Samoyed; Meet The Fluffy Dog With The Captivating Smile
The Samoyed breed is one of the ancient dog breeds that has thrived around the world since its existence. The original name of the breed was Bjelkier but it was later changed to Samoyed after the indigenous Samoyede people of Siberia.
The Samoyed breed is a member of the Spitz family breeds which are characterized by their wolf-like appearance and confident body language.
Samoyeds are known for their friendly demeanor and independent personalities, a very intelligent breed that needs constant care and a lot of activities otherwise you will encounter a mischievous stubborn version of these cute furry clouds.
They are famous for their exceptionally white coat, and the captivating sammie smile.
1. They belong to the Spitz family breeds
They are characterized by their long muzzles, pointed perky ears, almond-shaped eyes, thick double-coated fur, and curly tails carried over their backs. All these features reflect their confident body language and natural dominant posture.
Spitz dog breeds have unique personalities, they are independent stubborn individuals yet are very loyal and affectionate to their humans and families. These breeds were bred to be working dogs so they are energetic and active dogs in nature and need constant exercise.
There are more than 60 Spitz breeds around the world, among these breeds are Samoyed, Alaskan Malemute, Siberian Husky, Pomeranian, Akita, Chow Chow, Japanese Spitz, Keeshond, Icelandic Sheepdog, and Shiba Inu.
2. A basal breed; closest to wolves
Basal breeds are known as foundation breeds, in other words, basal breeds are the original types of dogs to which all modern dog breeds in the history of breeding can be traced back to.
Humans have created dog breeds by breeding and domesticating wolves and that is how basal breeds were created and formed. Thus, they are the closest breeds to wolves genetically and they resemble their ancestors the most.
There are only 16 basal dog breeds around the world, Samoyed is one of those basal breeds that helped create and influence all the other breeds that exist today.
3. Sheds a lot yet hypoallergenic
It's no secret that dogs are a man’s best friend, but unfortunately, many people who love dogs and want to have them as companions are allergic to them.
The good news is, there are dog breeds that are hypoallergenic which means they are dogs that are less likely to aggravate allergic reactions. Samoyeds are considered hypoallergenic dogs due to their low levels of dander and drooling.
It is important to keep in mind that there are no dogs that are 100% hypoallergenic and that dogs are individuals and may cause allergies although they are of a hypoallergenic breed, and although Samoyeds are hypoallergenic they still shed a LOT.
4. Their shedding can be spun into a yarn
The undercoat that comes out of Samoyeds and other dogs with double-coated fur during shedding season can be collected and spun into yarn, this yarn is known as Chiengora.
Chiengora is considered a luxurious fiber just like Angora, alpaca, and mohair. Besides being environmentally friendly, the protein fiber of the Chiengora is very soft and fluffy providing a halo effect when knitted.
Many Samoyed owners save their dog’s fur and send it to be spun into yarn so they can own a piece of their beloved furry friend for life even after their furry companion crosses the rainbow bridge.
5. The famous Sammie smile
The captivating sammie smile isn’t just a cute trait, it actually has a practical purpose; it helps keep Samoyeds from drooling.
So why was it important to keep these furry clouds from drooling? It is simple! To avoid having icicles forming around their mouth in the harsh Siberian weather.
Although they might not be actually smiling, there is something about their facial expression that makes Samoyeds the most adorable and most attractive dogs in existence.
6. They don't have a dog odor
Believe it or not, Samoyeds actually have the most amazing body scent! Except of course when their coat is wet after a bath which will smell very stinky but don’t worry it will smell great again once it is fully dry.
If you are considering getting a puppy but are worried your house would smell bad then Samoyed is your answer! They do not produce a bad odor, but their coat must be taken care of constantly to avoid dirt build-up which will cause a bad odor.
7. Double-coated fur
Samoyeds fur consists of two layers; the undercoat which is soft and short and the topcoat which is harsh and long. The undercoated grows much faster than the topcoat and sheds seasonally.
The double-coated fur has a practical function as the topcoat layer works as an air conditioning system in hot weather while the undercoated provides insulation and keeps the body warm in cold weather.
Due to that dogs that have double-coated fur like Samoyeds must not be shaved even if the weather is hot to avoid skin problems such as sunburn, hot spots, and irritated skin.
Samoyed dogs make excellent companions and family dogs as they are very loyal and affectionate with their owners. They are great around children and friendly with everyone. A very gentle and intelligent yet energetic breed full of playfulness.
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