UK Pet Forums Forum banner

Samoyed anyone?

3K views 8 replies 4 participants last post by  beris 
#1 ·
Hi all :)
I'm a cat girl, but hubby and I have been considering adding a canine to the zoo. We both really love Samoyeds and have both been trying to read up on them as best we can. I haven't had a dog since I was really really small, and hubby has never had one, although his parents who live downstairs from us have one.
So why Samoyed? Well, we feel that it would be a good choice to get on with the cats. We want a dog that's clever but has a personality, and one that loves to be with people and loves to be cuddled. We want a dog that wants to walk and run and in the winter have fun with us in the snow. We have a white cat, so why not a white dog (joking...). I've just trained as a groomer, so looking after its coat would be fine and I need to get used to handling dogs in my new line of work.
We know that Samoyeds can potentially be hard work, but at the moment I work from home and hubby works from home some of the week. When I open my business, doggy can come with me or stay with hubby when he's home.
So, those who have them, how easy are they to train? I'm talking about walking on the lead, sitting, stopping, coming, lying down, you know, the basics. How prevalent are the health concerns like hip dysplasia, SGH, PRA, diabetes and pulmonary stenosis? (well in the UK, I'm in Italy so it may differ here). What tests are available and are they reliable? What are your views on crating? Is there any significant difference between males and females? We intend to neuter.
What do you feed them and how much? We raw-feed the cats...
Why do YOU love your Samoyed? What should I be aware of?

Thanks chucks :)
 
See less See more
#2 ·
I had a Samoyed for about 8 years who I rescued at 3 1/2. He was a fantastic dog, we had a persian cat when we had him a rabbit and even hamsters and he was fine with all of them. Unlike the Siberian Huskies and the Malamutes they dont have the prey drive, are very family orientated and I used to let him off lead, which you cant do with the other two breeds. Obviously not in built up areas and roads. Apart from the huge profuse coat that does need a lot of work (which in your case obviously isnt a problem) they are easy compared to the other two breeds. The can be vocal though especially if not trained and lef to bark and for the size of the dog they do have quite a distinctive bark. Also they need pretty high exercise levels.

He was though in fact the perfect dog and easy although with any dog kind fair training is needed, although as said he was 3 1/2 when I rescued him. He was a private rehome via the vet and straight from his previous owner who due to a change in circumstances had to work long hours with travelling on top so could give him the time and attention he needed. The owner did say as a younger dog he was destructive and Ive heard it said by a few other sammy owners as well. I had no destruction or problems at all so obviously had grown out of it by that stage. I found that he was very food orientated so recall and training wasnt a problem with him at all. He was such a sweet personality and comical people who knew him actually cried when I lost him to a blood disorder at 11 1/2. If you want a northern breed especially then I cant recommend them enough. He adored people and other dogs and didnt have an agressive bone in his body.
Ive known a few others round and about and they seem to be the same too
fabulous dogs. Broke my heart when I lost him.

Regarding further research on the breed and health problems the following should be a great help.

Samoyed - Dog Breed Health

The Samoyed Association Homepage

Home

The British Samoyed Club - Home Page

Samoyed Rescue (UK)

The Samoyed Breed Council - Home Page

Assured Breeders for Samoyed
 
#3 ·
Ooh thanks for the insight and the links! There is a Samoyed rescue group over here in Italy, except the site hasn't been updated for a couple of years and it looks a bit defunct.
I guess what worries me the most is the training because they are willful, and the hereditary diseases they seem prone to, but having said that, I'm encouraged to see that most can be tested for and of course the breeder should be au fait with what's what in the pedigree (if I don't get a rescue).
It was very nice to read such a positive account of life with a Sammie, though, so thanks for painting such a lovely picture :)
 
#4 · (Edited)
I have a Samoyed Boy, Boogie. My special girl, Phoenix, died just over a month ago.
I've had Samis for twenty-ish years. They are fabulous dog but not for the faint hearted. They are charismatic, loving, stubborn, independent minded, enthusiastic, intelligent but resistant to what they might consider pointless training exercises. Great family dogs; more partners in life than pets
Crate training will save your home. Boogie is the first Sami I have crate trained, though now he's three, we don't bother crating him. My home has been wrecked by previous Samis, carpets, walls, doors, furniture etc.
Recall! Well, remain calm :rolleyes: Like a lot of spitz breeds they will recall but sometimes in their own good time. I use a Flexi lead unless I'm confident about the area I'm in.
If you check my web site, you'll see some of the links SDH has already given you and some others you might find useful.
Astrolyka Samoyeds - Home
Essentially, a healthy breed! We screen hips and eyes in the UK, I don't know what they might test for, in Italy.
You life will never be the same again
:D:D
 
