Anyone who types Samoyed cost into a search engine is probably thinking about getting one and wants to know how much they’re going to pay. It’s a fair question, as buying a dog can be an expensive process.
But before we launch into Samoyed cost, let’s get a handle on this amazing dog.
With a history stretching back something like 5,000 years, the Samoyed breed has been around for a pretty long time. Genetically, they are very close to their wolf ancestors, inheriting their strength and intelligence, as well as a similarity in shape.
Their name is taken from the semi-nomadic Samoyedic tribes of Siberia, who bred Samoyeds as working dogs. They were put to use pulling sleds, herding, and hunting, all of which they excelled at. This took place in some of the coldest regions on the planet, where temperatures often reach -60 degrees celsius!
These extreme temperatures resulted in the Samoyed’s thick white coat, ideal for keeping the dog warm in the worst of the Siberian conditions. The tribes would also keep the dogs in their tents with them at night, and so, over the centuries, a close bond was forged between these dogs and their human companions.
This history of cooperation and close companionship has created one of the friendliest dogs around! They are affectionate, playful, smart, though at times they can be mischievous and stubborn. They’ve even earned the nickname Smiling Sammy (sometimes spelled Sammie) because of their permanently happy expression!
There’s a practical reason for this ‘smile’ though: the upturned corners of their mouths reduce the chance of drooling, which can in turn freeze or turn into icicles and damage the dog’s skin.
This doesn’t take away from the fact that they are super-friendly pooches. Their smile just reinforces this trait.
Samoyeds are one of the spitz dog breeds, meaning that they have pointed ears and muzzles, long, thick fur (often white), and a thick tail that usually curls over the back. Other spitz breeds include the Siberian Husky and Malamute.
With all this going for them, it’s a bit of a mystery as to why they only sit at number 59 of 200 in the American Kennel Club’s list of most popular dogs. Okay, that’s not too bad a position, and it could be a lot worse. But you’d think that they would be up in the top ten somewhere, wouldn’t you?
Be that as it may, they are still widely sought after, so we’re taking a moment to examine the cost of buying and looking after one of these beautiful dogs.
As well as looking at the initial Samoyed cost, we’ll be exploring other aspects, including care and ownership, to give you a good idea of how much this is going to cost.
How Much Does A Samoyed Cost?
The average price of a Samoyed in the USA is between $600 and $1,500, though it’s likely that the Covid-19 pandemic has pushed prices up in some areas as demand has soared.
The price range will vary depending on where you are as well as local demand for these dogs. A Samoyed breeder in the north of the USA will probably charge more than those situated in the southern states. This is because there is a greater concentration of dog breeders in the south, though they’re not necessarily all professional or reputable breeders, so beware!
An established breeder with a good reputation will charge upwards of $3,000 for a high-quality, AKC registered dog. We need to be careful with the term high-quality dog, as it implies that other pooches aren’t as valuable. A purebred pedigree dog from an excellent bloodline may look great and be in excellent health, but this doesn’t mean that other dogs don’t deserve a loving home and the chance to thrive.
So, right from the start, we can see that the Samoyed cost is going to be pretty high.
Are Samoyeds Expensive?
The answer to this question has two parts: the cost of buying the dog and the cost of looking after it for the rest of its life.
Are they expensive to buy? Well, we’ve seen that they can be, as it depends on where you get it from. It also depends on the bloodline, the reputation of the breeder, and whether there is a lot of demand. If you can buy your Sammy for less than $1,000, then you’ve got a bargain. Yes, that’s still a pretty big sum of cash. But you’ve got yourself a purebred Samoyed dog for less than a thousand dollars, which is unusual.
However, as we mentioned above, if your breeder has a great reputation and you choose a dog with a championship bloodline, and the demand is high in your local area, then you’re looking at $3,000 or more. Many folks would agree that this is a lot of money! It all depends on your personal financial status and what you’re prepared to pay out for a dog.
Cost Of A Samoyed Puppy
Let’s be honest here: the true cost is going to be far more than the actual puppy price!
Before you bring your puppy home, you must be fully prepared for its arrival, and this will involve a pretty sizable financial investment. The following list gives you an idea of what you’ll need, along with an approximate price range.
• Water and food bowls (stainless steel non-slip ones are best) – $5 to $45
• Dog bed – $50 to $200 (or more!)
