In the Wall Street Journal Allie Jones asks a horrifying question: “Can Taylor Swift Turn the Samoyed Into the Next Frenchie?”
When Travis Kelce stepped off his new wife’s private jet last month in Palm Beach, Fla., his travel companion caught people’s attention.
Paparazzi snapped photos as a fluffy white Samoyed puppy trotted down the airstair, appearing at home in its new billionaire lifestyle. When the canine made its tabloid debut on TMZ the next day, Swifties were agog: “Cat lady” Taylor Swift, it seemed, had become a dog mom.
Swift’s influence on consumer behavior is undeniable. She can sell out stadium tours, inspire fans to buy branded merchandise and replicate her outfits, and even boost entire economies. Could she and Kelce make Samoyeds the next French bulldogs?
The article goes on with a series of quotes from various Samoyed breeders, most of whom are acquaintances of ours. For example:
Should Swift’s dog inspire a true rush on Samoyed puppies, the breed would not be the first to gain popularity thanks to its celebrity associations.
“We’ve seen it in Dalmatians when ‘101 Dalmatians’ came out, or retrievers when ‘Marley & Me’ came out, or French bulldogs when Lady Gaga got her French bulldog” in 2014, said Munden.
There’s an error in the article:
Samoyeds, which originated in Siberia as reindeer-herding dogs for the Samoyedic people, have a unique “double coat” that requires professional grooming every six to eight weeks.
Sams do have double coats, i.e. a short, soft, dense inner coat and a longer harsher outer coat. It is thought that the inner coat keeps the dog warm while the outer coat protects the dog from the elements. But Sams are not unique in having double coats. Malemutes, Siberian Huskies, Great Pyrenees, German Shepherds, and others do, too.
My wife and I have had Samoyeds together for almost 30 years. My wife’s family had Samoyeds since before she was born. In preemptive answer to the question always asked: yes, they shed. A lot. In our house dog hair is considered a condiment, frequently found in food. We’ve also had Australian Shepherds for 20 years.
There is much to recommend Samoyeds: they’re smart and energetic. They are beautiful. If you’re looking for attention and walking with a Samoyed, you will get it (our Australian Shepherds are beautiful, too, and always receive a lot of attention). Samoyeds also have downsides: they’re smart, energetic, and want you to be energetic with them, particularly out-of-doors and particularly in the winter. They shed profusely, particularly twice a year.
If you are bound and determined to have a Samoyed, I have one bit of advice: obtain your Samoyed from a reputable breeder. Like many purebred dogs, Samoyeds may have a few hereditary health problems and they tend to run in families. A reputable breeder will make sure your Samoyed is free from these issues.
Just in terms of looks I like them, Huskies and the Akitas (some of them). In terms of personality I would prefer something more laid back, more like my 2 Siamese cats. I also dont have to take the cats for walks and they groom themselves. They do shed a lot so I also consume a fair bit of animal hair every day.
Sams are actually quite a bit like cats. Except they’re cats that want you to play with them. Yes, Sibes and Akitas are also double coated dogs. Sibes are more energetic than Sams and, frequently, they’re drama queens. Akitas are more wary of strangers and more protective than Samoyeds.