Breed of the Month – the Russian Samoyed
A brief profile of the Smiley Dog from Siberia
As relocation experts, at Move One we know very well that many expats like taking a memento home with them after their international assignments are over. What could be better than a local dog? To help you decide on the choice of pup, we have asked our country managers to recommend their favorite breeds and advice.
This month we guide you to Russia…
The Samoyed breed can be traced back into antiquity, originally kept by the Samoyede (now know as the Nenetsky) nomadic tribes of Central Asia who settled in Siberia. The Samoyed was originally used to hunt, haul sledges and herd reindeer, but would also be brought into villagers’ tents during the cold Siberian nights to keep the children warm. This dog was a passionate hunter, often used to take down bear.
The Samoyed was first made popular in England around the late 1800s. Although most Samoyeds at the time were not the all-white versions you see today, Queen Alexandria publicly extolled their beauty around the country after she was given rare pure white Samoyed. Descendants of the Queen’s dogs can be still found in many of today’s pedigrees.
Samoyeds made their way to the United States in the early years of the 1900’s, becoming famous as sled pulling dogs. Roald Amundsen, head of the first expedition to reach the South Pole, did so using a group of dogs led by a Samoyed.
This breed is also affectionately known as the Smiley Dog thanks to its upturned mouth corners and enthusiastic attitude towards life and the people it lives with. This dog never seems to loose its puppyish jollity and seldom becomes angry, belligerent or harmful.
The Samoyed is a peaceful and gentle breed, devoted to its family. It generally gets along with everyone, is good with children, but tends to imprint upon and favor one person in particular. Some owners and breeders have criticized the breed for being too friendly, even to intruders, making it unsuitable as a watchdog.
This breed makes an excellent companion for active people, especially those living in cold climates. Without daily outdoor exercise the Samoyed can easily become overweight and depressed, and will become miserable if left alone for long time.
The Samoyed is a strong and active dog, with an amicable fox-like face. It is covered in a long fluffy and weather-resistant double coat, which will require grooming and a thorough brushing about two to three times per week. This breed is a seasonally heavy shedder.
Training of this dog can require patience from the trainer. Although highly intelligent, the breed is easily distracted, active, and will invariably prefer to play than pay attention to training routines.
The average life span of the Samoyed is between 12 and 15 years. This breed is particularly prone to hip dysplasia, skin allergies, and diabetes. Minor issues include hypothyroidism, cataracts, and gastric torsion.
If you wish to take a dog home with you after your assignment is over, please make sure you leave at least a full month to ensure all paperwork is in place prior to move.
Move One’s Pet Transportation department specializes in the transportation of household pets, working dogs and exotic animals. If you would like advice about internationally relocating your pet safely, sanely and legally or just for further information about our general pet relocation services, please contact us at pet@moveoneinc.com. One of our dedicated animal relocation agents will get back to you shortly with information, advice and a quote tailor-made to your needs.
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