Samoyed

Temperament

The Samoyed is cheerful, trusting and so sociable that it rarely makes a good watchdog: it will most likely greet a stranger like an old friend. It loves people and copes poorly with being alone, and when bored it may dig, chew furniture and “talk” to the whole building with long, high-pitched barking and howling. It is intelligent but independent and has a mind of its own, typical of sled dogs, so training takes patience and good motivation. It usually gets along with children and loves to play, although a young dog can be very boisterous. It generally lives peacefully with other dogs but may tend to chase or herd small animals. Off leash in open country it may take off after a scent, so recall needs years of practice.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Barking

quietvocal

With other dogs

difficultgreat

Protectiveness

lowhigh

Drooling

hardly anya lot

Cold tolerance

feels the coldexcellent

Heat tolerance

strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Samoyed for?

The Samoyed suits active people or families who enjoy long walks, runs and winter adventures and have the time to make sure the dog isn't left alone all day. It does well in a house with a yard in a cooler area. Skip it if hair on your clothes bothers you, you want a guard dog, you live in a small, warm apartment, or you want a dog that follows commands without debate.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

The Samoyed is a working sled dog, so it needs a lot of exercise: the Royal Kennel Club suggests more than two hours a day. It excels at dog trekking, canicross and sledding, but in summer activity should shift to early morning and evening, because it overheats easily. Brush the thick double coat several times a week, and during shedding even daily, as the undercoat comes out in handfuls. Don't shave it short: the coat protects against both cold and sun. The white coat is largely self-cleaning, so frequent baths usually aren't needed. Keep training varied, with rewards and scent work, because Samoyeds get bored quickly. A well-fenced yard is a big plus, but it won't replace outings together.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Samoyed is a fairly healthy breed and usually lives 12–14 years. The Royal Kennel Club recommends that breeders screen hips, elbows and eyes and use DNA tests for X-linked hereditary nephritis (XLHN) and progressive retinal atrophy (XL-PRA). Retinal dysplasia, congenital heart defects such as aortic or pulmonic stenosis, and a Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome, in which the immune system attacks pigment cells, are also described in the breed. The thick coat means the breed handles heat poorly and is at risk of heatstroke. When asking about a puppy, request the parents' X-ray and DNA test results.

• Samoyed hereditary glomerulopathy (XLHN)An X-linked kidney disease that leads to kidney failure and is most severe in males; a DNA test exists.
• X-linked progressive retinal atrophy (XL-PRA)Inherited degeneration of the retina that ends in blindness; a DNA test is available.
• retinal dysplasiaAbnormal folds in the retina reduce vision.
• hip dysplasiaThe Royal Kennel Club recommends hip and elbow screening for breeding dogs.
• heart defects (aortic or pulmonic stenosis)Congenital defects that, in more severe cases, cause exercise intolerance and fainting.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The breed takes its name from the Samoyedic peoples of northern Russia and Siberia. In the south of this region, white, black and brown-and-white spotted dogs were used to guard reindeer, while in the north the dogs were pure white, gentle and worked for hunting and pulling sleds. They lived close to people and even slept with them in their tents, serving as living heaters. British zoologist Ernest Kilburn Scott spent three months among the Samoyeds in 1889 and brought a brown puppy named Sabarka back to England, followed later by a cream female, Whitey Petchora, and a white male, Musti. These dogs, along with animals brought back by polar explorers, founded the breed's Western population. The first standard was written in England in 1909.

Fun facts

• The FCI standard allows only pure white, cream, or white with biscuit markings.
• Samoyedic dogs slept with people in their tents and served as living heaters.
• The first Samoyed Ernest Kilburn Scott brought to England was a brown puppy named Sabarka.
• The upturned corners of the lips give the Samoyed its distinctive “smile.”

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Medium dog breeds

Sources

1. 1FCI standard nr 212 – Samoyedfci.be
2. 2Royal Kennel Club – Samoyedroyalkennelclub.com
3. 3PetMD – Samoyedpetmd.com

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.