Samoyeds are charismatic animals – with their famous smile, gorgeous fur, and sweet personalities. Are these dogs good pets for you and your household? Consider if the typical features of the breed are a good match for your particular family.
Samoyeds are excellent companions and family dogs for active, outdoorsy individuals and households with children or other pets in the family. They are friendly, generally well-behaved, and bright, although training these dogs might require some patience. High grooming needs and the need for attention, company, and exercise are important factors to consider.
Samoyeds And The Family
Of course, matching a dog with a person or household is a complex process. Samoyed dogs are perfectly suited for several kinds of people and households.
Samoyeds might be a breed for you if the following apply:
- You are experienced with dogs in general
- You have an active lifestyle and you are looking for an activity companion, for hiking in particular
- There are kids in your household and you are looking for an amazing family dog
- There are other friendly animals at home or are you considering welcoming other dogs and cats in the future
- You socialize a lot and you would like a dog who is friendly, trusting, and not too vigilant around strangers
Typical Characteristics Of Samoyeds
Some breed traits could be desirable for some prospective dog owners but not others, which is why we are not calling them either challenges or strengths. They are just common characteristics for Samoyeds as a breed and, of course, there is plenty of variability from dog to dog.
1. Very Friendly Toward People And Dogs
The main reason Samoyeds do not usually do well as guard dogs is that these animals are amiable and quite relaxed around strangers and other dogs, too. A typical Samoyed has little potential for aggression, although the dog could still be prone to chasing squirrels and other small quickly moving animals. Overall, their disposition is sweet and friendly.
Like any other canine, Samoyeds benefit from proper early socialization but, as a rule, they are very well-behaved in society. It is worth noting that Samoyeds are vocal dogs so they can bark in a variety of circumstances. It is important to train them to resist the urge to vocalize.
2. Not Easy To Train Due To Strong Instincts
When it comes to these pups’ intelligence and potential for training, one might say it is complicated.
According to Stanley Coren, a well-known dog psychologist, Samoyeds possess excellent problem-solving skills and also happen to be above average in their obedience potential, or working intelligence. That is a great result and it means that dogs of this breed are smart and capable of becoming very well-trained.
- Dogs with such high learning potential can acquire information from even inexperienced trainers, so there is no need to involve a professional.
- They learn commands and skills quickly but benefit from repetition and practicing in different settings.
- They could get distracted outside, when the owner is at a distance, and not respond to commands as consistently as at home.
A core source of difficulties with training is Samoyeds’ strong instincts. For example, these dogs love to bark and chase small animals, thanks to their hunting background. Such instinctive behaviors could be hard to give up. For that reason, Samoyeds need consistent, methodical training, as well as the patience of the trainer. And even then, old habits could persist.
3. The Urge To Chase
Samoyeds have historically been working dogs and hunting companions for people. They are usually family pets nowadays but their strong instincts persist.
They get along with small animals at home, as a rule, but chase squirrels, birds, and other quick little creatures in nature. The issue of chasing cats and or other smaller household pets can also be a problem, although these pups can be trained to change their habits.
Even with proper training, a Samoyed could still revert to acting like a hunting dog once in a while. So, you might need to train your pet thoroughly and also provide supervision in precarious situations.
4. Barking And Howling
Another instinctive behavior is the tendency to vocalize.
These dogs vocalize to communicate a wide range of emotions, they are chatty. Howling is barking, however, is also rather common, especially if the dog is home alone and bored for a long time.
Keeping your pet busy and training as needed to reserve the urge to vocalize usually produces good results but, again, this characteristic is instinctive so it is likely to remain a part of the dog’s personality.
5. Healthy, Long Life Expectancy
Samoyeds are large dogs, so their lifespan of up to 14 years is impressive. These animals are also hardy and healthy in general.
Some of the relatively common hereditary health problems include hip dysplasia, cataracts, and epilepsy. As with any breed, if you are getting a dog from a breeder, try to make sure the breeder is reputable and responsible. Mixed-breed Samoyeds are less likely to have genetically inherited health issues.
