Breed List

Samoyed

A working breed, the Samoyed can be strong-willed at times, but above all they remain friendly, gentle, and devoted family dogs. The Samoyed was originally bred to hunt, haul sledges, and herd reindeer. Among the breed’s duties: pack hiking, tracking, and warming their owners by sleeping on top of them at night.

Illustration courtesy of the Swedish Kennel Club

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Quick Facts

Height

Male: 21-24in

Female: 19-21in

Weight

Male: 44-72lb

Female: 37-55lb

Fun Fact

Shed Samoyed fur is sometimes used as an alternative to wool in knitting, with a texture similar to angora. The fur is sometimes also used for the creation of artificial flies for fly fishing. Samoyed fur sweaters have been reported to handle temperatures well below freezing.

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About this Breed

Samoyeds, the smiling sledge dogs, were bred for hard work in the world’s coldest locales. The Sammy’s famous white coat is thick enough to protect against temperatures as low as minus -60. Powerful, agile, tireless, impervious to cold—”Sammies” are a gorgeous but highly functional breed. Even their most delightful feature, a perpetual smile, has a practical function: The mouth’s upturned corners keep Sammies from drooling, preventing icicles from forming on the face.

Samoyeds’ friendly disposition makes them poor guard dogs. The breed is characterized by an alert and happy expression which has earned the nicknames “Sammie smile” and “smiley dog.” With their tendency to bark they can be diligent watch dogs. Samoyeds are excellent companions, and they are known to remain playful into old age.

From a training perspective, with their sled dog heritage — a Samoyed is not averse to pulling things so leash training is essential.