Choosing the right dog for your home can be challenging. There are so many different breeds out there. Then, there are the breeds that are very similar but also very different. It can be hard to differentiate between them and figure out which breed really is best for you.
Some things to consider in the choosing process are things like training, health, exercise, appearance, and temperament. All of these details matter. It’s up to you to figure out what is going to work best in your home and with your lifestyle.
The Samoyed and American Eskimo dogs are both similar breeds. They are often confused with each other because of their similarities. However, they are also unique and have their own things to offer to potential owners.
In this guide, we’re going to take a close look at Samoyed vs American Eskimo breeds. We will consider things like appearance, temperament, and more so that you have all of the details you could possibly need to choose the right breed for you.
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Summary of the Differences Between An Samoyed and American Eskimo Dog
| Samoyed | American Eskimo Dog | |
| Personality | Gentle, adaptable, and friendly | Smart, versatile, and loyal |
| Popularity | 59th most popular | 122nd most popular |
| Height | 21-23.5 inches (male) / 19-21 inches (female) | 9-12 inches (toy) / 12-15 inches (miniature) / 15-19 inches (Standard) |
| Weight | 45-65 pounds (male), 35-50 pounds (female) | 6-10 pounds (toy) / 10-20 pounds (miniature) / 25-35 pounds (standard) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 to 14 years | 13 to 15 years |
| Trainability | Independent | Easily Trainable |
In general, the main difference between a Samoyed vs American Eskimo is the size. By far, the larger dog is going to be the Samoyed in both weight and height. However, larger dogs tend to live less than smaller dogs so the American Eskimo Dog will have a longer life expectancy. Samoyeds are also more independent dogs and not as easily as trainable when compared to an American Eskimo.
Samoyed
The Samoyed is considered to be a large dog. They have long coats and actually have a double-layer coat. The top is long but underneath they have a short coat as well. They have easy-going personalities and they are very easy to train.
These dogs require a good amount of exercise and they will most definitely shed. They are another breed that is absolutely stunning. They are almost all white and so fluffy! This breed is known for working but also for being very affectionate. You get the best of both worlds in a lot of different ways.
With great health, the Samoyed will live up to 14 years.
Now, let’s dig a little bit deeper.
Appearance
Let’s start with appearance. We are not all about vanity but the physical appearance is often a deciding factor for choosing a dog. You can’t go wrong here. They are beautiful. The Samoyed is really considered to be a large or extra-large dog and you will find that they are larger than an American Eskimo dog as well.
A full-grown male Samoyed might weigh up to 65 pounds when they are fully grown and stand 20-23 inches tall as well. These dogs were bred to pull sleds and so their body sizes and styles represent that as well. They are stout, strong, and sturdy.
What you will find to be similar between the two breeds is that they both have fluffy white coats. This is probably one of the reasons they often get mistaken for each other, even though there are other differences. Both breeds also have big tails that are super fluffy and ears that are pointed.
Those white coats are absolutely stunning. The outer part of the coat is long and soft so it really adds some style to their coat. They also often have blue eyes but they might have brown or green as well.
One interesting thing we want to point out about the appearance of the Samoyed is their mouth structure. Since they were bred for cold weather and dog sledding, their mouths are actually designed to prevent drooling and therefore preventing icicles from drooling in cold weather. It’s pretty neat and it makes them look like they are smiling.
Grooming Needs
You should be aware that since they have such long top coats, they do require grooming. Their hair can quickly get tangled and matted if you aren’t grooming your dog. It can also get things stuck to it like stickers and burrs outdoors or even twigs.
You should plan to hydrate your dog’s coat and brush it regularly. They don’t have oily coats so this makes them more susceptible to things sticking and dirt building. While they are long-haired dogs, they tend to be allergy-friendly if they are kept groomed. They do have two major shedding seasons so you will want to stay on top of and be prepared for those.
Temperament
The Samoyed loves to socialize. They like people. They like other dogs and they like other pets and animals too. They are friendly by nature but because of their love for socialization, this means they need a lot of attention from you.
They don’t like to be left completely alone for extended periods of time. If there are other pets or playmates, they can handle that but being completely alone bothers them. In fact, this is when they are most likely to act out. They need interaction, attention, and engagement. This includes from you, although having a playmate can help.
They love to explore and adventure. If you like to get outdoors and stay active, the Samoyed will go right along with you and happily explore. They are pretty active so this also helps satisfy some of their exercise needs.
All of that said, they can be just a little bit stubborn. They are used to being the leaders so they might have a dominant or independent streak at times. Of course, it’s not anything hard to deal with. They are very friendly dogs that love to play and love to interact so that typically wins out above the stubborn streak.
Health & Training
The Samoyed is very smart. This makes them easy to train. They tend to be easygoing. While they might display some stubbornness, they will mostly listen and go with the flow. They are not aggressive and this works well with training.
