Samoyed Temperament: Loyal fluff balls with a lot of smiles
The "Smiling Sammy" has all characteristics of a happy and cheerful dog with their white coloured coat and their Spitz expression. They have built a loyal following of fans who love their friendly and playful temperaments. Their little faces show open, keen and alert interest, and they always seem to be up to something.
If you have never owned a dog before, it is essential to research to ensure that this breed fits into your lifestyle. This guide will help answer your questions about living with a Samoyed, their temperament, health issues and whether this dog breed would be right for you!
What is the history of the Samoyed?
Samoyeds originated in Siberia, Russia and Scandinavia and were bred for their intelligence, strength, and friendly personalities. They're part of the Spitz group and have been around for over 3000 years.
Samoyeds are considered a primitive dog breed and paved the way for many other breeds.
"Samoyed" comes from the Russian word "samoied", meaning "self-sufficient." They lived with a nomadic tribe from northern Asia, the Samoyeds, where they helped herd reindeer and pull sledges when they moved. They're one of the most ancient breeds genetically similar to the wolf.
Samoyeds' love for people comes from their close relationship with their tribe. Apart from pulling the sledge, they also warmed them from the cold and played with the children.
Historically, Samoyeds carried different colours ranging from black to shades of brown. However, the colouring has been bred out to keep them as white as possible, blending in with the snow.
Samoyed's reliability in pulling a sledge made them very popular for explorers who went on to discover more of Siberia and the North Pole. The first dog to set paw on the South Pole was a Samoyed called "Etah" in 1911. Etah was part of the expedition of Roald Amundsen and a true pack leader.
In general, their temperament was easier to deal with than the Husky.
By 1912 the Samoyed was recognised by the UK Kennel Club and gained recognition status.
Samoyeds are medium-sized dog breeds that typically weigh between 40 and 60 pounds. They have a thick double coat of fur that can come in cream, white, or white & biscuit. White is the most common, giving the Samoyed a genuinely majestic appearance.
However, the most distinguishing feature of the Samoyed is their smile! Their black lips curl up to reveal bright white teeth, giving them a happy and friendly expression.
Samoyed registrations in the UK 2023
Purebred Samoyeds are an uncommon sight in the UK.
99 Samoyeds have been registered with the UK Kennel Club in Q2 2022. New registrations are relatively constant, which shows the enduring love for this breed.
In total, there were 79 more registrations of Samoyeds in 2022 versus 2021.
Q1 2021 | Q2 2021 | Q3 2021 | Q4 2021 | 2021 Total | Q1 2022 | Q2 2022 | Q3 2022 | Q4 2022 | 2022 Total |
89 | 35 |