Samson The Samoyed Dog

I saved this Christmas card from Defenders of Wildlife because that wolf pup could be Samson's sibling. 

This from the American Kennel Club:

"The Samoyed is an ancient working breed developed by the nomadic Samoyed people of Siberia. His jobs included herding reindeer, hunting, hauling sledges and guard work. The Samoyed people depended upon their dogs for survival. Samoyed dogs actually slept in the shelters with their people.

Their exceedingly close association with humans helped to imprint a wonderful temperament on the breed with the smiling face, laughing eyes and stunning silver tipped coat. The Samoyed, a working dog, is happiest when he has a job, even if it is just bringing in the daily paper." 

Samson as a young dog. This may be my favorite picture of him.

Samson is a kind and patient dog, he practically raised Faith who arrived here when Errol was so ill. He is wonderful with people and is much loved at the veterinary hospital where he has spent far too much time. He was patient and calm when his eyes were examined at the veterinary ophthalmologist. And what he puts up with at the groomer is beyond belief. Grooming him takes about two and a half hours. Just the blow dry requires a lot of patience. 

He knows all the basic training commands and, if he feels like it, he will obey, if he doesn't, he won't. He thinks he's in charge around here and knows best. This is pretty typical for Nordic breeds; they are hard-working and hard-headed dogs. Since he's so calm and so sweet and does behave when it's necessary, I just let him be.

With one exception:

Unfortunately, because he has to take a small dose of Prednisone, a steroid, he is always very hungry and he can get on my diabetic nerves when my sugars are too low and I need to EAT. He likes to hang out in the kitchen, hoping I will drop something. I've been known to raise my voice. He couldn't care less, but Faith gets extremely upset if I get upset, so I've learned to put them outside when I feel shaky.  

I learned once that he will defend me if needed. A meth addicted woman was trespassing numerous times and when I had had enough, I confronted her. When she started screaming at me and waving her hands in the air, Samson who was with me and on leash, lunged at her with a tremendous roar coming from deep inside him. Fortunately there was a fence between us or this could have ended badly as I was completely unprepared.

Samson was depressed when Errol left and never came back. After about six months, it looked to me like he woke up one morning and decided he needed a job. Since then he has been the best guard and watch dog I've ever lived with. And I've lived with three Dobermans and one German shepherd. He also has the best hearing and alerts as soon as a car pulls in to our road.  

He also barks when I leave. He didn't before Errol left that last time. So he is upset, but doesn't suffer from separation anxiety the way some dogs do. He's just too calm for that, so he is protesting in the moment, then he quiets down. By the time I unlock the gate, he has forgotten all about it. But I need to work with him on that barking because he riles Faith up. She doesn't like that he barks at me and tries to shut him up. Which to her means she has to jump on him and try to chase him away from me. So it's a circus here every time I walk out the front door. 

I'm lacking patience and energy to deal with this and would appreciate your advice if something comes to mind. 

Other than that, he is a wonderful dog, my fluff monster, so sweet and kind. And it seems like all his medicines are in balance because he's doing really well and hasn't been to the vet for the longest time. I'm so grateful for every day he is feeling well.

Ancient Dog Breeds

Studies done in 2004 and 2010 found 9 and 13 respectively ancient breeds that were genetically divergent from the modern breeds. These are the 13 breeds: The Basenji, Saluki, Afghan Hound, Akita, Samoyed, Canaan Dog, Malamute, Siberian Husky, New Guinea singing Dog, dingo, Chinese Shar-Pei, Chow Chow and American Eskimo Dog. A 2012 study confirmed these breeds and added three, the Eurasier, Finnish Spitz, and Shiba Inu, referring to these breeds as Basal breeds. 

Samson is part of this group of dogs, which I think is pretty neat.