Samoyed Lab Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits

The Samoyed Lab mix, commonly called Labamoy or Sammy, is a cross between the friendly Samoyed and the outgoing Labrador Retriever. Having the best qualities of both its parents, the Samoyed Lab mix is a great companion for families looking for an intelligent and active dog.

Samoyed Labs are bred to inherit the desirable traits of both parents. They get the beautiful white coat from their Samoyed heritage and the affectionate nature from their Labrador parents. Their charming almond-shaped eyes give them an endearing look, which, coupled with their eagerness for companionship, makes them the perfect house dog for most families.

Given their pleasant nature, Samoyeds have been bred with many breeds, including Golden Retrievers and Siberian Huskies. In most instances, the resulting offspring inherits the Samoyed’s shaggy coat. However, there’s no ”standard” form of a Samoyed Lab or any other mix since the final traits largely depend on the parents’ attributes.

Regardless of the minor physical differences, all Samoyed Labs have the characteristic affectionate nature and intelligence. Let’s learn a bit more about taking care of your Samoyed Lab mix.

Samoyed Lab Mix Characteristics

Samoyed Lab Mix Puppies

Since they’re a hybrid breed, it’s rare to find Samoyed Lab mix pups at a rescue or shelter. However, you can still check if your local rescue has a Samoyed Lab you can adopt. Doing so will save you the money you’d otherwise have to pay a breeder.

The cost of a Samoyed Lab mix ranges anywhere from $1,500 to $2,500, depending on the breeder. These hybrids are not as common as some others, so you may have to do some research to find a breeder.

Buy a Samoyed Lab mix from a reputable breeder to avoid ending up with a dog produced through poor breeding practices. When searching for a dependable breeder, start with vets and certified dog trainers around you. They can connect you to reliable breeders. Some may even have hybrids you can purchase.

Once you’ve found a breeder, visit their location to see the dog in person. The first sign of a healthy dog is their energy and activeness. While some dogs may be naturally shy, this isn’t the case with Samoyed Labs. Ask the breeder about their Orthopedic Foundation for Animals certification. If they’re part of a breeder’s club, that’s even better news because it shows they want to be credible.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Samoyed Lab Mix 🧠

When it comes to temperament, the Samoyed Lab dogs are quite similar to their parents. Samoyeds are known for being affectionate with their families and a delight around children. They’re also quite good with other dogs, although early socialization training can be very helpful in ensuring peaceful coexistence.

They are also very open to strangers due to their highly playful nature. Besides being fun companions, Samoyeds also have protective instincts. They adapt easily to different environments too.

Due to their high energy levels, Samoyeds need significant mental stimulation. You must keep them busy with exercise or other activities for at least an hour a day, or they become aggressive and mischievous. The good news is they’re easy to train, so you can teach them to be obedient easily.

Labrador Retrievers also share these traits with Samoyeds. They’re good with children, love pleasing their owners, and exist in perfect harmony with other dogs. Although not as adaptable as Samoyeds, they are just as playful and friendly, if not more. Easy trainability and lots of energy further mean that you can teach your pup to be a good boy as long as you fulfill their physical and mental stimulation needs.

As evident, both parents are pretty similar in their temperament. The Samoyed Lab mix is ultimately an energetic dog with extensive physical activity needs. A slight problem with this breed is the excessive barking. If you can ignore that or train your dog to stop at command, you’re good to go.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Samoyed Lab dogs are excellent for families because of their friendly and adaptable nature. Due to their larger size, they thrive in houses and larger living spaces, especially those with yards or gardens. But they can also adapt to apartment living.

Their protective nature makes them loyal and trustworthy guardians. They get along well with children, other pets, and even strangers.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

As already mentioned, Samoyed Labs get along with other dogs and pets quite well. Although they’re naturally inclined to coexist peacefully with other dogs, you should provide them with socialization training to avoid any mishaps.

Start socialization training at around 7 to 8 weeks of age. If you don’t have the time or expertise to train your pup at home, enroll them in a puppy socialization class. Besides learning how to be around other dogs, they’ll also pick up good canine manners.

Alternatively, you can train your pup yourself. Invite friends over to accustom your dog to new faces—both canine and human. If possible, have play dates with different dog breeds, big and small, so that your pup gets used to different sizes and shapes.

Things to Know When Owning a Samoyed Lab Mix

When you get a Samoyed Lab, be prepared for a significant amount of grooming since the breed sheds quite a bit. Here are some other care tips to know about.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The type and amount of food you give to your Samoyed Lab will depend on their age. If you buy them from a breeder, the dog will most likely be young. Rehomed or adopted dogs are often older.

At 6 to 12 weeks of age, your Samoyed Lab needs puppy food. It’s a special diet that can fulfill their nutritional requirements to ensure proper development. It’s best to ask the breeder about the puppy food they have been feeding the dog. Pups of this age must be fed four times a day.

Once your dog is 3 months old, you can reduce the feedings thrice daily. During the 3 to 6-month stage, your Samoyed Lab pup will lose their pudginess. But if the potbelly is still there, you can continue feeding them pup-sized portions for a few weeks.

At the 6-month age, reduce the number of feedings to twice daily. Now, you can switch to adult dog food. Medium to large breeds, like Samoyed Labs, can make the switch at 12 to 14 months of age.

