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. Shed Samoyed fur is sometimes used as an alternative to wool in knitting, with a texture similar to angora. The fur is sometimes also used for the creation of artificial flies for fly fishing. Samoyed fur sweaters have been reported to handle temperatures well below freezing. Samoyeds' friendly and affable disposition makes them poor guard dogs; an aggressive Samoyed is rare. The breed is characterized by an alert and happy expression which has earned the nicknames 'Sammie smile' and 'smiley dog.' With their tendency to bark, however, they can.
no
no