It’s not hard to see why you would want a Samoyed. These dogs are as charming and gregarious as they are magnificent. Like all dogs though, they do require a certain amount of care.
Are Samoyeds easy to take care of? Samoyed are not as challenging to care for as some breeds, but they are not beginner dogs. Samoyed care is of a medium to difficult level. They require a lot of exercise, grooming, consistent training, and plenty of engagement and entertainment to keep them occupied.
If you’re considering this smiling breed, it’s critical to have a good understanding of their basic care requirements and unique quirks before plunging into a decision that you may come to regret later.
Before You Get a Dog
Before you get a Samoyed or any other dog, you should think carefully about the care and commitment that a dog requires and whether this is something that you are ready to add to your life.
It’s a lot of fun to think about playing with your new dog, but it’s important to think about what you’ll do when you need to go to work, want to take a vacation, or have to take your dog out for a walk even when it’s raining outside.
There are, of course, other considerations as well.
Costs
Samoyeds are generally healthy dogs, but there are still veterinary costs associated with maintaining their health.
Because these are large dogs, there is considerable cost associated with feeding them.
You’ll also need to pay for lots of toys to keep your Samoyed entertained so that he doesn’t make a chew toy out of your house.
Curious as to how much a Samoyed typically costs? Here are some actual costs.
Commitment
If you intend to travel or if you aren’t sure what your future plans are, it may be better to adopt an older dog or foster than commit to a puppy, especially a puppy with high demands like a Samoyed.
Lifestyle
Choose a dog for the lifestyle you have, not a lifestyle you wish you had.
You may want to spend lots of time playing outdoors with your dog, but if you currently spend most of your time playing video games and watching TV, you are unlikely to actually make a big change when you get the dog.
A Samoyed Is a Good Fit for You If…
You Want Multiple Dogs
Samoyeds generally get along very well with other Samoyeds and typically get along great with other large-breed dogs as well.
If you have a securely fenced property for your Samoyed to run around, you may be able to let your dogs exhaust a lot of their energy playing together.
Homes with enough space for multiple dogs often enjoy their Samoyeds more without having to spend as much time wearing them out.
You Love the Snow
If some of your favorite activities are sledding, skiing, and snowshoe walking, your Samoyed will be thrilled to go along with you on every snowy adventure.
These dogs were bred for freezing temperatures, and they are the happiest frolicking in the snow. A snowy environment also tends to keep these dogs cleaner.
You Think Fur Flurries Are Cute
Okay, you might not actually think they’re cute, but if you don’t mind having some fur around, the Samoyed might be a good fit for you.
Much of the care involved in these dogs is trying to reduce their shedding, so if the occasional fur flurry isn’t a big deal for you, they may be a good choice.
You can learn more about Samoyed shedding tendencies and other interesting information on the breed here.
You Want a Long-Lived Companion
Samoyeds can live as long as 14 years.
If you choose this breed, be sure that you are ready to commit substantial time to this energetic dog. Samoyeds remain energetic late into life and they are generally free of most health concerns.
You Prefer a Roommate to a Pet
Sometimes living with a Samoyed feels more like having a roommate than a pet. These dogs tend to be very independent and have their own opinions about what they want to do.
For people who are used to dogs who are more eager to please, this personality can be frustrating.
However, if you are more accustomed to the nature of a cat, you’ll like the way a Samoyed relates to you.
A Samoyed Probably Isn’t for You If…
You’re Not a Big Fan of Exercise
Your Samoyed will need more than a brief walk every day to be happy and healthy. These intelligent dogs were developed to work hard.
A family dog can learn to be satisfied with very long walks and regular playtime.
Still, you will need to provide a fair amount of exercise for your dog, and you can expect to need to be fairly involved.
Samoyeds cannot be trusted off leash, and because these dogs are prone to the desire to escape and wander, it often is unsafe to leave them unsupervised in a fenced yard.
You Want a Dog Who Is Eager to Please
Samoyeds love their family, but they don’t live to serve you.
These dogs developed in close relationships with people, but they were not often asked to behave in specific ways.
Rather, these dogs used their intelligence to protect their people’s livestock and homes.
They are willing enough to obey when they are in harness or on a leash but left to their own devices, they do what they want rather than obey you.
You’re Looking for a Watchdog
The Samoyed is a big dog that can have an imposing appearance but don’t expect him to serve as a good watchdog.
Even though the Samoyed protected homes and livestock in the past, today’s Samoyed is better known for being friendly and amiable than being a good watchdog.
You can expect your Sammy to bark when visitors arrive, but don’t look for more than that in the way of home protection.
You Dislike Fur Flurries
Even the best groomed Samoyeds are going to shed to some degree throughout the year and heavily twice per year when they blow their coat.
Get ready to devote some effort to vacuuming and lint rolling your home.
If you are dedicated to a spotless home, the frustration of constant hair flurries may be too much for you.
For those searching for a hypoallergenic breed, the Samoyed is unlikely to be a good fit.
You Don’t Want to Groom Your Own Dog
If you’re looking for a dog who can go to the groomer once a month and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance in between, look elsewhere.
Samoyeds should be brushed every day or several times a week at a minimum to remove loose hair and dirt and prevent mats from forming.
If you don’t want to put a couple of hours a week into grooming your dog, you probably don’t want a Samoyed.
Unlike dogs that have hair, such as a poodle, a dog with a double coat, like the Samoyed, should not be shaved down.
You Live in a Hot Climate
If you have a lot of temperature-controlled space, you may be able to get away with having a Samoyed in a hot climate.
However, if you have a smaller home and it’s too hot for your dog to exercise outside, you’ll be left with an energy-packed and potentially destructive Samoyed on your hands.
During the hottest times in some climates you won’t even be able to walk your dog outside except for a brief potty break, so think very seriously about the wisdom of getting a Samoyed if you live in a warm area.
Related Questions:
Is Exercise in a Yard Sufficient for a Samoyed?
Letting your Samoyed run around in your backyard is a good way to let him get some energy out, especially if you have another dog for him to play with.
That said, Samoyeds are family dogs who don’t do well when left alone for long periods. This is not a dog that you can leave in your backyard if you expect them to be happy and well adjusted.
How Difficult Is It to Potty Train a Samoyed?
Samoyeds tend to be clean dogs and most are not very difficult to potty train. Unlike many young dogs, a young Samoyed won’t mind going outside even in the coldest weather.
Be consistent with training and rewards, and you can expect your Samoyed to understand potty training before long.
