A working breed, the Samoyed can be strong-willed at times, but above all they remain friendly, gentle, and devoted family dogs. The Samoyed was originally bred to hunt, haul sledges, and herd reindeer. Among the breed’s duties: pack hiking, tracking, and warming their owners by sleeping on top of them at night.
Illustration courtesy of the Swedish Kennel Club
Male: 21-24in
Female: 19-21in
Male: 44-72lb
Female: 37-55lb
Shed Samoyed fur is sometimes used as an alternative to wool in knitting, with a texture similar to angora. The fur is sometimes also used for the creation of artificial flies for fly fishing. Samoyed fur sweaters have been reported to handle temperatures well below freezing.
Samoyeds, the smiling sledge dogs, were bred for hard work in the world’s coldest locales. The Sammy’s famous white coat is thick enough to protect against temperatures as low as minus -60. Powerful, agile, tireless, impervious to cold—”Sammies” are a gorgeous but highly functional breed. Even their most delightful feature, a perpetual smile, has a practical function: The mouth’s upturned corners keep Sammies from drooling, preventing icicles from forming on the face.
Samoyeds’ friendly disposition makes them poor guard dogs. The breed is characterized by an alert and happy expression which has earned the nicknames “Sammie smile” and “smiley dog.” With their tendency to bark they can be diligent watch dogs. Samoyeds are excellent companions, and they are known to remain playful into old age.
From a training perspective, with their sled dog heritage — a Samoyed is not averse to pulling things so leash training is essential.
Explore some Embark dogs that share Samoyed ancestry.
The Eurasier, or Eurasian, is a breed of Spitz that originated in Germany. It is widely known as a wonderful companion that maintains its own personality, has a dignified reserve to strangers, a strong bond to its family and that is relatively easy to train.
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