Before we get into the merits of Samoyeds as your possible Urban Dog, there’s something I need to confess right off the bat.

For years I have been saying “Sam-Oh-Yed.”

While talking to breeder Tina Leininger of Whytewynd Samoyeds, I learned it’s pronounced “Sammy-Ed.”

Like two boys’ names strung together.

Repeat after me: “Sammy-Ed.”

The Sammy Smile

There are a few things that strike you immediately when you see a Samoyed: the “Sammy Smile,” their amazing coats, those coal-black eyes, and their size.

The adorable smile — a part of the Samoyed “expression” (ie: showing alertness) — is actually written into the American Kennel Club standard for the breed.

Their coats require a lot of attention! We’ll get into the coats in a bit.

Samoyeds’ size reflects what they were bred for. They are medium-sized, multi-purpose, working dogs (it’s their coats that make them look bigger!) Thousands of years ago, the Samoyede people of Siberia used these dogs as household companions, herders, guardians, hunting dogs, and sled dogs. They did it all! They were brought to the West in the late 19th century to work as sled dogs on Arctic and Antarctic expeditions. According to the Samoyed Club of America: “Most of the Samoyed strains in England and the United States are descended from the veteran expedition sledge dogs.” Keep that in mind when you consider one as an Urban Dog. Sammies are smart, active dogs who will require exercise and engagement. You can read more about the history of the Samoyed here and here.

According to the AKC they are the 53rd most popular breed in the United States.

They are not super common in New York City. The NYC Department of Licensing says 821 Samoyeds have been registered with the city over the years. For comparison, there have been more than 40,000 Yorkshire Terriers licensed with the city over the same time period (Yorkies, after mixed breed, are the most common type of dog registered in New York.)

Are Samoyeds Good City Dogs?

University of California-Davis researchers Benjamin and Lynette Hart devised a system of ranking breeds along a line of thirteen different attributes. A score of one means that the dog in question was unlikely to exhibit a particular trait; a ten means that the dog had a high probability of demonstrating that quality.

According to the Harts, Samoyeds score relatively low when it comes to “Reactivity.” Reactivity refers to a group of behaviors that include excitability, general activity, snapping at children, excessive barking, and demanding affection. Their scores in these areas range from three to six on the Harts’ scale.

Because of their relatively low scores in these areas, the Harts believe Samoyeds “… might tolerate even a small apartment for at least part of the day.”

The websites Vet Street and Dog Time, which both use a scale of one-to-five stars, give Sammies a three and a two, respectively, when it comes to being good apartment dogs. With one being “unlikely” and five being “likely,” that puts them pretty much in the middle.

Do Samoyeds Bark a Lot?

In terms of barking at inappropriate times, Samoyeds get a six rating according to the Harts. That means they’re in the middle of the pack when it comes to nuisance barking. The Harts also score them a little above average when it comes to watchdog barking.

Vet Street says they tend to bark a fair amount; Dog Time says they are about average when it comes to barking or howling.

Whytewynd’s Tina Leininger says in addition to barking, Sammies will sometimes sing, especially if another howling dog, like a Husky starts the chorus. Your mileage may vary when it comes to howling. Personally, I think it’s pretty cute when our Weimaraner howls along with firetrucks or ambulances when they race by. My spouse? Not so much.

Are Samoyeds Easily Trained?

Training for city dogs is super important. You want your pooch to obey you when you tell them to behave in your building's public areas.

Samoyeds come in at thirty-three — above-average — among the brightest dogs when it comes to understanding new commands. They obey first commands about 70% of the time according to Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia who studies dog behavior. That means it takes fifteen to twenty-five repetitions for them to learn new commands.

The Harts’ ranking system shows that Samoyeds come in a bit on the low side when it comes to training ease. They get a four-out-of-ten for obedience training; a three-out-of-ten for house-training.

Both Dog Time and Vet Street say they are average when it comes to trainability.

Tina says Sammies are very trainable. What they need is a responsible owner that includes obedience training by experienced trainers. Samoyeds do not do well with a firm hand as they want to please their owners and love to learn. They also do learn quickly, are very food motivated in training, and react nicely to hand signals for commands. She told me that as a condition of selling to any city dwellers, she requires them to have a reputable trainer lined up for their new pup.

How are Samoyeds with Strangers, Children, and other Animals?

They’re pretty gentle and calm. Apparently the Samoyede kept Sammies indoors for warmth so they bonded closely with their families. That means they’re usually good with kids. The Harts do give them a rank of five when it comes to snapping at children. That seems a bit high and at odds with other descriptions of the breed I’ve seen.

Dog Time says: “They are not typically aggressive, but they can be wary of strangers.” Vet Street ranks them average when it comes to interactions with strangers.

Do Samoyeds Require a lot of Exercise?

Remember what we said above? Sled Dogs. Hunting Dogs. Herding Dogs.

So, yes, they need a lot of exercise.

Urban Dog has said this over and over: if you want a big, active dog, be prepared to keep it engaged and exercised. A bored dog can end up being a destructive dog. You don’t want to come home to find your dog ate your couch (let alone your homework!)

Taking Care of Your Samoyed

Tina and I had a long conversation about the Samoyed coat. As you can probably guess, that thick, luxurious, fluffy, white coat provided Sammies with protection against the harsh weather of Siberia. They have a profuse double coat, with a longer outer coat of tougher hair and a soft, thick, wooly undercoat. They shed quite a bit, which increases during shedding season. That can happen twice a year. They should be brushed daily to remove dirt, loose hair, and to keep the dog looking its best. Tina stressed to me that Samoyeds should not get haircuts! Even if you live in an area with an especially warm climate. She told me the ends of a Sammy’s hair have special silver tips that help reflect light, acting as a natural mechanism to keep the dog cool in warm weather. If you cut the tips off, your Sammy runs the risk of overheating. Tina said let your dog’s environment dictate the development of your Samoyed’s coat. If you live in, say, Florida, your Sammy will acclimate to the warmer weather without any special help from you. As with a trainer, Tina requires prospective owners to have a professional groomer engaged as a condition of ownership.

For possible health issues that Samoyeds face, check out the Samoyed Club of America website.

The Bottom Line

Urban Dog says Samoyeds can certainly be a good apartment dog, along with the usual caveat that we offer with any energetic, larger breed dog: you need to be prepared to keep your Sammy active and engaged. If you can do that, you’ll have a great experience with these beautiful, loyal dogs.

For tips on how to find a pet-friendly apartment in New York and other cities read Urban Dog's guide.

If you are serious about getting a Samoyed, consult with the Samoyed Club of America. Their website has a comprehensive guide to choosing a dog and a reputable breeder.

Are Samoyeds Good Apartment Dogs?