Dog Breed

Samoyed

Primary image of Samoyed dog breed
Full Name
Samoyed
Alternate Names
Samoiedsaia Sabaka
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Life Span
12 - 14 years
Weight
50 - 60 pounds
Description

Stubborn, Friendly, Sociable, Lively, Alert, Playful

Origin
Russia
Bred For
Herding reindeer, guarding, sledding, and equipment pulling
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Samoyed good with children?

    Yes, the Samoyed is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Samoyed naturally loves children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Samoyed friendly with strangers?

    Yes! The Samoyed is naturally friendly with everyone. As always, socialization is always important, but the Samoyed typically loves everyone they meet
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Samoyed friendly with other dogs?

    Yes, the Samoyed is very friendly with other dogs. We still recommend early socialization while the Samoyed is a puppy to introduce them to various new dogs, but in general they are friendly with dogs as soon as they meet them.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Samoyed like to cuddle?

    The Samoyed likes to cuddle up every once in a while. They appreciate physical affection, but probably won't stay in your lap for extended amounts of time.
    Playfulness

    Does the Samoyed like to play?

    The Samoyed is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Samoyed make a good service dog?

    The Samoyed is not typically used as a service dog. There are always exceptions to the rule, but a service dog has to have many natural traits in addition to the proper training- smart, patient, and obsessed with pleasing their owner.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Samoyed good for first-time owners?

    The Samoyed is not the easiest breed for first-time owners, but can certainly still work out if the owner is willing to put the time into training and exercise.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Samoyed be trained?

    The Samoyed can be trained very well. With discipline and a routine training program the Samoyed can be incredibly well-trained.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Samoyed shed a lot?

    The Samoyed is an average shedder. Samoyed owners will probably still tell you it's a lot of shedding, but certain breeds shed even more.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Samoyed easy to groom?

    The Samoyed requires an average amount of grooming. Taking your Samoyed to the pet salon will make your life easier, but its possible to groom a Samoyed on your own as well.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Samoyed need a lot of exercise?

    The Samoyed needs a daily exercise partner! The Samoyed is best suited for a family where it will get plenty of daily exercise; it has so much energy that exercise is mandatory to avoid destructive behaviors.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Samoyed?

    The Samoyed is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Samoyed bark? Does the Samoyed bark too much?

    The Samoyed barks a lot. This is important to consider with your living situation- will it be ok when you leave them at home alone or will they disrupt the neighbors? The Samoyed will oftentimes bark just to express their thoughts... even just to be heard!
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Samoyed a good guard dog?

    The Samoyed would not make a good guard dog. They can be alert, but typically do not have the desire or instinct to take on "guarding" as their job.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Samoyed good at staying alone? Is the Samoyed independent?

    The Samoyed considers their owner part of the "pack" and hates being left behind. This can be a good thing for someone looking for an emotional support dog who is loyal and always by their side, but bad if the dog will need to be left at home alone for extended periods.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Samoyed a good apartment dog?

    The Samoyed is not a good dog for apartment living for several reasons. It is still possible to make it work if the owner is dedicated to plenty of training and daily exercise, but it may be challenging.
    Size

    How big is the Samoyed?

    The Samoyed is a medium sized dog breed. They can range in size depending on genetics, and males are larger on average than females.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Samoyed tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Samoyed?

    The Samoyed does not tolerate hot weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Samoyed if you live in a very hot weather climate. At the minimum, they would need a home with air conditioning.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Samoyed tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Samoyed?

    The Samoyed does very well in cold weather, and loves the snow. They were built for it!
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Samoyed try to run away?

    The Samoyed has huge wanderlust, meaning that it's natural for them to want to run away. They are known as escape artists. It's important to test your yard and have a tall fence that cannot be jumped or climbed over. Sometimes the Samoyed is not well suited for being off-leash, even if they are well trained.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Samoyed a healthy dog? The health of a Samoyed should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Samoyed is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the Samoyed high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Samoyed?

    It seems like the Samoyed never runs out of energy. If you are looking for a 5 AM run partner, the Samoyed is your dog! A dog's energy level is one of the most important considerations when getting a new dog, and we would only recommend the Samoyed for a family where it will get plenty of exercise.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Samoyed drool?

    The Samoyed drools very little, typically to where it's never a concern.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Samoyed have a large prey drive? Does the Samoyed like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Samoyed has a high prey drive and has a natural tendency to chase after any small animal. Every case is unique, but the Samoyed may not be the best dog for living with other cats or small animals.
    Athleticism

    Is the Samoyed atheltic?

    The Samoyed is a true athlete. The Samoyed is both fast, strong, and has a ton of endurance that suits it well for runs, hikes, and even marathons!
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  1. Working
  2. Sled Dog
  3. Samoyed
The Samoyed is a purebred dog that belongs to the Sled Dog sub group, which falls under the larger Working dog breed group.
Working group: Working dogs encompass a wide range of different breeds- but they all were bred to assist people, so they are used to working hard. It is important for them to feel they have a "job" as their roles traditionally have varied from rescuing people to pulling sleds. Because of their large size and intensity, they may be a handful for first time dog owners. On the other side, they can be trained well, so any owner who can exercise and dedicate to training their working dog, will be well rewarded. A common misconception may be that the working dog's jobs are only in physically challenging jobs; actually working dogs can also make excellent service dogs, since they are also kind and attentive to their owners.
Sled Dog sub-group: Sled dogs are an ancient breed that has been featured in many movies and tales. Sled dogs live for adventure. They can withstand harsh winters, and run for many miles without needing to stop for rest. Because of their nature, they are a pack animal who loves being in a group. They are not the best dog for a first time owner because they hate being alone, and they have high expectations- they want their pack leader to be firm, but also playful and always around them. Sled dogs over the years have developed into family pets, and they are very friendly with both people and other dogs. However, they do have high levels of energy and high prey drive, so it is important to socialize them at an early age so they know their boundaries with small children and small dogs. They are very athletic, so would be a great fit with an active family who likes to hike, run, bike, and of course... sled!

Samoyeds for adoption

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