If you’ve ever wondered whether Samoyed dogs smell, our article can help to answer all your questions about odors in Samoyed dogs. Whether you already own a Samoyed, you’re thinking about adopting a Samoyed, or you simply want to know more about this unique and ancient dog breed, knowing how best to care for them, groom them and prevent bad smells may be important to you.
Do Samoyeds smell? It is possible for Samoyeds to smell but it’s unusual and often avoidable. Samoyeds in general do not smell as much as many other dog breeds (e.g. Basset Hounds, St Bernards, or Cocker Spaniels ) but can develop an odor if they’re not sufficiently clean and well-groomed. With the right care and grooming, Samoyeds should not have a strong or unpleasant smell.
With their long soft fur, almond-shaped eyes, and distinctive “smiles”, Samoyeds are highly appealing dogs who make an active, playful, and lovable addition to many households. Carry on reading to learn more about Samoyed appearance, grooming, and behaviors that might influence smell, as well as some hints and tips for care and grooming routines that can stop bad smells in their tracks.
Do Samoyeds smell and why?
Before we look in detail at this issue, let’s briefly consider the background of the Samoyed breed in order to better understand the features which influence smell.
Samoyeds are an ancient working dog breed that is named for the Samoyede people in northwestern Siberia where originally Samoyeds were used for herding reindeer, hauling sleds, and hunting animals. Working and living very closely alongside their human families, Samoyed dogs developed a strong symbiotic relationship with human beings and a temperament that is active, sociable, and independent.
In the days of early polar exploration, Samoyeds were often chosen and transported to pull sleds on expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic. Modern Samoyed dogs are largely descendants of former sled dogs brought from Siberia to the USA, UK, and other places in the late 19th / early 20th centuries.
Bred into a cold, harsh Siberian landscape, Samoyeds have developed unique double-layer coats to keep them warm and dry. This double layer coat also means that they don’t have a lot of dander, which is one of the main causes of a strong ‘doggy’ smell in other breeds.
This lack of dander can make the breed attractive both to owners sensitive to smell and to those with pet allergies who would be unable to live with an animal that produced high levels of dander.
The Samoyed topcoat consists of long, white, coarse guard hairs which stop dust and dirt from getting through to the undercoat. This second coat is short, soft, and thick, perfect for keeping the dogs warm in sub-zero temperatures. Samoyeds shed this undercoat 1-2 times each year but the low dander levels mean that they’re still considered a hypoallergenic breed.
There are four main factors that might cause a Samoyed to smell:
1. Smell caused By Dirtiness
If a dog runs and rolls in a barnyard or other smelly environment, they will be likely to smell of that barnyard or environment. To remove these kinds of unpleasant smells, a Samoyed will need to be bathed.
2. Smell Caused By Neglect
Even this low-dander, the low-odor dog will start to smell eventual unless it is washed. It simply takes longer for a smell to develop in Samoyeds than in some other breeds. As a rough guide Samoyeds should be bathed every 3-6 months, with mature dogs being washed more often than younger dogs.
The local temperature and climate may also influence how often you need to bathe your Samoyed in order to prevent odor from developing. In between baths, Samoyeds should have their coats brushed or combed at least weekly, with many experts recommending daily brushing in order to best care for their thick coats and prevent mats and tangles.
3. Wet Smell
Sometimes Samoyeds may develop an odor if they are not dried properly after bathing or playing in the water. This is because of their thick double coat and we discuss this issue in more detail in the section below.
4. Smell Caused By Sickness
If none of the other reasons listed here explain why your Samoyed has started to smell, then you should consult a vet. There are a number of medical or dental issues which can cause bad smells (farting is not one of them) in dogs and you should seek quick professional diagnosis and treatment in order to restore your dog to good health.
Why Does My Samoyed Stink After a Bath?
When Samoyeds are bathed, their thick double-layer coats can retain a great deal of moisture and they can take an extended period to dry out fully. The damp inner fur may provide an ideal environment for certain smell-producing bacteria to grow.
If your dog develops a damp, musty smell after a bath, bathe them again and this time go through a thorough drying routine. This might include toweling, a hairdryer on a low setting, and the use of a good dog brush.
Spend extra time drying any area of your dog’s body that has a high density of hair and think about the inner coat as much as the outer coat.
Bathing a Samoyed properly is definitely a time-consuming experience. In some climates, dogs will dry quicker than in others, and sometimes drying out a Samoyed thoroughly might take a whole day. However, frequent bathing is not required and a few baths each year should be enough to keep your dog healthy and clean.
How to Prevent Samoyeds Stinking?
With good care and proper grooming, it shouldn’t be hard to prevent Samoyeds from stinking.
Preventing dirtiness
Samoyeds are active, playful dogs. If you want to keep them smelling good, then keep them away from environments that stink and could contaminate your dog’s coat. You may want to keep them on the lead when walking through particularly smelly areas.
Preventing neglect
Samoyeds should be bathed regularly but not too frequently (which could increase shedding) and brushed on a daily or weekly basis. If their coats are becoming matted, tangled, or dirty then they’re not getting the level of grooming and care which they require and you should seek support in caring for them.
Preventing damp smell after bathing
Use shampoos or washing products that are specifically designed for dogs. Thorough drying of Samoyeds after a bath is essential to prevent musty odors from bacteria which can thrive in damp inner fur.
Sickness
To keep your Samoyed healthy, make sure that they have a balanced diet, plenty of exercise and socialization, and all necessary immunizations for your region. For good-smelling breath, brush your Samoyed’s teeth 1-2 times each week. Your vet should be able to provide professional advice on any of these areas where you need more guidance.
If your dog becomes sick or develops an unexplained odor, consult your vet to diagnose any underlying medical conditions which might cause smells. Digestive and dental health issues can both result in unpleasant odors but may be resolved with appropriate treatment.
Do Samoyeds get dirty easily?
There are several aspects to this question. On the one hand, Samoyeds are extremely active and likely to be jumping, rolling, and playing around in any environment they encounter. This means that it’s easier for their coats to become contaminated with dirt or bad-smelling substances compared with less active or playful dog breeds.
On the other hand, their double-layer coats can be cleaned up remarkably well with simple rinsing and brushing. Even a completely mud-soaked Samoyed might appear to be completely clean again after being rinsed and/or brushed down once they’re dry. Some owners even use only a forced-air driver to blow away dried mud, dirt, and dust from their Samoyed.
The weather is also an important factor in how easily Samoyeds might get dirty. During a snowy winter, your dog might require less cleaning because rolling in snow will automatically clean away dirt and debris from their coat.
In summary…
So, do Samoyeds smell? The answer should be no unless there is a problem.
The low dander level of the Samoyed breed causes them to have very little “doggy” smell and also makes them highly suitable for hypoallergenic homes. Their unique double-layer coat can help keep them clean, but may also cause damp smells if not properly dried. Health and dental fitness are also relevant considerations when trying to identify a bad smell in a Samoyed dog. Consult your vet with any concerns.
A fit, healthy, well-cared-for Samoyed should not have a noticeable odor (farting does not count).