Samoyed

A breed that has been around for thousands of years, the Samoyed is nothing short of a remarkable dog. Originally bred by the Samoyede people in Siberia, these pups were absolutely crucial to the survival of these people. The dogs were used to hunt, haul heavy sleds, herd reindeer, and keep their owners warm at night by lying on top of them. Extraordinarily, they were even used to keep the children happy with their gentle and playful nature. Needless to say, this is a pack dog, and they prefer being with their families at all times. Leaving a Samoyed alone is a recipe for them to be miserable.

This 50-60 pound working dog can be quickly identified by its stunning, thick, white coat. While beautiful, its coat is probably the most difficult aspect of owning a Samoyed. Expect to have loose hairs all over your house from the constant shedding. If they are not properly groomed, their fur will become heavily tangled and can cause them discomfort. The Samoyed is extremely devoted to their families, and for that, they make good watchdogs. They are friendly with everyone they meet but will be sure to alert you if someone is at the door.

Something to keep note of is that this dog breed cannot be trusted off-leash. When outside, their hunting instinct is a lot stronger than other dogs. They simply cannot resist chasing after other small animals, which can potentially lead them to run in the middle of the road or get lost. If you take them off-leash in an enclosed dog park, it would be wise to check if there are any openings in the fences before removing their leash.

The Samoyed is famous for its trademark “Sammy smile”. With the distinct upturned corners of their mouth, seeing this smile will melt anyone's heart and instantly put you in a great mood. Their smile is not only for show, they truly always seem to be in a great mood. They are gentle with people, and it is rare to ever see one of these dogs behave aggressively. The Samoyed is happiest when they are with their family and will display tons of affection. When it comes to being a great family dog, it doesn't get much better than the Samoyed.

Instagram Photo Permission: @miss.cleo.samoyed