SAMOYED TEMPERAMENT AND PERSONALITY

What are the Pros of the Samoyed's Temperament?

All dog breeds are different with their own set of qualities, which means there’s an ideal dog for everyone, no matter your personality or lifestyle. But is the Samoyed suitable for you? Keep in mind that any breed standard offers general advice regarding the breed and that every dog is unique with its own personality; it’s quite possible to see variations in individuals of the same breed. If you’re looking for a specific temperament or quality in your puppy, ask your dog breeder for advice. Breeders should know their puppies well and be able to help you choose the one that best suits you and your way of life.

Loves Kids

Unlike other primitive dog breeds (see: Chow Chow), this beautiful white-coated spitz gets along very well with children. As a matter of fact, the smiley Sammie LOVES kids. This sociable pooch will gladly play with your little ones all day. True to its smiley nature, this is a cheerful dog who is always up for some fun. However, you should always exercise caution and never leave your children alone unsupervised with a dog, no matter how nice. Originally bred as a hunting dog, the Samoyed retains something of a predatory instinct, so be careful around smaller pets too.

Athletic

The Samoyed is a dynamic and energetic ball of fur. Despite its medium size, this dog needs regular exercise to feel happy and healthy. The ideal owner for a Samoyed is sporty and loves outdoor activities like running, cycling, and hiking. Physical stimulation is essential to your Samoyed’s health, so be sure not to neglect it; this is a key factor in the proper maintenance of any dog! You can also take your pooch to do fun canine activities like agility or tracking.

Gentle

Never aggressive, the Samoyed is renowned for its gentle and friendly nature. This is a dog who gets close to its family, while still maintaining a certain level of independence. Your Sammie will never turn down a cuddle and can be as affectionate as they come! As such, this breed makes very good companion dogs. The modern breed lacks the guard-dog qualities of the ancient Samoyed but, thanks to its bark, can still be used as a good alert dog.

What are the Cons of the Samoyed's Temperament?

Before adopting a dog, it’s important to also be aware of the more difficult aspects of its character. This way, you can be properly prepared to handle anything that comes your way.

Stubborn

Samoyeds are stubborn dogs, who sometimes have trouble doing what is asked of them, especially if they think they know better. As such, these doggies need an owner with a firm grip, capable of asserting control without ever being violent.

Difficult to Train

As a consequence of the previous point, the Samoyed is not always so easy to train. The ideal owner must therefore be patient and have a good knowledge of dog training, as well as being familiar with Samoyeds and other spitz-type dogs and primitive dog breeds, who can be trickier to handle than other dogs. If you’re having difficulty, please do not hesitate to call a professional dog trainer or animal behaviourist to help you with training your dog.

Tendency to Bark

The Samoyed dog breed is known to bark quite often. If you live in a house, this may not present too much of an issue. However, things can quickly get tricky if you plan to live in an apartment with your Samoyed. In general, your dog won’t bark so long as it gets taken out enough for regular exercise. On the other hand, if your pooch is left alone for long periods of time, it may bark out of boredom or frustration, and this repeated barking can create conflicts with your neighbours.

Not Recommended as a First Dog

It's a fact: some dog breeds are more suited to first-time dog owners than others. The Labrador and the Golden Retriever, for example, are often recommended for a first adoption. Professional dog training experts tend to warn against the adoption of dogs with more difficult temperaments for novice owners. If you still wish to adopt a Samoyed as your first dog, make sure to research the breed thoroughly and call in a professional to support you and help avoid mistakes.