The pure white Samoyed dog breed was bred to work hard in the coldest climates in the world, so it's not unusual to see them gleaming as white as the snow they walk on.
What's not as common is to see a Samoyed take to the ski slopes.
In a video posted to Instagram by @littlebearlumi, Lumi the Samoyed can be seen skiing down the slopes, strapped to his owner in a backpack, of course, complete with his own ski goggles.
"Are you a polar bear?" asks a fellow skier on the way down.
Lumi looks entirely comfortable in the freezing environment which is no surprise as in the Siberian town of Oymyakon where Samoyed's are bred, "temperatures of minus 60 degrees are common," report the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Samoyed's are very sociable dogs, and "a Sammy sentenced to solitary confinement in the yard is a miserable and destructive creature," add the AKC, "These are smart, social, mischievous dogs who demand love and attention. Sammies need structure in training. Teach them what's expected of them early, and practice it with them often."
The name Samoyed derives from the Samoyedic people, a semi-nomadic community from Asia who migrated to Siberia over 1,000 years ago according to the AKC. Part of the Samoyed's preference for company comes from the practice of the Samoyedic people of huddling together overnight with the dogs, to keep both parties warm in the freezing conditions.
Their ability to pull sleds and survive in Arctic conditions was of great use to explorers such as Ernest Shackleton, who is famous for his three Arctic expeditions, including the Trans-Antarctic Expedition on the ship Endurance, which although a failure, became famous as a remarkable story of survival.
Samoyed's are suitable for "experienced owners" according to Purina, as they "cannot be left alone."
"Samoyeds can walk for hours, like a cold house, love to dig holes and can be pretty vocal, so those living in rural areas are better suited for this breed," added Purina.
No longer confined to the Arctic, Samoyed's are now a popular breed across America, even in warmer climates where interestingly, they are just as well suited.
"The same insulating properties that kept them warm in the winter allow them to remain cool in the summer," say the AKC, "Just as it's more efficient to both heat and cool a well-insulated home, it is easier for a Northern breed to adapt to changes in temperature than a short-haired dog who may be more susceptible to heatstroke than their double-coated 'cousin'."
Users on Instagram loved the video.
"This is awesome," commented one user. "Impressive dude," said another.
"Can't get enough of this," wrote a third user.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Leonie Helm is a Newsweek Life Reporter and is based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on all things ... Read more
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