If you are thinking about having a Samoyed Dogs as Pets, you are at the right place because in this post I am going to share with you what I have learned, a complete guide, as a dog owner over the years.
According to the American Kennel Club, a typical Samoyed dog lives 12-13 years. They are very intelligent, affectionate, and sensitive family dogs. They are friendly with children and live well with other dogs.
A Samoyed puppy costs between $600 – $1500. Be prepared to spend up to $3000 for a puppy should you decide to buy a purebred from a good bloodline.
Beyond the cost of buying your Samoyed dog, there is ongoing maintenance cost particularly when it comes to feeding and grooming.
In this post, I am going to provide detailed information on all you need to know about the Samoyed dog breeds with a focus on what it cost to own one, some information about their temperaments as it affects their nature, and how you are to look after them.
Samoyed Dogs Physical Attributes:
Samoyed dogs are originally from Siberia. They are raised for herding and sledding by the Samoyedes, from where they got their names.
Samoyeds are very happy and kid-friendly. You can’t be on a walk with them and not be noticed for their beauty. They, certainly, are a very famous breed.
When you are looking for an intelligent and friendly dog, the Samoyeds are at the top of the chart.
One of their main characteristics when it comes to living with the family is their known trait of getting attached to a particular person in the household.
The Samoyed dogs are perfects cuddling dog and because of their thick layers of coats, they keep the children warm in winter. They are children’s best friends.
Temperament
They get along with other pets with which they were raised. Generally, getting a samoyed to interact with other pets is never a problem particularly when they grow together in the same household.
However, due to their inborn hunting nature, they have the instinct to hunt and chase other small animals like cats, squirrels, etc.
Therefore, if you are intending to have your Samoyed dog live with other small animals you have to give her training and attention.
Another important attribute of the Samoyed breed is their chattiness. They are can be very mouthy. They tend to growl and play-bite.
However, with training, they can learn not to bite their family and learn to chew on their chew toys only.
Shedding
As beautiful as these dogs are, one thing the owners are used to is the shedding. Their thick, two layers of the coat are the reason they shed two times every year.
Every owner of Samoyed dogs is familiar with the rigorous work of brushing and grooming. If you are planning on getting a Samoyed, you must be ready to do a lot of vacuum work and brushing during their shedding periods.
Samoyed dogs are very active; they are not the kind of dogs that can be neglected or left alone at home. They require a lot of exercises, particularly when they are still young. You must plan a lot of playtime and activities for them.
Depending on whether you want a male or female Samoyed dog, their weights and sizes are different.
| Weight | Height | |
| Male | 44 – 66 pounds | 21 – 24 inches |
| Female | 35 – 44 pounds | 19 – 21 inches |
The factors that will ultimately determine the overall character and behavior of your Samoyed dog are their inborn nature, the social environment where they are raised and the training you give them.
Don’t be surprised when your dog starts to chase squirrels and other small animals they consider prey. Remember, by nature, they are hunting animals.
Paying close attention to your dog and having her on a leash will help keep her in control and also be good for her safety.
What does it cost to own a Samoyed Dog?
While the cost of purchasing a healthy Samoyed dog range from $600 – $1500, that is just the starting cost. Keeping a healthy dog, like any other pet, involves a lot of expenses. We are going to examine this in detail shortly.
First and foremost, the initial cost of your Samoyed dogs depends primarily on the source; where you are getting your dog from.
Places where you can get your hands on a Samoyed dog:
- Purebred Breeders or Kennel clubs
- Owner Breeders
- Dog or Puppy mills
- Shelters
- Dog Adoption Centres.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these options:
Purebred Breeders or Kennel Clubs:
Purebred Breeders also known as Kennel clubs are breeders that only handle a particular breed of dog.
The founding principle behind the operation of the purebred breeders is the commitment to breeding only healthy dogs that are free from possible genetics or hereditary problems.
The purebred breeders are committed to eugenics Science; a part of genetics science that involves making sure that any animal with any genetic problems is not allowed to reproduce to prevent having offspring (puppies) with the same problems or conditions.
This way, all the dogs that are produced by the kennel clubs are genetically sound. The implication of which is paying more money for your Samoyed puppy.
A word of Advice
Getting your dog from a purebred breeder is going to be more expensive but you can be assured you are going to have the most healthy pet with no impending future problems.
The kennel clubs have all the lineage information about your dog.
Dogs from these sources are not hybrid or cross-breed; they are always purebred.
A Samoyed purebred puppies cost up to $3000 depending on which kennel clubs you are buying from.
Owner Breeders:
They are people who already have these dog breeds and have puppies for sale. Their prices are always reasonable.
They are mostly accidental breeders, who had no intention of having many dogs but their dog just got pregnant.
Dog or Puppy Mills
They are as their name sounds! These people are breeding dogs for money.
You should be very careful when buying your dog from these people. In most cases, they don’t care about the quality or the health of the dogs they are producing.
Buying your dog from the dog mills is like playing the lotto; you don’t know what the condition or what the background of the mother is.
Dog Shelters:
This is usually the best place to get a dog. However, the possibility of getting a Samoyed at the shelter is very low.
