Samoyeds love to be where you are, so they can adapt to apartment living, but they also have a high need for exercise, play, socialization, and stimulation. They are active dogs who live life with exuberance and enthusiasm. They may not be the best choice for some elderly people, or some with mobility issues, who may be better paired with a more sedate temperament of the dog. If the size and layout of the apartment are very small, and there is no access to yard space, the Samoyed may not be the right choice. Dogs that do well indoors include Cavalier King Charles and English toy spaniels, Bedlington terriers, Basset hounds, and Chihuahuas.
Are Samoyeds good apartment dogs? The Samoyed is an adaptable dog and can live with you in smaller indoor settings, but you will need to engage in active play and exercise, preferably outdoors, with them. Indoors, they will need challenging toys and you will need to change the toys regularly.
In this article, I will look at what a Samoyed needs in order to live in a smaller house or apartment. Most Samoyeds are active dogs, both physically and intellectually, and these needs should be supported to keep your Samoyed happy, healthy, and well-behaved. How much exercise does a Samoyed need, and what size home is suitable for them? I’ll look at what to consider when assessing whether a Samoyed would be comfortable in your home or apartment, and what you’ll need to factor into your daily schedule to keep them happy. I’ll also discuss some of the best dog breeds for an indoor lifestyle.
Are Samoyeds Good Apartment or House Dogs?
The Samoyed is a muscular and agile dog. They can weigh up to 65 pounds, and be 23 inches high measured at the shoulder blade. This would mean there could be some apartments that are not an appropriate fit for them, particularly if you are out a lot.
A Samoyed is also an intellectually active dog. If they are in an apartment or house setting, they will need lots of interesting toys, chew treats, and puzzle toys, often on quite a large scale, as they can quickly master the challenges and will need a new set of toys.
In addition, the Samoyed is a working, herding dog, whose breed has hardly changed genetically from when they lived in communities, herding reindeer and pulling loaded sleds.
While some may have a quieter nature, on the whole, the Samoyed wants to be active, physically challenged, and extended, as well as mentally mastering new skills. They are adaptable, which can make the Samoyed a good apartment dog, but you will need to engage in active play and exercise with them.
A Samoyed in a small apartment or house without many yard would require a lot of commitment: you would need to walk them or drive them to interesting, stimulating outdoor areas where they could run or play, every day – perhaps more than once a day.
The main factor in having a happy Samoyed is that they are where you are: living an involved life at the center of your family, giving and receiving love, which will make them feel secure and encourage their gentle, happy nature to shine.
What Size Home Is Ideal for the Samoyed Dog?
Samoyeds can be expected to adapt well to quite a large range of house sizes and layouts. They can live successfully in suburban settings as well as on larger country properties.
Since the Samoyed is an active and agile dog, I do recommend carefully considering the size and layout of your house or apartment, as well as the yard you have available.
Inside your home or apartment, you might consider areas of traffic, looking at how much “running” room there will be, and whether there are likely to be many bottleneck spots where the family and the Samoyed might collide. This is more of a factor if your children are young.
A yard of some size would be ideal and can help to make Samoyeds good apartment dogs. It will give you a place to actively play with them and to leave their larger toys.
Even with play, they will quickly become bored and possibly destructive if they are left too long in the yard without a change of scene, so you will need to consider local areas for walking or running.
Also, they do shed, and this might be more of an issue in a small apartment than in a larger country house.
Bear in mind, too, that Samoyeds are sensitive to heat stress, as that extravagant white coat keeps them warm, so if your apartment is small and sunny, you will need to provide adequate ventilation or cooling.
The right setting can make Samoyeds good apartment dogs, provided you bear in mind their particular needs: a lot of quality time with the family, active play and exercise, and ongoing training.
How Much Exercise Does a Samoyed Dog Need Daily?
According to pet website Vetstreet, Samoyeds are smart and like to have jobs, such as bringing in the paper or being your companion on jogs, hikes, or bike rides.
They also love and benefit from the stimulation and discipline of daily training, with lots of affectionate praise and rewards. Training can be made part of their exercise.
Many owners recommend an hour of active exercise as an absolute minimum. Samoyeds are full of exuberance and love of life, and they need to work out their energy in constructive, positive ways.
This will benefit you too, as they will be better behaved and happier at home. Though most Samoyeds love to exercise, Pet WebMD recommends being careful not to over-exercise your dog.
Watch your Samoyed, and if they look overheated or tired, appear to be struggling and puffing, or they want to lie down, let them do so. Give them some water and shade, and allow them to rest for a while before you walk home. Just like people, dogs may need to build up their amount of daily exercise slowly.
Also, puppies should not over-exercise, as their growth plates are still forming at the end of their bones, making them vulnerable to injury. Short exercise periods more frequently are better suited to puppies.
Many Samoyed owners say the exercise commitment involved is more than worth it because a Samoyed who is living a well-balanced lifestyle will give back a great amount of affection, gentle loyalty, and happiness to the whole family.
What is the best indoor dog?
The best indoor dog breed for you will depend on your circumstances, health, and personality traits. The size of your home and yard will also be a big factor. Have a look at these excellent indoor or mostly indoor options.
Dogs that love your attention
As we have seen, the right exercise and lots of love and attention can make Samoyeds good apartment dogs. Other dogs that love to be beside you 24/7 are the Pomeranian, toy poodle, French bulldog, Shih Tzu or Chinese crested. Beagles, bloodhounds, and American cocker spaniels also love your attention, and make good watchdogs, too, if this is a factor for you.
Dogs that don’t need a lot of exercise
If you have mobility or health issues and are not able to walk far, you will need a dog who can thrive on just a short walk around the area. Spaniels such as Cavalier King Charles or English toy spaniels are perfect, as they are home buddies who don’t have a great need to run and exercise hard.
Chihuahuas, Havanese, and Affenpinscher dogs also need only short walks or even just a good indoor play session as their exercise. They may tend to bark more often, though.
Shih Tzu and Pekingese, as well as Basset Hounds, only need moderate exercise. Some of the very big dogs, like Bullmastiffs and Saint Bernards, are also okay with moderate exercise.
Dogs who are quiet (not barkers)
Greyhounds and English sheepdogs are also known for their quiet temperament. Cavalier King Charles and English toy spaniels, as well as Bedlington terriers, are generally not dogs who will bark.
Dogs who are calm
The Newfoundland and the Sussex spaniel are both calm dogs who will provide gentle companionship at home.
Low allergy and low shedding dogs
No dog is truly allergen-free, as all have dander, but some have a lower level than others, as well as coats that shed a lot less hair. If you are an allergy sufferer, you may consider poodles, Bichon Frise, schnauzers, and Portuguese water dogs.