Samoyed Picture Gallery

Samoyed Breeders

Samoyed Clubs/Associations

The Full Samoyed Description

Samoyeds are perky, dependable playmates, often wearing "smiles" on their faces. They are full of fun, and love nothing more than an afternoon of frisky activity in the snow. They are active and alert, indoors and out.

Did you know?

Of all modern breeds, the Samoyed is most nearly akin to the primitive dog - no admixture of wolf or fox runs in the Samoyed strain.
Although its ancestry is vague, it's clear the Samoyed takes its name from the Samoyed people (now known as the Nenetsky people) of the Siberian tundra. Samoyeds were kept for ages by this nomadic tribe, who, by necessity, were strongly attached to their dogs. Pulling sleds, herding reindeer and alerting their masters to approaching danger were just a few of the Samoyed's functions that made the dogs crucial to the tribe's survival.

So you want to own a Samoyed?

When you own a Samoyed you have a friend for life. The affectionate Samoyed thrives on companionship.
The alert Samoyed will easily adapt to any environment and is equally happy living in a house or an apartment given plenty of exercise.
Samoyeds have a fluffy white coat which sheds a great deal.

Indicative Breed Standard

General Appearance

Most striking. Medium and well balanced. Strong, active and graceful, free from coarseness but capable of great endurance.

Characteristics

Intelligent, alert, full of action. ‘Smiling expression’.

Temperament

Displays affection to all mankind. Unprovoked nervousness or aggression highly undesirable.

Head and Skull

Head powerful, wedge-shaped, with broad, flat skull, muzzle medium length, tapering foreface not too sharply defined. Lips black. Hair short and smooth before ears. Nose black for preference, but may be brown or flesh-coloured.

Eyes

Almond-shaped, set slanted, medium to dark brown, set well apart with alert, intelligent expression. Eye rims unbroken black. Light or black eyes undesirable.

Ears

Thick, not too long, slightly rounded at tips, set well apart and well covered inside with hair. Fully erect in adults.

Mouth

Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck

Strong, not too short, and proudly arched.

Forequarters

Shoulders well laid, legs straight and muscular with good bone and not too short.

Body

Back medium in length, broad and very muscular with exceptionally strong loin. Chest deep but not too broad, well sprung deep ribs, giving plenty of heart and lung room.

Hindquarters

Very muscular, stifles well angulated. Viewed from rear, legs straight and parallel, with well let down hocks. Cowhocks or straight stifles highly undesirable.

Feet

Long, flattish, slightly spread and well feathered. Soles well cushioned with hair. Round cat feet highly undesirable.

Tail

Long, profusely coated, carried over the back and to side when alert, sometimes dropped when at rest.

Gait/Movement

Moves freely with strong, agile drive, showing power and elegance.

Coat

Body should be well covered with thick, close, soft and short undercoat, with harsh but not wiry hair growing through it, forming weather-resistant outer coat, which should stand straight away from body and be free from curl.

Colour

Pure white, white and biscuit, cream, outer coat silver tipped.

Size

Height: dogs: 51-56 cms (20-22 ins) at shoulder; bitches: 46-51 cms (18-20 ins) at shoulder. Weight in proportion to size.