samoyeds in winter

[gillwoods]

I have 2 samoyeds who are kept outside, this is their first winter, and although they have a kennel I am concerned as to whether they will be warm enough. I have read on another site that they are bred to endure syberian winters, am I worrying unnecessarily?

[Clanad]

Yes... the dogs are uniquely adapted, in many ways to extreme cold. An article recently discussed how their legs and feet, among other features, are different than most other dogs to enable them to work and live in extremely low temperatures. Actually, the article (which I can't locate at the moment) stated that it is stressful for the dogs to be reared in warm climates...

[drgnrdr]

I'm curious...how old are the dogs if this is their first winter? Puppies do not regulate their temperature as well as adult dogs, they need to be at least 6 months old, if not a bit older. Also watch out for behavior problems that develop from leaving dogs in the backyard for long periods of time, and having 2 dogs will actually make them bond to each other much much more than bonding with you. So caution is needed, that is why I write and to let others know who might read this thread,

In case you are already well informed about this.

[drgnrdr]

Oh! forgot to mention, Welcome to the website..

[gucciman]

i have a samoyed to and she lives in the conservatory as she is very destructive if left alone in the house. the conservatory is unheated but still considerably warmer than the back yard.

i have read on websites before that samoyeds in their native lands used to live in their masters tents during the nights and thats why they are so fond of people. they are adapted to the cold for when they are pulling the sledges but i'm not sure that they are meant to be out in the cold 24/7.

i have my samoyed in the house as much as possible and she absolutely loves her home comforts, she will curl up on the sofa or on my bed all night.

why do you keep them outside?

[mimififi]

I have a doggie who would much prefer to curl up on my bed than sleep downstairs, purely, I think because she wants to me with me all the time and misses me when she can't see me......However, I draw the line at sleeping on my bed, heck, I don't like sharing my bed with my CHILDREN, let alone a great big hairy doggie.....I can't stand hair on my bed....!

But it is cute though. Huge Ahhhh factor

[lankeela]

Although originally the breed were used to very cold climates, the ones we have nowadays rarely have to endure such conditions and their natural defences have changed. Provided the kennel is one of those that they can get in either through a hatch or or door which can be closed they will be ok if it is draught proof and leak proof. It is the wet that would affect them more than the cold. No dog should have to endure one of those open fronted box jobs that is seen on cartoons with 'Spike' over the door. Provided they have a raised bed with dry bedding (shredded paper is good) they should not need any extra heating, unless the arctic winter they are promising us materialises. If they do need extra heating, agricultural suppliers can provide a heat lamp like they use for pigs.

No dogs in the bed? How on earth do you keep your feet warm in winter???

[mimififi]

I have a husband, who, if he ever does come home from the city in time to actually join me in bed, and if he isn't then disturbed when on call, or indeed by the dreaded blackberry (dud dud daaaaaa), i get him to curl up at the end instead.

When the above does occur, i don a pair of woolly socks, knitted by my own fair hand on a set of four needles...........

[Clanad]

While usually lucid, mimififi, I'm trying mightly to find a point about Samoyeds outside in your post... But... I'll keep trying!

[lankeela]

But what is wool if not the hair of a sheep? As for a Samoyed connection, you could always save the hair, get it spun and have it made into a pair of bedsocks!

[mimififi]

Clanad, cheeky Monkey, I was just making light hearted conversation.

But, as you have issues:

"Gillwoods, sadly, Samoyeds are not a breed that I am familiar with, being relatively new to the dog keeping realm, however, if you are very worried, maybe it would be worth having a chat to your vet? I'm sure they will be able to offer you invaluable advice re your pets."

Oh, and I apologise for posting off topic, and if feel like offering light hearted relief, however comic, will refrain. Any offence is deeply regretted.

Everyone Happy?

(And I know wool comes from a sheep, but sadly my dog tends to leave her hair all over the house in perhaps an inappropriate way, where's as my bedsocks, are not known for such extensive shedding, but i see merit in perhaps harnessing my dog's shedding problem and investing in a traditional style spinning wheel.)

Ever have one of those days where you wake up feeling got at? Sorry, Clanad, off topic, I'll start another thread.

[mimififi]

Smile, smile, smile, folks....

:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) (-: (-: (-: (-: (-:

(gillwoods, I'm sorry, for being so petulent on your thread, I read your thread initially as I was fascinated by the description of your dogs and then had to look them up to see what samoyeds look like. They are SOOOOO cute. It must be lovely having pets like that! )

[funnywebsite]

If they were mine I would not leave them outside in this weather. Last night was very frosty. The English cold is worse than some other countries cold I was told. We have a different coldness here. I have been told by someone from Poland that the cold here bites you more than their country even if it is covered in snow there.

[Clanad]

Firstly, mimififi (that's so easy to type in, two fingers only) my reply was meant as a weak attempt at humour. Usually, your posts lean to the serious side so an opportunity to poke in the ribs presented itself.

Secondly, funnywebsite, I appreciate that English winter evenings can be miserable, however, we, here in the western U.S., have winters when the temperature falls to -30 to -40 degrees F, with snow up to here! Russian winters are even worse...Many dogs of this and other outdoors breeds are left, well... out of doors and they thrive. I realize your heart is in the right place, but they are bred specifically for this type of environment. In fact, reading web sites about the dogs one finds they tend to suffer in warm climates... Wolves have been reintroduced to some remote parts of the U.S., and suffer no ill effects...

[mimififi]

Oh Clanad, I'm so glad. I thought you really were really thinking badly of me. I had had such a bad morning already, and it was only 8.30!!!! i didn't realise that I came across as serious, as I am always somewhat petulent, how funny, I think sometimes, things are just lost in the translation!

I'm glad you weren't really, cross with me, as you are one of my favourite ABers.

(my day, incidentally, has got significantly better since!!!!! however, I did present unseriously the other night on a different thread with regards to a leather sofa and a cat!) And, indeedy, once again, off topic....so sorry!!!!!!! Another thread I seem to have managed to Hijack.woops. I'll get me coat

[lankeela]

Clanad, if a dog is bred in Russia or somewhere cold they would be used to cold temperatures, but as they were probably bred in this country (UK) they were probably bred from parents who have never experienced such cold temperatures.Care needs to be taken to ensure the dogs do not suffer from the cold temperatures if they are not used to them. Personally I would not keep a dog outside (unless it was in a heated kennel and then I would not be keen), no matter what breed. My dogs live indoors with me and sleep on and in my bed.

[Clanad]

I fully understand what you are saying, lankeela, but the genetic traits bred into the dog over many years are still there, regardless of where the dog lives. I don't disagree with your desire to keep the dogs in a heated kennel or house. I'm just saying that they will not be harmed by
being left outside, if that's the owners need. That's especially why I stressed some of the unique characteristics of this and other cold climate bred dogs...

[gillwoods]

Thanks for all your answers, to reply to a few queries, the dogs are 11 and 7 months. The larger one, (Alfie) has really suffered in the Summer heat, and hates indoor central heating, choosing to sleep on the cold slate of a fireplace.I have recently moved to a property with a few acres of land, and decided to get him a companion. ( We don't leave them alone for long periods of time, they have constant contact with the family) The dogs seem to prefer to be outdoors, getting them a Kennel seemed the obvious alternative.I have ordered a pet heat lamp (Lankeela), and my husband keeps my feet warm in Winter!!