IS A SAMOYED THE RIGHT PET FOR YOU?

YOU'VE SEEN OUR GORGEOUS DOGS, SO BEAUTIFULLY DISPLAYED IN THE BREED RING. THAT COAT...... THAT MILLION DOLLAR SMILE.......... THAT PERSONALITY!!!!! SO --- YOU'VE DECIDED THE SAMOYED IS THE BREED FOR YOU. PLEASE, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:

Hair, hair everywhere. Of course they shed, unspayed females twice a year. If you're a neat freak -- don't purchase a Samoyed!!

Sammies, especially bored ones, have their own ideas about landscaping --it's called digging. If you admire and wish to keep the landscaping in your backyard, don't buy a Samoyed.

Samoyeds love being with their people -- inside the house, yes even in the bed at times. They do not like to be left alone. If you don't plan to make your Samoyed an integral part of your family, don't buy one.

You have a fenced yard and think it is secure -- think again. Samoyeds are natural escape artists. They can climb tall fences with ease. And once outside the yard, can they ever run!!! Never chain them up — this is cruel, abusive and neglectful. For their own safety, Samoyeds must be supervised or securely confined in a proper kennel. If this can't be done, consider another breed of dog. Don't buy a Samoyed. If you don't have a fenced yard, don't even consider buying a Samoyed.

You've heard that Samoyeds don't bark -- they just make the cute whooo whooo sounds. Well, you've heard wrong. They do bark and will irritate your neighbors if left unattended. Don't purchase a Samoyed if you will not be able to monitor his/her barking.

You lead a busy life. You don't have time to completely brush your dog at least once a week and clip those toenails. Samoyeds actually stay fairly clean, but a weekly grooming session is in order. If this can't be done, don't buy a Samoyed.

If none of the above is a problem for you, CONGRATULATIONS, a Samoyed could be in your future. All of the previous scenarios can and do happen, but it's not the dog's fault. Samoyeds are naturally intelligent and creative. And a bored or neglected Samoyed can be VERY creative. But, with patience and a little behavior modification (for you and your dog), the Samoyed makes a wonderful pet.


Modified from original version ©1996, Samoyed Club of Houston, Inc.