• Dog crate – $40 to $120
• Bedding – $20 to $50
• Chew toys (don’t use sticks, squash balls, golf balls, or even tennis balls. These present choking and splinter hazards) – $25 to $120
• Dog food and treats – $200 to $750
• Grooming equipment (a selection of brushes and some toenail clippers) – $10 to $45
• Collar (It’s best to buy at least two) – $10 to $50
• Leash – $10 to $30
• ID tag (in case they get lost – you never know!) – $10 to $25
• Car harness – $15 to $45
• Child gates (or stair gates) – $35 to $65
• Poop scoop and bags (for responsible dog owners) – $15 to $65
• Dog toothpaste and toothbrush – $5 to $15
• Dog shampoo – $5 to $25
This gives you a few ideas as to what you need to get before you welcome your pup home!
On top of this, you will need to be prepared for medical costs.
Your first trip to the vet will cost between $50 and $300 or thereabouts. This includes things like preventative treatments, microchipping, and vaccinations. Hopefully, your pup will be super-healthy, but even so, you may need to make a few trips to the vet for checkups within the first 6 months. Each trip will incur vet fees, plus the cost of any medication or treatment.
Before you start to despair, remember that a lot of these are initial costs, and much of the equipment will last for a good long time. Generally, after the first year, the cost of owning a dog decreases quite a lot.
Our Samoyed cost guide indicates that you might expect to pay between $200 and $800 for the first year just for supplies, on top of the puppy cost. Subsequent years will cost between $80 and $350.
When you add everything in, the first-year costs might add up to an eye-watering $5,500, though much will depend on exactly what you need, which brands you go for, and the actual price of your pup.
Don’t sweat too much, though, as this will fall to a more manageable figure of around $2,000. This works out at less than $200 per month.
How Much Does It Cost To Adopt A Samoyed?
If you want to significantly reduce your Samoyed cost, then why not consider adoption?
You can visit local rescue centers and shelters or simply visit websites such as National Samoyed Rescue, where you can find a list of dedicated Samoyed rescue centers local to you.
Compared with buying from a breeder, the initial costs are low: adoption fees are usually between £200 and $500, which is a bargain in itself. In addition, your dog will most probably be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, etc. It’s only fair to expect that some of that fee will be used to help other dogs in the program.
Adopting a dog isn’t just a good way of cutting costs. It also gives dogs a second chance. Many Samoyed rescue centers strive to pull dogs from crowded shelters, where some face the real threat of being euthanized at some point. Also, they try to rehome Sammies who have lost their owners through accidents, illness, or old age.
Some people are against the idea of adopting a dog because it won’t be a puppy. Adult dogs can be just as rewarding, and most of these will have been placed in foster homes while waiting to be adopted. This makes the transition into your home a much smoother process.
Are Samoyeds Hypoallergenic?
It might seem an odd question to include in an article about Samoyed cost, but bear with us, and we’ll explain.
As for the answer, it depends on who you ask! However, we’re going to stick out our necks and say, yes, they are.
Let’s try to clear this up once and for all. First, what does hypoallergenic mean? Most people still misunderstand the term, believing that a hypoallergenic dog won’t provoke an allergic reaction. This is not the case.
All it means is that the dog is less likely to produce allergens that might cause an allergic reaction compared to other breeds.
People also mistakenly believe that it is the dog’s fur that they are allergic to. In fact, it is proteins in the dog’s dander (dry skin flakes) and saliva that they are allergic to. Any dog that doesn’t shed much or produce a lot of dander can be considered hypoallergenic.
Many dogs that cause allergic reactions actually suffer from them too. Dogs have different reactions to humans when they are exposed to allergens, either in their food or from environmental sources. Rather than sneezing, their skin becomes red and itchy, making them scratch. This creates more dander, which then provokes a reaction in some humans!
From this perspective, we can say that Samoyeds are hypoallergenic, even though they shed a fair amount. They are naturally clean dogs and don’t feel the need to lick themselves excessively (dried saliva on the hair that falls around your home is what causes the allergic reaction), and they don’t produce a lot of dander.
You’ll probably come across websites that shout, ‘Samoyeds aren’t hypoallergenic!’
But now you know that these are written by people who have misunderstood the meaning.
