Wow haven't been on here for a little over a week been very busy, and so much has happened - Just caught up on the 3 pages, normally this forum can go for weeks without anything being posted... I have only have a little bit of time (still at work), so I will reply regarding "Temperament" and come back later to reply about hips... I think they are two separate topics but both very valid in our beautiful breed…
Temperament
It has been documented that breeding from unstable temperaments has been the cause of the degeneration of many breed's general temperament such as Dobermans, Rottweilers, and so on.
- If your animal is untrustworthy of other people, overly aggressive to people, do not breed it.
- If it is too shy or always skittish don't breed it.
We only breed from happy, confident animals!
Our rule is never breed from an animal that has a temperament problem.
Let me explain what I mean by a temperament problem. I am not referring to instances where on occasion a dog balks at something unusual or has a moment where it is uncertain about a noise or situation.
Our breed should bounce back from those times and not then become a pattern of behaviour and on most occasions they do. But there are some dogs that don't...
I must say we have been very fortunate and have never owned a Samoyed with a soft or an aggressive temperament, all our dogs' current and in the past have always been very social happy dogs. Mosco "Aust Ch Airebis Russian Roulette" used to lay with my rabbits, but would happily venture to shows and was a great stud dog. Our current kids have different personalities; Shimmer has loads of energy, Inka loves cuddles and is calm and coco is a relaxed girl that is the boss of her kids (Inka and Shimmer) but is the first to lick you. Even Monet who isn't as outgoing as her brother Sonnet & sister Sylvi enjoyed cuddling up to a complete stranger (Pip1981) at the show on Sunday, and she hadn't been shown since she was 3 months - new environment and stange person, still showed a typical Samoyed temperment. Inka, Shimmer & Coco have all attended nursing homes, parks, dog shows and kindergartens. They are always very loving and friendly when meeting new people. Shimmer (even though she has lots of energy) is a sweetheart becoming really settled when around children and small animals. To me this is an ideal Samoyed, adapting too many environments and situations - loving all things great and small. Samoyeds have a smiling face and are known to be a trusting breed, it is important we protect this unique nature.
Shy or aggressive are an extremely concerning.
After being exposed to some dogs that have softer temperaments and a couple with aggressive temperaments, I have watched with interest as to the progeny that have come through these lines and are aware of a number over the years (and more in recent times), that portrayed extreme shyness and a couple that were aggressive. Therefore one would conclude that it may have been passed down through the lines (these dogs and bitches which will remain nameless) although I cannot say that all puppies were of this temperament, but it has been too many for peace of mind if you want to cement sound temperaments in your breeding program.
I agree that some of these things can be environmental or other factors such as seasons etc. But we have to be careful not to be quick to blame these factors and turn a blind eye to a problem that could cause the Samoyed as we know it according to the standard to start not portraying that beautiful attribute of being a lover of all mankind, this is why we love this breed so much isn't it?
Yes, it can but the Samoyed should be a Lover of all mankind and so snuggling up to the owners where it feels safe, is not displaying affection to all mankind. That would be true if the dog was willing to snuggle up to anybody.
Why would we want to perpetuate that incorrect quality in the lines? Granted we have a small gene pool so all things may crop up from time to time, but perpetuating a problem that may be detrimental to the reputation of the breed i believe is very wrong.
I ask what happens when the sensitive shy dog is pushed too out of its comfort zone?
We have to reflect on why the standard was written with the words "Lovers of all Mankind" and be strong when we have to reflect what we are breeding from and why. If we are just breeding with a selfish attitude, I have kept this bitch or dog until breeding age and need to breed from them no matter what the faults including temperament, then that is an I dont really care attitude (kennel blindness) ...she'll be right mate....or should we make a wise decision and say this bitch or dog is not of the required temperament or structure and decide not to breed form them. I guess it comes down to principles and if you're breeding for the right reasons.
Our decisions will reflect whether we truly care or not about the integrity of this breed and as a caretakers I want to do the best while I am here to pass onto the best possible for the next generation.
