With its fluffy white coat, playful disposition, and ever-present happy expression, a Samoyed can instantly brighten up even the dourest of days. While the big friendly pooch makes a great addition to the right home, you may be afraid that he comes with a big price tag. But does he?
Why Consider a Samoyed in the First Place?
The first thing that may come to mind when you’re talking about Samoyeds is joy. That’s because the breed is generally considered to be a big ol’ friendly dog that’s gentle, sweet-natured, and constantly happy looking. So much so, the breed has earned the nickname “Smiling Sammy” - and he could be smiling because he knows his cuteness deflects from the fact that he’s a shedding machine during certain parts of the year.
So, what is the Price Range of a Samoyed?
The average cost of a Samoyed puppy is going to fall between $675 and $1,300. In some parts of the country, this average cost can broaden to a range between $600 and $1,500. As with any purebred breed of dog, there are going to be a few mitigating factors that are going to cause this price tag to fluctuate for better or for worse.
For example, if you're looking for a puppy that is properly AKC registered, you can expect the price tag to be toward the higher end of things. Conversely, a dog without these papers will cost you less. If you go the latter route, it is still recommended that you do a thorough research on the pup’s - and his breeder’s - background to ensure you are getting a high-quality pooch.
With that being said, you can save a rather substantial chunk of change if you forego the puppy stage and get an older Samoyed. Purebreds that check in over the age of two can typically cost between $200 and $400. While doing this will mean that you’ll skip out on all your buddy’s puppy years, it also means that you might bypass some of the nerve-wracking issues that puppies tend to introduce to your house.
This Cost Just Covers the Initial Purchase - Don’t Forget About the Long Term Costs
As you ponder the cost of a Samoyed puppy, remember that the numbers in the preceding paragraphs only cover the cost of purchasing the puppy. Several other costs that must be considered before you go forward with the transaction.
If you are working with a non-local breeder on purchasing a Samoyed pup, for example, you may have to worry about providing shipping or transportation costs. In instances where the dog will get shipped to you, most breeders mandate that you purchase pet insurance along with the pooch. If you decide to pick up the dog personally, you must also factor in the cost it would take for you to get your pooch and come back home.
Ensuring that your new Samoyed has a clean bill of health will also be a supplemental cost that must be considered. Things like vaccinations and a vet check up are mandatory once you get your dog. This is to ensure that the pooch you are putting in your possession has a clean bill of health.
And of course, you need to factor the long-term cost that it will take for you to care for the dog for the rest of his life. Essential factors like dog food, toys, and veterinary visits can accumulate a pretty hefty price tag when you think about things. Considering the average breed will live between 12 and 16 years that can be a pretty heavy monetary commitment.
An Important Decision for an Even More Important Commitment
Buying a breed like a Samoyed pup should be carefully considered, and not just because he carries a relatively hefty price tag. Other factors such as canine-related maintenance and environment should also weigh heavily into your decision on purchasing this purebred pup, whether you can easily afford it or you have to scrape up some savings to pull the trigger. If, after all of that pondering, you decide that the Samoyed is a good breed for you, then go for it - you already know that he’s going to be happy about your choice.
We have a 9 month old Samoyed and a 9 week old Great Dane, who are training for mobility service work.
If you are wondering which breed of dog to get, and you’re disabled, and need to get a rock solid, even tempered dog, these are the guys to consider first. Since most disabled people, don’t have a lot of money, here is what we know, having trained 6 before these guys.
SD’s are the Most Valuable healthcare equipment you will have. They can’t last forever, and you need to decide if, after they retire (between 6&8 years old, depending on how hard you work them, after at least 3 years of intensive training), whether or not they will have a home for life, even if you start training a new dog.
If that answer is no. Please, use another device. You will destroy your retired SD in heart and soul, if you re-home or send them to someone else after they no longer can work. They have feelings. They earn their homes for life the hard way.
The Samoyed is exceptionally well suited for learning fast, easy to train and happy to cuddle. The Great Dane is wasted on someone who doesn’t need physical assistance because they are huge, strong and take up a lot of space, even when they are small.
Mastiffs also fall into this.
Just accept that training a qualified SD, costs between $30 and $80,000.00 to raise, train and care for. Money well spent for a dog that can save your life and/or keep you from faceplanting and getting injured or sick.
Get with a group, such as West Virginia Service Dog Support, who help each other train, and can offer aid to mitigate issues and educate on SD teams and the laws in your area.
Vet insurance/property coverage for the dog is worth it. Or keep an account just for their care. Why? For example, In the first month, I spent $1180.00 for Nimbus (Samoyed), in vet and adoption fees, his vest, leashes and assorted expenses. Fake dogs are an issue, so proper attire for a SD, is a rule not an exception.
Don’t think you can’t find a great SD via the adoption route. It is a little more work, but some of the best SD’s have come out of shelter/rescue. If you go through a breeder, CHECK THEM OUT big time.
Mobility dogs must be the cream of the crop in health, temperament and over all endurance. A dog out of a puppy mill or one who has been breed before the mother is 3, is likely to have issues you can’t afford in a SD.
A good breeder will Care what happens to the pups. They will want vet references. Skip the breeders of any kind of dog who are only in it for the money. It is just not worth it. It may take months or even years to find a potential SD. It takes years to replace a retired SD.
We hope this helps newbies looking for a SD.
Lacy and Franz Gorman, USN ret.
I love the dog she’s gorgeous I just lost my puppy dog and I would love to replace it with this gorgeous one if you would consider me thank you
My wife and I bought a 6 month old Sammy from Dr’s pet store. She was $99. The next time she was out of the pen would have been her last day alive. She was a great girl. Trouble but nothing terrible. We regret wr didn’t save her hair brushings. At least twice a year we’d fill a 30 gal garbage bag. She was sweet but an aggressive hunter and puller.
She developed a brain tumor and was sent over the bridge at 16 years. We miss her mightily.