Poodle, Bulldog, and the Samoyed

Sean and Michael Hayward O’Meara’ The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dogs remarks that “it is amazing to look at the huge Great Dane and the tiny Chihuahua and consider that they evolved from the same animal.  There are few animal species on the earth that display such a degree of physical diversity as the domestic dog.”  Nowhere is this more true than in the Non-Sporting Group.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) classifies this group as dogs that are bred to perform a function that don’t fall into the categories of Sporting or Working.  The poodle differs widely from the bulldog as much as both do from the Samoyed.  All three serve a function for their humans as companions, yet the Poodle was bred to find truffles; the Bulldog to bait bulls; the Samoyed to pull sleds and herd reindeer. 

Small:  Poodle: Standard, 21 inches and 45-55 pounds; Miniature, 11-15 inches and 16 pounds; Toy, less than10 inches and 7-12 pounds.  The standard and miniature poodles are in the Non-Sporting Group, whereas the toy poodle is in the Toy Group.

Appearance:  The poodle is often bred with Labradors and Retrievers in an attempt to cross the non-shed coat.  The poodle’s hair is harsh and curly and still needs daily grooming.  Professional trims are recommended by Diane Morgan’s The Simple Guide to Choosing a Dog to keep the curl under control.  Black, white, silver, blue, apricot, and brown are acceptable coat colors.

Profile:  Aside from their truffle-hunting abilities, the poodle is an intelligent, highly trainable dog.  It is often used in performances and circus acts.  The AKC also notes it is an excellent agility dog.  Poodles were originally considered marsh dogs, as the word poodle comes from the word pudeln which means “to splash”.  They get along well with other animals, but seem to prefer other poodles for company.  Even though they come in three sizes, the AKC considers the poodle to be one breed.

History:  The AKC places the poodle’s origin in Germany around the 1500s.  Their stylish clip was invented by hunters to help the dogs move through the water more efficiently.  The standard poodle is the oldest of the three sizes.  However, the AKC acknowledges that the toy poodle appeared in England in the 18th century as a sleeve dog.  The popular Spanish artist Goya showed toy poodles in his work in the late 18th century, and they also appear in French paintings of the same time period.

Family Match:  Poodles are considered to be “superior” family dogs, according to Morgan.  All sizes do well with children, but they do caution that some of the toys are excitable with small children.  The standard is considered the most docile and friendly, while the toys is the most high-strung.

Medium: Bulldogs 10-15 inches, 40-50 pounds.

Appearance:  With their short, close-cropped hair, bulldogs need very little grooming other than to be cleaned around their skin folds to avoid dermatitis.  Their colors vary from red, fawn, or brindle, to pale yellow or white.  The O’Mearas state, “Today’s bulldog is strikingly different to the original bulldog….  The modern bulldog is smaller and more compact than the originals, which were strong, lean, and athletic”.  Their characteristic flat faces, while charming, can lead to heat stroke in hot weather.

Profile:  Despite their original job as bull or bear baiters (a practice outlawed in England in 1835), bulldogs are friendly and usually tolerant dogs.  Morgan describes the bulldog as “lovable but extremely obstinate” and a “good watchdog but not usually protective”.  They are not particularly trainable, and early socialization is highly recommended.   Dot Snowden of the Dallas Bulldog Club says of the breed, “Bulldog—snorting, snoring, gas passing, drooling couch potato, rather like a husband.”

History:  Bred in the 1200s in England, bulldogs were created to be fighting dogs.  The O’Mearas say that “the characteristically flat face was useful for enabling the dog to grip onto a bull without getting blood in its eyes”.  Luckily, since the ban on using bulldogs to bait, breeders have carefully modified that ferocious tendency.  Bulldogs are now a popular mascot for Yale University and the Marines, among other sports teams around the United States.

Family Match:  Bulldogs’ jovial friendliness makes them a good family match.  They are usually wonderful with children.  They can be aggressive to other dogs, but they mostly ignore other animals.  They are adaptable to most any environment whether apartment or house, but stairs can be an issue as they age.  Because of their facial construction, they need air conditioning or a cooler climate.

Large:  Samoyed 18-24 inches, 38-70 pounds.

Appearance: Samoyeds’ luxurious weather-resistant coats need a high degree of maintenance.  The bushy outer-coat and thick undercoat require brushing every day.  Morgan recommends professional grooming.  Their coats come in pure white, cream-white, silver-white, white, and “biscuit,” or all biscuit.  At one time there were dark colors, but fanciers have bred them out.  They are sturdy dogs and vocal, and they are known for their “beautiful Samoyed smile”.

Profile:   Samoyeds are independent and yet person-oriented.  TCIED says, “Training a Samoyed can be a challenge, because the breed is prone to willfulness.  It is suited to gentle persuasion as opposed to firm training .“   The Samoyed will try to “outthink” its owners, but needs their companionship to thrive.  Plenty of exercise is required for this breed.

History: Samoyeds were made famous by Roald Amundsen who used a Samoyed as his lead dog in his 1911 trip to the South Pole.  An ancient northern spitz breed, Samoyeds are named after the Arctic tribe that bred them to guard their reindeer herds, pull carts, and hunt large game. The O’Mearas also claim that the Samoyed is one of the oldest breeds of dog in the world and “is an ancestor to many modern spitz-type breeds”.

Family Match:  Samoyeds are gentle and affectionate to all, so they make a wonderful family pet.  They enjoy company and tolerate all other pets.  
 
The preceding was researched from the following sources:

The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dogs by Sean and Michael Hayward O’Meara, The Simple Guide to Choosing a Dog by Diane Morgan, and The Official American Kennel Club website (www.akc.org).