Samoyed Characteristics
Life expectancy: 12 – 14 years
Adult weight: 45 – 70 lbs.
Adult height: 20 – 22 in.
Origin – Russia
One of the most beautiful dog breeds in the world, the white-magnificent-looking Samoyed is a medium-sized dog breed that will make you fall in love at the very first sight. These dogs got their name from the Samoyedic tribe of Siberia and were originally used for herding, hunting, protection, and sled-pulling. Their thick-double coat and their origins in Russia allow them to tolerate extremely cold temperatures, and they have even assisted humans in Arctic and Antarctic expeditions.
This breed comes only in a beautiful white color and has a lion-like mane which gives it a unique appearance. The Samoyed’s tail is another unique feature that curls over and touches their backs. Their thick-double coat is hypoallergenic in nature but does tend to shed a lot. A fun fact: The shed fur is sometimes used as an alternative to wool in knitting.
Temperament-wise, this breed is as welcoming as they look. They’re so friendly looking that they have the nickname ‘Smiley dogs’. You will usually find them happy with a big smile that adds to their beauty. Believe it or not, this smile has a purpose. The upturned corners of their mouths help prevent Sammies from drooling and forming icicles on their faces! However, don’t take the Samoyed’s amicable nature as being unaware of their surroundings. These dogs can be quite vocal when they want to be. Overall, a Samoyed can make a perfect dog for families, especially with kids.
What is the price of a Samoyed?
For a breed that occupies a place in almost all beautiful dog breed lists, it makes sense that Somoyed’s costs more over their lifetime than the average dog breed. The cost can be affected by some factors, like the breeder’s reputation, the dog’s age, gender, and coat color. We will break down the price by categorizing it by initial buying/adoption costs, vaccinations, diets, healthcare, and grooming.
According to Rover and the OVMA, here are the average costs of puppy ownership in Canada.
Buying: $1200 – $2200
If you decide to purchase a Samoyed from a breeder, the cost can range between $1200-$2200. Some purebred Samoyed puppies can cost around $3000-$3500 to buy. However, you’ll find that the Samoyed price averages around $1800. If you want a Samoyed dog as a family companion, you’ll likely pay less than the show-dog premium.
A Samoyed puppy cost can cost around $100-$300 if you opt to adopt one from a rescue shelter. There are several shelters that can help you find a Samoyed to adopt at a reasonable price. The adoption fee you pay typically covers the cost of care the pup receives at the shelter before adoption. Adopting an adult dog can sometimes cost less than puppies. By adopting, you can also feel good knowing you gave a puppy a new home.
Monthly costs for a Samoyed puppy
Diets: $60-$85
Samoyed is not very large dogs and won’t require as much food as a bigger breed would. On average, a Samoyed needs about 12-13 lbs of food per month as a pup and around 18-20 lbs of food as an adult. This could cost you around $60-$85, depending on the dog’s age.
Grooming: $60-$90
It would be unfair to their magnificent coats if proper, regular grooming is not provided to these dogs. Their coats are water resistant in nature but need to be brushed daily to help clean off the dirt and loose hairs. These dogs shed a lot, especially during shedding season. If you plan to groom your dog at home, supplies like brushes, nail clippers, shampoo, and a dental cleaning kit could cost around $60-$90. If you opt to go to a professional groomer, Samoyed’s would need about 6-8 grooming sessions, with each of them costing around $80-$100.
Medical Costs: $700-$1200
During the first years, it is recommended you take your pet to the vet about 3-4 times annually. Vet fees can range from $100 to $300 and could include things like annual wellness exams and blood tests, among other recommended preventive care treatments. Other examinations and tests could cost you another $300-$400.
One-time costs for a Samoyed
Initial Costs: $400-$500
To help welcome this beautiful dog home, you’ll need an initial setup for their immediate needs. These items can include a bed, crate, collars, leashes, poop bags and scooper, food and water bowls, training pads, toys, and chewies. These could cost you around $400-$500.
Microchipping: $50-$70
The cost can vary depending on the location of the vet or clinic, but the average cost is around $50. Along with a dog license, it could cost an additional 10-20 bucks.
Vaccinations: $280-$300
There are certain core vaccinations that a Samoyed would need. These include distemper, parvovirus, Adenovirus, type 1, Adenovirus, type 2, and rabies. All of these could cost you around $150-$200.
There are certain non-core vaccinations as well that are recommended by most vets for a Samoyed. These include parainfluenza, Lyme disease, and leptospirosis. The cost of these vaccines can be around $130-$150.
Miscellaneous $200-$250
There could be times when you may need a dog sitter or walker over the course of your dog’s life. Other times, you may want to take your dog traveling with you. It’s better to keep a small amount of money aside for these miscellaneous expenses. Annually, these expenses could be around $200-$250.
Lifetime Samoyed Cost
Taking into consideration the buying or adoption costs and adding the initial costs, one-time costs, and monthly costs over the average lifespan of these dogs, we can estimate that the Samoyed dog would cost around $23,000-$25,000 in its lifetime. This estimated cost does not include the cost of medical emergencies, should they happen to your pet.
Conclusion
The Samoyed’s mesmerizing white beauty, all the way from Russia, is going to be the center of attention everywhere you go (even if you’re wearing your best). They are not just beautiful but deeply caring and affectionate with a calm and gentle composure. The lifetime costs of owning one will feel worth it by seeing their happy smile every day! So go ahead and get this white beauty home!
Creative manager by day, pet enthusiast all the time! After 19 years with my dog (hopefully he wins the award for oldest pet in the world), I enjoy spending my days brainstorming tail-wagging content, and sniffing out the latest trends in the pet world.
“How Much Does it Cost to be a Dog Parent?” Rover, https://www.rover.com/ca/blog/cost-of-dog-parenthood, n.d.
“Annual Cost of Owning a Puppy,” OVMA, https://www.ovma.org/assets/1/6/CostOfCare%20PuppyDog%202022.pdf, n.d.