Samoyed
Samoyed: does it suit you?
11 quick questions, the same ones this page answers. After each answer you see what the breed needs, and at the end whether it fits your life.
Samoyed: a good fit for you
Samoyed: could work, with compromises
Samoyed: probably not the right dog for you
Your answers match what the breed needs.
Most of your answers fit. Check the points below before you decide.
Some of your answers don't fit what the breed needs. The points below show where.
What to think about
What fits
A better match for your answers:
None of the 42 breeds on this site fits your answers better.
The Samoyed is named after the Samoyed tribes of northern Russia and Siberia, whose dogs herded reindeer in the south of the region and hunted and pulled sledges in the north.[1] Its standard classes it as a sledge and companion dog and describes it as friendly, open, alert, lively and very social; its hunting instinct is very slight, and it cannot be used as a guard dog.[1]
- Size
- Medium–large
- Weight
- 16–30 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
Samoyed: origin and history
The northern dogs were pure white and mild-tempered, while the reindeer herders of the south were white, black and brown parti-coloured dogs.[1] The dogs lived close to their owners, even sleeping inside the shelters, where they served as heaters.[1]
The British zoologist Ernest Kilburn Scott spent three months among the Samoyed tribes in 1889 and brought a brown male puppy called Sabarka back to England; later he imported a cream bitch from west of the Urals and a snow-white male from Siberia.[1] These few dogs and those brought back by explorers are the base of the western Samoyed, and the first standard was written in England in 1909.[1] Samoyeds also accompanied Roald Amundsen when he reached the South Pole in 1911.[2] The Nordic Kennel Union holds the patronage of the FCI standard, which places the breed in Group 5 (Spitz and primitive types), Section 1 (Nordic Sledge Dogs).[1]
Fact sheet
- Origin
- Russia
- Size
- Medium–large
- Height at withers
- 50–60 cm [1]
- Weight
- 16–30 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Coat
- Long
- Colours
- White, cream
- Low-shedding coat
- No
Character and needs
Rated on a scale from very low to very high.
- Exercise needshigh
- Trainabilitymoderate
- Grooming needsvery high
- Sheddingvery high
- Barkinghigh
- Good with kidsvery high
- Good with other dogshigh
- Good with catsmoderate
- Apartment-friendlylow
- Copes with being alonevery low
- Watchdog instinctvery low
- Good for first-time ownersmoderate
- Affectionvery high
Samoyed: questions and answers
Is it a good dog for first-time owners?
With good preparation. It rates 3 out of 5 for first-time owners. Training takes patience and consistency (3 out of 5 for trainability).
How long can it be left alone?
1 to 2 hours, once the dog is an adult and has learned to be alone step by step. These dogs are very attached to their people and often struggle on their own (1 out of 5 for coping alone). More than 6 hours at a stretch isn't fair on any dog; plan for a dog sitter or daycare. Puppies need company: start with a few minutes and build up.
How much exercise does it need?
About 2 hours a day, spread over several walks. Plan for off-lead running or games, not just walks on the lead.
How long does it live?
12–14 years is the typical life expectancy. That is about the average of the 42 breeds on this site (12.6 years). Breed-typical health risks: hip dysplasia, eye disease.
How big does it get?
50–60 cm at the withers and 16–30 kg. Size class: medium–large.
Is it a good family dog?
Yes. It rates 5 out of 5 with children. With other dogs it rates 4 out of 5, with cats 3 out of 5. Never leave young children alone with any dog.
Does it shed a lot?
Yes, a lot: 5 out of 5 for shedding. Expect hair on clothes, sofa and car all year round. The coat needs brushing every day, and more often during the moult.
Male or female?
54–60 cm at the withers for males and 50–56 cm for females, according to the breed standard. Character differences between the sexes are smaller than between individual dogs; upbringing matters more. Unspayed females come into heat about twice a year, and unneutered males can be restless around them.
Samoyed or English Cocker Spaniel?
Biggest difference: shedding (very high vs. moderate).
| Samoyed | English Cocker Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Medium–large | Medium |
| Weight | 16–30 kg | 13–14.5 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–14 years | 12–15 years |
| Coat | Long | Medium length |
| Shedding | Very high | Moderate |
| Trainability | Moderate | High |
| Grooming needs | Very high | High |
| Barking | High | Moderate |
Who it suits
A good fit if you…
- love being outdoors and have 2 hours or more a day for exercise
- have children
- want a cuddly companion
Samoyed: the downsides
Every breed has a flip side. Before you decide, check that you can live with these:
- Needs about 2 hours of exercise a day
- Every day, in any weather, for 12–14 years. Without enough exercise and things to do, the dog gets restless and may start chewing or barking.
