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The adorable Samoyeds are among the most popular breeds. Few puppies are cuter and more adorable. These dogs always seem like they’re smiling. If you are wondering if you should get one but wonder about their shedding levels. You should know that the Samoyeds do shed, especially during their blow season when they have an excessive amount of shedding. Their coat belies the fact they can get up to 65 pounds, and a considerable percentage is their beautiful white fur.
Genetics, health, diet, and environmental factors control how much a dog sheds. The history of this breed is an excellent place to start for explaining why the Samoyed will lead the pack for this trait. Remember that selective breeding focuses on desirable characteristics. But sometimes, it also brings other consequences. It’s great against the cold but is also heavy shedding.
History of the Samoyed
The breed gets its name from the Samoyede people of northwestern Siberia. The country is synonymous with cold. A thick coat is an asset for an animal living in these conditions. The Samoyed has also been a member of dog sledding teams, which, again, highlights challenging weather conditions and the ability to survive them. As a result, this pup is perfectly content being outdoors in the winter.
A Description of the Samoyed’s Coat
The AKC breed standard provides an excellent description of the Samoyed’s undercoat, referring to it as wool instead of hair. The undercoat has this cotton-like appearance with a rougher outer coat. The dog sheds year-round but blows the wool twice a year. These times are relatively short-lived but intense. You can easily pull puffs of the undercoat from your pet’s coat.
Cream, white, biscuit, or white and biscuit are the only accepted colors for a Samoyed. The wool is soft and incredibly durable. Unsurprisingly, it is weather-resistant. It’s also odorless. Samoyeds remain remarkably clean for a white-colored dog. Even though their coat is thick, you should not shave it during the summer. It provides valuable protection against UV radiation and sunburn.
Grooming Your Samoyed
You should brush your Samoyed every other day to keep the year-round shedding under control. It can also help prevent mats, which can become problematic with the thick undercoat. We recommend brushing your dog thoroughly before bathing. During their blow season, you can use a high-volume dog dryer. Just make sure you do it outside!
What to Do About Samoyed Shedding
Regular grooming is the best way to manage your Samoyed’s shedding. We mentioned the pup’s undercoat being called wool. There’s a good reason for it. You can spin it just like sheep or rabbit wool. The yarn is just as beautiful and soft as any other you’ll find. You can use it to make garments or bedding with your ready supply of the stuff.
The actual amount you’ll get depends on several factors. Females typically shed twice a year, whereas intact males usually blow their undercoat annually. The former is also noticeably smaller than the latter. Hormones and genetics play a role, as does diet and the pup’s environment. Clearly, a dog living in a cold climate will have a thicker coat than one in a warm climate.
Final Thoughts
Samoyeds are beautiful animals with luxurious coats that include a soft and thick undercoat. These dogs do shed and require regular grooming to keep their coats healthy and mat-free. Shedding involves the loose hairs you’ll find on your furniture and clothing. However, you’ll also find clumps of white fluff that you gather and spin like wool. The amount of wool a Samoyed sheds during the blowing season is impressive but this only happens once or twice a year.
Featured Image Credit: Nik Tsvetkov, Shutterstock