They can be a bit on the protective side but they really only bark when they are on alert. The hardest part about training them is avoiding bad behavior if you leave them alone. They do not like to be alone so this could cause you some challenges. Remember a playmate can work wonders.
Otherwise, they are very easy to train. They aren’t overly sensitive but they do respond best to positive reinforcement with training, which is common of most breeds.
The most likely health issues you might face are bloat and hip dysplasia. They can sometimes experience other things, like diabetes, but those are uncommon. With routine healthcare, your Samoyed will likely live somewhere around 12-14 years, which is a great life span.
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American Eskimo
Alright, let’s switch gears and talk about the American Eskimo. These dogs are also a beautiful breed with pure white coats. The coats are long and their overall appearance is very similar to a Samoyed.
The American Eskimo breed is considered to be a medium breed, rather than a large breed so that is one difference to note. In addition, their personalities are just a little bit different. You will find the overall appearance is similar but then the differences start to build up a bit from there.
Appearance
Let’s start with the size. The Samoyed is definitely larger than the American Eskimo. These dogs will typically grow to weigh somewhere between 17 and 35 pounds. Of course, it depends on whether they are standard breed or a mini size. The full-grown standard male will weigh closer to 30-35 pounds.
Then when you compare their height, you also see a difference. The American Eskimo is shorter. A full-grown male will generally reach somewhere between 14-20 inches tall, which is again quite a bit smaller than the Samoyed.
These medium dogs have long white hair on the outer coat. They also have a double coat built for cold weather and the underneath coat is short. Their outer coats are soft and fluffy. They also have bushy tails.
We mentioned the detail about the Samoyed’s mouth earlier and this is a difference from the American Eskimo. The shape is just slightly different as this breed doesn’t have the smile curve that the Samoyed has. They do share similar fur.
Their eyes are typically a dark color, almost like black but it’s also possible to find blue, brown, and green eyes on them too. No matter the eye color, they are stunning dogs.
Grooming Needs
Much like the Samoyed, your American Eskimo will need regular grooming. They also shed twice a year and have long hair on the outside. They need to be brushed and occasionally hydrated. If you plan for their major shedding seasons, it is easier to keep their coats in check as well.
American Eskimo dogs do have more oil in their coats so they may not experience as much sticking from things outside as the Samoyed does. However, they have a lot of fur so brushing and cleaning are just going to be necessary.
Be prepared to use a professional groomer or equip yourself with grooming tools to keep them looking great, especially with that white coat!
Temperament
Next stop personality! The American Eskimo is very loyal to their families. They sometimes are apprehensive when someone new comes around and they might do some barking, particularly if they feel threatened.
Overall, they are both friendly and playful. You just might have to let them warm up to you if they don’t know you. They socialize well if you’re willing to socialize them properly. They do great with kiddos and elderly people and even with other animals most of the time.
Much like the Samoyed, the American Eskimo does not like to be left alone. They are slightly different though. Where the Samoyed likes to just have a playmate, the American Eskimo gets nervous when they are separated from you for extended lengths of time. They do show some destructive behavior when this happens because of their anxiety.
That being said, they do adjust well with other pets or someone checking in on them. They mostly just need some sort of reassurance that you are ok and they have not been deserted. The American Eskimo is considered to be of average intelligence.
This dog can be independent but they are energetic and protective as well.
Health & Training
And finally, let’s look at training. This dog is playful, which means it might be challenging to get them to be serious when you are working on training. They simply have a lot of energy and get excited.
However, you can use that to work with them and train them. They do well with positive reinforcement so finding incentives to calm them and catch their attention really does help. They tend to be sensitive so you don’t want to be overly harsh with them when they misbehave or mess up.
When you consider their health, they are very similar to the Samoyed. The most likely health issue you will face for an American Eskimo is hip dysplasia. They can also be prone to cataracts and diabetes but these are not extremely common.
With proper vet care and health maintenance, your American Eskimo is likely to live somewhere around 12-15 years.
Comparison Summary of a Samoyed vs American Eskimo
In closing, let’s look back and run down the comparison list here of the differences between a Samoyed and an American Eskimo dog.
As far as appearance, these dogs have the same long white coat. They are furry and soft. While the American Eskimo has more oil in their long coats, this isn’t something you notice right away. They both shed and have similar eye colors too. They both require similar grooming needs.
The big difference in appearance is that the Samoyed is slightly larger. It is considered to be a large dog while the American Eskimo is a medium dog.
In terms of temperament, these dogs do have a couple of slight differences. The Samoyed is highly-intelligent and very easy to work with. The American Eskimo tends to have just a bit more of a stubborn streak and that is mostly because they just want to be playful. Both breeds are fairly easy to train.
Neither breed likes to be left alone. However, the Samoyed does respond well to simply having a playmate to distract them.
Finally, their health is very similar. They have almost identical lifespans. Although they can have some varying health issues. This will just be something that differs from dog to dog. With routine health care, you probably won’t have to worry about major health issues if you purchase from a reliable breeder.
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Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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