Happy Facts About the Samoyed
In the 19th century, adventurers acquired some of these dogs to help them on expeditions to the North and South Poles. Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen chose Sammies for his trip to the North Pole in 1893 because of their endurance and trainability. Although his trip was not successful (he didn’t pack enough food), the dogs proved to be excellent sled dogs. English explorer Robert Scott and Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen also used the dogs on their expeditions to the South Pole.
The Samoyed is a spitz breed, meaning they're part of group of dogs closely related to wolves. You can always spot one by their fox-like faces and curly tails (other examples include shiba inus, American akitas, and chow chows). In 2011 scientists discovered a 33,000-year-old fossil of a dog. The fossil—named the ‘Altai dog’ after the mountain range it was discovered on—is from a dog/wolf hybrid that seems to have been more dog than wolf.
As if the singing wasn’t cute enough, the dogs also smile. Dubbed the “Sammy smile,” the happy dogs have lips that naturally curve upwards. People love the Sammy smile so much, you're just a quick web search away from a number of photo roundups dedicated to their gleeful mugs.
Samoyeds have a thick double coat. The bottom is soft and wool-like while the top is coarse and straight. The dogs shed so much that many owners have gotten in the habit of collecting all the excess fur. This surplus can be spun into a yarn that can be used to make clothing. The material is warm and strong (and not to mention odorless), making it a great alternative to sheep’s wool. The Potomac Valley Samoyed Club takes fur donations, which they then use to create everything.
Unlike certain breeds (we’re looking at you, basset hounds), the Samoyed is a stink-free pooch. You don’t need to bathe Sammys as much as you would other dogs, but frequent brushings are a must to keep their fur from matting.
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