Samoyed
Breed Profile
The Samoyed is considered as a basal breed that came about prior to the emergence of the modern breeds in the 19th Century. Samoyeds were originally used for hunting, herding reindeer, and hauling sledges for the Samoyede people in Siberia. Fridtjof Nansen believed that the use of sled dogs was the only effective way to explore the north and used Samoyeds on his polar expeditions.
Temperament
Samoyeds friendly disposition make them poor guard dogs, an aggressive Samoyed is rare. The breed is characterized by an alert and happy expression which has earned the nicknames “Sammie smile” and “smiley dog.” With their tendency to bark, however, they can be diligent watch dogs, barking whenever something approaches their territory.
Color & Coat
Coat: Samoyeds have a dense, double layer coat. The topcoat consists of long, coarse, and straight guard hairs, which appear white but with a hint of silver coloring. The under layer, or undercoat, consists of a dense, soft, and short fur that keeps the dog warm.
Color: The standard Samoyed may come in a mixture of biscuit and white coloring, although pure white and all biscuit dogs are prevalent.
Health
The breed can suffer from a genetic disease known as Samoyed hereditary glomerulopathy, a renal disease. They also suffer from Diabetes mellitus similar but not identical to human Type I (insulin deficiency) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) caused by a frameshift mutation in the RPRG locus of the X chromosome. Furthermore, they have also been known to suffer more from Pulmonary stenosis compared to other breeds. Hip dysplasia is also a concern for Samoyeds.