You would think having a Samoyed would be a problem because of how big they end up being; but you’d be surprised that this isn’t the case.
Samoyed dogs are very docile and fun dogs. As puppies, they are witty and intelligent, and enjoy entertaining; and as mature dogs, they are still smart, with a sense of protection and close companionship with their caretakers.
To own one successfully, there’s way more that you should know, and that information is right here! Here’s what it’s like to own a Samoyed.
Samoyed Temperament
To put it into one word, Samoyeds are active. They are not the best at being alone and still all day, considering that they are pretty good working dogs.
When it comes to their personality, Samoyeds are very smart dogs that enjoy engaging with other dogs, and connecting with their caretakers, seeing that they bond fairly well with those that take care of them.
Loyalty is a major attribute for these dogs, and they take it very seriously. Their intelligence is on a higher scale! They are good with working in a uniform manner, as well as listening and learning commands within a decent time frame.
Samoyeds are friendly dogs for the most part, and are willing to show you this, as long as there is mutual respect being given, because they are known to become assertive towards those that create problems for them or their family.
What It’s Like Owning a Samoyed?
To own a Samoyed is to be best friends with a dog. They have a very inviting attitude about them, and are willing to portray how well they can do with other animals and humans.
They are active dogs, as previously mentioned, so to own one means being outside a lot during the sunshine and engaging in some serious movement and play.
This physical activity is only healthy for them, and it makes them very happy because it’s a way for them to bond with you as their owner.
Another factor about owning a Samoyed is dealing with their attention needs. Like I said, they’re like the friend that’s always smiling and wants to hang out; this means that you’ll be giving them lots of attention in many different forms.
Whether it’s running around, taking a walk, or watching a movie together, Samoyeds are very keen on being near their caretakers
Are Samoyeds a Good Fit For You?
If you are the type of person that loves rigorous outdoor activity, then a Samoyed is a great fit for you because this level of movement is necessary for their physical and mental health as spitz, or snow-bound working dogs.
If you enjoy medium-to-large dogs, then a Samoyed could be a great fit for you. They tend to grow pretty big in size; 35 to 45 pounds for female Samoyeds, and 40 to 65 pounds for males, standing at 19 to 25 inches in height.
Having a high spirit is necessary for owning Samoyed as well because they are very energetic dogs.
They enjoy looking into your eyes with joy, and receiving the same type of love back; so if you are a person that loves to love and give affection and attention, then a Samoyed will be a great fit for you.
Temperament At Home
Samoyeds are not the typical breed of dog that you can simply leave out in the backyard for hours on end without supervision; they require real attention, or things could get messy for you.
Samoyeds are naturally conditioned to working; this includes running, pulling heavy objects, and working in teams. This means that they do well socially, and they will want to interact with anyone that is willing to receive it.
When it comes to cleanliness, they do fairly well at keeping their area, and their body, as clean as possible; the only time when cleanliness becomes a problem is when your Samoyed is bored. Attention is a real form of connection while in the home, and it’s a great way to keep them engaged and focused on organized activity, versus a spacey mindset.
Once they feel like they have nothing significant to, they will find their own means of entertainment, like digging through dresser drawers or digging holes under the fence.
Temperament For Training
The cool thing about Samoyeds is that they are highly intelligent, and even more so, willing to listen. They do well at taking orders that are given in a certain and powerful manner.
Remember, Samoyeds are spitz, or a class of working dogs; which means that they are used to working in an organized pack, and it’s your job to be the leader of it.
Once this role is established, your Samoyed will be more than happy to follow your lead into learning your next command, and following your instructions the first one or two times that you give it.
If this form of dominance is not established, then your Samoyed may see your power as passive and meek; which could lead to disruptive behaviors, like excessive barking, and lack of power for you to stop it.
The most important part about your Samoyeds temperament during training is keeping their brains engaged with obtainable challenging commands that they can achieve, as well as establishing your dominance for them to follow.
Getting Along With Other Pets and Children
A big dog with an even bigger spirit, Samoyeds get along with other pets and children very well.
They both tend to have lots of energy throughout the day, which works well for both of them because they’ll be able to exchange this energy until either the dogs or the children drop down for a well-deserved nap.
Despite their bigger size, Samoyeds are very kind to children, and tend to see them as friends; however, it’s best to keep track of their emotional level, because when Samoyeds become happy, they can be energetic.
This energy could translate into jumping up on their bipedal little friends, and although not harmful, you’ll want to reduce the risk. With other animals, Samoyeds are willing to give friendship a shot.
They are not known to be big risk takers, but once they feel comfortable in the situation, they will treat another dog like family and create a bond that tends to be healthy, if it’s reciprocated from their new pal.
Personality Traits to Be Cautious About
Since Samoyeds are really smart dogs, we can safely state that they get bored pretty easily; and when they get bored, they can become curious and adventurous.
This means that they will find their own entertainment by doing things that they are naturally bred to do in nature; the only difference is that they’ll be doing this inside of the house! One of those natural traits that could occur is digging.
Samoyeds are naturally good at digging seeing that they are used in snow-dense areas for excavation of small prey within the snow; so some soft dirt under the gate won’t be a problem for them.
Another trait that occurs out of boredom is biting. Samoyeds tend to gnaw on the hairs of their legs out when they are at their last wits – kind of like another dog chasing their tail.
This could be seen as self-inflicting behaviors, but it isn’t stemming from a hurtful base, they just have nothing else to do.
How to Manage Samoyed Temperament?
Social and obedience training are the best ways to learn about a Samoyed’s temperament, as well as how to manage them.
Overall, Samoyeds are a nice breed of dog that can be very functional when put to the challenge; but this exciting essence about them has to be molded and structured in order for it to become effective, and that’s where social and obedience training comes into play.
Obedience training will establish you as their official caretaker, and thus, the pack leader. They’ll hear your voice, and once it’s learned, follow your commands with little-to-no problems.
Social training is necessary for making sure that your Samoyed will play nicely with other animals and humans.
It’s best to start this process as early as you can – like when they’re a puppy – to teach them that other animals are not to be initially feared, unless necessary; and with their intelligence, Samoyeds are quick at determining whether a situation is beneficial or unhealthy.
Change in Behavior Could Signal Health Problems
Behavioral changes in your Samoyed will most likely be obvious due to their high energy level, and it could be due to an onsetting health problem.
If you notice that your Samoyed is walking a little funny, it may be time to take it to the vet and check for any form of hip or joint dysplasia. This disease could affect how they walk, and their overall level of movement.
As they get older, they may squint or cover their eyes more, which is not a good sign; it could be an indication of an ocular degenerative disease like glaucoma or cataracts, which are two known health issues that concern Samoyeds.
Their diet is a major situation too; and in their later years, if they are eating less, then checking for diabetes will be your next step, as this could be the reason for their change in eating habits.
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- What Are Samoyeds Bred For? (Explained and Quick Facts)
Mike is the Founder of Familylifeshare. Mike is well-knowledged in marriage, parenting, dogs, blogging and committed to sharing his knowledge and expertise with his readers. Know more about Mike from here.
