The Samoyed (/ˈsæməjɛd/ SAM-ə-yed or /səˈmɔɪ.ɛd/ sə-MOY-ed; Russian: Самое́дская соба́ка or Самое́д) (also known as the Bjelkier) is a breed of large herding dogs with thick, white, double-layer coats. They are related to the laika, a spitz-type dog. Samoyed eyes are usually black or brown and are almond in shape. Blue or other color eyes can occur but are not allowed in the show ring. It is in the 'brown and black section' in its family, the Spitz family.