As for the connection with Samoyed cost, many people specifically want a hypoallergenic dog. This is important to them if they or someone in their home has mild allergies. In this case, the cost of a Samoyed is relevant as they need to compare this with other breeds and decide which to go for.
Are Samoyeds High Maintenance?
Photo from: @scott_samoyede_
In a word, yes!
This is mainly because of their thick coat, which needs brushing daily if possible.
A quick word about that coat – although usually described as white, it can also be biscuit, cream, or white and biscuit. Few other breeds have such a limited range of colors, and the genetics behind this aren’t fully understood. People often ask if they can find a black Samoyed, but this is impossible. Anyone trying to sell you one is not to be trusted!
Now back to maintenance…
As we hinted earlier, you’re going to have to brush that bushy coat, ideally every day. These dogs are regarded as heavy-shedders (although, again, some people say otherwise!) who lose hair all year round. They’ll also lose their thick undercoat twice a year, and they can drop an astonishing amount of hair in your home during those times.
The best way to manage this is by brushing them regularly and thoroughly. You might want to invest in a good-quality vacuum cleaner just to pick up any hair that does stick to rugs and furniture.
Daily brushing is recommended, usually after their walk. This is more to remove any loose twigs and tangles than anything else. It just helps to keep the coat in good condition.
If you really can’t manage this, then a five-minute brush every other day should suffice, although, in shedding season, it is in your best interests to give them a good brush every day.
As for bathing, they can go for six weeks or more without needing one, but you should give them a brush beforehand. Bathing can be a challenge because of their size and their fluffy coat.
If you find it too much to take on by yourself, you can always use a groomer to do the job for you. In fact, it is a good idea to have them professionally groomed once in a while.
Samoyed Grooming Cost
The Samoyed is considered a medium-to-large dog with a thick double coat. Obviously, this will affect grooming costs if you use a professional groomer.
You should expect to pay between $50 to $130, with around five or six trips a year.
This means that you should budget for as much as $780 a year for grooming costs.
Before we go further, we should stress that the photos of beautiful Samoyeds with pristine white coats are usually taken at shows or just after the dog has been groomed. If you take one on, you must accept that it will often look different. A short walk in the rain or playtime in the yard, and that coat won’t always look so great. You can brush out the dead leaves and twigs, as well as the worst of the dirt, but that thick coat will pick up a lot of debris.
Grooming is a must for every Samoyed, but don’t expect them to always look ready for the show ring!
Samoyed Health Conditions
A sick dog can be a serious drain on your finances, as well as being emotionally challenging. Before taking on the responsibility of owning a dog, you need to be prepared for this. Pet insurance is always a good idea, as it can help minimize and manage unexpected medical costs.
Thankfully, the Samoyed breed is considered a relatively healthy one, with few severe health problems compared to other breeds.
The following list shows some of the more common health issues:
• Hip dysplasia – a condition caused by a malformed hip joint. This often requires surgery, which will cost around $3,000 for each hip. This will vary according to each individual veterinarian and can cost $4,500 or more in some cases.
• Progressive retinal atrophy – a condition that eventually leads to blindness. There is currently no cure or effective treatment for this, so cost is not really a factor. Managing the condition and preparing the dog for blindness is the only course of action, other than ensuring that any dog with PRA is not bred.
• Diabetes – Samoyeds are predisposed to diabetes, and those that have the condition may need insulin injections. Depending on the severity of the condition and the type of insulin needed, treatment will cost between $40 and $200 each month.
• Cancer – this is a difficult one to quantify in terms of Samoyed cost. As Samoyeds live longer, canine cancer is more likely to be a problem in old age. The usual treatment is to surgically remove the tumor, though some will require chemotherapy. Early detection is by far the best thing for all involved, not least the poor pooch! Treatment costs an average of $4,000, and most pet insurance policies will cover this. However, regular checkups at the vet are the best way to help your furry friend avoid the worst.
• Eye problems – aside from PRA, Sammies can also suffer from glaucoma, cataracts, and distichiasis (hairs inside the eyelid that rub against the cornea). The treatment for these costs $1,800 (for both eyes), $3,000–$4,000, and $2,000 respectively.
This gives you an idea of how much you might expect to pay for certain treatments and reinforces the importance of pet insurance.
