If you are planning on adopting a beautiful Samoyed or are just curious, you may be wondering what they are like. Will they fit in with other dogs? How energetic are they? What sort of diet do they need? Most importantly, are Samoyeds loud? I have frequently asked myself these same questions and more about a variety of dog breeds. I have done the research. Although every dog has its own unique character, there are some things you can expect from certain breeds. I am here to share everything that you can expect from a Samoyed in regards to noise.
Are Samoyeds a loud breed? Yes, this is a very talkative breed. They are very territorial and will alert their family by barking at anything they perceive as a threat. Since they are a bigger breed, their barks will be rather loud. However, they do not bark excessively.
Now you may have further questions. Maybe you’re wondering whether Samoyeds are noisy all the time. Or perhaps you want to know whether Samoyeds would be good apartment dogs. Luckily for you, I have already asked myself these same questions. But wait, like a TV infomercial, there’s more. I will also talk about whether or not this breed can be taught to be quiet. Simply put, I have all the answers to almost any noise-related questions you might have. By the end of this article, you will know what level of noise to expect when caring for a Samoyed. Let’s begin.
Are Samoyeds Loud and Noisy?
Samoyeds, or Sammies as they are commonly called, communicate like any other dog through barks, woofs, yips, snorts, and howls. So yes, they will be noisy when they are trying to communicate with you or are warning away what they see as threats.
This breed will bark for a variety of reasons. Visitors will be one common reason. After getting a dog you will find that you’ve also installed a “dog bell” on the door. Anyone knocking on the door or ringing the doorbell will cause your Samoyed to start barking.
There is also the dreaded mailman. While some dogs might enjoy a visit from delivery people, a Samoyed will likely react by barking until they are gone.
Those are just two reasons. There are of course plenty of other reasons for a dog to bark. We’d be here forever if I were to list every reason for a dog to bark.
Whatever the reason, Sammies will make plenty of noise to get your attention. Once they have gained that they often quiet down. It depends on the reason for trying to get your attention.
If they are excited or are playing with you they may keep “talking” as it were. It all depends on the behavior of the individual Sammie.
It has been my experience that some dogs don’t fit the standard characteristics of the breed. In some cases, Samoyeds won’t be as loud and talkative in every situation. Some will only bark once to let you know whatever it is they’re interested in.
Whether a particular Samoyed is quieter than the majority or not, they will all be loud and noisy to some extent. This is definitely something to keep in mind.
Are Samoyeds barkers and howl a lot?
Despite not being commonly associated with the loudest dog breeds, Samoyeds are rather talkative and will howl. Even among the talkative breeds, there are those that will bark and howl more than others.
Samoyeds are historically sled dogs which means that they were bred to be very social. As a result, they are rather talkative just like the Siberian Husky.
This can manifest in many similar ways as in Siberian Huskies. The adorable “singing” that Huskies do, Samoyeds will do too. These two breeds have another similarity as they are both classified as Spitz breeds.
Spitz (which means ’pointed’ in German) breeds are some of the closest modern dogs to wolves. This close relation to wolves, as compared to non-Spitz breeds, does increase Sammies’ penchant for howling.
In addition to howling, this breed will bark often, as discussed in the previous section. However, some don’t howl as frequently even with their genetic proximity to wolves. Some Samoyed owners report that their dog didn’t howl until taught or encouraged to do so.
If you’re thinking to yourself that it varies from dog to dog you’d be completely right. One Sammie that doesn’t howl on their own or very often is possible. On the other hand, a Sammie that loves to howl and does so frequently is also possible.
While Sammies will bark frequently for nearly any reason, you should attempt to discourage the dog from barking with no discernable reason for extended periods of time. Positive reinforcement when used correctly will do wonders.
What all of this means for any prospective Samoyed owner is that they should be prepared for either. It is reasonable to assume a fair level of barking and some howling will be within the characteristics of most Samoyeds.
Are Samoyeds good apartment dogs?
If you live in an apartment and love Samoyeds, there are a few things to be aware of before adopting one. Samoyeds can be alright apartment dogs, but they will need good training and plenty of regular exercises.
With their sled dog history, Sammies will want to be very active. Frequent walks and exercise will be great for their mood and health. It also has the benefit of wearing them out. If a Samoyed has gotten enough exercise they will be more content to rest in the evenings.
A well-exercised dog isn’t going to be barking as much. That said, a dog should not be overworked or over-exercised. Luckily, with a good diet, this will be hard to do with a Samoyed.
Another important consideration when evaluating a dog’s compatibility with an apartment is its attitude towards people and quiet time indoors.
Sammies are very social and friendly dogs. Because of this, they will interact well with any visitors and neighbors. However, they should still be well socialized when they are young so that they get used to new people and other animals.
Their social nature will also help them when you are spending time inside the apartment. These dogs will enjoy spending time curled up with you and others in their “pack.” They are quite gentle despite their energetic nature.
The biggest problem besides exercise is their habit to bark at perceived threats, unknown sounds, and people passing by. This can be curbed by training and distraction toys (such as a bone).
Whether or not someone will be with the Sammie all day, it is helpful to teach them to stop barking on command.
So while a Samoyed isn’t a perfect apartment dog, they can be just fine if their needs are met.
Can Samoyed be quiet?
While it has been briefly addressed throughout this article, it is important to discuss whether or not Samoyeds can be quiet. The simplistic answer is that they obviously can since they will be much quieter when tired.
However, Samoyeds are a rather talkative breed as has been mentioned. The answer to the question are Samoyeds loud is an easy yes. They will never be completely silent for long stretches of time.
Through quality training and a proper exercise schedule, they can be quieter than usual. No matter what you will have to deal with some barking and howling. It is in their nature.
Barking collars and physical punishment should not be used on any dog in an attempt to curb certain behaviors. Instead, seek professional help if you need any assistance in training your Sammie.
Samoyeds are an intelligent breed and will take to training well if it is handled properly. Positive reinforcement training is one good method. This training won’t stop them from making noise, but ideally, it will make it manageable.
Training your Samoyed to stop barking or only bark on command are both options that will help. Praising or treating them for listening to you when you tell them to be quiet is one method that should work.
The most reliable method for getting a Samoyed to quiet down is to tire them out. This will get all their energy out and make them more likely to settle down. Of course, this is only a temporary measure.
Tiring them out along with good training should make a Sammie quiet enough for life in an apartment among other places.