Activities Samoyeds Love to Do
Samoyeds are energetic dogs that love to do things with their people! With consistent training, they can go far in many areas. Each of the pursuits, below, provide great outlets for bonding with your Samoyed and provide him with the exercise and manners to keep him well and happy.
Agility
We have all seen dog agility either in person or on TV. If you are wondering if your Samoyed can do agility the answer is yes. Samoyeds, like most breeds, love to run and jump. They particularly like doing things with their human family. Agility is a team activity that builds a lasting relationship between you and your Samoyed. Samoyeds do best with short training sessions coupled with lots of praise and rewards. Having a sense of humor and keeping the sessions fun is the key to a successful agility career.
Conformation Shows and Titles
While an AKC dog show may look like a beauty pageant, it’s not. Dogs are not being compared to each other; they’re being measured by how closely they conform to the written standard of their particular breed. They are judged based on their structure and physical characteristics according to this clear and concise blueprint. The Samoyed standard is largely based on form following function. Prick ears, thick double coat, hare-foot, and belly tuck-up are just a few examples of characteristics in our AKC standard which enabled the Samoyed to perform effectively as a sled puller and a herding dog thriving in a harsh Siberian environment. Their personalities allowed them to co-exist peacefully with other dogs and people in close quarters.
Family Fun
Samoyeds simply love to be with their owners in all their activities. Picnics, walks in the woods, just hanging out in the park or by the lake, playing in the back yard with the kids, are great pastimes for the whole family. Make these bonding times pleasant for you and your dog by doing some basic obedience training, or continue on in one or more of the many activities below discussed here.
Fast CAT
Fast CAT®, CAT (Coursing Ability Test) & Lure Coursing, originally designed for sighthound breeds, is fun for any Samoyed with a hunting instinct and love of the chase. Each dog chases after an artificial mechanized lure on either 100, 300, 600 or 800 yard timed courses, accruing points towards a certification title.
Herding
Samoyeds do not stare down their stock like many sheep herding breeds do. They herd closer to stock and may even “shove”them in order to move them without crouching. Likely, this was the method they used to drive reindeer in the Arctic. The dog must be trained to work in balance with the movement of stock across a given course. These skills are usually taught to the handler and dog through training at a facility that caters to herding activities with stock to provide the experience.
Obedience
Samoyeds can do very well in obedience, they just need for their owner to be patient, have a good sense of humor, and keep things fun. Sammies get bored with repetition, so the training needs to be varied with a lot of praise and rewards! They are very smart and don’t understand why they need to repeat exercises when they have already done it correctly the first time. But with patience and consistency the two of you can have a fun, rewarding time training and even competing in obedience trials.
Pack Hiking
What dog breed originally developed by nomads wouldn’t love to pack on wilderness trails in Colorado? Hiking on leash, using a dog pack to carry food and water is a great way to see the beauty of Colorado with your Sam. Samoyeds love seeing the “territory’ and getting out into the natural world. It is also great exercise for both dog and owner!
Rally
Rally is an opportunity for the Samoyed to excel! It has its basis in obedience, but it is less structured and allows for more interaction with your dog. You are given a course that has stations of exercises and since you get to always talk and praise your dog, it keeps the Samoyed focused on you, which always makes them happy. A fun and fulfilling activity that builds a great bond between you and your companion!
Sledding, Ski-joring, Carting
The absolute joy of the Samoyed can be seen doing what they love. Pulling a conveyance is truly in these dogs’ genes! Pulling activities include competition in cold weather where dog sledding, and ski-joring races are held. In Colorado, some local sled dog clubs (Rocky Mountain Sled Dog Club and Colorado Mountain Mushers) also may hold cart races when snow is scarce. This is a great activity for individuals, families and groups in the winter when hiking trails are snowed under. Basic trail training can be learned through books, or at sled dog clubs, or just by asking questions. The bond among the team and musher is great. Training a dog to be a responsible lead dog creates a mutual emotional bond that truly defies explanation!
Therapy Work
Samoyeds’ coats are soft and naturally clean-smelling, they are dogs just meant to be cuddled and petted, and they love the attention! Because they guarded the Samoyed children, and snuggled into the chums at night acting much like blankets, Sams are natural therapy dogs. A calm, adult dog is soothing to the sick, and elderly. A Samoyed’s natural empathy towards people make them wonderful visitors in nursing homes, hospitals, libraries, airports and schools that promote these activities.
Weight Pull
Weight pull as a competition likely began among people whose dogs worked as haulers in primitive nomadic settings. As such, Samoyeds today can be trained to be competitive within their size class in modern weight pulling events. Several weight pull organizations put on competitive pulls, and our own parent breed club conducts pulls and training during the annual National Specialty week. Trained in a safe manner, weight pull is a great sport that bonds owner and Sam together!
Working Samoyed Program
The Samoyed Club of America’s Working Title Program fits into several of the original areas of work indigenous Samoyeds did in the Arctic. These include: herding, pack hiking, sleddog racing and non-competitive excursions, cart racing and excursions, ski-jor racing and excursions, therapy dog work and weight pulling competition. There is no formal training for most of these activities. Instead, finding outside all-breed organizations that sponsor some of these activities are available with learning opportunities for you and your dog. Some of these activities are up to one’s own research, such as: excursions and pack hiking. Therapy and Herding involves training found elsewhere. Learn more about the SCA Working Program.
DSA has provided group pack hikes, as well as some herding and sledding/ski-joring opportunities for working points.