If your pup needs a lot of veterinarian care, it could also become rather expensive, although Samoyeds are not more expensive to buy pet health insurance for than most large dogs.
6. Poor Tolerance To Hot Weather
Given the background and origin of the breed, Samoyeds are best suited for cold or temperate climates. Samoyeds are very sensitive to heat, although they have a better tolerance to heat than some other fuffy northern breeds of dogs.
That said, a Samoyed will struggle to stay active on hot days. These dogs do well in a climate that has occasional bouts of heat but high ambient temperatures regularly would be challenging for a Samoyed.
7. The Need To Stay Busy
Samoyeds are not prone to behavioral problems unless they are bored, alone, and have too much unspent energy.
If you live alone and spend long hours away from home, your Samoyed could feel miserable alone. Separation anxiety might kick in, too, but a more common problem is good old boredom.
Like any dog that does not get enough exercise and sufficient stimuli to keep the mind engaged, a Samoyed could engage in destructive behaviors.
If your pet has to stay home alone for long hours now and then, try to take it for a long walk before you leave and provide some toys and puzzles for smart dogs.
If it is an option for you, a second pet might help your Samoyed stay content when you are away. These dogs get along beautifully with other friendly dogs and cats, especially if raised together.
8. The Need For Space (Or Opportunities To Stay Active)
It is not due to their relatively large size but more due to their high need for exercise and staying busy that these dogs do best in spacious homes or homes with a yard.
If you have several family members who will have time to take the dog on daily walks and spend enough time with the pet, you could make it work even if you live in a compact apartment. It is just important to realize that dogs of this breed need to stay busy and they have plenty of energy to expend.
9. Lower Allergenic Potential
Sometimes Samoyeds are listed as hypoallergenic dogs but it is very important to keep in mind that no dog is entirely hypoallergenic.
Samoyeds are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction than many other breeds of dogs but it still depends on the person, since people are allergic to different allergenic proteins. Even dogs within one breed could trigger some people’s allergies but not others.
If you or someone in your household is afflicted by allergies, always assume that a reaction if possible and plan accordingly. If possible, spend some time with the dog to see how your immune system reacts, before making a commitment, or have an alternative plan as needed.
10. High-Maintenance Coat, Heavy Shedding
These canines are charming for many reasons and their thick long fur is one of them but, naturally, such beautiful coats come with some care requirements.
Samoyeds need daily brushing to prevent matting of the fur, as well as baths every few weeks. Both brushing and bathing can be time-consuming with these dogs because their fur is so thick and it repels water, too.
Shedding is another issue to be mindful of. Samoyeds shed moderately to heavily throughout the year, with some seasonal fluctuations. Even with regular cleaning practices, these pups’ white fur is easily noticeable on furniture and floors.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Are Samoyeds Good For First-Time Dog Owners?
In general, Samoyed is not an ideal breed for first-time dog owners. A person who is new to dogs should consider that Samoyeds are highly active, and stubborn when you train them and they do need a lot of brushing to maintain their fur. These dogs are, however, very friendly, so any behavioral concerns are not likely to include aggression.
Can Samoyeds Live In An Apartment?
As with any active dog, a Samoyed might do fine even in a compact apartment. Nice, long, daily walks, socialization, as well as toys and puzzles, could be enough to keep your dog happy. As active and enthusiastic as they are, Samoyeds do better in a home with a yard to explore and play around.
Then again, if your apartment complex has a dog park or there is a community park nearby and you have the time to give your dog opportunities to exercise, your Samoyed could be very happy in your apartment.
To Conclude
Like with any other animal, individual characteristics could vary and deviate from the breed in general. In addition, it is a matter of matching the right person and family, or household, to the right animal, so there are many factors at play.
Active people, families with kids or other furry pets, and those who have sufficient time to spend with their dog are likely to be happy with a Samoyed in their home.
