San Francisco Samoyed Rescue

Rescuing and Re-Homing Dogs Since 1975

Adopt a Samoyed

Samoyed Snippet

The first Sammie was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1906. The Samoyed Club of America was accepted for A.K.C. membership in 1923. The Sammie is a member of the Working Group. Today the Samoyed not only is seen in the Conformation ring, it is also proudly shown in Obedience, Tracking and Field Trials, Herding, Agility, and is being used on many occasions as a Service Dog. Sammys enjoy sled racing, excursion sledding and skijoring. They have competed in weight pulling and can do packing for those outdoor people who enjoy hiking.

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Purebreed Rescue is a Source of Older Pets

Rescue groups: Canine 911

Many dog breeds have their own welfare societies that exist solely to rehabilitate unwanted dogs and place them in good homes. The rescued dogs come from a variety of sources: shelters that enlist the help of rescue groups in placing purebreds; owners who cannot keep their dogs for any of a number of reasons from development of allergies or serious chronic illness to loss of employment; owners who no longer want their dogs; or breeders who go out of business or who are forced to close up shop by the authorities. Although details of operation may differ, rescue groups generally foster the dogs for a period of time for evaluation, training, socialization, or medical care; spay or neuter prior to adoption; charge a fee that may or may not cover the cost of the service they provide for each dog; require that adopters sign a contract that gives the rescue organization right of first refusal if the dog cannot remain in that home; and carefully place the dog in an appropriate home.

Rescued dogs are usually more than six months old, are housetrained, are past the chewing-everything stage, and are happy to be placed in a loving home. Many have been precipitously uprooted from a beloved family by some misfortune, and some have been abused or neglected and need lots of patience and tender, loving care to get past the trauma in their lives. The initial adjustment can be difficult as the dog learns to trust again or for the first time. Separation anxiety, fear of noises, and attempts to run away are common. But once past the first few months, when the dog learns to depend on the kindness of his new family, the bond is forged.

Here are some points to keep in mind when choosing a dog.

1. If your time is limited, choose a dog that needs little grooming, minimal training, and only moderate exercise.

2. If your budget is tight, choose a small-to-medium dog that needs little grooming and minimal training.

3. If you are an inexperienced dog owner, do not choose a large dominant dog or a dog with high energy level unless you are committed to six months of steady, patient, consistent training and a dozen years of daily walks of a mile or more.

4. If you have children or elderly people in your home, do not choose a large, dominant dog that needs lots of training and exercise or a high-strung dog that is fearful of high-pitched voices and childish shenanigans.

5. If you do not have a fenced yard, be prepared to walk the dog at least twice a day and to clean up his waste.

To generalize about breeds, sporting dogs are high energy and people oriented; hounds are focused on the scents and sights in their world; Terriers are scrappy and can be yappy; working dogs tend to be tough to train and variously dominant; herding dogs are people-oriented but have a high need to work; and toy dogs can be fragile and have poor temperaments with children. Mixed breeds tend to have the characteristics of their component breeds. Chow and Akita mixes can be animal aggressive, aloof, and dominant, Poodle and Terrier mixes can be high strung and neurotic; Labrador and Golden Retriever mixes will have high energy and a prolonged puppyhood, etc.

If you have not chosen wisely, don't expect rescue to bail you out. However, do ask rescue for help in managing the dog's behavior so the situation does not get worse.

Obedience training for manners

Obedience training is the best prevention and the best cure for behavior problems. A dog can be trained at home, from a book, but it is better to attend a class where the he can get social contact with other dogs and strangers. A dog that learns from the beginning to obey everyone in the family is less likely to become a juvenile delinquent. Consistency, with everyone using the same commands and expecting the same reactions from the dog; patience, with everyone willing to teach the dog the appropriate behavior instead of screaming at him for transgressions; and understanding that this is a dog, not a little person, and has a different perspective on the world are the keys to a successful life with Phydeaux.