Until someone can conclusively prove incorrect temperaments are not genetic traits, we (Airebis Samoyeds) will continue to stick to our rule as breeders and only breed from sound, stable outgoing dogs.
I would rather be safe than sorry as temperament is a major factor in the beauty of our breed...what would be more dangerous an aggressive German shepherd or an aggressive Samoyed? I beleive for the unsuspecting person the Samoyed! As people are aware that they need to be aware of Shepherds and take caution but an aggressive Samoyed could be a very dangerous dog indeed for the unsuspecting, purely because our dogs are known as not being aggressive.
If a shy dog is pushed way beyond its comfort zone then this could easily happen. Let's be careful and be wise in our decisions about the temperaments of the dogs we are breeding from. There are a variety of tests to indicate a dog's temperament. Many of the working breeds have a temperament test (for example, the Doberman's test) for their breed. Therapy Dogs International and other Therapy Dog clubs have temperament testing that does try to separate out actual temperament from training. Obedience titles can be (but are not necessarily) an indication of good temperament.
As breeders we need to make sure we do our research.
I think it is important to have a balance, and it is important that we do the right thing for the breed and the breed in the future. I have plenty to say about hips too (but as I said at the start, I will respond in the next couple of days (life is too busy ). It is important we breed for the right reasons - the love of the breed and only to improve the breed. We are caretakers, and what we do now impacts the breed in the future.
When we plan a litter we take a long time in deciding who will sire the puppies, looking at lines, researching to see if any temperament problems have occurred, or health issues have popped up. We take into account hip scores (we won't use a dog that isn't scored), elbow scores, outline/construction, movement, soundness and anything else we know regarding their pedigrees. Every dog has a fault (often more than one in terms of 'show quality'), but it is important to understand what your bitch lacks to complement it with a dog who is strong in that area eg. a bitch with straighter stifles to a dog with lovely angles ensuring the dogs weakness isn't something your bitch lacks too. But this is in reference to 'show quality', because at the end of the day every breeder aims for show quality puppies in every litter. But, temperament is not something I would run the risk with, if a dog or bitch possess a very shy/soft or aggressive temperament I wouldn't use it, even if I have a dog or bitch with a very stable temperament.
Puppy Buyers, I suggest you meet the parents, take note of their behaviour and attitude to you! If you get the opportunity visit a show and see the parent long before you purchase a puppy. Yes we all want a puppy now… but do your research and ask plenty of questions.
Why do puppy buyers by a Samoyed puppy? Because they were herding sled dogs in Siberia? Not likely
It is more likely it is because they are a beautiful breed in looks, trustworthy, lovers of children, smiling, happy, energetic dogs who love life and everyone around them.
I disagree a softer dog in their natural habitat would have a better chance of survival. They are pack dogs and natural hunters, the pack turn on shy and overly submissive members of the pack,. Agreed the faults you mentioned, cat feet, short legs, short tail, over coated are faults that will impact their survival, but would not impact them in this environment, however a dogs demeanor will impact the way they live their life here.
Cat feet, short legs, short tail, over coated are frowned upon in the show ring as the are not correct for the natural habitat, but so a pet owner they are a beautiful Samoyed and even if a Samoyed isn't what we call "show quality" it still can compete in herding, agility or obedience as long as they have the right attitude and respond to their owner. An incorrect temperament can cause many problems for a pet owner - shy or aggressive!
There would be a few things to consider here, I would be asking why the person felt compelled to breed with a dog that did not display the correct temperament.
I would recommend a puppy buyer look at the parents and then the puppies. I would want to see the puppy portraying the outgoing Samoyed temperament expected. In saying that some are more laid back but I would be concerned if at 8 weeks a puppy was skittish and ran away from people. Make sure if you do choose a quieter puppy, that it is well socialised very young.
In saying this fortunately I have not seen many dogs over the years displaying a shy skittish or aggressive temperament, but then again it just takes a few people ignoring these signs and breeding from these soft temperaments that could cause problems in the future. There appears to be more shy temperaments than previously, so it is something we need to take into account when breeding.
~ We want to keep the outgoing Samoyed temperament we know and love ~
