Samoyed
Group: Pastoral
Size: Large
Coat length: Medium
Grooming required: Every day
Coat sheds: No
Home size: Large House
Garden size: Large
Lifespan: Over 10 Years
Exercise: More than an hour per day
They are quite a large spitz-type breed with a huge, thick coat that has a ruff round the neck and shoulders. They normally come in white but can also come in biscuit, yellow or cream. They also have flat feet and hair between and under their pads to cope with very cold ground.
The originate from Siberia where they were used to pull sleds, guard property and herd reindeer. They are gentle, loyal, loving and happy-go-lucky. They are very intelligent and can be trained but on the downside, have a tendency to bark and love to chew. Samoyeds usually get on well with strangers, children and most animals although they do have an instinct to hunt. They need regular exercise and find warmer temperatures harder to cope with because of their coat.
The thick coat needs a good deal of brushing and combing and they can shed excessively at certain times of the year. They are prone to hip dysplasia, diabetes, skin allergies and PRA.