The Samoyed was originally bred for hunting, hauling, and herding. Its thick, infamous, white coat protects against frigid temperatures. While Samoyeds are a dog with a mission, they are also friendly and clever. They’re commonly known to gain attention through proper social interactions and by mischievous means. These herding dogs are eager to learn and early, consistent training is vital.

AKC Classification: Working
Exercise Required: 30-60 minutes/day

Ideal Weight
Healthy Male Weight: 45-65 lbs
Healthy Female Weight: 35-50 lbs

Breed Summary

Samoyeds originated from Siberia, and are named after the Samoyedic people who would huddle for warmth in their tents during deep-freeze winter nights. When not hauling supplies across the Siberian landscape, Samoyeds would be used to hunt for food and to keep watch over property. Over time, due to the Samoyeds’ protective nature, they became good herding dogs and were tasked with protecting the community’s herd of reindeer. These dogs are built for the cold; a Samoyed’s thick coat protects against deep-freeze temperatures and its upturned mouth prevents against drooling in frigid cold. They are a medium sized, working dog that is friendly, smart, and built for endurance.

• In the 1800s, Queen Alexandra promoted the breed as a companion and show dog.
• Samoyeds can pull one and a half times their body weight on sled.
• Many famous explorers traveled by sled with Samoyeds through unexplored frozen regions of Siberia.

Physical Traits
Stocky build, thick white coat, agile, high endurance

Personality Traits
Smart, strong, alert, hardworking, friendly, social, protective, good watchdogs

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Health Considerations for Samoyeds

If given proper nutrition, exercise, and socialization, your Samoyed should thrive! Some conditions that you may want to evaluate your Samoyed for are:

Eye/vision support

As the retina degenerates, the dog's vision can be affected leading often to blindness. We always make sure there are ingredients to support eye health in our recommendations.

Hip/Joint Support

Genetics often play a role in joint issues, like Hip or Elbow Dysplasia, as well as obesity and rapid weight gain. For general joint health, we recommend foods and supplements that contain:

Heart Support

There are key factors to consider when treating your dog’s heart issues. Nutritional considerations may include ingredients like Vitamin E and Taurine.

Weight Management

Samoyeds need plenty of exercise to keep their weight in check. However, the food your Samoyed eats is equally important. Table scraps are not recommended, and treats should be less than 10% of daily caloric intake.

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Foods We Recommend: Samoyed Puppies

When do Samoyeds grow out of the puppy stage?
12-15 months old

Samoyed puppies should be fed a diet that is formulated to meet AAFCO requirements for growth of large breed puppies, with moderate protein and an appropriate calcium to phosphorus ratio.

Foods We Recommend: Samoyed Adults

When do Samoyeds become adults?
12-15 months old

Your Samoyed’s diet should be formulated specifically for large breed dogs. Ensuring that your dog is eating the appropriate number of calories for its activity level and lifestyle is vital for keeping your Samoyed at a healthy weight. We like these options for Samoyeds:

Foods We Recommend: Samoyed Seniors

When do Samoyeds become seniors?
6-7 years old

Senior Samoyeds can benefit from highly digestible diets. They may become less able to digest or absorb nutrients from their food, by having a highly digestible food, this helps seniors absorb nutrients. A food that is moderate in calories is also beneficial due to a decrease in activity as they age.

Affiliate Disclosure
We do not accept money to recommend pet foods. However, we do receive referral fees from online retailers (such as Chewy or Amazon) on qualifying purchases. Our recommendations are neutral, and diet recommendations are made without considering whether we will receive a referral fee.

What are the Best Dog Foods for Samoyeds?