- Struggles when left alone
- 1 to 2 hours at most. If you work away from home, plan for a dog sitter or daycare from the start.
- Barks a lot
- 4 out of 5 for barking. With thin walls that can cause trouble with neighbours; training helps but rarely makes the dog quiet.
- Sheds heavily
- 5 out of 5 for shedding. Expect hair on clothes, sofa and car all year round.
- High-maintenance coat
- 5 out of 5 for grooming. The coat needs brushing every day, and more often during the moult.
- Needs space
- 2 out of 5 for apartment living. The dog does best in a house with a garden or with fields on the doorstep.
Samoyed: puppy price and monthly costs
£895 for a puppy from a breeder in the UK (Wamiz UK, 2025). From £83 a month in running costs in the UK (PDSA, 2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
| Country | Puppy from a breeder | Running costs per month |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £895 [3] | from £83 [4] |
| United States | $1,200 – $3,500 [5] | $116 [6] |
| Canada | no data | CA$367 [7] |
| Australia | from A$5,000 [8] | A$210 [9] |
| New Zealand | no data | NZ$100 [10] |
- Set-up costs at the start: £415 – £560 for basic equipment, first vaccinations, wormers and neutering (PDSA, 2024).
- Dog licence in Northern Ireland: £12.50 a year; England, Scotland and Wales have none (nidirect, 2026).
- Dog licence in the US: $5 – $20 a year, set by the city or county (American Kennel Club, 2021).
- Dog licence in Canada: CA$25–60 a year in Toronto, less for a neutered dog (City of Toronto, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in Australia: A$20–200 a year, depending on the council and whether the dog is desexed (Mozo, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in New Zealand: NZ$78–182 a year in Auckland, depending on the dog (PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council, 2026).
- Puppies far below these prices often come without health checks or papers.
Health
Breed-typical health risks
- Hip dysplasia [16]
- A malformed hip joint. Both parents should be X-ray screened.
- Eye disease [17]
- Inherited conditions such as PRA or cataracts. Good breeders have the eyes tested.
Health tests for the parent dogs
11 health tests appear in the breeding rules for the breed.
- No health test is required for breeding in the UK (The Royal Kennel Club); the table shows what is recommended.
- Needed for a CHIC number in the US (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) / Canine Health Information Center): hip X-ray (HD), eye exam, heart exam, and DNA tests (FEH, RD/OSD2, XL-PRA).
- Required of club members who breed in Canada (Samoyed Association of Canada): hip X-ray (HD) and eye exam.
- No health test is required for breeding in New Zealand (Dogs New Zealand); the table shows what is recommended.
| Test | United Kingdom [18] | United States [19] | Canada [20] | New Zealand [21] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip X-ray (HD)Hip dysplasia | Recommended | Required | Required | Recommended |
| Elbow X-ray (ED)Elbow dysplasia | Recommended | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| Kneecap checkPatella luxation | not in the rules | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| Eye examInherited eye disease, by a certified vet ophthalmologist | Recommended | Required | Required | Recommended |
| GonioscopyGlaucoma risk | not in the rules | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| Heart examInherited heart disease, by a cardiologist | not in the rules | Required | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| DNA test: FEHFamilial enamel hypoplasia | not in the rules | Required | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| DNA test: PRAProgressive retinal atrophy | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | Recommended |
| DNA test: RD/OSD2Retinal and skeletal dysplasia | not in the rules | Required | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| DNA test: XL-PRAX-linked progressive retinal atrophy | Recommended | Required | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| DNA test: XLHNX-linked hereditary nephritis (kidney disease) | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules |
● Required. ○ Recommended: advised, not required. – Not in the rules. The clubs and their rules are in the source list.
United Kingdom: the Royal Kennel Club’s Health Standard requires no test, so every test is ○ recommended.
United States: ● means the test is needed for a CHIC number from the OFA; taking part in CHIC is voluntary.
Canada: ● means the breed club’s code of ethics requires the test of member breeders; the kennel club registers litters without it.
New Zealand: the kennel club lists these tests as advice and requires none, so every test is ○ recommended.
What to ask the breeder
- Certificates for both parents: hip X-ray (HD), eye exam, and heart exam. A claim that the parents are “health tested” is not enough.
