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.
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 in the US 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-$65
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-$65, 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.
Like all breeds, Samoyed are at risk for developing health conditions over its lifetime. Some conditions this breed may experience include- Joint abnormalities, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), and Hypothyroidism. Treatment costs could be –
Joint Conditions - $1000-$3000
PRA - $500-$800
Hypothyroidism - $400-$600
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
90% of the lost pets in the U.S. are not found. This is where microchipping can help. 70-80% of microchipped pets find their way back home. The cost can vary from state to state, 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.
How can Spot Pet Insurance help?
Spot accident & illness pet insurance plans offer a wide variety of coverages, from microchip implantation to surgeries and prescription food and supplements prescribed to treat your pet’s unexpected accidents and illnesses. (Prescription food and supplements used for general health or weight maintenance are not covered). For an extra cost, Spot dog insurance plans offer preventive care coverage add-ons to help cover the costs of certain routine vaccinations, annual wellness exams, and other preventive care treatments. You can view the add-on preventive care coverage options. Get in touch with us to know more!
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! And anyways, Spot plans can cover up to 90% of your eligible vet bills for covered conditions. So go ahead and get this white beauty home!
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