Page 196 - ShowSight - June 2020

with others, then it probably ended up as dinner for these
nomadic people. On the tundra, it was survival of the fittest! • Finally, structure was crucial in order for the dogs to have the
endurance to herd reindeer over a 700-800 mile migration pattern each year, as well as to perform other tasks for the nomadic tribe with which it lived.
All three of these components were necessary in order for a Samoyed to be able to live and work in the bitter cold of the tundra! If any of these three components were missing, the dog would not have been able to successfully thrive.
Can I speak to my breed’s ideal size? I think the Breed Standard is very clear on the size. This is a moderate breed:
• Males 21"–23 1⁄2" • Bitches19"–21"
Size is to be deprecated according to the extent of the deviation. The Standard states: “The Samoyed should never be so heavy as to appear clumsy nor so light as to appear racy. The weight should be in proportion to the height.”
What about that “Sammy smile?” How important is correct expression? The Standard states that expression is very important for this breed...the sparkle of the eyes, the lighting up of the face when alert...expression is a combination of alert ears, eyes and mouth! Then, of course, there is that famous Sammy smile...the upturned corners of the lip line!
Is there a preference for color in the breed ring? Any color other than white, cream, biscuit, or white and biscuit is a disqualifying fault in our breed. There is no preference among the acceptable colors listed: white, cream, biscuit or white and biscuit...we love them all!!
Does my breed have any specific exercise needs? This is a Work- ing breed, so it is energetic and should be given the opportunity for daily exercise! A daily walk, a time to run around the backyard and chase a ball...any opportunity to release some of that pent-up energy is always welcome by our four-legged friends!
Is my breed generally good with other dogs? With other house- hold pets? Yes...generally this breed is very compatible with other animals, due to migrating around the Russian tundra for thousands of years with reindeer as well as with other dogs. Good tempera- ment is a very important aspect of this breed! Occasionally you may run across two individuals who just don’t like each other, for some reason...but we see that in humans as well. Most of the time they learn to co-exist with other animals without any problems.
How much does my breed really shed? Are they enthusiastic barkers? Well, the Samoyeds were originally called “Laikas” on the tundra, which means “barkers” in Russian. So, that answers that part of your question. LOL! We call them “alarm dogs” because they will “sound the alarm” in wild abandon when they perceive something unusual approaching their territory.
Regarding shedding...the males normally shed once a year...nor- mally in the summer. The female shed is more hormonal in nature... I can usually count on my girls to shed approximately four months after they come in season, which is twice a year.
Is there a funny story I’d like to share about my experiences showing Samoyeds? Oh, I’m sure there are lots of them. LOL! I’m usually very focused on my dogs when I’m showing, and some- times lose track of my surroundings which gets me in trouble! Years ago, the Milwaukee Specialty was held in an older building with posts running right beside the diagonal mat used for the down and back. I was showing a young dog and was focusing on the puppy to make sure he wasn’t breaking into a gallop on the way back to the judge...and in full trot I ran right into the post. LOL! Booonnnggg! The sound reverberated throughout the building, almost stopping the show!
Later that night at the banquet, a friend asked if I was hurt when I hit the post, and I assured him that I was not... he replied, “That’s good, because we’ve been sitting up in the room watching you on video and making you hit that post over and over again, and it’s the funniest thing you’ve ever seen!” LOL! I guess that’s what they call 15 seconds of fame!
CHERI HOLLENBACK
I have owned Samoyeds since 1981, started exhibiting in 1984 and bred my first litter in 1991. I have always appreciated the versa- tility and beauty of the breed, enjoying their enthusiasm and antics in all settings. I have worked to learn as much as I can about canine health, particularly those conditions that have a genetic component. With that knowledge, I have worked to breed healthy dogs and pro- mote candid dialogue regarding health issues in the Samoyed breed.
I have been a member of the Samoyed Club of Washington State since the late 1980s and served in several positions. I have been a member of the Samoyed Club of America since 1989 and have served on various committees and as a board member and Presi- dent. I am also active in the all-breed Coeur’d Alene Dog Fanciers and the newly-forming Inland Northwest Samoyed Fanciers.
I have had the opportunity to run Samoyeds and the occasional Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, Alaskan Husky or other arctic breeds in sled teams and have a great appreciation for canine struc- ture that can do the work for which it is intended. I also have come to appreciate the heart and working ethic of the working dog.
I am approved for Samoyeds, Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes and I’m working toward approval on several Working and Non-Sporting breeds.
I live in Coeur’d Alene, Idaho. I was a registered nurse for over 40 years and currently work part-time as a community liaison. I have owned Samoyeds since 1981, started breeding in 1991 and judging in 2008. Outside of dogs, I love to travel and have had the opportunity to weave dog shows into some of my travels, includ- ing the World Dog Show in Denmark as well as shows in Ireland and Finland.
As a Working Dog, what are the key aspects of breed type for the Samoyed? I believe the key aspects of breed type for the Samoyed include correctly balanced structure with the length of leg being 55% of the overall height and “survival characteristics” for the arctic climate of origin. These include:
• A heavy and weather-resistant coat;
• A dark, deep set, almond-shaped eyes angled slightly oblique-
ly toward the base of the ears;
• Thick, well-furred ears;
• Medium length muzzle with a strong under jaw;
• Tight flews and correct lip line;
• Large hare feet; and correctly set, well-furred tail;
• Ability to move effortlessly in a quick, agile stride with very
little wasted motion.
Can I speak to the breed’s ideal size? The standard calls for dogs
to be 21"–23 1⁄2", while females are 19"–21". For the original work of the breed in herding reindeer across vast expanses of the arctic, it is important to be attentive to both the upper and lower ranges of the standard. It is critical to evaluate all specimens within that range against the whole of the standard and not eliminate an animal from consideration solely due to being nearer either the lower or upper range. If the specimen is out of the range of the standard, it needs to be penalized to the extent of the deviation. Please note that the top of the bitch standard is the lower range of the dog standard, so there should be some gender distinction in height.
How important is correct expression? The “Sammy Smile” is critical to correct expression and must be evaluated when the mouth is closed. The smile is, in part, a survival characteristic
194 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2020
SAMOYED Q&A