Breed library

Samoyed

Also known as Bjelkier, Sammy.

Samoyed photograph.
Samojed00.jpg - Pleple2000. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Samojed00.jpg. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/. License: CC BY-SA 3.0.

Breed overview

The Samoyed ( or ; самое́дская соба́ка samoyédskaya sobáka, or самое́д samoyéd) is a breed of herding dog with a thick, white, double-layered coat. They are spitz-type dogs which take their name from the Samoyedic peoples. Descending from the Nenets Herding Laika, they are domesticated animals that assist in herding, hunting, protection and sled-pulling. Samoyed dogs are most often white, and can have a brown tint to their double-layer coat, which is naturally dirt-repellent. They have been used in expeditions in both Arctic and Antarctic regions, and have a friendly and agreeable disposition.

  • Breed classification: Double CoatBreed reference breed group.
  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.

Breed facts

  • The progenitor of the Samoyeds was the Nenets Herding Laika, a reindeer herding spitz commonly used throughout the Arctic, especially the Nenets people, who were pejoratively referred to as Samoyeds at that time.
  • DNA evidence confirms that Samoyeds are a basal breed that predates the emergence of the modern breeds in the 19th century.
  • The two 100-year-old dogs were closely related with the Samoyed breed, which indicates that the ancient Arctic lineage lives on in the modern Samoyed dog.
  • During preparation for the Fram expedition to the North Pole in 1893-1896, 33 dogs were purchased from the Nenets people.
  • Of these dogs, 28 were used in an attempt on the North Pole; none of those survived.

Size and appearance

The AKC Standard requires 45 - 65 lbs kg and 21 - 23.5 in at the shoulder for males, and 35 - 50 lbs kg and 19 - 21 in for females. The UK Kennel Club Standard requires 51 - 56 cm for males, and 46 - 51 cm for females. Samoyed ears are thick and covered with fur, triangular in shape, and erect. They are almost always white but have a light to dark brown tint (known as "biscuit") to a greater or lesser extent. The tint is usually on the ears but can be visible on the whole body.

  • Body mass reference: 16 - 20 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 16 - 20 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: 20 - 30 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 20 - 30 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 46 - 51 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 46 - 51 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 51 - 56 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 51 - 56 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 57 cmBreed reference height. male.
  • Height reference: 53 cmBreed reference height. male.
  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat length: short
  • Height category: medium
  • Height category: tall
  • Weight category: medium
  • Weight category: large

Personality and behavior

Samoyeds' friendly and affable disposition makes them poor guard dogs; an aggressive Samoyed is rare. 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, however, they can be diligent watch dogs, barking whenever something approaches their territory. Samoyeds are excellent companions, especially for small children or even other dogs, and they remain playful into old age. According to the Samoyed Club of America, when Samoyeds become bored, they may become destructive or start to dig.

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 1.86 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Samoyed.
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 2.27 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Samoyed.
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.69 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Samoyed.
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.45 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Samoyed.
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 2.17 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Samoyed.
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 1.80 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Samoyed.
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.41 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Samoyed.
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.68 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Samoyed.
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.12 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Samoyed.
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.73 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Samoyed.
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.09 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Samoyed.
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.16 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Samoyed.
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.80 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Samoyed.
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.44 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Samoyed.

Exercise and activities

Samoyeds can compete in dog agility trials, carting, obedience, showmanship, flyball, tracking, mushing and herding events. Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at non-competitive herding tests. Samoyeds exhibiting basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat length: short
  • Shedding amount: heavy
  • Shedding pattern: seasonal

Health and lifespan

A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13.1 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Breed history

The progenitor of the Samoyeds was the Nenets Herding Laika, a reindeer herding spitz commonly used throughout the Arctic, especially the Nenets people, who were pejoratively referred to as Samoyeds at that time. DNA evidence confirms that Samoyeds are a basal breed that predates the emergence of the modern breeds in the 19th century. A genomic study of two dog specimens nearly 100 years old obtained from the Nenets people on the Yamal Peninsula found that these are related to two specimens dated 2,000 years old and 850 years old, which suggests continuity of the lineage in this region. The two 100-year-old dogs were closely related with the Samoyed breed, which indicates that the ancient Arctic lineage lives on in the modern Samoyed dog.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Samoyed dog - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Samoyed dog, revision 1374367633. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Samoyed_dog&action=history
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:Samojed00.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Samojed00.jpg - Pleple2000. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Samojed00.jpg. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.