Have you ever heard of the “Samoyed smile”? It is the typical expression of this white and fluffy dog: the dark and sweet eyes and the raised corners of the mouth give it a characteristic comic and sly appearance.
This breed derives from a series of crossings of the modern era, but its deepest genetic origins are very ancient: it was in fact a shepherd dog of the Nenci , a Siberian nomadic population who raised reindeer.
If you are thinking of getting a Samoyed dog as a pet, we are going to give you some tips to take care of them better!
Samoyed: docile character, bad guardian, extraordinary with children
The essential behavioral characteristics of the Samoyed are friendliness and sociability .
Sometimes they are portrayed as stubborn and stubborn , but in reality they are just manifestations of their sensitivity and intelligence. If trained properly, by letting them know who the head of the family, or the leader of the pack (they are draft animals, who appreciate teamwork and the presence of a leader ), they become extremely obedient.
Their attitude to the pack does not make them independent dogs or dogs that appreciate solitude : taking care of a Samoyed will be very similar to taking care of a child, who needs play, cuddles and constant attention.
They play and socialize willingly both with strangers and with other dogs : but be careful to always keep an eye on them because their semi-wild nature and accustomed to difficult conditions will lead them to go away to explore the environment .
How to train a Samoyed
To prevent him from causing trouble in the house, he needs to practice a lot of physical movement and needs large spaces in which to move. Being curious and explorer, he must always be supervised when he goes away. He tends to get bored easily , so if left alone, even for a few minutes, he must have stimulating toys available to keep busy: otherwise he will end up raging on sofas or furniture (which is why a Samoyed in an apartment risks suffering, and suffer their masters).
Whether we are talking about a male Samoyed or a female Samoyed, there are no gender differences in the character of this dog and there is little diversity in the training field: there are in fact three fundamental factors in the education of this breed:
- Adopting a puppy: puppies are easier to train than adults, not having assumed turbulent behavior, or at least no more than those that all dogs of a few months have.
- Reproaching mischief, rewarding response to commands: this is really the golden rule. Reprimand the animal in a firm and confident tone if it behaves inappropriately, but don’t forget to reward it with a small snack and a few minutes of play if it behaves well. He will quickly associate the reward with good behavior and understand that if he wants to play or receive attention, he will need to be polite.
- Identify a self-confident and available leader: the pack of sled dogs has always given the idea of the boss to a leader, who in turn “transmits” the orders of the owner to the team. It is necessary that in the house there is a replacement for this pack leader, who educates firmly, bestows prizes and pampering, but who does not fail to reproach inappropriate behavior. If the dog is confident that he can rely on this leader, he will hardly betray him by misbehaving. Given the concern they have towards the little ones, they could understand one of your children as the leader of the pack (especially if not very young): in this case, some professional training lessons will help the child to relate effectively and with determination with the puppy.
Samoyed care and nutrition
As we have seen, the Samoyed breed is characterized by liveliness and energy, which requires a large calorie intake , especially protein . The question therefore arises spontaneously, also in light of its size: how much does a Samoyed eat? And what does he eat?
High quality croquettes, possibly enriched with a cod liver oil or brewer’s yeast oil supplement , will be useful to make the hair very shiny, thick and soft and to guarantee it a good supply of nutrients. An adult animal will need at least 450/550 grams of food per day . If you can take care of it, preparing food at home will certainly be a valid solution: basic, the Samoyed has no specific dietary needs.
Pay attention only to the weight. If bored and not stimulated enough with play, the Samoyed easily gains weight (it is a typical characteristic of dogs accustomed to cold climates: the fat serves to protect them from freezing temperatures) and can suffer from heart and skeletal problems, especially in the hips and pelvis. . Fortunately, this dog could play for hours if he has a little company, so it won’t be difficult for him to work off his daily calories.
Finally, grooming is important . Knowing how to brush a Samoyed is important to keep the shiny and fluffy coat that characterizes it. It is therefore good to moisten it slightly with a classic “spray” of water and then pass the brush against the grain. This will allow you to comb and wash it at the same time.
