Samoyed Poodle Mix–Physical Look, Lifespan and Temperament

The Samoyed and Poodle mix – otherwise known as a ‘Sammypoo’ – is a relatively new mixed breed appearing as recently as the early 2000s, and like many new mixed breeds, you need to look to their parents for any indication of their personality, their looks and general health. Their hypoallergenic features and friendly ‘smiley’ expression has helped them become a very popular mix breed in recent years. Kids and families love this mix too thanks to their energetic and playful nature (not to mention that adorable and cuddly fluffy coat!).

So what does it take to care for the Samoyed Poodle mix? Potential owners of Sammypoos will be pleased to know that they make for quite easy-going pets – not only are they sociable and easy to train, but their non-shedding Poodle genes make them easy to maintain too, since a lot less grooming may be required. The only challenges you may encounter with Sammypoos are that their high intelligence levels and often boundless energy means they need frequent mental stimulation and exercise to run off steam and avoid destructive behaviors.

You may find that a Sammypoo is perfect for you if you already have experience with Poodles or Samoyeds – however, this is such an easy-going mix breed that most first-time dog owners will find them to be delightful canine companions. To make sure Sammypoos will be right for you, consult our brief guide below on everything from their diet and exercise needs to their cost and health issues.

Physical Characteristics (Size and Physical Look)

Sammypoos are a medium sized dog with a soft, curly coat, brown/amber eyes and fluffy triangular-shaped ears that give them a curious expression. Because Poodles come in many size and color variants – from toy and miniature to the standard size – you can expect the Sammypoo mix to come in different sizes and colors too.

Sammypoos commonly have a white coat color, but coats can be a singular or multi-color coat in shades of black, brown, grey, beige, red, apricot, cream and blue.

The average Sammypoo will be about 21 inches tall at shoulder height and weigh between 55 and 65 lbs. In the case of a Miniature Sammypoo however (when a smaller female Samoyed is bred with miniature or toy poodle), your Sammypoo can be significantly smaller, weighing around 30 lbs and possibly measuring 15 to 17 inches tall.

Lifespan

Both the Poodle and Samoyed are fairly healthy breeds, so Sammypoos can have a life expectancy of around 12 to 14 years with the right nutrition and plenty of exercise.

Grooming Needs

While it’s good news for allergy sufferers that Sammypoos are hypoallergenic and are fairly low shedders thanks to the Poodle genes, they still need regular maintenance to keep their coat in top condition.

A Sammypoo’s coat should be brushed lightly every day to keep matting and tangles at bay as well as a thorough deeper brush at least 3 times a week to remove dead hairs before they wind up on your floors and furniture!

In addition to their coat grooming, you should also check regularly under your Sammypoo’s floppy ears and clean them at least once a week to prevent infection.

Bathing them at least every 2 weeks or so is also recommended to keep their curly coats in manageable condition and their nails should be trimmed once monthly to prevent cracking, splitting and further irritation.

Temperament

A big draw for potential Sammypoo owners is their lovable and affectionate nature – they are mostly sweet, playful and easy-going dogs with high intelligence levels, but it’s because of their high intelligence that they will keep you on your toes!

Since they come from two hard-working parent breeds, the Sammypoo loves to be challenged mentally and physically, so you will only run into bad behavior (mostly chewing everything in sight!) if they are not kept active on a regular basis.

Exercise Needs

Sammypoos are bundles of energy and you want to make sure you let them work off their energy every day (or your home furnishings will soon know about it!).

Your Sammypoo will need between 60 and 90 minutes worth of exercise every day to stay healthy and feel sufficiently stimulated. Taking him for daily walks and games of fetch in the park is great, but it helps if you have a large backyard for him to roam about and get exercise in other ways too.

Sammypoos respond very well to agility courses and obedience training which can easily be done at home in a fenced yard. And to help him really stretch his legs throughout the week, taking him for a swim, hiking a trail or running are all amazing ways to keep him out of mischief.

Boredom and lack of activity can cause aggressive and destructive behaviors in him down the line such as excessive barking, aggression and chewing things, so it should also be in your interest that your Sammypoo stays active on a regular basis!

Health Risks

Sammypoos are commonly prone to Hip and Elbow Dysplasia which affects their joints, but they may also inherit the following health concerns from their parent breeds:

• Epilepsy
• Mitral Valve Disease (MVD)
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• Skin conditions   
• Allergies

By getting your puppy from a reputable breeder, you can be sure your Sammypoo has been tested and cleared of certain health issues or at the very least, a trusted breeder can help prepare you and offer advice on dealing with inevitable future health risks.

