Top 10 Samoyed Buying Tips: What You Need to Know!

I. Assessing the Samoyed Puppy's Physique

A healthy Samoyed puppy should not only be welldeveloped but also exhibit a robust and athletic build. Generally, dogs with good development tend to have a wellproportioned and muscular physique.

1. Teeth: A straightforward way to check is to have the puppy stand up on a table and gently open its mouth. Topquality teeth should display a level, scissorlike bite, with the upper (scissors) teeth fitting snugly over the lower teeth without any gaps.

2. Eyes: As the saying goes, "the eyes are the windows to the soul," and this holds true for puppies as well. A healthy Samoyed puppy should have bright, clear eyes with neatly arranged eyelashes and a slightly moist eye socket. Reddish or milky yellow eyes (indicating conjunctivitis) are not normal and should be a red flag.

3. Skeletal Structure: Feel the puppy's entire body while it stands. The ribs should be palpable but not visible. Be attentive to any skeletal irregularities, such as misshapen skulls, curved spines, cracked jaws, or luxated hips and knees.

4. Activity: Observe the puppy's movements while it runs and jumps. A healthy Samoyed should move normally and be agile, without any signs of lameness.

II. Observing the Puppy Closely

1. Monitor the Puppy's Appetite: A healthy Samoyed puppy should have a normal appetite. Eating, playing, sleeping, and excreting are the four basic needs for a puppy's growth. Puppies that are adjusting to a new environment or experiencing motion sickness may temporarily lose their appetite. Avoid selecting a puppy that shows no interest in eating or moving, as it could indicate severe dehydration, underlying diseases, gastrointestinal issues, or pain. If you notice this, inquire about feeding times and observe the puppy on your next visit.

2. Check for Any Illnesses: Look for runny noses, which can be a sign of colds, sinusitis, or upper respiratory infections. If the discharge is milky, yellow, or green, it may indicate a bacterial infection. Also, be wary of a puppy that expels food from its nostrils, which could suggest swallowing difficulties or congenital defects.

3. Inspect the Puppy's Nose: A normal dog's nose should be moist. If it becomes dry, it could be a sign of illness.

III. Caution When Buying a Puppy Within the First Three Months

It's advisable not to purchase a Samoyed puppy (or any puppy, for that matter) within the first three months of life. Puppies at this age are delicate, especially purebreds, which often have a higher mortality rate due to their vulnerability and incomplete immunizations. For safety, it's recommended to wait until the puppy is three months old.

IV. Detailed Observations

Back Length: The puppy's back should not be too long, as a fragile back can disqualify it from working, thus diminishing its working dog value. However, a compact body can be detrimental to a sled dog. When purchasing, use these observations as a reference.

Musculature and Proportions: While a Samoyed's body may not be long, it should be muscular. The chest should be deep, and the ribs wellexpanded. The neck must be strong, and the front end should be straight with a very strong waist. Males should appear robust without unnecessary aggression, while females may appear more delicate but should not seem weak in temperament.

Coat: Samoyeds have a double coat with a short, dense undercoat and longer, coarser topcoat that stands upright. The neck and shoulders form a "ruff." The quality of the fur is more important than quantity, with soft fur being undesirable.

Final Tip: For more information on how to care for a Samoyed, click on "How to Take Care of a Samoyed."