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Sammypoo (Samoyed & Poodle Mix): Info, Pictures & Traits

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

sammypoo

Height: 16-22 inches
Weight: 40-70 pounds
Lifespan: 12-14 years
Colors: Black, fawn, gray, brown, silver, red, cream, blue, pied, white, sable
Suitable for: Owners with allergies, those looking for a fluffy, intelligent dog
Temperament: Enthusiastic, active, easily bored, smart, laidback

You may think that breeders would have run out of dogs to mix with Poodles, but let us introduce yet another one: the Sammypoo. A Poodle-Samoyed mix, these dogs represent the next wave in the hypoallergenic dog movement.

Sammypoos are big, adorable fluffballs that have a knack for getting into trouble, so they may not be suitable for first-time owners. If you feel confident that you can handle one, though, they’ll make a wonderful companion, especially if someone in your household suffers from allergies.

This is a relatively new breed, so you may not have even heard of them before, let alone know anything about them. If you want to learn more about the weird and wonderful Sammypoo, the guide below will you fill in on everything you need to know.

Divider 1Sammypoo Puppies

Sammypoo Puppy
Image Credit: liyuhan, Shutterstock
Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

Sammypoo puppies are adorable little balls of fluff that stay in constant motion. These dogs are smart and inquisitive, even at an early age, so they’ll spend most of their time seeing what kind of trouble they can get into.

That means you need to be extra vigilant about puppy-proofing your home. If you leave anything out that you don’t want them getting into — like treats or anything poisonous — they’ll try to get it. You have to stay one step ahead of them at all times, and that’s no easy task.

They also need a great deal of exercise. They’ll take care of most of that for you, as they’re constantly running and sniffing around. In fact, you’ll probably be the one getting all the exercise as you try to keep up.

Be careful about what kinds of exercise you give your Sammypoo, though. Their young joints are still developing, so don’t force them to do too much jumping or other high-impact activities. Save those for when they’re fully developed.

You should start training and socializing them from the day you bring them home, as they can be stubborn and difficult to train later in life. Lay the groundwork early, and you’ll make your life much easier.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Sammypoo

1. They come in two sizes.

As you may know, there are two sizes of Poodle: Standard and Miniature. Both sizes can be used by breeders to make Sammypoos, and the size of the Poodle used will determine the size of the resulting Sammypoo.

You can get either a Standard or Miniature Sammypoo, and there’s not much difference between the two sizes in terms of temperament. However, Miniature Sammypoos will require less exercise, so they may be a smarter pick for older or more sedentary owners.

2. You’re rolling the dice on what color your Sammypoo will be.

While Samoyeds are almost always white, Poodles come in a variety of colors — 11, to be exact. As a result, most Sammypoos have a white base, on which any number of color combinations can be superimposed.

Their markings won’t necessarily settle in until the dog is fully grown, however, so what you see as a puppy may not be what you get as an adult. The good news is that regardless of how they turn out looking, these dogs are adorable — but if you have your heart set on a particular color combo, this may not be the breed for you.

3. Their personalities are a mixed bag as well.

The Sammypoo has only been around for 30 years or so, and it’s not yet a popular breed. That means there haven’t been many generations of these dogs produced, so they don’t have all the kinks ironed out yet.

That’s not to say these are bad dogs — far from it. You just can’t really know whether your Sammypoo will be more likely to take after the Samoyed, Poodle, or an equal mixture of both. Fortunately, both parent breeds are sweethearts, so you should have a good dog on your hands regardless of who they favor.

The parent breeds of Sammypoo
The parent breeds of Sammypoo: Left – Samoyed (Barcs Tamás, Unsplash) | Right – Poodle (chili71, Pixabay)

Divider 3

Temperament & Intelligence of Sammypoos 🧠

Samoyeds are considered above-average in terms of intelligence, and many estimates peg the Poodle as being the smartest breed of them all, so you can imagine how intelligent a mix of the two would be.

These dogs can figure out just about anything, and they can quickly master virtually any task you ask of them. Whether they’re willing to do what you ask is another story, as they can be prone to fits of hardheadedness.

Sammypoos are usually eager to please, as long as your goals don’t deviate too far from their own. If you try to convince them to stop chewing on your furniture, though, they may put their considerable brainpower to work trying to circumvent your command.

