Samoyed vs Chow Chow

With a delightful smile ready to greet you at a moment’s notice, it’s no surprise that the Samoyed dog breed’s qualities are rooted in having fun and being the family mood-booster. Looking to make friends? Your Sammy’s good-natured temperament means you’ll end up meeting just about everyone on the block. If you want your Husky as a guard dog, you may want to look elsewhere. Sammies are so friendly, they’re likely to give an intruder a tour of your home.

Samoyeds (aka Siberian Samoyeds) are whip-smart and crave all the TLC. Without it, they can become mischievous to get your attention. And don’t even think about leaving them out by themselves for long. Sammies would much rather be in the house with the whole fam instead of being relegated to the outside by their lonesome. They form deep bonds with their human families and have a pack-mentality. Proper socialization is important to keep your pup active, engaged and challenged.

While they’re always up for an adventure, they can also be headstrong and a bit demanding. Samoyeds are not usually aggressive, but they may nip when they want something. And they won’t be afraid to tell you they need attention with their distinctive whine.

Speaking of communication, Samoyeds are fond of barking or using their teeth to get your attention. This is more common when Sammies are not fully trained, and they’ll nip or tug at you with their teeth in a non-aggressive manner. But there’s an explanation for this behavior: They’re used to grabbing their packmates with their mouths, and with their dense fur, they grip harder, so it’s natural for them to do the same with their people.

Not ones for being overly affectionate, these aren’t your average people-pleasing, one-of-the-pack dogs. Chows are generally quiet and naturally well-behaved, though they can bet stubborn at times.

Chow Chows are super clean, easy to potty train and won’t fill your place up with a strong dog smell—traits admired by everyone. Not only that, they’re low maintenance when it comes to exercise, which balances out their need for grooming. Also, these pups are ready to protect your space.

Because of their protective nature, Chow Chows can take time to warm up to strangers. (They are often considered the cats of the dog world.) While their personality is not inherently aggressive, their protective, reserved natures and natural scowling expressions can sometimes be mistaken for signs of aggression. Things will go a lot smoother when introducing your pet to new people if you signal everything’s OK by making the first move and initiating the greetings, letting your dog follow your lead. If you start socializing and training your Chow Chow puppy early, they can make great family dogs and can even get along with other dogs in the home. That said, if you have cats, it’s best to find a dog more accepting of felines than the Chow Chow.

Wondering if Chows are a good fit for homes with kids and babies? This independent breed usually does best with older family members who understand that Chow Chows typically don’t enjoy being held or cuddled.