Are Samoyeds sled dogs?

The Samoyedic tribes of Siberia used Samoyed dogs, and hence the name has been derived so.
Samoyed dogs were first used for sledding, hunting, and herding. These dogs usually are white, but some of them have a light brown body color. With a thick physique, Samoyeds can work hard. The double-layer fur coat protects it against the cold weather conditions. In terms of personality, these dogs are loyal, obedient, and friendly. It makes it easier to train them. They are easy to get along with, and some of them stay playful till the old age. Due to their excellent
companionship, they can become friends with children or other dogs.

What makes a Samoyed a sled dog

Sled dogs are generally the type of dogs that are found in the cold, snow-laden climate. Studies have shown that these dogs originated from Siberian wolves. It explains their ability to adapt to the cold and hostile environment. The term “sled dog” is used to describe these dog breeds since they can pull sleds over the snow. The sled dog breeds were used for mail deliveries, herding, hunting, and patrolling in some areas. Some of these dogs can even serve the purpose of a guard dog with proper training. Unlike most other dogs, sled dogs have a different kind of physical attribute. Apart from the fur-like skin, these dogs also have strong muscular feet that enable them to run fast. These are all the characteristics that a Samoyed has what makes them a sled dog breed.

A sledding dog weighs about 37 to 45 pounds on an average. And you will be surprised to know that sled trained Samoyed dogs can pull nearly thrice or four times of their total body weight. But there is a rule that limits the pressure.
It says that sled dogs should not pull more than twice their body weight. With proper training, these energetic animals can be very helpful to humans. Though sled dogs can handle large amounts of work, training and education are essential in determining its role as a sled dog.

Samoyed sled training

One thing about a dog that everybody knows is that they love food. So the chance of giving Samoyeds treats should be taken and converted into sled training. Samoyeds can be taught basic movements and work through this process.

In terms of sledding, this activity is in their traits. A little effort can turn a Samoyed puppy into a good sled dog gradually. As discussed earlier, Samoyed dogs have a good amount of strength and can follow orders from their masters. So training a samoyed is not that hard a deal at
all. But to prepare them, the owner should try to socialize them from an early age. Along with this, their spirits have to be appreciated. A cheerful dog will have more energy to do any kind of work. Samoyed should be exhausted through exercises or other playful activities to maintain its sled skills.

You should teach a Samoyed some primary cues to properly train the dog for racing. These are:

• Start and stop commands.
• Turning left and right.
• Go faster or slower.
• Wait or stop momentarily.

Sled dogs enjoy exercise sessions, so the owner should not feel bad about making them work. Walking is a good exercise for dogs. It develops a good dog appetite which is necessary for a sled dog nutrition. 

The owner must also treat the dog gently. It may be scolded but not too loudly or rudely. However, Samoyed dogs must not be overstressed with sled training in the higher tempered season. Due to the thick layer of the double-layered coat, they may become quickly overheated.

What dog breeds are sled dogs?

There are other breeds of sled dogs besides Samoyed dogs:

• Alaskan Malamute
• Chinook
• Eurohound
• Greyster
  
• Husky

Breeding for centuries has given birth to some powerful and capacitive breeds. Most sled dogs are arctic dog breeds. One such breed is the Alaskan Husky, which is a crossbreed between the Alaskan Malamute and the Siberian Husky. While a few differences in features may exist between the various breeds, they can be trained equally for sledding. Some sled dogs can pull  tremendously heavy weight, and some have the best hunting skills. One thing that is common for all these breeds is that they are quite good runners, and this places them in the category of sled dogs.

What qualities make a good sled dog?

The foremost qualities that are looked for in a sled dog are strength and spirit. They should have a sturdy physique that would suit them for working. Especially the leg and back muscles should be strong enough to run with a load on the snowy terrain.

Exercising is essential in this aspect. Like us, if Samoyed dogs are simply kept idle, they will become lazy and overweight at one point. An overweight dog is likely to develop soreness in its joints and muscles. Once any such complexity occurs, it is tough to put that dog back on track. Without enough working opportunities, Samoyeds can become mischievous and can cause a lot of trouble to the owner.
Working and exercising are in their genes, and the owner has to help them do what they are best at. Walking a considerable distance or jogging and developing the habit of sprinting are essential in making a Samoyed a good sled dog.

The capability of Samoyed sled dogs depends a lot on nutrition and the type of environment they are kept in. Once the Samoyed puppy starts growing up, the dog’s weight has to be actively monitored. Food supplements may be added to the diet to keep a constant nutrition flow for the dog. These supplements provide an ample number of calories to keep the animal energized. Most of them are beneficial for the joints in the leg and back. The calorie intake of Samoyeds
is about 30 percent less than that of other sled dog breeds because of their body temperature and ability to stay warm. This quality makes Samoyeds outstanding sled dog breed among other Artic breeds.

How much weight can a Samoyed pull?

Though they look like a fluffy dog version of a big teddy bear, these dogs weigh about 40 to 55 pounds on average. Samoyed sled dogs can easily pull twice or thrice of their body weight. The ability of a dog to pull weight also depends on their concentration and capability to focus.

Winter family activities with Samoyeds

Samoyeds can be used for racing events like sledding, skijoring, drawing kids pull sleds, and
scootering. In case with Samoyed skijoring, the rider is pulled on skis instead of a sled. Skijoring is a lot different than sledding because here, pulling someone on skis requires lesser effort. And the fun part about this is that this can be arranged all by the owner himself/herself. A few pieces of equipment like poles, skis, harness to attach with a Samoyed are enough. Skijoring with a Samoyed will even help the owner to practice skiing at a feasible speed.

While in scootering, a wheeled scooter is a carrier being pulled. But the rider needs to know what direction the Samoyed will be running. Moreover, they can serve as companions on trips and can be entrusted with the responsibility to look after children. Samoyeds can go for an expedition that could last for weeks. During a day, they can travel up to seven-ten miles per hour, with a little break every two hours.

If you own a Samoyed, you can take it along with your family on a weekend trip. Besides racing with them on snow-laden tracks by putting your kids on sleds, you can play with your dog and children together. Samoyeds love to play. They never miss an opportunity to run around and tire themselves out. Altogether, the dog will not let you get bored or feel lonely at all.

Related questions

Q: Can one Samoyed pull a sled?

From their very origin, these dogs can pull around a sled. A single Samoyed can pull around the minimum weight on a sled. For example, it can pull around a child on a sled. But for heavy load carriage, a team is suitable since that splits the pressure amongst the entire dog team. And it also increases the efficiency of the work rate provided by sled dogs. Working in a team also maintains a good spirit on the dogs. Hence, a single Samoyed can be used to pull out minor works only. Also, make sure your Sammy has good sled dog booties for better results.

Q: What dog can pull the most weight?