Samoyed

Samoyed

Other names:
Bjelkier, Samoiedskaya Sobaka, Nenetskaya Laika
Nicknames:
Smiley
Smiling Sammy
Sammy
Sam
Country of origin:
Northwest Russia and Western Siberia
Patronage:
Nordic Kennel Union

The Samoyed dog takes its name from the Samoyedic peoples of Siberia. An alternate name for the breed, especially in Europe, is Bjelkier. These nomadic reindeer herders bred the fluffy, white, smiling dogs to help with the herding, to pull sleds when they moved, and to keep their owners warm at night by sleeping on top of them.

Appearance
Samoyeds have a lot of vitality, and well cared for Samoyeds are known to retain their youthful, energetic spirit well into their senior years. The average lifespan for a Samoyed is 12 to 16 years, although some will live a little longer. Being a working breed, they have excellent stamina, and without daily exercise they will become bored and/or depressed, which can lead to excessive barking, destruction, weight gain, irritability, and escape artist behavior.

Samoyeds are typically a hardy dog, but do have their share of health concerns. They share a common resemblance with an American Eskimo dog. They may also be mistaken for Husky dogs by inexperienced people.

Size
Males typically weigh between 20-32.5 kg (55-71lbs) and stand at a height of 54-60cm (21-24in) , while females typically weigh 17-25 kg(40-55 lbs) and stand at a height of 50-56cm (19-22in) .

Eyes
Samoyed eyes are usually black or brown, and are almond in shape. Blue or other color eyes can occur but are not allowed in the show ring.
New Zealand Kennel Club Standard: Eyes: Almond shaped, medium to dark brown in color, set well apart with alert and intelligent expression. Their eyes can have different shapes.

Ears
Samoyed ears are thick and covered with fur, triangular in shape, and erect. They are almost always white but can occasionally have a light brown tint, usually around the tips of ears.

NZKC Standard: 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 Samoyed.