Shetland Sheepdog vs Samoyed - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Shetland Sheepdog vs Samoyed - Breed ComparisonShetland Sheepdog is originated from United Kingdom but Samoyed is originated from Russia. Shetland Sheepdog may grow 19 cm / 7 inches shorter than Samoyed. Shetland Sheepdog may weigh 18 kg / 39 pounds lesser than Samoyed. Both Shetland Sheepdog and Samoyed has same life span. Both Shetland Sheepdog and Samoyed has almost same litter size. Both Shetland Sheepdog and Samoyed requires Moderate maintenance.

History

shetland sheepdog - historyThe Shetland Sheepdog was crossed with working collies and brought to the islands. They were bred on the Shetland Islands, United Kingdom.

These little dogs have always been particularly valuable to farmers who used them to herd their sheep.

During the early 20th century other crosses occurred an in 1909 and the little dog received recognition by the English Kennel Club. The first Sheltie to be registered by the American Kennel Club was in 1911.

samoyed - historyThe Samoyed is a large breed of dog; a spitz-type dog, with a thick, double-layer coat. The dog was used to help with herding and to also haul sledges for the Siberian Samoyede people.

The Samoyed has been used in polar expeditions, including Sir Ernest Shackleton's journey to the Antarctic. They’ve put up with a lot of hardships on these journeys and some of them have lost their lives on these expeditions.

The first standard for the breed was adopted in England in 1909, and in 1923 the original Samoyed Club of America was established.

Description

shetland sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe small Shetland Sheepdog stands at between 33 to 41cm and weighs roughly between 6 and 12kg for both males and females. The long double coat of this dog sheds consistently, he will need to be brushed regularly.

The coat is golden, black or a steel grey color with white. The ears are erect and the tail long and feathery and the expression on this dogs face is sensitive, alert and gentle.

Temperament:

Shelties make wonderful pets for their human families and are great with children too. They’re protective, making good watchdogs. They are somewhat wary around strangers.

Smart and alert, you can train this little dog plenty of tricks because he is quick to learn. They’re such agile little dogs and are great athletes. It’s always a good idea to keep such a smart little dog busy so he doesn’t become bored.

He is able to adjust to life in the city or the countryside, so long as he is kept busy, otherwise he takes to a piercing kind of bark.

samoyed puppy - descriptionThe Samoyed is a large herding dog standing at between 48 to 60cm in height and weighing 16 – 30kg. He has a thick, double layer coat that is silvery white.

The top layer is fairly long and coarse. The dog sheds heavily once or twice a year, but the dog is described as being hypoallergenic.

The ears of the dog are typical spitz-like – erect. The eyes of the dog are almond in shape and while they are usually brown, they can sometimes be blue too. The tail is long and curls over the dog’s back. When these dogs sleep in the snow, you might notice the tail is folded so that it covers the dog’s nose.

Temperament:

The Samoyed is a friendly dog, to such an extent that you wouldn’t call him a good watchdog. They’re friendly dogs with happy expressions on their faces. They make great family pets and will get on well with children as well as other dogs in the home.

Like all dogs, the Samoyed will need early training and socialization to make him obedient and well rounded. He is intelligent and can easily learn a few basic commands.

Characteristics

shetland sheepdog dog - characteristicsYou’re certainly not going to have one dull moment with the Shetland sheepdog – its such a lively, intelligent, entertaining, playful and also eager to please - that's your Sheltie.

They also have a gentle, quiet side. They love the company of their human family and are able to adapt to life in the city or countryside, so long as he gets lots of attention and exercise.

They’re highly strung dogs, and an excitable child can get them barking in a high pitched way which wont be good if you live close to your neighbors.

Shelties are essentially peaceful dogs who prefer a home where its quiet and orderly. If you give this dog what it needs, just like you would for any family member of yours, you’ll be blessed with an awesome pet and companion.

samoyed dog - characteristicsThe Samoyed is a gentle, easy going dog that gets on well with everyone, loving children and being prepared to be friendly towards other dogs too.

His friendliness makes it that he doesn’t make a good watchdog. He is intelligent and can be trained to obey basic commands.

He loves plenty of exercise, after all he has always been a working dog. Apart from the coat which will require quite a bit of upkeep, the Samoyed is prepared to come into your home and make you a splendid pet and companion.

Health Problems

shetland sheepdog puppies - health problemsEvery dog, no matter how healthy, can succumb to any one of the many dog illnesses there are.Some of the dog illnesses to look out for include cancer, bloat, ear infections, dental problems, hypothyroidism, skin allergies and obesity among others.

Hypothyroidism:

This illness occurs when the dog’s body doesn’t maintain sufficient levels of thyroid hormones. Your pet will be sensitive to the cold, the thick hair will be thinning and there will be weight gain. It will be wise to have your dog checked out by your vet as this is an ailment which can be managed with medication.

Collie Eye Anomaly:

This is an inherited condition that can lead to blindness in some dogs. It can occur in both eyes. It can be diagnosed by your vet but regrettably there is no treatment. Not spaying or neutering your dog will mean that if the have puppies the gene can be carried down to the puppies.

Dermatomyositis:

This is an inherited disorder that can cause skin lesions but also affect the muscles. Skin lesions can appear on the head and the front legs and there can be hair loss.