It’s essential to keep these in mind when exploring the subject of Samoyed cost, as they can put you in serious financial difficulty if you are unprepared.
The Samoyed has a lifespan of between 12 and 15 years (no matter male or female) and will easily reach this with the right care. The downside of this – if it can even be considered a downside – is that the longer your furry friend lives, the more it will cost you.
Although it’s the last thing you want to think about, your dog will even cost you money at the end of its life. A terminally sick dog may need to be euthanized, and even if they have a peaceful, natural end, you might decide to have them cremated, which obviously carries a fee.
As unpleasant as these subjects are, they’re all part of being a responsible dog owner.
How Much Does Dog Food Cost?
Feeding your Samoyed is the single biggest regular expense. You’ll be doing this for the rest of its life, and you have to get it right!
The amount you feed your dog should relate to their age, weight, and activity level. This can be tricky to gauge, so you might want to consult your vet for advice. It’s especially important that your pup gets the right nutrients, as this will ensure that they grow and develop properly. Malnourished puppies can become stunted and will be prone to sickness when they mature.
A Samoyed puppy will consume an average of 150 lb of dry food in its first year. This will probably cost between $150 to $250. It can be tempting to go for cheaper brands to keep the cost down, but these will almost certainly be poor quality and will not contain all the necessary nutrients your pup needs. Many are packed with fillers, such as grains, which can cause bloating and other health problems.
An adult Samoyed will obviously eat more. Samoyeds aren’t exactly huge dogs, but they are pretty strong and very energetic. This requires a fair amount of food to keep them going. They will eat between 200 lb and 300 lb of dry food in a year, costing up to $400, depending on the brand. Additionally, you can add some human foods to their diet to save some money on dog food. Foods such as cilantro, basil, brussels sprouts, sauerkraut, and jicama are perfectly safe for our pups to munch upon.
As you can see, over the course of their life, this will add up to a significant amount of money.
How Much Is Pet Insurance?
As we’ve suggested, pet insurance can be a lifesaver when it comes to unexpected medical bills for your beloved pooch.
These policies can usually be broken into convenient, affordable monthly installments, so nobody should feel excluded and feel that this is out of their reach.
When you consider that a tooth extraction for your dog could cost as much as $3,000, this could seriously affect your financial security. Pet insurance starts from around $200 for an accident-only policy, but it is wise to opt for accident and illness coverage, which will be nearer to $600.
Some pet insurance providers offer full health coverage, which will probably be more expensive but could save you many thousands of dollars in the long term.
It’s best to get some quotes from a handful of providers before making your decision.
Do Samoyeds Make Good Pets?
You can’t take a close look at Samoyed cost without asking this question.
And the answer is, most definitely! They make amazing family dogs, and you can guarantee that all Samoyed owners will vouch for the fact that they are well worth the cost.
However, there are certain facts you should be aware of before rushing out to get one.
Willing To Share Your Home?
First, you have to be willing to share your home. While that might sound obvious, as all dogs share their homes with their owners, it’s even more so with the Samoyed.
As we saw right at the beginning of this article, these dogs have developed a special bond with humans over the centuries. They thrive on this, and sharing a living space makes them happy. These aren’t dogs that you can leave in the yard and expect to sleep in a kennel. They should never be tethered in the yard or banned from the house. Doing so will result in an unhappy, anxious, stressed, and potentially aggressive dog.
Samoyeds like nothing better than to be with you all the time. They’ll follow you, sleep by your feet, join in family games, and will be happiest sharing your bedroom at night. It’s not so much sharing your home as sharing your life. If this is not something you’re okay with, you might need to rethink your choice of dog!
Don’t Leave Them Home Alone
Also, although some sources suggest that it’s okay to leave Sammies alone for long stretches, this is never ideal. They were built for companionship and love your company. If your working life keeps you away from home a lot, then the Samoyed is a bad choice.
Obviously, there will be occasions where leaving them at home is unavoidable. In these cases, it’s advisable to use a pet sitting or dog walking service, as this will break up the day, and your dog won’t be alone the whole time. A 30-minute dog-walking session will cost around $25, double for 1 hour. For a pet sitter, you should expect to pay an average of $15 per hour.
If you want to cut costs, you can always ask a friend or family member for a nominal fee, or you could always bring them a gift from your trip!
