Husky vs Samoyed

The Simple Husky Vs Samoyed Guide: How Do They Compare?

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Huskies and Samoyeds are two breeds with similar origins. Both come from the northern parts of the world which gives them their fluffy appearance. This is why some people confuse these beautiful dogs.

The Husky vs Samoyed comparison gives us a few noticeable differences between these dogs. Samoyeds are larger and fluffier compared to Huskies. They also come in full white color, compared to the multiple-colored Huskies. But there are more differences between these two breeds.

Origins of Huskies And Samoyeds

The origin of both breeds is similar as both come from the place with the coldest temperature in Russia. But they still have a few key differences.

The Siberian Husky originates in Siberia, Russia. There it was bred by the Chukchi people who used this dog for sled pulling. In 1909 it was first brought to Alaska to compete in sled-pulling races. Then, in 1930, it was officially accepted by the AKC.

The Samoyed also originates in Siberia. It was bred by the Samoyede people, hence the name. This dog was used for sled-pulling, hunting, herding, and keeping its owners warm. In the late 18th century, this dog was first brought to England, and then it was officially accepted by the AKC in 1906.

Appearance – Fluffy Dogs With Big Hearts

Both dogs are medium-sized breeds known for their fluffy coats and strong bodies. However, they also have some striking differences. Samoyeds have dark brown eyes and a constantly smiling face. Their tail is curled upward toward their backs on one side. Huskies have blue or multi-colored eyes and bushy tails with white tips.

Size

Siberian Huskies grow up to around 20-23.5 inches in height, and 35-60 pounds in weight. Samoyeds can grow up to 19-23.5 inches in height, and 35-65 pounds in weight. 

Coat And Color

Comparing the Samoyed and Husky will show a lot of differences in their fluffy coats. Huskies have a double, medium-length coat. The Husky coat can come in many colors including white, black, brown, gray, red, sable, and agouti. They also have a saddle-back marking. 

Samoyeds are double-coated, with a long-length coat. It can come in white, cream, and biscuit, and it won’t have any markings on it.

Temperament – Lovable Intelligent Dogs

Both of these breeds of dogs are known to be friendly and highly affectionate with their families. If left alone for too long, they may also develop separation anxiety. Both dogs are also very good with kids and will tolerate their behavior. 

Both are very intelligent and will pick up on new commands quickly. The problem is that they are also quite stubborn so you will have to be persistent with your training.

Their ability to protect their home is the major personality difference between them. Huskies make poor guard dogs. Samoyeds are superior to them for guard dog duties. When compared to the friendly Husky, they are more vigilant and alert. Both dogs are also very loud and barky.

Taking Care Of The Samoyed And Siberian Husky

Caring for these two breeds will be quite similar. But there are still some differences you should know about.

Health And Lifespan

The Siberian Husky can live for around 12-14 years. Samoyeds can also live for around 12-14 years. Both dogs are healthy, but there are still some conditions they can suffer from.

  • Hip dysplasia – This is a joint disease that affects both Huskies and Samoyeds. It occurs because the hip ball and socket joints develop improperly. This causes pain to your dog. You will notice it limping and having difficulty walking.
  • Eye problems – Progressive Retinal Atrophy is one common eye disease in both dogs. It is caused by a deterioration of the retinal cells causing night vision problems and leading to blindness. Cataracts is another eye disease causing blindness in both dogs.
  • Bloat – This disease, also known as Gastric dilatation and volvulus affects the gastrointestinal system. The stomach gets filled with gas and causes it to twist upon itself causing a block. You will notice your dog’s stomach getting larger and it collapsing.
  • Samoyed hereditary glomerulopathy (SHG) – This is a kidney disease that only appears in Samoyeds. It causes an inflammation of the nephrons of the kidney, thus causing dysfunction in it. Excessive drinking and urination, weight loss, and lethargy are only a few of the symptoms.

Nutrition

There aren’t many differences in the Samoyed Husky comparison in terms of nutrition. Both dogs are not big eaters and have the capability to withstand hunger for longer periods of time. That said, they should still be fed properly and with a high-quality diet.

Both dogs will need around 2-3 cups of dog food every day. The dog food you choose should be from a reliable brand. Choose between companies like Purina vs Pedigree. Make sure this food contains more protein and fewer grains. It should also include a lot of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fatty acids. Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids help keep their coats healthy. 

Exercise And Training

Because they were working dogs, both breeds have a high energy level. On average, both Huskies and Samoyeds need around 2 hours of exercise every day. This can be split into more sessions throughout the day. You can take the dogs for a short walk, but also go running, hiking, or playing some games. Mental stimulation is also important.

Training these dogs can go different ways. Samoyeds are eager to please and will be easier to train compared to Huskies. Siberian Huskies are often stubborn and will need a lot of persistence to train. You will need to use positive reinforcement and obedience training to achieve the best results.

Grooming

In comparison to other breeds of dogs, Samoyed and Husky grooming needs can be more demanding. Daily brushing is necessary for Samoyeds to keep their coat from matting. You can brush Huskies once each week. During the spring and fall shedding seasons, this should be increased.

Both dogs should be bathed too often. Once every 4-6 months is enough to keep them clean and avoid overbathing. You should check and clean their ears after bathing and at least once every week. They should also have their nails clipped once every 4-6 weeks and their teeth at least 3 times a week.

Price Difference Between Huskies And Samoyeds

If you’ve decided you want to get one of these pups for yourself, there are a few ways you can do this. One is to buy the pup from a breeder, and the other is to adopt it from a shelter.

Cost Of Buying

Samoyeds are considered to be a bit more expensive compared to Huskies. On average, a Samoyed puppy will cost you around $800-$1500. A Husky puppy will cost you around $800-$1000. This price varies according to the breeder, and the location of the pup.

Make sure you get your puppy from a reliable breeder. They should give you all the information you need about the puppy you want to buy.

Option Of Adopting

This is a much cheaper option for getting a puppy. It is great because you will give a home to a pup that really needs it. Sometimes, shelters only offer older dogs or dogs that are mixed breeds. Either way, they will be very thankful to you for giving them a home.

Husky vs Samoyed – A Summary

Huskies and Samoyeds are two fluffy breeds with an origin in one of the coldest places on the Earth. Both dogs are medium-sized, with the Samoyed being somewhat larger. Samoyeds have longer hair, but they only come in one color, compared to Huskies.

Both dogs are friendly and affectionate making them great family dogs. They are intelligent dogs making them easy to train, but they can also be stubborn. Samoyeds make for great guard dogs compared to the Huskies. But both dogs are very loud and love barking.

These dogs are generally healthy and are only exposed to a few health issues. They require a lot of exercise, training, and grooming to stay healthy and happy. If you want one of these pups for yourself, you can try buying one from a breeder or adopting one.

FAQ

Are Samoyed and Husky the same?

No, they are not the same dog. These dogs do come from a similar breed of dogs, called the Spitz breed. They also originate from the same part of the world. But they have many differences.

Do Samoyeds shed as much as Huskies?

Samoyeds are not hypoallergenic dogs due to their moderate shedding. It only seems that they shed a lot due to the length and size of their coat. Huskies are also not hypoallergenic and shed a lot more.

Can you breed a Samoyed and a Husky?

Instead of comparing the Husky vs Samoyed, some people decided to mix the two breeds. And this resulted in the Samusky. These puppies are as fluffy, intelligent, and loving as their two parent breeds.

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