The last couple of years have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club saw dog ownership rise by nearly eight per cent. But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pup.
Those with active lifestyles might want to consider a larger dog, while somebody with allergies will be looking for a hypoallergenic dog. There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
One dog that often appears on prospective owner’s canine wishlists is the Akita – a breed that can be willful but are alert, courageous, and fiercely loyal to their family. Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the breed.
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5. Reasons to be happy
The Samoyed's smile has a serious purpose - the upturned corners of the mouth keep Sammies from drooling, preventing icicles from forming on their face in freezing temperatures.
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6. Cold weather specialists
Unsurprisingly for a breed that comes from a part of the world where temperatures regularly drop to -40C, the Samoyed is used to the cold. They have a dense white coat to protect agains the elements and often sleep with their tail over their nose to cut down on heat loss.
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7. A woolly pup
Samoyeds have such thick fur that their shedded hair can be used to knit items - it has a similar texture to angora wool.
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8. Famous fans
Celebrity Samoyed owners over the years include actor Bradley Cooper, singer Karen Carpenter, pop star Kelly Clarkson and television icon Lucille Ball.
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