Why You Should Never Buy a Samoyed
A medium breed of herding dog with a fluffy white coat , Samoyeds hit the headlines lately after Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce welcomed a one-year-old Samoyed into their home. But, before you even think about following suit, there are many reasons you should never buy a Samoyed.
Samoyed Coats Are Lots of Work
Samoyeds have a ‘double coat’, with a long, coarse topcoat and dense, soft underlayer. These coats are designed to keep Samoyeds warm in freezing temperatures, meaning they can easily overheat in summer, especially with the more frequent heatwaves the UK is experiencing. The thick, white hairs of Samoyeds easily get dirty, and they need diligent home and professional grooming for their health – not ideal for our wet weather and muddy parks!
Samoyeds Are Prone to Eye Issues
Ask any Sammy guardian, and they will tell you: Samoyeds have problem eyes; from distichiasis, where the eyelash grows into the eye, causing pain, to cataracts, to which they’re genetically predisposed. They’re also more likely than some other breeds to suffer from Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and retinal dysplasia, both of which can lead to blindness.
Samoyeds Experience Heart Issues
Samoyeds are prone to quite a few heart conditions, including Atrial septal defect (ASD), where a hole that normally opens during foetal development never closes, affecting blood flow and potentially leading to heart failure. They also commonly suffer from a congenital heart condition called aortic stenosis, wherein the dog’s heart needs to work much harder than usual, which can lead to early death. They’re also at high risk of Pulmonic Valve Stenosis, which can be fatal. Heart conditions are serious, risky, and costly; surgery is usually needed.
They Suffer from Joint Dysplasia
Another genetic issue facing Samoyeds is a tendency toward joint dysplasia. In hip dysplasia, the hip’s ball and socket are improperly formed, causing abnormal movement, which leads to wear and tear, arthritis, and even lameness. Elbow dysplasia is also caused by abnormal joint growth and can cause pain and limping. Both conditions may require lifelong medication or surgical intervention.
There Are Lots of Samoyeds Waiting in Shelters!
Because of the highly exploitative business of dog breeding, the UK is experiencing an animal homelessness crisis, leaving tens of thousands of dogs, including Samoyeds, desperate for loving homes. Whenever you buy an animal from a breeder, you fund an industry that sees dogs as commodities rather than sensitive individuals, and you deny an animal sitting in a shelter a much-wanted home. If you are thinking of adding a dog to your family, do your research, make sure you have the time and resources to properly care for them for their entire lives (up to 15 years), and visit your local shelter to adopt, as dogs of all breeds, including Samoyeds, are waiting for someone to give them their forever home.
Help Dogs by Calling out Crufts
Dog shows like Crufts glorify breeding and selling dogs. They promote dog disabilities, such as short snouts in breathing-impaired breeds like pugs and bulldogs, and bone deformities seen in shepherd breeds and dachshunds.
Help dogs today by urging Channel 4 to cut ties with Crufts.
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