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Breeds 101: The smiley Samoyed

By Wesley Coburn

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: A pair of samoyed dogs sit on a preparation table on the third day of Crufts 2016 on March 12, 2016 in Birmingham, England. First held in 1891, Crufts is said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part and vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: A pair of samoyed dogs sit on a preparation table on the third day of Crufts 2016 on March 12, 2016 in Birmingham, England. First held in 1891, Crufts is said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part and vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images) /
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The Samoyed is friendly, well-rounded and adorable.

The Samoyed (pronounced “Sam a YED,” not “Suh MOY ed”) is the 65th most popular breed in the United States right now, according to the American Kennel Club. It is also known in Europe as the Bjelkier.

They are a medium-sized breed, with females standing around 19-21 inches at the withers (shoulders) and weighing around 35-50 pounds, while males stand about 21-23.5 inches at the withers and weigh more in the 45 to 65-pound range.

Their coat is quite fuzzy and double-layered, In coloring they are nearly always pure white or various shades of near-white.

Samoyeds have a long lifespan of 12-14 years, and they are part of the Working Group in AKC dog shows.

The AKC Breed Standard  states that the ideal Samoyed, “being essentially a working
dog, should present a picture of beauty, alertness and strength, with agility, dignity and grace.”

When Arctic expeditions became fashionable in the late nineteenth century among explorers like Fridtjof Nansen and others, they became fascinated by the local dogs of the Siberian tribes, who could do everything from pulling sleds to herding reindeer.

Some of these dogs were imported into England, and from there the United States, where they quickly became a favorite in the show ring, which is covered in Bob and Dolly Ward’s 1971 book The Complete Samoyed. 

In temperament they can be stubborn, but not necessarily disobedient, just very independently minded.

While they make terrible guard dogs, being essentially friendly to humans, their tendency to bark could make them decent watch dogs.

Heart problems, hip dysplasia, kidney failure and diabetes are all health concerns more likely to affect Samoyeds.

Their naturally smiley expressions make them excellent for logos.

Though the University of Connecticut’s mascot is the Huskies, for many years their logo was actually a Samoyed.

Buffy, co-mascot of the Stillwater, Okla. based restaurant and clothing chain Eskimo Joe’s, is also a Samoyed.

dark. Next. Dog-Eared Reads; The Complete Samoyed

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