Ah, you’re going through the dog picking process – and you’ve come to two of the most handsome characters in the game.
Samoyed and American Eskimos really will catch people’s eyes walking down the street. They’re both absolutely gorgeous.
Before we get into this, let me introduce myself; I’m Katie. I’m a dog lover and a dog mother.
I own a black labrador and I think she is super beautiful. That being said, I can totally appreciate the beauty of the Samoyed and American Eskimo dogs.
I truly believe that adding a dog to your home will change your life for the better. You’re given a new best friend, and your life is enriched for the better.
So, which one should you choose out of Samoyed and American Eskimo, I’ll explore it with you.
What you should consider before getting a dog
Firstly, let’s make sure that you’re a suitable owner for any dog. There are tonnes of considerations and responsibilities that bringing a dog into the family need you to look at.
Some dogs need more attention, exercise, and food than other dogs. Some need more time to relax, and others need regular grooming. You have to look into which one best fits your lifestyle, house, and family.
Things to ask yourself are; How often will you be at home? How big is your space? What are the costs? What is your schedule like? Do you have young kids?
Below, I’ve put together a comprehensive guide on both dogs. I hope from this, you’ll be able to decide which one is right for you.
Samoyed vs American Eskimo: A brief overview
Just in case you’re in a rush, or need a little print-out, here is a brief overview of a Samoyed and American Eskimo.
| Factor | Samoyed | American Eskimo |
| Size | Large | Medium |
| Coat | Long with short undercoat | Long with short undercoat |
| Temperament | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Trainability | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Shedding | Yes | yes |
| Prone to obesity | No | No |
| Exercise requirement | Lots | Lots |
Overview of the Samoyed
Commonly known for their fluffy, white fur, the Samoyed is a striking dog. They were bred to herd and pull sleds in the cold weather, hence why they have such thick, fluffy coats.
Although working dogs, they are super affectionate dogs, that thrive when they’re around people.
They are large dogs, that have a lifespan of about 12-14 years. they have black, brown, and in rare cases, blue eyes.
Thought it has to be mentioned that this isn’t totally common – despite what social media might let you believe.
Samoyeds shed their fur heavily only about two times a year. They carry on shedding it in smaller amounts all year round.
Overview of the American Eskimo
The American Eskimo is another strikingly gorgeous dog, as well as being insanely smart. A combination of beauty and brains, how amazing.
The American Eskimo is a large dog, with a gorgeous set of white fluffy fur. They seem to sparkle, including having a giant big smile.
They’re super social animals, and if they aren’t trained or neglected, they can develop some behavioral problems.
However, when they are trained, they can become some of the best-trained, clever dogs to have. You just need to put the time in to train them.
Their lifespan is 13-15 years, and they need lots of exercises. They’re quick, curious, and need lots of mental stimulation.
Samoyed vs American Eskimo: The size difference?
Samoyeds are much larger in size, mainly because they were originally bred for pulling sleds. American Eskimo dogs are smaller, they have descended from hunting dogs.
Female Samoyed dogs stand at about 46-53cm tall, weighing at 17-25kg. Males stand at 51-60cm tall, and weight 23-30kg. Obviously, a larger dog and will need a larger space to call their home.
The American Eskimo is about 38-51cm tall, and 8.2-16kg in weight. This is a medium-sized dog, and is perfect for small families, and smaller spaces.
Though, they do need exercise to keep happy and well.
Samoyed vs American Eskimo: What are their temperament’s like?
For Samoyeds, aggression is extremely rare. They have a reputation for being playful and good-natured. Even in old age, they will keep this friendly disposition.
If you’re planning on getting a guard dog, a Samoyed probably isn’t the one for you. They are extremely trusting of everybody. So, that’s one thing to consider.
However, their amazing nature makes them perfect for families with young kids, and they can even live peacefully with other pets, including cats.
I have to mention, any dog with a hunting past should keep a close eye on them, especially with small animals. It’s in their nature.
