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Samoyed Colors – Complete Guide

Samoyed Colors – Complete Guide

When we think of the Samoyed dog breed, pictures of big adorable fuzzy friends with a shiny white coat automatically come to mind. After all, this is one of their primary defining characteristics in addition to their lovely Sammy smile, of course. There’s no doubt that the Samoyed is a beautiful dog. We can all agree that these dogs have lush, double coats, with males generally having longer, harsher coats than their female counterparts. But one mistake that most people make is thinking that all Samoyeds are white. Well, that’s not the case. And today I’ll be addressing what color variations their coat can have, so you can learn more about this breed and make the right decision about adding them to your household.

What are the Samoyed colors? This breed is known for its stunning white coat that glistens with a shine of silver. But while this is their basic color, there are actually other shades that the Samoyed exists in. This includes biscuit, cream, and white biscuit. Some breeders claim to have black Samoyeds, but the American Kennel Club does not accept that color, and I’ll explain later why.

Several things go into choosing the right dog. The Samoyed is one of the most sought-after dog breeds by dog lovers and with good reasons. They are kind, loving, loyal, and intelligent, making them the perfect life companions. They can also adapt to any living situation, including in downright frigid climates, hot temperatures (although you should watch out for overheating), and even apartment living. The corners of its mouth are upturned, giving it its unique, irresistible smile. In addition to their great personality and temperament, the Samoyed is among the most beautiful dog breeds out. In this article, I will take you through the widely accepted Samoyed colors as well as the rare options, so keep reading.

Samoyed Colors

The Samoyed is generally thought to be a white dog, but not all are white. According to the AKC and other kennel clubs across the globe, they can also be biscuit, cream, or white biscuit. While some breeders will claim to have these dogs in other colors, any different color apart from these four will cause a Samoyed to be disqualified in dog shows. Early in the history of this breed, other colors like black and black and white splotched were spotted. These dogs were even allowed in dog shows, but as time went by, the breed standard solidified into what we know today, disqualifying even Samoyeds with floppy ears.

Why Are Samoyeds Light In Color?

Unlike other coat colors, the genetics of white and cream dogs has puzzled dog owners since time immemorial. But the Samoyeds colors are not accidental. Originally from one of the coldest places on Earth, these dogs had to be white to blend with their snowy surroundings, making them more effective hunters and watchdogs.

There aren’t many color options for the Samoyed like the Chihuahua, Whippet, and several other breeds. But who wants another color if their four coat colors are already stunning? The only caveat about the Samoyed’s coat colors is they are unpredictable. These dogs tend to go through several bodily changes as they get older, and this involves having their coats change color. There have been cases when a biscuit puppy completely turns white or white biscuit upon maturity. I cannot assure you that your puppy will remain the same color when they grow up, and any breeder who suggests otherwise is lying to you. Most Samoyeds at rescue organizations are already grown, meaning their true color has already formed. So, consider adopting an adult Samoyed instead of going for a puppy that you’re not sure what color it will become.

If you’re an owner with a specific taste for your pet’s coat color, perhaps this breed is not the best choice for you because you might be disappointed later on. If you’re a true fan of this breed, their coat color shouldn’t really matter as it doesn’t affect their personality, behavior, and health.

Another controversial issue with Samoyeds is some people mistake them as problematic. That’s because they think these dogs are albinos when, in reality, the Samoyed’s genetic make-up is way different from that of albino dogs. In fact, there hasn’t been any documented impact of the light colors on the dog’s health and behavior.

Now that you have a general idea of what Samoyed colors are, let’s take an in-depth look at each one of them.

White Samoyed

This is the most common and well-known coat color of the Samoyed. This variety is pure white from the muzzle to the tail, with a black nose, lips, and eyelids that contrast sharply against the white coat. Although this dog is generally all white, don’t hold your horses just yet because some mature into a cream or biscuit-colored coat. Unfortunately, no one can be sure if a Sammy that is born white will retain that color forever.

White dogs have something about them that makes them compelling irresistible, but they can also be high-maintenance. While the white Samoyed is natural, you need to do a couple of things to maintain that beautiful color. For starters, avoid prolonged exposure to intense sunlight as it can burn their coat. Ensure your Sammy has access to shade, especially during the hot summer months. Whitening shampoo and baking soda can help maintain the Samoyed colors white by brightening any stains in the coat. Be sure to use a gentle shampoo that isn’t harsh on the dog’s coat and skin.

These dogs are prone to tear stains, so consider buying a high-quality tear stain remover to help get rid of any marks or spots around their eyes. While you’re at it, ensure you keep the areas around their eyes dry since dampness encourages the stains.

Last, but not least, provide a high-quality, balanced diet that includes all the needed nutrients. This will encourage the growth of a healthy coat that is also stain-resistant.

Cream Samoyed

These Samoyeds look just like you’d expect, with a soft tan or beige coloration that is consistent across their entire coat. The color should be gentle tinting to the pure white Samoyed and not so deep as to appear golden or red. With Samoyed colors cream, you get a coat that is lowly saturated and appears light yellow. This warm hue is too rich to be grouped with the white pups and too subtle to be considered a brown dog.

