WorkingSiberia

Samoyed

The smile of the Arctic.

Weight: 35–65 lbs
Height: 19–23 in
Lifespan: 12–14 yrs

In short

The Samoyed is a Working breed from Siberia, kept by the Samoyedic (Nenets) peoples to herd reindeer, pull sleds and keep families warm; adults weigh about 35–65 lbs and live 12–14 years. Its white coat sheds heavily, and it needs company and real exercise to avoid barking and digging.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a cheerful, people-loving family dog
live somewhere cool and love winter outings
enjoy brushing and don't mind white hair everywhere

Think twice if you…

need a quiet dog for shared walls
leave the dog alone for long workdays
live in a hot climate without AC

The daily plan

Exercise: 90–120 min
Training: 3–5 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 90–145 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityWilling learner7.5/10

EnergyAthlete8.0/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors9.0/10

SheddingHeavy shedder10.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Sammy smile
Upturned corners of the mouth create the famous smile, and Samoyeds rarely drool.
02
Brilliant white coat
A thick, white double coat that sheds heavily and needs frequent brushing.
03
Herding and sledding build
Strong, agile and built for endurance in the cold.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	45–65 lbs	35–50 lbs
Height	21–23.5 in	19–21 in
Lifespan	12–14 yrs
Coat	Thick, white double coat with a harsh outer coat

Side profile 19–23 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Samoyeds are friendly, social and talkative, wanting to be part of everything. They are playful and mischievous, and they bark when bored. Expect a lot of hair and a lot of personality.

With kids

Great with kids, though boisterous play can knock over toddlers.

With other pets

Usually good with other dogs; can chase cats unless raised with them.

With strangers

Friendly to almost everyone, so they make poor guard dogs.

Alone time

Dislike being alone and may bark, dig or chew when bored.

Training

Samoyeds are smart but independent, so keep training fun and varied. They respond best to food and play.

How often

3–5 sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each, ending each one on a win.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Between 8–16 weeks, focus on handling, grooming and calm exposure to small animals. Early grooming practice makes brushing easier later.
Self-control

A “quiet” cue and loose-leash walking matter most. Reward calm behavior and stop walking when the leash tightens.
What it works for

Food and play both work well. Use small, high-value pieces within 10% of daily calories; freeze-dried liver is one option.

Exercise

Samoyeds need daily running, hiking and pulling or herding work. Cool weather is best.

Exercise a day 90–120 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Sledding, skijoring or bikejoring
Hiking
Herding instinct classes

Brain work

Food puzzles
Nose work
Trick training

Best home

House with a yard in a cool climate; struggles in heat and small apartments.

Watch for Heat is the main risk, so exercise in cool hours and provide shade and water.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Samoyed (35–65 lbs) lands around 900–1,425 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 1,125–1,775 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 115–180 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 6–9 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 900–1,425 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 90–145 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 5–7 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 1,225–1,950 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 125–195 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 6–10 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 775–1,250 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 80–125 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 4–6 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	1,125–1,775 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	115–180 kcal	6–9 pieces
Adult Maintenance	900–1,425 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	90–145 kcal	5–7 pieces
Active / Working	1,225–1,950 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	125–195 kcal	6–10 pieces
Senior	775–1,250 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	80–125 kcal	4–6 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Hip dysplasia, eye disease (including PRA), heart disease and hereditary kidney disease are the main concerns. Choose a breeder who screens hips, eyes and hearts.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Hip dysplasia	OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Inherited eye disease	Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER)	Yearly in breeding dogs
Progressive retinal atrophy	PRA DNA test	Once, in breeding dogs
Heart disease	Cardiac exam (OFA)	Once, in breeding dogs
Familial Enamel Hypoplasia (FEH)	DNA test (results registered with the OFA)	Once (a DNA result does not change)

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks Samoyed breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Hip evaluation
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (X-L PRA) DNA test
Heart exam
Familial Enamel Hypoplasia (FEH)
Rd/Osd-2

Also recommended

Kneecap (patella) check
Elbow evaluation

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Heavy, with big seasonal sheds

Brush 2–3 times a week and daily during sheds with a slicker and undercoat rake. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks, check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week. Never shave the coat.

History

Ancient

Siberian herders

The Samoyedic peoples used these dogs to herd reindeer, pull sleds and sleep beside them for warmth.
Late 1800s–1900s

Polar expeditions

Samoyeds were used as sled dogs on polar expeditions.
1906

AKC recognition

The AKC recognized the Samoyed in 1906.

Questions owners ask

Are Samoyeds easy to train?

Moderately. Samoyeds are smart but independent, so keep training fun and reward-based. Consistency matters.

Are Samoyeds good with kids and other pets?

Usually yes. They are friendly with kids and other dogs, but may chase cats unless raised with them.

How much exercise does a Samoyed need?

Plan on 90–120 minutes a day of running, hiking or pulling work. Cool weather is best.

Do Samoyeds shed?

Yes, heavily. Brush 2–3 times a week and daily during seasonal sheds.

What health problems do Samoyeds have, and how long do they live?

Hip dysplasia, eye disease, heart disease and hereditary kidney disease are the main concerns. Samoyeds typically live 12–14 years.

Is a Samoyed good for apartments or first-time owners?

Not ideal for apartments. First-time owners can do well if active and ready for grooming and barking.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Samoyed needs only 5–7 pieces a day, well inside the 90–145 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Samoyed ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.