In general, they get along well with children, although they can be a little boisterous for small toddlers. They are herding dogs and may show some tendency to chase or nip. Samoyeds tend to get along well with other dogs as well as people and with other pets they are raised with. Digging can be a problem because they dig to reach a cool resting place. Samoyeds will alarm bark and, if left alone for long periods of time, will often develop into nuisance barkers. Bred to live in a tent in very close quarters with their families, they thrive on human company. These are intelligent dogs, with a touch of independence. The Samoyed is a friendly, personable dog. The coat stands out from the body giving a fluffy appearance to the Samoyed. The color is a striking white though biscuit or cream coloration is allowed.
As would be expected for a breed of northern origin, this is a thick, harsh, straight coat with a very full undercoat. The sparkling white coat is the glory of the Samoyed breed.
The corners of the lips curl up to give the characteristic "Sammie smile." Samoyeds should have nice dark pigment around the eyes, nose, and lips despite the white coat color. The ears are prick and the head is broad. Samoyeds are squarely built, sturdy dogs, with a fluffy plumed tail curled over the back and draped to one side. The Samoyed is a medium-sized dog with a height ranging from 19 to 23 1/2 inches and weight from 50 to 65 pounds (23 to 29 kilograms).