Samoyed
Complete Breed Guide
"I’m a snow angel that will melt your heart!"
Quick Facts About Samoyeds
Working
35–65 lbs
19–24"
Yes
Based on current listing prices on Puppies.com. Results may vary.
Overview
Much like children, Samoyeds love human companionship and will let you know if they’re not getting enough. They crave attention, exercise, and cold weather, so if you’re inviting one of these pups into your home, be prepared for plenty of activity and TLC.
With an angelic white coat and sweet smile, the Samoyed is a complex dog with many different sides. Most of the time, they’re fun-loving, happy-go-lucky pups. However, this breed also has a stubborn and dominant side as well. Overall, you’ll probably find Samoyeds to be wonderful companions who want to stay right by your side and be part of the family. These dogs do require a lot of exercise, so they need special owners who can keep up with their high energy level. The more activity they get (especially if it’s in cold weather), the happier they’ll be.
Temperament and Behavior
Samoyeds are complex dogs with a variety of seemingly opposing characteristics: friendly and smart yet hard-headed and stubborn; dominant and watchful yet sensitive and gentle. This breed loves being a member of the family and will show it with a big smile. Samoyeds are very alert and love barking, making them great watch dogs. However, they’re so trusting and kind that they’re more likely to make friends with an intruder than attack.
Coat & Grooming
The Samoyed’s top coat is straight and wiry, and their undercoat is short and dense. These dogs are usually white, cream, or white with light brown markings. Brush your Samoyed at least once a week to remove dead hair and comb out tangles. During shedding season, you may need to brush them even more. The best brushes to use with these dogs is a slicker brush, pin brush, or metal comb. Just don’t brush them too much to avoid harming their undercoat.
Lifestyle & Living Conditions
Samoyeds are gentle with kids but may try to dominate other dogs. They have a strong hunting instinct, so they will naturally chase other animals. This breed needs to be trained early to get along with other pets, but once they’re acquainted, they should get along just fine. Samoyeds love human companionship, so they’re primarily indoor dogs and shouldn’t be banished to the backyard.
Exercise & Activity
The Samoyed is an active breed that needs lots of exercise. A few short walks a day won’t be enough. Take long walks, or hop on a bike and have your pup run alongside you. They like to wander, so a sturdy leash and fenced yard are musts. Samoyeds also enjoy dog sports like agility and pulling, especially if it’s in the snow.
Characteristics at-a-glance
Ratings are on a scale of 1–10, based on breed standards and typical temperament.
Samoyed FAQs
Common questions about the Samoyed breed, answered by our editorial team.
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