When Samoyed’s aren’t trained right, they can be destructive. However, if you are assertive with them from a young age, and provide them with enough mental and physical stimulation, they will be completely fine.
Similarly, American Eskimos have great temperaments and personalities. They are smart, great communicators, and friendly.
If you’re looking for a guard dog, an American Eskimo is a much better choice. They’re super alert, and (very) vocal.
Don’t worry – they’re still great with children and other dogs, just make sure you introduce them properly and thoughtfully. They can be very wary of strangers, but this will change over time.
American Eskimos are very prone to separation anxiety, which means they can start barking and being destructive when left alone.
So, make sure that they can have great companionship. They probably aren’t the right dog for families that are out of the house a lot.
Samoyed vs American Eskimo: Do they have health conditions?
Both dogs have common illnesses and conditions, which you need to look out for.
I’m not saying this to worry you or make you not want either breed – it’s a caution. So, if they develop any symptoms, you can check them into a vet straight away.
Samoyeds are prone to:
Glaucoma
Hereditary ghlomerulopathy
Patellar luxation
Diabetes
Subvalvular aortic stenosis
Progressive retinal atrophy
American Eskimo are prone to:
Hip Dysplasia
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Juvenile cataracts
I will mention as well, make sure that you find a good breeder when buying a puppy. Getting health clearances for your puppy’s parents will help you have peace of mind.
Also, don’t forget, regular health check-ups are vital for any breed.
Samoyed vs American Eskimo: Their grooming needs
Well, they both look pretty similar, courtesy of their big white coats. Samoyeds have a long coarse, top coat, which protects the undercoat.
Their undercoat is made up of short, dense, soft fur which keeps the dog warm. You will have to comb their fur regularly and also bathe them quite often too.
Never wait more than 6 weeks to bathe and brush your Samoyed. Find a great technique, and that sparkling white coat will look gorgeous all the time.
Again, an American Eskimo also has a short dense undercoat and a long overcoat.
They also shed a lot, and require frequent brushing to prevent loads of fur falling around out around the house, this will also prevent matting.
An American Eskimo is super easy to keep clean. Their fur contains oil, which prevents all kinds of dirt sticking to it. So, a little brush will get all dirt right off.
They still need to be bathed every couple of months, because they will get dirty and smelly. Don’t bathe them too often, as it can cause skin problems.
Both of these breeds will need a nice little nail trim at least once a month. Overall, they’re not too difficult in terms of grooming. Plus brushing their beautiful white fur isn’t exactly a chore.
Samoyed vs American Eskimo: What are they like to train?
Both of these wonderful breeds are great to train, mainly because of their working backgrounds. They will follow commands, and easily be trained.
A Samoyed dog is very independent, and so, they do require a little more patience and persistence. The best way to get around this is by making training, as much as possible, a fun game, rather than a task.
American Eskimo’s are exactly the same in this sense – they are strong-willed and will need an assertive owner, who will take charge when teaching and leading him.
An American Eskimo will get anxious when you leave them, so stock up on the chew toys, or a big kennel. This will ensure that they stay out of trouble.
For both dogs, training should begin the moment they come home as a puppy. This way you can ensure that they won’t misbehave when they are older and bigger.
You see, most dogs will become mischievous and defiant when you don’t train them properly.
If you are struggling to train your Samoyed or American Eskimo we have created a great article which reviews Brain Training 4 Dogs an amazing programme that can teach your dog amazing tricks!
If you would like to see our review of this click here!
Samoyed vs American Eskimo: Final Thoughts
Well, this isn’t a competition. There’s no winner or loser – both breeds of dogs are perfect in their own way, and will make great additions to various families.
Choosing the breed of dog perfect for you is personal, and subjective to everybody.
Both the Samoyed and American Eskimo will prove to be amazing for you.
Above all, don’t focus too much on the breed – have fun parenting your dog, and make sure that you raise them in the best way you can.
You will, after all, be the most important figure in their life.
