However, for those with a sense of humor to cope with this recalcitrance and who have the time to groom, the Samoyed is a wonderful family pet. The breed is good with children, loves to play, and has a sense of humor. Sams are good watchdogs, wonderful therapy dogs, and competitive in agility. Health Generally healthy, the Samoyed, like most medium and large breeds, can be plagued by hip dysplasia. Recent findings also indicate a predisposition to hypothyroidism and related autoimmune diseases such as von Willebrand's Disease, a bleeding disorder.
Any veterinarian can recommend a flea prevention program.
As with any breed, visit several breeders before making a decision. Since the Samoyed bonds so closely with people, look for a breeder who whelps puppies in the house instead of a kennel. The pups should be exposed to the sights, smells, and sounds of family living from the day they are born. They should be played with, allowed to romp inside and out, and accustomed to different surfaces and situations. Parents of the litter should be OFA registered to decrease the chance of hip dysplasia, and they should have obedience titles in their pedigrees to indicate trainability.