Feeding

Because Sammypoos are very active, medium-sized dogs, you should be sure to feed them high quality kibble that is rich in nutrients and low on the kind of filler present in cheap dog food. Filler ingredients such as corn, wheat and soy are empty calories that only contribute to weight gain in your Sammypoo, which can exacerbate the joint issues he may face in old age.

Instead, feed him 2 and a ½ cups of a low-fat, high-quality variety of dry dog food every day containing ingredients like chicken, salmon, potato and ground brown rice, and make sure to split this into to 2 or 3 small meals throughout the day.

Don’t allow him to free feed. Since Sammypoos are prone to Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, adding supplements of fish oil, chondroitin and glucosamine to his diet from an early age will greatly benefit his joints as he grows.

Every individual mix can have different dietary requirements though, so be sure to consult your local vet about which foods or supplements will be best for your Sammypoo’s growth.

Are Samoyed Poodle Mixes Protective?

Sammypoos are not known to be especially protective dogs. Though they may occasionally bark at strangers, this is more of an overly enthusiastic greeting style than an attack or show of protectiveness over their owners.

Their inherited Samoyed traits of being loyal to the pack and a herding instinct will mean that Sammypoos love to be around and hold the attention of their owners, but they do not necessarily have a ‘watchdog’ quality of protectiveness over them.

How Much Does a Samoyed Poodle Mix Cost?

The price of a Sammypoo puppy may range anywhere between $600 and up to as much as $3,000. Because Samoyeds are one of the most expensive and sought-after dog breeds out there, certain Sammypoo puppies could be marked up higher if the Samoyed parent comes from an award-winning, prestigious bloodline.

To make sure you’re getting a good deal, it is safest for you to buy your Sammypoo from a responsible breeder. A trusted Sammypoo mix breeder can also detail your puppy’s health history and what to expect from their parent breed’s potential health concerns, if any. Alternatively, you could consider re-homing or adopting a Sammypoo puppy from your local rescue center.

Is a Samoyed Poodle Mix Right for Me?

• You or someone in your household has pet dander allergies (Sammypoo’s are hypoallergenic)  
• You are willing to train them and be consistent (they are eager to learn but quite stubborn)
• You are prepared to keep them mentally stimulated (boredom can lead to destructive behavior patterns)
• You are willing to help them socialize as puppies (this will ensure they get on well with strangers, kids and other dogs)
• You have time to spare for lengthy daily activity (they need 60 to 90 minutes of exercise each day)
• You have time to brush them every day (their coat becomes easily tangled if neglected)
• You preferably live in a home with yard space for them to roam in (apartment living is not ideal for the Sammypoo)

Best Climate for a Samoyed Poodle Mix

Since their parent breeds historically come from quite different climates (Poodles from Germany and Samoyeds from Arctic Siberia!), this has meant that the Sammypoo mix will favor a climate that is somewhere in between, though their dense, medium-length fluffy coat means they will be at home in slightly colder environments too.

If you live in a warmer climate, always take care to prevent heat stroke and dehydration in your Sammypoo, especially when they exercise.

The Attention a Samoyed Poodle Mix Needs

There’s no sugar coating it – Sammypoos will need tons of attention from you to feel at their happiest and healthiest! This means meeting their physical stimulation needs (60 to 90 minutes of exercise a day), as well as keeping them mentally stimulated with plenty of indoor play, petting and cuddle time.

Many owners of highly active dogs recommend giving them a chewing horn to keep their mind occupied, but also to save your household from being chewed out of boredom instead!

Compatibility with Kids

A Sammypoo’s easy-going, sociable temperament makes them a great companion for kids. They are affectionate and love nothing more than to play with family members.

Because they are such excitable balls of energy though, we would advise supervision with very small children in case of accidental knocks or injury. Also because of their Samoyed inherited instinct to be loyal to the pack, socializing among strangers and regular training will build up their tolerance to child visitors outside your home.

Compatibility with Other Animals

Again, your Sammypoo will be a great fit for families with existing pets and other animals – it’s in their nature to love company! – just be aware that you must put in the effort of making them socialize well as puppies and train them to reduce their herding instinct.

Introducing them to fellow dogs at the park as often as you can during their early years will help them build up a tolerance and acceptance of other animals.

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