Your home isn’t complete unless you have a furry friend as part of your family. If your family is considering adopting a dog, you may be wondering “are Samoyeds a good family dog?“
Samoyeds are an excellent addition to any family. These dogs are known for their friendly and playful nature, but they are still gentle enough to get along well with small children. Samoyeds also get along well with strangers, so they aren’t disruptive when visitors stop in.
Your dog is an important part of your family, which means you likely want to adopt a breed that will get along well with people. On this page, we’re going to discuss if Samoyeds are a good family dog and what you should know about their behavior around other people. Keep reading to learn more.
Are Samoyeds a Good Family Dog?
Samoyeds are good family dogs as they are known to adapt very well to family life. This breed is very people-orientated and can be very affectionate with members of the household. These playful dogs also have a gentle side. They love to curl up and cuddle with their owners and are always happy to spend time by their side.
If you have children, you don’t have to worry about how a Samoyed will react when playing with them. Samoyeds are very playful dogs, but they aren’t aggressive. They enjoy playing with the kids, but will not bite or snap at them. What you may notice is your Samoyed trying to herd the children. It’s in their nature to herd other animals, so to the Samoyed, kids are no different.
Samoyeds are very social dogs, so they will also be friendly around your visitors. Since these dogs love to be surrounded by people, you can expect a Samoyed to attempt making friends with just about everyone it meets.
What Should Families Expect With a Samoyed
If your family decided to adopt a dog, there are many benefits to this breed. The overall good nature makes the Samoyed a great dog to spend time with. These dogs have an upbeat spirit and are always happy to go on an adventure with their owner. Another thing that owners should know about Samoyeds is that these dogs are highly intelligent and very responsive.
However, before you bring a Samoyed into your home, there are a few things that families should consider about the breed.
When Samoyeds were originally bred, they were used as work dogs. These dogs had two main responsibilities, pulling sleds and herding reindeer. As you’ll notice when you bring a Samoyed into your household, these dogs have a lot of energy (they are not lazy). Samoyeds were not bred to lay around the house all day, so if you bring a Samoyed into your home be prepared to exercise.
A Samoyed needs at least 2 hours of physical activity spread throughout the day, however, they are often happy to get more. They are a great choice for people who are active, as Samoyeds love to go on long walks and runs with their owners. Don’t expect them to lag behind either, Samoyeds can keep up.
If you plan on adopting a Samoyed, exercise is a very important part of its needs. When a Samoyed gets enough playtime, it is well behaved indoors. However, if the dog doesn’t get enough exercise it can become destructive. When this happens, the Samoyed may begin to chew on items around the house or bark excessively.
Samoyeds Enjoy Chasing
A Samoyed should not be let loose outdoors because it has a natural instinct to chase prey. While you may have done intensive training and your dog knows all the commands, its natural instinct to chase the neighborhood cat down the block will overpower anything the dog has learned.
Samoyeds are very smart dogs, so if they can find an escape route they will take it to chase smaller animals. This is why it’s important to consider a fenced-in area for the dog to play in. If you take your dog out in public, always keep it on a leash. While your Samoyed may be well-trained, the moment it spots a squirrel or rabbit, it will be off.
Samoyeds Need Company
If your family dog will be spending a lot of time home alone, a Samoyed may not be the best choice for you. These dogs need a companion and don’t like to spend a lot of time alone. When a Samoyed is left alone too often, it will become destructive and won’t be shy about showing signs it’s displeased.
Samoyeds typically do better in families than in single-person households. While everyone in the family may have to leave the house during the day, it’s likely that everyone has a slightly different schedule. This allows the dog to spend less time on its own, so it’s less likely to get bored.
Samoyeds are Independent Thinkers
Don’t get us wrong, a Samoyed can be a very obedient dog, but they also have a mind of their own. Some Samoyed owners need to be more patient about any challenges they may face when training a Samoyed. A Samoyed dog believes that it’s the dominant one and will often show this by attempting to herd.
When you’re attempting to train a Samoyed, you may face challenges because the dog wants you to prove that you’re able to make it do things. In order to show that you’re the one who is in charge, you’ll need to be consistent with your training sessions. These dogs are intelligent, so training them can be done successfully when you’re thorough with the routine.
Samoyeds Need Grooming
Grooming is essential when taking care of a Samoyed dog. If you’re not prepared to deal with a lot of fur, a Samoyed may not be the best choice for you. Samoyeds have very thick and fluffy coats, which need to be brushed daily. If a Samoyed’s owner doesn’t brush it enough, the dog’s coat will be full of mats.
Brushing the dog often will also help to manage the shedding, but it won’t completely stop it. Samoyeds shed a lot, and since they like to relax on the furniture, you can expect to find fur everywhere. If you have carpeted floors or a lot of upholstery, you will need a vacuum that you can rely on.
Is My Family Ready For a Samoyed?
Since Samoyeds are very friendly dogs, it’s easy for your whole family to fall in love with one. While Samoyeds are a joy to be around, it’s important that your family is ready before bringing one into your household.
Is the Environment Right?
Samoyeds are a great family pet, but you need to be living in the right environment. These dogs have certain requirements that need to be met. Samoyeds typically don’t adjust well to living in apartments. They need room to romp around and play, and these dogs also have a very loud bark that can disrupt people living on the opposite side of your wall.
What is Everyone’s Schedule Like?
Since Samoyeds need companionship, it’s important that they aren’t left alone for long periods of time during the day. If everyone in your household has different schedules, this can work to the dog’s advantage. Mainly because there will be a shorter amount of alone time from the moment the last person leaves to the time the first person arrives.
However, if everyone comes and goes at the same time, leaving the dog on its own for more than 4 hours at a time, your family may not be ready for a Samoyed.
Can You Devote More Time to the Dog?
Samoyeds have needs that take time out of their owner’s day. When you’re off work, if you want to relax quietly, a Samoyed isn’t a right fit for you. These dogs need to be played with. They require physical and mental activity every day.
If your family members are looking for another playmate to have around the house then a Samoyed could be a great match for you. These dogs love to get outside and exercise, so they are happy to go on a run with you if you need more encouragement to be active yourself.
Final Thoughts
Are Samoyeds a good family dog? Samoyeds are known to be very good family dogs. They love to be surrounded by people and have a very friendly and well-behaved attitude, while rarely being aggressive. Samoyeds are social dogs, as long as they are trained well from a young age. Not only are these dogs friendly with family members, but they also warm up to strangers they have just met.
While a Samoyed is a good family pet, it’s important to ensure your family is ready before bringing one into your home. A Samoyed does require extra time and energy, especially during training. These dogs are a better fit for families that are active and enjoy playing games with them.