#5 ·
I have a Samoyed Boy, Boogie. My special girl, Phoenix, died just over a month ago.
I've had Samis for twenty-ish years. They are fabulous dog but not for the faint hearted. They are charismatic, loving, stubborn, independent minded, enthusiastic, intelligent but resistant to what they might consider pointless training exercises. Great family dogs; more partners in life than pets
Crate training will save your home. Boogie is the first Sami I have crate trained, though now he's three, we don't bother crating him. My home has been wrecked by previous Samis, carpets, walls, doors, furniture etc.
Recall! Well, remain calm :rolleyes: Like a lot of spitz breeds they will recall but sometimes in their own good time. I use a Flexi lead unless I'm confident about the area I'm in.
If you check my web site, you'll see some of the links SDH has already given you and some others you might find useful.
Astrolyka Samoyeds - Home
Essentially, a healthy breed! We screen hips and eyes in the UK, I don't know what they might test for, in Italy.
You life will never be the same again
:D:D
So sorry to hear that you have lost your special girl, must have been heartbreaking they certainly know how to find a special space in your heart.
I have an old samoyed association book, think it was written by Beryl and Jeff Grounds? Still got it somewhere fabulous book with all the old Sammy Kennels amongst other things. I remember reading in it a description of a Sammy and it said the spirit of christmas the whole year through.
 
#6 ·
I have a Samoyed Boy, Boogie. My special girl, Phoenix, died just over a month ago.
I've had Samis for twenty-ish years. They are fabulous dog but not for the faint hearted. They are charismatic, loving, stubborn, independent minded, enthusiastic, intelligent but resistant to what they might consider pointless training exercises. Great family dogs; more partners in life than pets
Crate training will save your home. Boogie is the first Sami I have crate trained, though now he's three, we don't bother crating him. My home has been wrecked by previous Samis, carpets, walls, doors, furniture etc.
Recall! Well, remain calm :rolleyes: Like a lot of spitz breeds they will recall but sometimes in their own good time. I use a Flexi lead unless I'm confident about the area I'm in.
If you check my web site, you'll see some of the links SDH has already given you and some others you might find useful.
Astrolyka Samoyeds - Home
Essentially, a healthy breed! We screen hips and eyes in the UK, I don't know what they might test for, in Italy.
You life will never be the same again
:D:D
Right... So yes, a crate sounds like a good idea!!
Love, love, love your site. Your doggies are delicious, and every one is smiling. :D
 
#7 ·
So sorry to hear that you have lost your special girl, must have been heartbreaking they certainly know how to find a special space in your heart.
I have an old samoyed association book, think it was written by Beryl and Jeff Grounds? Still got it somewhere fabulous book with all the old Sammy Kennels amongst other things. I remember reading in it a description of a Sammy and it said the spirit of christmas the whole year through.
Thank you SDH. She was my special darling girl; showed true Sami spirit right to the end :)
The old pics are wonderful; I enjoy looking through them, too :)
 
#9 ·
I have a Samoyed I rescued at approx. 3 years old. she was x-puppy farm and a court case dog so came to me with many issues, not socialised and didn't know how to play. After 7 years she has overcome many of her problems but not her fear of people.

I have found training heidi was easy if you are very patient and give lots of encouragment, Samoyed's can be very stubborn.
I trained Heidi to love her soft toys, she is not food orientated, so I trained her using toys. She will now do almost all dog exercises that I would like my dog to do for her toys. Heidi has an excellent recall, but I think I could put that down to her fear of other people so she doesn't go too far away from me when out walking.

I don't use a collar on her, only a harness.

Your grooming skills will definately be a benefit as I have to brush Heidi every day.

A friend of mine has just bought a Samoyed puppy 8 weeks old from North Wales. She is beautiful but into everything and destructive.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top