There is nothing wrong with calling your local dog shelter and asking if they have any Samoyed.
The dogs that end up at the shelter are usually neglected or abandoned ones and it is somehow impossible to know their backgrounds.
Adoption Centres:
Like the shelters, the adoption centers are good places to get your Samoyed dogs, should there be one available in your area.
Some people leave their dogs for rehoming or adoption due to many reasons: owner’s relocation, health, or death.
The adoption centers, as well as the dog rescue shelters, always keep the dogs in good health and this may mean saving you a few bucks in medical expenses on your dogs.
If I were to recommend, the ideal to get your Samoyeds is the Rescue Centres or the adoption Centres.
Although the purebred breeders produce the best Samoyed puppies, however, their cost is very high but justifiable.
A word of advice.
I always recommend that when you want to buy any dog, you should visit the mother of the dog and if possible, some of the siblings.
This will enable you to understand the temperament of the dog and any hereditary trait or disease they may possess in their lineage.
Meeting the dog’s family is essential to inform you what your Samoyed puppy is likely going to be like when she grows up eventually.
Health Cost of Samoyed Dogs
As with having any kind of dog breed, being a happy owner of a healthy Samoyed dog comes with the cost of keeping it healthy.
The majority of the initial healthcare budget for your Samoyed goes to the veterinary doctors.
Let’s look at some breakdown:
Puppy’s first visit cost: $80 – $100
Your dog’s first visit to the Vet is very important because this is the time the dog gets examined by the Vet and the first round of shots is administered.
During the first visit to the Vet, here are some of the things he or she would do:
- Checking the weight and temperature
- Examine all the external organs of the dog
- Listen to the heart and check the dog’s breathing.
- Check the coats, mouth, and teeth.
- If possible, check for worms in the stool.
Vaccination:
The first and subsequent visits to the vet with your dog include getting vaccine shots for your dogs.
The cost of getting your dog vaccinated starts from $0 to $100.
Below are some of the diseases you have to get your Samoyed puppy vaccinated from:
- Rabies
- Parvovirus
- Canine Distemper
- Canine Adenovirus – 2 (Infectious Canine Hepatitis – ICH)
- Leptospirosis
- Canine Parainfluenza
- Bordetellosis (Kennel cough)
- Canine influenza
- Lyme disease
- Canine CoronaVirus (CCV)
- Heartworm disease
- Other intestinal worms.
DHPP vaccines, which are the first round of shots given to your dogs are free of charge at the free rabies clinics.
These clinics are great because your dog gets vaccinated free of charge. The only downside when you visit these clinics is the crowd of people and dogs that are usually present; the places are always noisy.
The DHPP vaccine is a combination of vaccines (multivalent) used in preventing the canines from four different viral diseases:
- D: Canine Distemper
- H: Infectious Canine Hepatitis
- P: Parainfluenza
- P: Parvovirus
Remember, we are examining what it cost to own a Samoyed.
Neutering and Spaying
While you are at the vet’s, another expense that is likely to be discussed during your first or initial visit is Neutering (Spaying if your puppy is female)
To have your puppy neutered, you should be prepared to spend between $50 to $125. This can go as high as $250 at some expensive animal hospitals.
Spaying a female puppy is more expensive because it involves a more complicated surgical procedure.
The Humane Society of the United States is known to provide neutering and spaying at the most affordable cost. I would recommend them for your Samoyed puppy.
Microchip Implants:
While still at the veterinary clinics you may consider having a microchip implanted in your Samoyed puppy.
The microchip implant is the size of rice grains. It is implanted under your dog’s skin to provide unique identification for your puppy.
Moreover, If your dog already has an implant from the breeders, the information can be updated by the veterinarian at a cost.
The cost of implanting a microchip on your dog is between $25 – $75.
The implants contain unique numbers that are registered in a pet recovery database.
Pet Insurance:
Another expense that goes with being an owner of a Samoyed dog is pet insurance. This may seem like an optional expense but for a serious dog owner, this is a necessity.
Pet insurance covers essential medical emergencies for your dog, depending on the cover or provider you choose.
Pet insurance may come in handy for routine medical checks, illness, dental illness treatment, chronic conditions, Accidents, or breed-specific genetic conditions for your beloved pet.
Below is a list of some Pet insurance providers and their contact information is readily available online:
- Embrace
- Figo
- Trupanion
- USAA
- AKC
- PetAssure
- Petplan
Carefully check which of them has the cover you might need for your Samoyeds.
Caring for your Samoyed Dogs
No matter how much you spend on your dog, consider it an investment as your dog is a part of your family.
Let’s look at some of the things your dog may need for day-to-day living. I will also provide some resource links to where you can get some of these things and their current prices.
Food
Training
Bed
Grooming Supplies
Dog Crates
Water Bowls
Dog Toys
Treats
Collars
Leash and Harness
Poop Bags
Dog Towels
Dog Shampoo
Taking care of your Samoyed depends entirely on you. Some dogs would do fine with the basic provision of food and water.
However, some dog owners are willing to spoil their pets with everything she needs, starting from regular treats to expensive bedding and so on.
