How to Groom a Samoyed Dog

These medium-sized working dogs possess immense strength but are very gentle natured. They are also quite beautiful to look at. They have thick, dense double coats of silver-tinged hair that comes in white, biscuit, yellow and cream shades. Give your Samoyed a full grooming every 8 weeks and a general grooming twice a week.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Slicker brush
• Protein coat conditioner
• Detangling spray
• Steel combs
• Modern high velocity dryer

1. Brush your dog thoroughly at least twice a week. Samoyeds have a wooly undercoat that collects lots of shed hair which can tangle if you don't remove it regularly. Samoyeds are seasonally heavy shedders.

2. Start the pre-bath comb out by using a slicker brush. Put some protein coat conditioner or detangling spray onto the coat as you comb it out to make the process less painful for the dog.

3. Brush out the coat with steel combs after you're done with the slicker brush. It may be best to start with a coarser comb and then use a medium one.

4. Bathe your dog. Dry thoroughly after bathing with a modern high velocity dryer. Dry your Samoyed's coats quickly in order to prevent mildew, odors and skin infections.

Tips & Warnings

• Brush your Samoyed often to avoid frequent bathing. Their coats can remain white without bathing, as long as you don't allow excessive amounts of dirt and debris to collect in the hair. When you do bathe a Samoyed, use a whitening shampoo.
• Samoyeds have a life expectancy of about 12 to 15 years of age.
• The name "Samoyed" originates with a tribe of hunters and fishermen in Siberia who used the dogs to help pull their sleds. Robert Scott brought them to England in 1889 and the breed began to spread throughout the world.
• Female Samoyeds range in height from 19 to 21 inches, and males from 21 to 24 inches. This breed generally weighs between 35 and 65 lb., depending on the gender.
• Samoyed are very susceptible to hip dysplasia (even more than most dogs) and some suffer from diabetes. They are also prone to skin allergies and to PRA, primarily in male dogs.

[RozesofSharon]

on 10/5/2008 I am a newbie with samoyeds. I have a 5 month pup...been washing him every other week... Getting him ready for the show ring. Any hints out there for grooming?