Page 192 - ShowSight - June 2020

them. They are reindeer herders. Though I wouldn’t automatically trust two males to get along, with proper introduction and training, most Samoyeds aren’t overly dog aggressive. They should be able to pull next to others and focus on the task at hand.
How much does my breed really shed? Are they enthusiastic barkers? Samoyeds shed horribly, but only once or twice a year. When they aren’t shedding, it really isn’t that bad. When they are shedding, the coat loosens and you can pull it easily off their backs. The mistake often made is that people don’t get the coat out when it first loosens and lifts away from the skin. Then the fur mats and the skin can’t breathe. The skin becomes unhealthy and the removal of the matted hair is painful. Most groomers get the pet Samoyeds that aren’t groomed when the coat first loosens. Those dogs are dif- ficult to groom and unhappy about it because it hurts!
Funny story I’d like to share about my experiences showing Samoyeds? Rather than a funny story, I’d like to share how blessed I feel to breed and show Samoyeds. I show my dogs often internation- ally as my clients’ dogs get preference here in the USA. I don’t breed often for the same reason. I took my last stud dog to the World Dog Show in Mexico in 2007 where he was admired by Norwe- gian Samoyed breeder, judge and FCI representative, Eivind Mjae- rum. Eivind bought one of my dog’s pups. His best friend bought another. They’ve written a book on the Samoyed which has been published in Norway and many of my dogs are in the book, one as the pictorial example for the breed standard! I’ve met friends all over the world through working with this breed that loves to laugh, snuggle and entertain me! The breed has truly filled my life with joy.
DIANE GARCIA
Having a special attraction to sled dogs, I started first with a Siberian Husky in 1978. I was bitten by the dog show bug, bred a few Siberian litters and finished several Champions. My claim to fame in Siberians was my special girl “Cybil” (CH Kontoki Happy Go Lucky) that
I showed myself to a SHCA National Best of Opposite win in 1982. Having always loved Samoyeds, I bought my foundation bitch
in 1994 and that was the start of Arctic Fox Samoyeds.
I have bred sparingly throughout the years, but have produced Multiple Best In Specialty Show Winners, Group Winners and Top Stud Dog Winners. My “Glacier” (Ch Arctic Fox Glacial Epoch ROMX) was my Once-in-a-Lifetime Dog that acquired eight Best in Specialty Show wins, was a Multiple Group Winner/Placer, a Top 5 and Top 10 Samoyed from 2001-2006, was the # 1 Owner- Handled Samoyed in 2004, SCA Top Stud Dog in 2008 and 2009, a Multiple National AOM winner and SCA Best Veteran in 2009. Always owner-handled, we had a ball. Today we presently have sev-
en dogs here at Arctic Fox, all descending from Glacier.
I have served as the Buckeye Samoyed Club President for the past six years. I also am the McKinley Kennel Club Show Chairman for the past three years. I am active in SCA on different committees, most notably the Illustrated Standard and Judge’s Education Com- mittees. I obtained my AKC license to judge Samoyeds and Junior Showmanship in 2017. Currently, I am applying to judge Siberian
Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes.
My breeding philosophy has always been to produce Samoyeds according to our Breed Standard, have working dog structure and movement, and have been health tested for generations. I currently have five generations of CHIC clear health tested dogs that I have bred over the past 26 years. My passion is the Samoyed breed.
I live in Massillon, Ohio. I am a retired registered nurse, spe- cializing in cardiac nursing. I have loved and owned dogs my entire life, but have been exhibiting and breeding purebred dogs for 40 years, starting first with Siberian Huskies and then moving onto Samoyeds.
Do I have any hobbies or interests apart from breeding and showing dogs? Yes, I used to own horses and enjoy western pleasure trail riding, particularly Arabian horses. I also play piano, enjoy gar- dening, Samoyed collectables and home decorating. My husband is a car buff and we enjoy car shows as well.
What are the key aspects of breed type for my breed? A Samoyed must have good conformation and movement in order to perform its many jobs such as sledding and herding. A good front end assem- bly is especially important to pull a sled. From our standard, “a Samoyed has bone heavier than one would expect of a dog this size but not so massive as to prevent the speed and agility most desir- able in a Samoyed.” A dog that can herd reindeer must have speed and agility.
A proper coat is essential to thrive in arctic conditions (not long and droopy); a coarse, stand-off outer coat with soft, dense under- coat. Look for the silver tips on the harsh outer coat to glisten in the sunlight!
Eyes are obliquely set, almond-shaped and dark, to fare well in arctic conditions. Ears are strong and thick, well-furred to protect from the cold. Tail must be loose and mobile, moderately long to cover the nose when the dog is curled up sleeping out in frigid con- ditions. These are survival characteristics.
Can I speak to the breed’s ideal size? Males are 21-23.5 inches in height; females are 19-21 inches in height. There is no disqualifica- tion for over and under size. But when judged, per our standard, “an oversized or undersized dog should be penalized according to the extent of the deviation.” Therefore, all other things being equal, a dog within standard size is preferred to an over or undersized dog.
Because of the depth of chest of a Samoyed, the dog needs approximately 55% leg length of total height to the withers, which is 55% measured from ground to elbow. Another survival charac- teristic is that a short-legged dog will not be able to make its way through deep snow. According to our standard, “a very short-legged dog is to be deprecated.”
What about that “Sammy smile?” How important is correct expression? Samoyed expression is made up of erect ears, bright, twinkling eyes, and a tight lip line with the lips curving upward at the corners of the mouth to form the “Sammy smile.” It should be noted that a true Samoyed smile is evident when the mouth is closed. Loose flews and lack of underjaw results in the lip line drooping downward in a “frown” with no Samoyed smile. Loose flews are a survival characteristic as this will cause drooling that will freeze in the arctic. Therefore, the Samoyed smile is not only beauti- ful and characteristic of the breed, but functional as well.
Is there a preference for color in the ring? Absolutely not. The Samoyed can be pure white, white and biscuit, cream or all biscuit. There may be patches of biscuit or cream seen on heads and coat. One coloring is not preferred over another. Any color other than white, cream or shades of biscuit is a disqualification.
Does my breed have any specific exercise needs? This is an energetic breed that does require energy expenditure. They can be “busy,” intense, noisy and can get into trouble when bored. They enjoy playing fetch with balls and frisbees, going on walks,
SAMOYED Q&A
190 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2020