The other alternative is a dog boarding service, which will cost as much as $85 per day.
Dog Training Is Essential
If you’re not serious about training, then this isn’t going to work. As part of the overall Samoyed cost, you will need to factor in professional training sessions. At the very least, you must commit to an 8-week course, with a short homework session every day.
These need to start when your Sammy is young, and it can’t be delegated to someone else. Samoyeds need a firm hand, and they need to know that you are in charge. The cost of professional training classes can be as much as $1,000 or more, but it is entirely worth it if you want the dog to be well behaved when they are mature.
Without proper training and socialization, your dog will make its own rules. The good news is that your Sammy pup will be eager to please you and keen to learn. They’ll retain any commands you teach them, as long as you take the time to enforce them regularly.
You need to be assertive and consistent with your Sammy. Enforce the rules and be clear with your commands. They will soon learn to respect your wishes. Remember, these are powerful dogs who will pull you along if you let them. Going for a walk will be a better experience for you if you are in control! They might also take exception to a visitor if they don’t get proper socialization while they are young. In the end, your life will be easier if you invest in these things, and your dog will be happier and more relaxed.
Expect Dirt
Sammies have thick coats that can be long or short. Either way, they’ll pick up dirt wherever they go and track it into your home. If you’re particularly houseproud, this might be annoying, but it’s going to happen. It won’t necessarily cause extra expense, but you may need to pay for professional cleaning services for your rugs, carpets, or furniture from time to time.
You’ll need to vacuum your home more often to get rid of the hair (grooming helps minimize this), and when they lose their coat in spring and fall, you should be prepared for a massive amount of fur!
Is Barking A Problem?
Your dog is probably going to bark. It’s not like they’ll aggressively chase off an intruder, but they are very protective of their home and family. They make good watchdogs but are too friendly to fight off an attack.
Their attempts to save you will most likely stop at barking madly. Once they feel they’ve warned you, they’ll be happy that their work is done. But they will bark quite a lot. Training them to bark on cue is a good way to reduce this habit, but you won’t eliminate it, and you shouldn’t want to; barking is a dog’s natural way of communicating.
If you have no problem with any of this, then the Smiling Sammy might be the dog for you!
Picking A Good Samoyed Breeder
You can’t look at Samoyed cost without stressing the importance of picking a good breeder. Pet stores, backyard breeders, hobby breeders, puppy mills, puppy farms – these are all good examples of places you should avoid! They rarely care enough for the dogs to give them proper food, accommodation, or care. They generally ignore proper breeding protocol and ethics, and they are focused entirely on making a tidy profit.
Ethical, responsible, respected breeders are exactly the opposite. Here are a few hints to guide you in your quest to find a good breeder:
• They don’t release the puppies until they are at least 8 weeks old, possibly even waiting 12 weeks.
• They care about where their pups are going and will ask you questions to see if you are suitable (don’t be offended by this! It shows that they care).
• They are happy for you to visit and inspect the facility and will introduce you to the parent dogs so you can get an idea of what the pups will turn out like (and to prove that they are healthy).
• They’ll be eager to offer advice and guidance and discuss their breeding programs (often endlessly, because they love their work).
• They will have a health screening program in place and will perform DNA tests to reduce the risk of disease or health problems.
• They will even offer to take the dog back if there are any serious problems.
One last thing, a good breeder will even recommend that you adopt first, rather than buying from them! This immediately tells you that they are more interested in the welfare of the animals than in making a profit.
Even so, if and when you do find a breeder you are happy with, we need to remind ourselves of the main point of this article: Samoyed cost.
As we pointed out in the section about the price of Samoyeds, they can be expensive. Having explored them in detail, we can see why they command such premium prices. They are amazing dogs with great personalities. They are smart, friendly, playful, and loyal. They make great pets and enjoy a pretty good lifespan.
If you’re very lucky, you can grab yourself a Sammy for around $850, but be very wary of anyone selling them too cheaply! Although this might seem counterintuitive, it’s likely that the seller is not trustworthy or that the dog is a mixed breed rather than a purebred Samoyed.
Be prepared to pay at least $1,300 and to go as high as $2,000 for a healthy pup. If you have the cash, and you want a show-quality pedigree dog, then, by all means, spend $3,000 or more.