Samoyed Dogs Grooming and Brushing
One interesting thing about the Samoyeds is their coats. The coat has two layers which help to keep them warm in winter and also protect their skin from the sun when it is warm.
The Samoyed dogs don’t produce doggy odor unless when they are dirty or wet. Using a soft towel to dry their bodies when they are wet is essential.
Ideally, daily grooming is required to keep the coat looking beautiful and prevent matting.
Regular bathing and brushing are essential. It is recommended that they bathe weekly and not less than once monthly.
Considering that the Samoyed dogs have two layers of coat, you should bath and dry them properly to help them maintain their healthy skin and beautiful coats.
Getting the right brush for your Samoyed coat is important because of the texture of their coat and this will even help you spend less money on the groomers.
Below are some recommended products that are necessary for your dog grooming:
Dog Shampoo
Dog Conditioner
Clippers
Brush
Trimming Shears
Bristle Brush
Grooming Table
Playtime for Samoyed Dogs:
Samoyed dogs are not the kind of dog that does well when confined to a small space. They require a lot of activity and space to play.
By nature, Samoyeds are working dogs and as such must be allowed to run around.
They are miserable if neglected or locked up in an apartment. Samoyeds is not great to live in apartments.
When walking your dog in public, make sure they are on the leash because of their tendency to chase after small animals.
They have a high prey drive and tend to chase anything, particularly other small pets like squirrels, cats, rabbits, etc.
It is advisable to keep them behind a fence or closed doors when they are not on a leash. They have a high energy level and are always ready to go out.
As a Samoyed owner, you must be willing to give them quality playtime because they require a significant amount of exercise for their health and mental stimulation.
Samoyed Dogs’ Health
One commonly asked question is ‘how long is a Samoyed dog likely to live?’
The life expectancy of a Samoyed Dog is between 12-13 years.
When they are properly taken care of they tend to live longer and more energetic lives. Even at old age, they are still very active.
While the Samoyed breeds are generally healthy dogs, some illnesses are peculiar to them. It is important to be aware of these so you can protect your dog as much as possible.
Some dogs tend to have some genetic illness peculiar to their breed in old age. It is important to ask the breeders before you buy your dog or better talk to a veterinarian.
This is where my earlier advice about visiting the mother of the puppy before you buy it and even, if possible, see other siblings before you make your purchase.
I have researched some of the illnesses that are common to the Samoyed breeds and I have listed some of them below:
Glaucoma: Eyes
This is a condition that affects the eyes.
It occurs when there is high pressure (intraocular pressure) buildup in the eyes. This can be either hereditary or caused by other eye diseases.
Treatment includes surgical procedures or applications of a group of medicine called Beta-Blockers. An example of this is Timolol Maleate (Timolol 0.5%).
Contact your veterinarian should your dog show any symptoms.
As a rule, self-medicating your dog is not advisable because glaucoma can result in permanent blindness.
Symptoms include: The blood vessels of the eyes turning red and there is a clear sign of visible constriction of the pupils.
The front of the eyes becomes cloudy and there is debris visible in the eyes.
Hip Dysplasia in Samoyed Dogs: Hip Joints
This is the condition that causes the dislocation of the hip joints. The symptoms include improper alignment of the legs and sometimes the evidence of lameness and pain in the rear leg(s). Because this degenerative joint disease is hereditary, there is no cure. However, there are ways to effectively manage the condition. You should talk to your vet.
Samoyed Hereditary Glomerulopathy: Renal Glomeruli – Kidney
Samoyed Hereditary Glomerulopathy (SHG) is the hereditary non-inflammatory disease of the kidney.
This is a genetic disease common to the Samoyed dog breed. It is a fatal disease in Samoyed as it results in Kidney failures within 15 months of birth.
It is important to ask your breeder if the mother was cleared of this disease before you get the puppy.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Eyes
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a group of diseases affecting the retina. It is caused by the gradual degeneration of the retina.
The affected dogs begin to lose their sight. Symptoms include poor visions and dogs running into things.
Unfortunately, there are no cures for this condition.
However, some nutritional supplements with antioxidant properties may be used administered to support the health of the retina.
However, this does not mean your Samoyed is going to suffer any of these illnesses. It is just a guide to equip you with some knowledge should you be considering this breed as your pet or if you already have one and looking for some information.
Please don’t take this information as expert advice if you notice any symptoms in your dog. The health of your animal is very important. You should contact a veterinary doctor as soon as possible.
Feeding and Diet Guide for Samoyed Dogs
Feeding your puppy the right food is integral to her well-being and overall health.
The question people commonly ask is what diet to feed their samoyed. Some Samoyed parents asked if they should stick to dry food.
In my opinion, you should only be concerned about feeding your dog a balanced diet. Given the hereditary origin of the Samoyed; they are hunting dogs and so, eat raw diets.
Nothing is stopping you from throwing her some meat from time to time. You can even give them some fruits and veggies.
Should you decide to throw her some bones, which she would gladly chew, pay attention to them and watch out for bone splinters; I am sure you don’t want any vet emergency.
The bottom line: High nutritional food must be given to your dog to keep her healthy.
