Samoyed
The Samoyed takes its name from the Samoyedic peoples of Siberia, who used it to herd reindeer, haul sledges and warm the tent at night, and it has kept the affectionate, sociable…
About the Samoyed
The Samoyed takes its name from the Samoyedic peoples of Siberia, who used it to herd reindeer, haul sledges and warm the tent at night, and it has kept the affectionate, sociable character that a dog living inside a family needs. The upturned mouth that gives the breed its famous smile also stops icicles forming on the lips.
Samoyeds stand about 51 to 56 cm, with a dense white or cream double coat that sheds heavily and needs committed grooming. They are vocal, friendly with everyone, and hopeless as guard dogs; a stud should be sound, moderate and cheerful, with none of the nervousness that occasionally appears. The breed retains strong working instincts and enjoys pulling.
Screening to ask about includes hip scores under the BVA/KC scheme and a current eye certificate, as the breed has hereditary cataract and glaucoma among its concerns. Samoyed hereditary glomerulopathy, an inherited kidney disease carried on the X chromosome, has a DNA test, and a stud owner should know the dog's status. Ask about diabetes and hypothyroidism in the line as well.
Health & breeding
We check every hip, elbow, eye and DNA result you give us against the Royal Kennel Club’s public records by hand, and we record who checked it and when. The Royal Kennel Club’s public records may not include all the screening a dog has had, so a dog with no Royal Kennel Club record showing is not necessarily untested.
Breed Right’s summary — under The Royal Kennel Club Health Standard
Health tests for the Samoyed
This panel is Breed Right’s summary of the testing that matters for the breed under The Royal Kennel Club Health Standard. The Health Standard is the Royal Kennel Club’s guidance for breeders, not a registration rule. It describes tests to ask about — it is not a report on any individual dog. The Royal Kennel Club’s public records may not include all the screening a dog has had, so a dog with no Royal Kennel Club record showing is not necessarily untested.
Best Practice — further tests it recommends
Completing these as well as the Good Practice tests is what the Royal Kennel Club calls Best Practice.
| Test | Type | Scheme | What’s involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNA test — XL-PRA1 (X-linked Progressive Retinal Atrophy 1) | DNA test | Laboratory | X-linked: males clear/affected; females may be carriers. |
| DNA test — XLHN (X-linked Hereditary Nephropathy) | DNA test | Laboratory | X-linked: males clear/affected; females may be carriers. |
| Hip score (BVA/KC) | Screening scheme | BVA/KC | Total of both hips, 0–106. Lower is better. |
| Elbow grading (BVA/KC) | Screening scheme | BVA/KC | Grade 0–3. The dog is graded on the worse of the two elbows. |
| Eye testing (BVA/KC/ISDS) | Screening scheme | BVA/KC/ISDS | Result printed on the eye certificate. |
Breed hip median
Breed median 11 (BVA Hip Dysplasia Scheme breed statistics 2025 — 5 years, 200 dogs scored). Lower is better. Source · How hip scores work
At stud now
Samoyed stud dogs
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When a Samoyed on the Royal Kennel Club Breed Register is listed at stud, it will appear here.
Also available
Samoyed litters
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Litters appear here as breeders list them. Check back soon, or browse other breeds.
