, unless spayed, will come into season at least once a year (twice more likely) and will lose their coat a couple of months after each season. Dogs tend to have a more dominant personality and will benefit from training earlier rather than later, as they will need a firmer hand than a bitch.
Please Take Note
A family with very young children should consider a bitch, whereas a dog is likely to be more suited to the rough and tumble of older children and teenagers. As a rule Samoyeds are very tolerant of young children, however youngsters should not be left unsupervised with a boisterous puppy or young dog, (in fact , any age dog, if the child is very young).
Ideal Owner/s
Only those prepared to do the regular grooming required for this breed.
THE ANKC BREED STANDARD
GENRAL APPERANCE:
The Samoyed being essentially a working dog should be strong and active and graceful, and as his work lies in cold climates his coat should be heavy and weather-resisting. He should not be too long in back, as a weak back would make him practically useless for his legitimate work; but at the same time a cobby body, such as a Chow's would also place him at a great disadvantage as a draught dog. Breeders should aim for the happy medium, viz. a body not long, but muscular, allowing liberty, with a deep chest and well sprung ribs, strong neck proudly arched, straight front and exceptionally strong loins. Both dogs and bitches should give the appearance of being capable of great endurance but should be free from coarseness. A full grown dog should stand about 53.5 cm (21 ins.) at the shoulder. On account of the depth of chest required the legs should be moderately long, a very short-legged dog is to be deprecated. Hindquarters should be particularly well developed, stifles well angulated, and any suggestion of unsound stifles or cowhocks severely penalised.
CHARACTERISTICS:
The Samoyed is intelligent, alert, full of action but above all displaying affection towards all mankind.
HEAD AND SKULL:
Head powerful and wedge-shaped with a broad, flat skull, muzzle of medium length, a tapering foreface not too sharply defined. Lips black. Hair short and smooth before the ears. Nose black for preference, but may be brown or flesh-coloured. Strong jaws.
EYES:
Almond shaped, medium to dark brown in colour, set well apart with alert and intelligent expression. Eyerims should be black and unbroken
EARS:
Thick, not too long and slightly rounded at the tips, set well apart and well covered inside with hair. The ears should be fully erect in the grown dog
MOUTH:
Upper teeth should just overlap the underteeth in a scissor bite
NECK:
Proudly arched
FOREQUARTERS:
Legs straight and muscular with good bone.
BODY:
Back medium in length, broad and very muscular. Chest broad and deep ribs well sprung, giving plenty of heart and lung room
HINDQUARTERS:
Very muscular, stifles well angulated; cow hocks or straight stifles very objectionable
FEET:
Long, flattish and slightly spread out. Soles well cushioned with hair
TAIL:
Long and profuse, carried over the back when alert; sometimes dropped when at rest
GAIT / MOVEMENT:
Should move freely with a strong agile drive showing power and elegance
COAT:
The body should be well covered with a thick, close, soft and short undercoat, with harsh hair growing through it, forming the outer coat, which should stand straight away from the body and be free from curl
SIZE:
Dogs 51-56 cms (20-22 ins) at the shoulder
Bitches: 46-51 cms (18-20 ins) at the shoulder
Weight in proportion to size
FAULTS:
Severe unprovoked aggressiveness.
Long foreface.
Blue or very light eyes.
Big ears with very little feathering.
Drop ears; narrow width between ears.
A bull neck. A long body.
Slack tail carriage; it should be carried well over the back, though it may drop when the dog is at rest.
Round, cat-like feet.
A soft coat; a wavy coat; absence of undercoat.
Absence of Feathering.
Black or black spots.
Any sign of unsound movement.
NOTE:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum
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