If you are interested in buying a purebred Samoyed, check our list of 8 reliable and trustworthy Samoyed breeders in Ontario!
In the end, the price you pay is largely immaterial. The real cost begins when you start your journey together from the moment you get them home.
A Few Final Thoughts Plus Money-Saving Tips
Although we’ve talked about Samoyeds, looking after any dog is a lifetime commitment, taking dedication and determination.
When we talk about Samoyed cost, we know that the main focus is money. However, we can’t exclude the emotional and physical costs involved in owning and caring for a dog.
For most dog lovers, the blood, sweat, and tears are all worth it. It’s all part of welcoming a precious pooch into our homes and sharing our lives with them.
Be that as it may, we ignore the financial costs at our peril. While we would never deny anyone the right to own a pet simply because they don’t have the money to do so, it isn’t a good idea to take on this responsibility without having the means to care for your dog properly. It isn’t fair to them, and it really won’t do you any favors if you bankrupt yourself in the process.
Adding it all up, there’s a good chance that a Samoyed will cost you the best part of $30,000 throughout its lifetime. You read that right: that’s thirty-thousand dollars.
Of course, this is a general figure based purely on speculative costs. But it does indicate just how much it can cost to look after one of our canine friends. And what if you have two or more?
There are ways to minimize costs, but these should never cut corners at the expense of the dog’s health and welfare. Take a look at these tips for some ideas on how to save money.
Money-Saving Tips For Dog Owners
• Adopt, don’t shop! Okay, so this one relates to the time before you become a dog owner. Use a Samoyed rescue, as we suggested above. You could save yourself a lot of money! Even $500 is better than paying two, three, or four times as much for your Samoyed puppy. Rescue dogs may also have the added bonus of being spayed/neutered, dewormed, and vaccinated, saving you the expense. You might also ask friends and family to ask their contacts to see if anyone perchance has a Samoyed puppy for sale. You never know!
• Do your homework on dog food. ‘Premium’ on the label doesn’t always mean that it’s good quality, and just because it’s expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good. Look at reviews, check ingredients, and seek impartial advice. All too often, veterinarians will recommend a brand because they are being paid to do so. When you find the best one for your dog, buy in bulk if possible and ask if there are any incentives. Some suppliers and stores will offer a discount if you’re a regular customer.
• DIY dog toys. Obviously, these need to be safe, but you can quite easily make some excellent toys at home. An old length of rope, unused belts, worn-out socks, forgotten stuffed toys filled with discarded shirts, plastic drink bottles – all of these can be transformed into safe, fun toys for your dog.
• ‘Virtual’ training. You need to be careful with this one! As we stressed, training is essential for Sammies. But we understand that professional trainers can be expensive. If you feel confident and competent enough, find books on dog training (recent ones, ideally, as some older methods of dog training are nothing short of animal cruelty), or seek out dog training websites and YouTube videos. Some of these will be free, others might charge a fee, but this will be far less than actual training classes (up to $40 per month rather than $50 per hour). Be sure to seek the help of a professional if this doesn’t seem to be working out for you.
• Groom your dog yourself. It’s an obvious one but has to be mentioned. Most professional groomers do a wonderful job, but costs can really add up. If you can put the time aside and make the effort to do the job yourself, you’ll save a whole bunch of cash.
• Use what you’ve got and get crafty. Old cushions and crib mattresses will serve as dog beds. Look around your home and see if there are items that you can turn into things that your dog can use! If you feel brave enough and have the skills, make dog blankets or bedding, or even dog furniture!
• Shop online. Use Amazon, eBay, or other online stores to check out reviews before buying. You’ll often find exactly what they sell in the store down the road, but for dollars less.
• Make your own insurance. We should stress that insurance is a good idea, but it can sometimes seem like you’re paying out a lot of money for nothing. However, you might want to open a high-interest savings account instead of (or as well as) taking out insurance. The downside of this is that you need to build up enough money in case it’s needed, so you’d better hope your dog doesn’t get sick before then!
To end this piece on Samoyed cost, we’ll simply say, dogs are pretty expensive to keep, and you need to be fully prepared for this. But then, we know this, and it doesn’t deter us. After all, what’s life without a dog?
Read Next: 5 Samoyed Breeders In The UK: Best Sammies Of The Kingdom
