Caring for your Samoyed, Grooming and Training

  Health Overview  

In-Depth Health Care Sites Health In Depth by Pam Barbe, Mirage Samoyeds Grooming by Debbie Baird, Dynasty Samoyeds Crate Training by Debbie Baird, Dynasty Samoyeds Traveling with a Dog by Ann Daugherty, Suntrip Samoyeds

Samoyeds, because of their coat, size, and energies are susceptible to high heat/humidity-related health problems. Avoid situations in which the dog may become overheated. Some young dogs will foolishly overexert themselves in the heat and should be protected from this by supervision or confinement during hot weather. Make certain your Samoyed has adequate ventilation for their panting/natural cooling, a cool place to get through the hottest parts of the day, plenty of fresh water, shade and/or cover, and air conditioning/fan where necessary.

Hip dysplasia, a progressive degenerative joint disease, plagues all large breeds. Hip dysplasia ranges from very mild cases with no apparent ill effects to crippling cases severe enough to require euthanasia. There is a genetic (thus inherited) component to the cause. Environmental factors may contribute greatly to manifestation of symptoms and absence of symptoms if not absence of the disease. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) serves as an evaluator/registry of dogs' hip conformation. Dogs over the age of two may be radiographed by a veterinarian, who submits the x-ray and the proper form to OFA. Radiographs are evaluated by three board certified radiologists. Dogs who are evaluated free of hip dysplasia are issued a number and letter rating E (excellent), G (good), F (fair). This number may be supplied to buyers by breeders as a reference to the hip status of an individual pup's lineage. Dogs whose hips do not pass, receive no number, but owners are iss! ued a report stating the degree of hip dysplasia to be borderline, mild, moderate, or severe.

Similarly, the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) maintains a registry of Samoyeds and other breeds whose eyes have been examined and certified by CERF-certified Veterinary Opthalmologists. Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRA, is an inherited characteristic wherein the eye's retina loses its sensitivity to light over time. Certified Veterinary Opthalmologists examine for the presence or absence of this eye anomoly and many others. The examination takes just 20 minutes and is painless for the Samoyed. Often, there are eye clinics at dog shows by Certified Veterinary Opthalmologists at minimal costs. Many breeders insist on this certification testing as they've tested their stock.

Many breeders are benefitting from recent research indicating the need for Thyroid testing and evaluation of their Samoyeds. Under-active (Hypo-) and over-active (Hyper-thyroidism) can manifest itself in many ways involving the immune system, the endocrine system, and the digestive system. It's a simple blood test and should be considered whenever symptoms indicate. The importance of this test is gaining recognition in many breeds.

The Samoyed is a double-coated breed and can be subject to flea and tick allergies and "hot spots". Regular grooming, appropriate insect control programs, and good animal husbandry practices will avoid these problems.

Other agencies, including the Center for Genetic Disease Control (GDC) and the Dog Genome Project serve as registries for a variety of dog diseases. Breeders may have their dogs screened by a veterinarian for particular disorders and the individual's status may be reported to any of several registries.

  Food and Exercise  

There are likely as many opinions on how to feed Samoyeds as there are breeders, owners and pet food manufacturers. A good rule of thumb is to find out why the breeder recommends what he recommends and if it makes sense continue with the breeder's program, graduating from puppy food to adult food at about one year of age. If a breeder cannot explain why he feeds as he does in a way that makes sense, further resolution of this issue should be made prior to purchase. Soliciting information from veterinarians and other breeders should help in this important decision.

There are many premium dog food manufacturers that expend considerable research into the development of their products for nutritional balance, palatability, digestibility, and formulation. Many dog foods are tested using AAFCO procedures to certify their ability to provide complete and balanced nutrition. Look for such testing certification when purchasing your dog's food. If the dog food is balanced, anything added to the food will throw the balance. Check with your veterinarian before adding supplements, table scraps, or "extras".

It is important to remember that dogs, like people, can have allergies to certain foods or ingredients. Recent nutritional research suggests that dog foods based on lamb and rice, chicken or poultry carry the least probabilities of food allergies. Also, the absence of chemical preservatives is highly recommended.

Exercise also is a source of debate among breeders. It is generally agreed that, as fast-growing youngsters, Samoyeds can be susceptible to overexertion which puts stress and strain on joints and growing bones. When a puppy's muscle is strained, it may not support him as it would otherwise, causing excess wear and tear on other body parts. At the same time, it is important that a pup's muscles be exercised.

It is generally accepted that environmental factors, including nutrition, influence a pup's development. Sliding repeatedly on a slippery wood or vinyl floor may bring about disastrous results for an active puppy, as can too much standing on the rear legs. These situations should be carefully avoided. Some puppies demonstrate tremendous athletic abilities and want to leap upon and off everything in sight. Avoid allowing this.

  Basic Training for Samoyeds  

It is recommended that puppies attend a puppy kindergarten/ socialization class where owners are taught how to establish a working relationship with their dogs, and puppies receive important socialization with people and other dogs. Samoyeds and their owners benefit from obedience classes at least through the pup's first year of life. Samoyeds generally want to please a fair and consistent owner and generally are very trainable with voice commands. Harsh training methods are usually not necessary, with a properly bred Samoyed. To find obedience instructors, ask the breeder or a local veterinarian. Many local kennel clubs offer public classes. Another source of instructors is the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors which routinely advertises in dog publications.

Samoyeds can be very vocal, in part due to their unusual intelligence. They should be taught the meaning of "Quiet" and "Settle", for their owners' and neighbors' benefit.