Some of the common canine diseases your Samoyed can succumb to -

Diabetes:

samoyed puppies - health problemsDogs can get diabetes just like people can. Diabetes is becoming more common in dogs as people try and feed their dogs ‘treats’ such as chocolates, biscuits and ice-cream.

Fortunately diabetes is manageable. Certainly, if you discover signs of diabetes in your pet, get him to the vet. The typical symptoms of diabetes in dogs are increased urination, increased thirst and weight loss. Cataracts and blindness can also occur.

Glaucoma: 

Glaucoma is when there is increased pressure in the eye. It can be hereditary or secondary where there is decreased fluid in the eye because of other eye diseases. Symptoms include pain and even vision loss. It can be treated surgically or with eye drops.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is an inherited condition in dogs where the thighbone doesn't fit properly into the hip joint. Some dogs will even have lameness in both rear legs. The vet will want x-rays to diagnose hip dysplasia. Unfortunately arthritis can also develop.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

shetland sheepdog dogs - caringThese little dogs have always been farm dogs and they will need a lot of exercise. Even so, with their small size, they can adapt to life in the city or the countryside, but will always need exercise.They love going for walks and playing games with the kids.

Grooming:

Your Sheltie will need brushing every day because the hair can so easily pick up leaves, twigs and burrs. In the warmer months some people prefer to trim the coat themselves or take the dog along to a professional groomer.

Diet:

It is best to feed adult dogs two meals a day instead of one. One can make your dog want to gobble up his food too quickly and this can result in a life threatening condition known as bloat.

How much any adult dog eats will depend on his size, his age and his activity levels.The quality of dog food you buy also makes a huge difference – the better quality the food, the more satisfied your Sheltie will be.

Some of the best commercially manufactured dog foods are convenient and they can be good if you go with the best brands that have high levels of vitamins and minerals in them. Dry kibble can be made more enticing when you add some homemade food into it.

Boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, brown rice or pasta, carrots and spinach will do him the world of good. Chop it up and add small portions to the kibble about twice a week. His wagging tail and prancing antics will be all the thanks you need.

Some raw meat added in occasionally will also contribute to your pet’s heath. Make sure he is never without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

samoyed dogs - caringThe coat of the dog is super thick and in the Spring, the dog sheds a lot. Samoyed dog owners will need to be regular with their brushing routine with these dogs as the coat can easily tangle. Some people just prefer to get their Samoyed to a professional groomer.

Exercise:

This is a working dog, used to working hard in all kinds of conditions. He doesn’t take kindly to being bored with nothing to do and he howls and barks till you take him on a walk. He requires regular exercise such as hiking, ball games, running and swimming. It is why this dog isn’t suited to life on a small property in the city. He requires a large garden or farm and lots of exercise.

Diet:

If you want your Samoyed to be healthy so that you’re not constantly at the vet, provide him with top quality food. It is always useful and convenient having commercially manufactured food but you want to vary the diet just a bit by providing some homemade food too.

If you boil chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots in a pot you can chop it all up and freeze it and feed portions twice a week to your dog. Warmed up it can be added to his dry kibble and be a wonderful tasty treat for him. Every now and then you can also include some raw meat which can be beneficial for his skin. Ensure there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Working dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
Russia
Height Male:
33 - 41 cm
12 - 17 inches
48 - 60 cm
18 - 24 inches
Height Female:
33 - 41 cm
12 - 17 inches
48 - 60 cm
18 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 12 kg
13 - 27 pounds
16 - 30 kg
35 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 12 kg
13 - 27 pounds
16 - 30 kg
35 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
4 - 8
Size:
Small dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Sheltie
Sammy, Bjelkier, Smiley
Colors Available:
Mix of colors - golden, black or a steel grey color with white
White
Coat:
Long and thick
Medium length, thick
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  2. Samoyed vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  3. Samoyed vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  4. Samoyed vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  5. Samoyed vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  6. Samoyed vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  7. Samoyed vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  8. Samoyed vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  9. Samoyed vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  10. Samoyed vs Presa Canario - Breed Comparison
  11. Samoyed vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  12. Samoyed vs Labrador Husky - Breed Comparison
  13. Samoyed vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  14. Samoyed vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  15. Samoyed vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  16. Samoyed vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  17. Samoyed vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  18. Samoyed vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  19. Samoyed vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  20. Samoyed vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  21. Samoyed vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  22. Samoyed vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  23. Samoyed vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  24. Samoyed vs Mackenzie River Husky - Breed Comparison
  25. Samoyed vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Shetland Sheepdog vs Corgi - Breed Comparison
  27. Shetland Sheepdog vs American Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  29. Shetland Sheepdog vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi - Breed Comparison
  30. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Shetland Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  31. Welsh Corgi vs Shetland Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  32. Shetland Sheepdog vs Pomeranian - Breed Comparison
  33. Shetland Sheepdog vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  34. Shetland Sheepdog vs Pug - Breed Comparison
  35. Shetland Sheepdog vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Shetland Sheepdog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  37. Shetland Sheepdog vs Maltipoo - Breed Comparison
  38. Shetland Sheepdog vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  39. Shetland Sheepdog vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  40. Shetland Sheepdog vs Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  41. Shetland Sheepdog vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Shetland Sheepdog vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  43. Shetland Sheepdog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Shetland Sheepdog vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  45. Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  46. Shetland Sheepdog vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  47. Shetland Sheepdog vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  48. Shetland Sheepdog vs Papillon - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds