Samoyed

The Samoyed took its name from a nomadic Siberian tribe, which went by that name. The dog had traveled with this tribe for centuries.

The compact muscular body of this hard-working breed indicates its strength. The thick, silver-tipped coat comes in white, biscuit, yellow and cream, but pure white is preferred.

The Samoyed is a strong, dynamic, active dog. It has a powerful wedge-shaped head with a black or brown nose and strong jaws. Its eyes are dark, oblique and deep.

The ears are medium-sized, slightly rounded at the point, and carried erect. The tail is long, full-haired and carried rolled on the back.

Its legs are solid and muscular and its feet are flat and covered with hair. Its coat is thick and harsh, not wavy, with a thick, soft undercoat, which protects it against the arctic cold.

Temperament: Stubborn, Lively, Sociable, Playful, Alert, Friendly

Health Problems: Samoyeds are particularly prone to hip dysplasia and some suffer from diabetes. Also prone to skin allergies. They are prone to PRA (eyes), primarily in male dogs.