Tips on How to Groom a Samoyed
Knowing how to groom a Samoyed is important, especially considering the fact that one of the most distinctive traits of these dogs comprises its glorious coat.
Interestingly, not all doggy coats are created equally. As such, each coat may need a different type of grooming and the use of different tools.
For example, some dogs breeds need to be hand stripped, while others are blessed with a wash-and-wear coat with less involved maintenance.
Samoyed can be categorized as being quite high-maintenance considering that, if you fail to brush them often enough, you'll end up with a house covered with stray hairs and many mats that are difficult to untangle.
The Samoyed's Coat Standard
The American Kennel Club describes the Samoyed as being blessed with a heavy, weather-resistant coat considering this breed's history of working in cold climates.
The double coat comprises a soft, wool-like undercoat, while the top coat is composed of long, harsh hairs that stand straight out from the body with no curl.
The coat is always pure white or white and biscuit, cream or all biscuit and it should glisten with a silver sheen. No other coat colors are allowed.
Male dogs are expected to have a longer coat and a more impressive "ruff" of hair around the neck area and shoulders compared to females. An ideal ruff should frame the head.
The ears should be well covered inside with hair. Expect hair in between the toes as it has a protective function. The tail should be profusely covered with long hair.
The Importance of Starting Early
It cannot be emphasized enough the importance of establishing a good grooming routine starting when your Samoyed is a puppy because this will be your only chance to start a good grooming habit.
Ideally, the breeder should have started introducing your Samoyed puppy to grooming from an early age and created positive associations with it. This paves the path to good life-long routines.
Once in your new home, it's your job to take over where the breeder left off. Establishing a good grooming routine is important so that your Samoyed is happy and collaborative.
What Tools are Needed For Grooming Samoyeds?
As mentioned, Samoyeds are blessed with a double coat meant to protect them from the cold Siberian weather. The double coat is composed of two layers: a wooly short undercoat and a longer, harsher top coat.
To groom a Samoyed effectively, you will need to brush both layers.
Following are several tools needed to groom a Samoyed.
Slicker brushes. Slicker brushes are made of fine metal prongs closely displayed on a curved base. They're designed to get deep into the coat and remove loose hair and dirt from the undercoat.
Pin brushes. Oval brush equipped with metal pins, often covered with rubber tips. Its purpose is to remove shedding hair. This tools is gentler than a slicker brush and is often used in areas with long hair.
Metal combs. Consist of steel teeth attached to a steel handle. A “flea comb” has steel teeth that are placed very closely together so to trap fleas from a dog’s coat. Combs with wider teeth are used for detangling long coats and removing any debris that collects in the longer furnishings.
Detangling spray. If your Samoyed is prone to matting, a detangling spray crafted for a Samoyed's coat will make your job easier. It protects the coat and helps grooming tools glide through tangles.
Shampoo. Use shampoo designed for dogs only. There are special shampoos for dogs that are specifically crafted for white-coated dogs.
Nail clippers. Most Samoyed have pink nails, but occasionally some have darker nails. It's important that you avoid cutting the quick as this causes pain and bleeding. Invest in a good guillotine type clippers. If your dog doesn't like nail clippers, you may have more success with a nail grinder.
Line Brushing Samoyeds
Mastering the proper technique of brushing your Samoyed is very important in preventing tangles and keeping your Sammy's coat clean and healthy.
The best technique is called line brushing, and involves brushing your Samoyed's coat as closely as possible to the skin so you can tackle both the outer and inner coat.
Basically, you'll brush through the coat from the skin out, addressing the hair on the whole body, while being especially careful to not miss the areas between the legs and under the body.
If you encounter a mat that's difficult to brush out, use your fingers and the steel comb to separate the hairs as much as possible, then brush it out. You can use baby powder or a grooming powder to make the task easier.
How Often Should Samoyeds Be Brushed?
While Samoyeds aren't as high-maintenance as other dog breeds, they shed heavily and therefore should be brushed weekly to prevent mats.
Matting takes place when dirty or wet hair clumps together forming mats that are difficult to untangle.
A weekly brushing can help minimize shedding and tangling. Expect to dedicate about an hour a week for the chore.
Ideally, Samoyeds should be brushed at least once a week during most of the year, and more frequently (even daily) during peak shedding season.
When brushing your Samoyed don't neglect the legs, as they need to be brushed as well.
How Often Should Samoyeds Be Bathed?
A bath should be given every three to six months or more often should your Samoyed roll in something smelly.
Don't forget to use a slicker brush on your Samoyed before bathing to prevent matting. Make sure you rinse out the shampoo completely.
Samoyeds tend to have thick coats, so consider that they can take a lot longer to dry than other breeds.
Do Samoyeds Stink?
It is often said that Samoyeds, just like Siberian Huskies, are blessed with a coat that doesn't stink. Even though Samoyeds do not have a pronounced odor as other dogs do, it may still pick up unpleasant odors.
Do Samoyeds Shed a Lot?
You'll go through the first shedding when your puppy starts to shed his puppy coat. Be careful for the formation of mats during this time.
Afterward, expect twice a year shedding, during the spring and summer, although the lighter shedding will still take place year round.
Did you know? Samoyeds' coats are dense, and they shed heavily twice a year. Their "wool" is prized by weavers, and can be woven into beautiful clothing!
The wool obtained from the undercoat of the Samoyed was in the past spun into a yarn and believed to be 80 percent warmer than the wool produced from sheep.
Yarn produced by dogs is known as "chiengora", a word combing the French word for dog "chien" and angora.
Should Samoyed Be Shaved?
No. The Samoyed coat requires no clipping or trimming. This breed is not a poodle!
By cutting off the guard hair, you'll be doing more harm than good as it's meant to protect your Samoyed's skin from the cold and the heat of direct sunlight.
Guard hairs also repel water and help seeds, weeds and other unwanted debris to be brushed away easily when caught early.
On top of this, consider that it can take up to three years for the coat to grow back correctly!
The only trimming should be limited to tidying up the Samoyed's feet and the rear pasterns.
A Word About Nail Clipping
Although trimming dog nails is a simple procedure, it does require a little extra attention.
You should start working on creating positive associations with having your Samoyed puppy's nails trimmed when he is young, considering that you'll need to trim their claws every four to six weeks, or even more often as needed.
Always be gentle while trimming his or her nails, praise and feed tasty treats to help him or her become comfortable with the clipper. Aim to cut tiny nibs, using a light, so as to ensure the clippers do not to get too close to a blood vessel (the quick).
With practice, it should become a fun and rewarding experience!
If you're afraid of cutting your dog's nails, consult with your vet or a professional groomer. They can trim your dog's nails for a small fee.
The Bottom Line
Regular grooming is crucial for a Samoyed's coat care. Regular brushing helps distribute the dog's natural oils throughout its fur, while also removing dead hair and tangles.
And remember to always brush your Samoyed's teeth regularly. This will prevent tartar buildup, bad breath, and gum disease!
Disclaimer: this article is not meant to be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice or behavioral advice. If your dog is acting sick or aggressive please consult with a qualified professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