Like their parents, Samoyed Labs adult dogs need high-quality dog food to meet their nutritional needs. You should consult with your vet if you plan to feed home-prepared food to your dog.

Some Samoyed Labs may be susceptible to obesity. Watch your dog’s daily portion size, and do not let treats exceed the 10% mark in their daily calorie consumption count.

Exercise 🐕

Samoyed Labs should get an hour of exercise daily to release their energy. Their Samoyed parents love participating in every activity their family is doing. They are also prone to roaming and running away, often going miles before being found.

The Lab parents are also just as energetic and may indulge in destructive behavior if they do not get their daily exercise. Some physical activities they prefer are swimming and retrieving. They also like to go on hiking trips and participate in canine spots, like dock diving and tracking.

Since Samoyed Labs also like to play with other dogs, you can arrange playdates to ensure your pet gets their daily dose of exercise. Or you can take them on a jog with you every morning.

Training 🎾

Samoyed Labs are easy to train, so they shouldn’t give you much trouble. The following tips can further streamline the process:

If you aren’t able to train your dog at home, dog training classes can help a lot. You can also hire a qualified dog behaviorist to teach your canine friend the basics.

Depending on their personality and history, your dog may have phobias or destructive patterns. A behavioral expert can help in this regard. Samoyed Labs also tend to bark a lot, which can be a nuisance for you and your neighbors. Training them to stop barking on command is quite important.

Grooming ✂️

Both Samoyed and Lab Retrievers have a double coat that requires extensive grooming. As a result, Samoyed Labs also shed a lot and need occasional baths to clean their fur. These dogs shed more profusely during the shedding season, once or twice annually. Brush through your dog’s hair regularly to remove tangles and mats. A metal comb or slicker brush will work wonders.

It’s also important to brush your dog’s coat before putting them in a bathtub. Brushing will remove the heavy dirt, making it easier for you to clean their body. Brush your dog’s hair while they’re standing and get them accustomed to regular brushing. It will help them feel calm during the grooming sessions.

When it’s time for a bath, use a dog-specific shampoo. High-quality shampoos are the way to go since they nourish your dog’s coat. You can also dilute the shampoo to make rinsing easier.

Depending on their hair growth rate, you may also want to give your dog a trim at home. Alternatively, you can take your furry friend to a professional groomer every other month.

Other grooming requirements include brushing their teeth and trimming their nails. Trim your Samoyed Lab’s nails every month or as needed and brush their teeth daily, or as often as possible.

Health Conditions ❤️

Canine research has found that disorders in specific breeds are likely to be present in their mixed-breed descendants too. It includes common diseases, such as mast cell tumors, hip dysplasia, lens luxation, lymphoma, and cardiac problems. Therefore, health issues found in Samoyeds and Labs can also be inherited by their Samoyed Lab offspring.

The AKC recommends the following health tests for Labrador Retrievers:

The following health tests are recommended by the AKC for Samoyeds:

When buying a Samoyed Lab, make sure the breeder has conducted the required tests to ensure a stock’s optimal health.

Male vs Female

There’s not a lot of difference between male and female Samoyed Labs, except that males are larger. They may also be slightly heavier. Both sexes also differ in their behaviors during the mating season.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Samoyed Lab

1. Their Parents Were Loved by Queen Alexandria

Samoyeds came to England with the Arctic explorers who were returning to their country. Queen Alexandria played a huge role in promoting this breed since she admired the fluffy white dogs. At that time, mushers and explorers in Europe and America knew Samoyeds for their ability to sled more than their weight. Some famous explorers who rode behind these dogs are Amundsen and Shackleton.

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2. Samoyed Labs Are Very Protective

Due to their parents’ nature and history, Samoyed Labs have an instinct to protect their handlers and owners. However, they differ from other protective watchdogs in their lack of obsession with territories. Unlike other watchdog breeds, like Rottweilers, Samoyed Labs are not territorial. Instead, they share their space with other dogs and human companions easily.

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3. Samoyed Labs Are for Homebodies

While you don’t necessarily have to stay at home 24/7 to own a Samoyed Lab, the breed is not the right fit for you if you work long hours or travel a lot for work. The breed needs a lot of exercise and attention to prevent destructive behavior. These dogs are best suited for people who can give them sufficient time and physical activity.

Conclusion

Once you get through the initial hassle of finding a Samoyed Lab, which requires doing research on breeders and choosing a reputable option, you’ll find these dogs to be perfect companions. The inherent friendliness, loyalty, protectiveness, and intelligence of the breed make them a pleasant addition to any home.

Samoyed Labs need a little more maintenance and grooming than some other breeds due to their double coat. However, if you train your pup to be calm during grooming sessions, they will grow up to be adults who get on the grooming table themselves.

Easy trainability, coupled with their friendly nature, allows you to socialize with them quickly. However, they need ample companionship and exercise. You should be willing to partake in physical activities with your dog to keep them mentally and physically healthy.

If you’re a first-time dog owner, this might be too much for you. But an experienced owner will have an easy time raising a Samoyed Lab.

See Also:

• Samoyed Pomeranian Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
• Samoyed Australian Shepherd Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits

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Featured Image Credit: Leonel Santos, Shutterstock