Even with this explanation, many people still find it difficult to differentiate pure white Samoyeds from the cream ones. A good guide to follow is the latter has a bit more color and is a slightly deeper shade of the former.

If you’re looking for a shiny, cream coat, you’re in luck because they are also common. But like any other light-colored coat, be prepared to do a bit more grooming and care to maintain the Samoyed colors cream.

Biscuit Samoyed

The biscuit coat color describes a combination of yellow and brown with medium saturation and brilliance. The Samoyed biscuit color is the most difficult to achieve of all this breed’s colors, making it rare. In fact, some puppies born with this color lighten up as they age and eventually turn into pure whites. And having two biscuit parents doesn’t guarantee litters of this color. If you prefer this color, I recommend searching for lines that have produced biscuit puppies consistently. Alternatively, you can choose the darkest pup from the litter as this increases their chances of remaining this color upon maturity.

Though it’s slightly darker than white or cream Samoyeds, this dog will still require regular grooming and care to maintain its brightly colored coat.

White & Biscuit Samoyed

The Samoyed colors white biscuit is mostly white with biscuit-colored accents on the ears and body. Just like the biscuit Samoyed, you can’t be sure a puppy in this color will remain that way upon maturity because the biscuit spots may lighten up as they age and turn them into pure whites.

Because this breed mostly has a white coat, those that are differently colored like the Samoyed colors white biscuit tend to cost more for being rare and a bit more difficult to find.

Black Samoyed

You’ve probably seen Samoyed colors black on the internet and are wondering if and where you can find one. They certainly would be easier to clean and maintain. An interesting fact about this breed is that they used to come in dark colors like black during their initial breeding. There have been known cases of black Sammies, although very rare. And even then, they had patches of white on their chest and were believed not to be pure Samoyeds.

Today, it’s impossible to come across Samoyed colors black, and if you find one available for sale, approach with caution. Many novice buyers have been fooled into buying a black Samoyed. And because they are marketed as rare, they come at a hefty price. These dogs are genetically set to be white or light-colored, and breeders aren’t miracle workers who can produce black litters out of white, cream, and biscuit dogs. If they do, it’s highly possible that are they are not purebreds, and the dog has acquired their black coat from another breed.

If you’re interested in having a black dog, perhaps you should consider breeds with a darker coat, such as:

  • The Belgian Sheepdog: This dog has the same temperament as the Samoyed. The only appropriate coat color according to this breed’s standards is black. But they can also have white markings on their chin and chest, between the pads of their feet, and on the tip of their toes.
  • The Eurasier: This medium-sized dog rivals the Samoyed in cuteness. Unlike the Samoyed, this breed comes in various colors, including black, fawn, and red.

Other options include the Pomeranian, Mutts, Swedish Lapphund, and the Black Eskimo dog. Remember that these are totally different breeds with different personalities, behaviors, temperaments, and physical characteristics. You will need to research thoroughly about each breed to ensure they are the right fit for you and you are the right owner for them too.

Brown Samoyed

Some Sammies come in a light to dark brown tint, but this is classified as the Samoyed biscuit color. Don’t be fooled into buying a brown Samoyed because they simply don’t exist. As mentioned earlier, this breed might have existed in darker shades during their initial breeding, but it’s impossible to find such dogs now. If you’re being sold a brown Samoyed, chances are it’s not purebred and was crossed with another breed to achieve that color.

Brown is a prevalent color for dogs; it’s no wonder many have an affinity for brown or chocolate-colored dogs. If you’re specifically looking for a brown dog, then the Samoyed is not for you. Perhaps you should consider breeds where this color occurs naturally, such as the Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dachshund, Labrador Retriever, Australian Shepherd, and the Great Dane, among others. Note that these are totally different breeds from the Samoyed. There’s more to choosing the right dog for you than just the coat color. So, learn as much as you can about your breed of choice to make sure their characteristics match your lifestyle.

Rare Samoyed Colors

Samoyed colors white is the most common, so many people think this dog only exists in that color. But as we’ve seen, you have three other options to choose from. The rarest color is the Samoyed biscuit color. As mentioned earlier, Samoyeds tend to change their coat color as they mature, meaning the color they were born with may not be how they look at maturity. One color that is commonly affected is the biscuit. You might think your puppy in this color only for them to turn all white or a have the Samoyed colors white biscuit in a matter of months. If you prefer this coat color, you should go for the puppy with the darkest shade in the litter. While this doesn’t guarantee a biscuit Samoyed, it increases your chances of owning one.

The biscuit Samoyed is difficult to find and the most expensive among the different varieties of the Samoyed. Of course, this will depend on the demand and supply in your area.

Watch out for breeders advertising other colors as rare for this breed. Samoyeds are only available in the four light colors we’ve gone through in this text. If you find one in another color, such as black or brown, chances are it is not purebred. That dog was crossed with another breed where that color occurs naturally, and that gene passed onto the puppy.