- DNA results of both parents for FEH, RD/OSD2, and XL-PRA, or proof that both are clear by descent.
- To see the puppies with their mother, at the breeder’s home.
- The pedigree papers (United Kingdom: Royal Kennel Club registration certificate; Canada: CKC certificate of registration; Australia: Dogs Australia pedigree, issued by the state body; New Zealand: Dogs NZ certificate of registration). [22] [23] [24] [25]
- 8 weeks: the youngest age at which a puppy may leave its mother in the UK, in Canada (Quebec), and in Australia (New South Wales). [26] [27] [28]
- Advice on buying a puppy: The Royal Kennel Club, The Canadian Kennel Club, Dogs Australia, and Dogs New Zealand. [29] [30] [31] [32]
Similar breeds
Sources
- FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale): Breed standard No. 212: Samoyed (2019)
- American Kennel Club (AKC): Samoyed Dog Breed Information
- Wamiz UK: The Samoyed: All about the breed (2025)
- PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, UK veterinary charity): The cost of owning a dog (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
- Spot Pet Insurance: Samoyed Price in 2025: Predicting Costs (2026)
- ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021). Covers food, vet visits, preventive medicine, insurance, toys and treats, boarding, dog licence, grooming supplies.
- Pets Plus Us (Canadian pet insurer; figures from OVMA 2024 Cost of Care research): HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGY? (EN-DOG_PPU_Cost-of-Care_Aug2024_v3.pdf) (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, dog tax, accessories.
- Mad Paws (Australian pet-services platform): Most Expensive Dog Breeds - Breed Information (2026)
- Animal Medicines Australia (survey by Sweeney Research/SNR): Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people (Pet Ownership Study 2025) (2025). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, parasite treatment, vet medicines, supplements, grooming, training, accessories, dog walking, boarding, transport, memberships, alternative healthcare.
- Companion Animals New Zealand (NZ Companion Animal Council): Companion Animals in New Zealand 2016 (section 6.3 Dogs, Fig 50) (2016). Covers food, vet visits, dog tax, boarding, equipment, grooming, healthcare products, insurance, training, other costs.
- nidirect (official government website for Northern Ireland): Dog licensing and microchipping (2026)
- American Kennel Club: Are You Financially Prepared for a Puppy? Explore Costs of Owning a Dog (2021)
- City of Toronto: Pet Licensing Fees (2026)
- Mozo: How much does it cost to own a dog or cat in Australia? 2026 (2026)
- PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council: Auckland Dog Registration 2026–27: Late Fees Now Apply — Full Fee Table (2026)
- Samoyed Club of America: Health Issue - Skeletal System
- Samoyed Club of America: Health Issue - Eyes
- The Royal Kennel Club: Royal Kennel Club Health Standard: A complete guide to health testing for responsible breeding (2026)
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) / Canine Health Information Center (CHIC): CHIC Program Requirements and testing statistics: Samoyed
- Samoyed Association of Canada: Code of Ethics
- Dogs New Zealand: Accredited Breeder Health Tests for the SAMOYED (former Accredited Breeders Scheme test list)
- The Royal Kennel Club: What should the breeder give me?
- The Canadian Kennel Club: By-Laws (incl. Code of Ethics (2025)
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Importance of Pedigree Papers
- Dogs New Zealand (New Zealand Kennel Club Inc.): Registration Regulations (Section 4, Reg. 24: Litter Registration Limitations (2026)
- UK Government (legislation.gov.uk): The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/486), Schedule 6 (breeding dogs) and Schedule 3 (selling animals as pets) (2018)
- Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ): Guide d'application du Règlement sur le bien-être et la sécurité des animaux domestiques de compagnie et des équidés (reproduces CQLR c. B-3.1, r. 0.1, art. 36) (2023)
- NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), State of New South Wales (fact sheet hosted by Dogs NSW): New laws for dog breeders in NSW (fact sheet on the 2024-25 amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 and Companion Animals Act 1998) (2025)
- The Royal Kennel Club: Questions for the breeder
- The Canadian Kennel Club: Finding an Accountable Breeder
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Choosing a Breeder
- Dogs New Zealand: How do you go about purchasing a pedigree pure bred dog?
Breeding rules, health sources and breed standards checked October 8, 2026.
Prices as published by the sources; collected October 8, 2026.
Breed traits describe typical tendencies. Every dog is an individual, shaped by genes, upbringing and training.