They tend to be lovable and outgoing dogs — so much so that they’re often complete failures as guard dogs. They’re extremely laidback, so while they may realize that someone is breaking into your home, they won’t necessarily feel obligated to do anything about it.

They’re affectionate and loyal, but your Sammypoo will also push your boundaries if you let them. You’ll need a firm hand and a confident training style, or else they could end up walking all over you.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Sammypoos can make excellent family pets provided that they’re properly trained and socialized. You’ll need to start while they’re young before any bad habits can become ingrained.

Even if you’re successful, though, you should always monitor your Sammypoo around small children. They’re not necessarily forgiving about having their tails pulled, for example, and they may snap at your kids to keep them in line.

They’re likely better suited for homes with older kids, as they can help bleed off the dog’s excess energy without putting them in bad situations. Older children will also be able to help train them, which would be helpful for both the kids and the dog.

These dogs are extremely high-energy, so they do best in homes with large backyards for them to sprint around in. You can keep one in an apartment — especially one of the miniature ones — but you’ll need to spend an hour or two a day taking them to the park or for long, strenuous hikes.

However, given that they’re largely hypoallergenic, Sammypoos may be great pets if someone in your family is allergic to dogs. They also don’t shed much, so neatniks may appreciate them more than, say, a German Shepherd.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Sammypoos can get along with other dogs if they’re properly socialized, so don’t worry about that. They’re more likely to tolerate another pooch in the house if they’re raised with it from puppyhood.

Given their high energy levels, you may want to bring in another pup just to give them someone else to play with. This is especially true if you have a yard large enough for the two pups to tear around at high speeds, as you can just turn them loose and let them tucker each other out.

They have moderately strong herding instincts, so if you have smaller pets in the house, they may find themselves getting escorted all around the house. Your cat may not appreciate that, so monitor the situation as best you can.

As with other dogs, your Sammypoo will accept other pets better if raised alongside them. Be careful about bringing home a new cat if you have an established, adult Sammypoo in the house.

Divider 4Things to Know When Owning a Sammypoo

Although Samoyeds and Poodles are both popular breeds, Sammypoos aren’t nearly as well-known. As a result, many people have no idea what to expect when bringing one home.

If you’re intrigued by this designer breed but want to know more about what owning a Sammypoo is like, the information below will fill you in on what it takes to raise one of these unique pups.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

How much you feed your Sammypoo will depend in large part on whether it’s miniature or standard-sized, but it’s important to practice proper portion control. They will overeat if given the chance, especially if bored, so don’t leave food out for them to free-feed.

Be mindful about what kind of food you serve them too. We recommend a high-protein kibble, preferably one that’s also high in fat and fiber, as this will give them long-lasting energy without adding much to their waistline.

Obesity is terrible for any dog, but especially Sammypoos in particular. Make sure they’re not carrying excess weight, as that can cause any number of health issues down the line. If they start getting plump, it’s easier to cut down on their rations than increase their activity level (although doing both is a good idea).

Read the label of any food you’re considering carefully. Watch out for ingredients like corn, soy, wheat, or animal by-products, as these are often used by lower-quality foods to add bulk while keeping costs low. Your dog will have difficulty processing these ingredients, though, so you should avoid them if possible.

You may want to look for other things like omega fatty acids and glucosamine in any kibble you’re considering. For omega fatty acids, look for ingredients like fish, flaxseed, or vegetable oils. Glucosamine can be found in internal organs, so if you don’t see any listed, look for things like “chicken meal,” which is full of ground-up animal parts.

Exercise 🐕

Sammypoos are high-energy dogs, and they need a great deal of exercise to stay sane. Miniature Sammypoos will need less than their standard counterparts, but they’re still high-energy compared to similarly-sized pups.

It will take more than a stroll around the neighborhood to tucker this breed out (although you should take them for walks, anyway). They need high-impact exercise, so consider enrolling them in something like agility training.

Many Sammypoos love the water, so you might want to take them swimming or to the beach. This is a great way to burn off excess energy without putting a ton of stress on their joints.

Taxing their mind is just as important as taxing their body. You can subject them to marathon training sessions, plan scavenger hunts, or give them puzzle toys to keep their noodles occupied.

If you don’t give your Sammypoo enough exercise, they’ll burn off their energy in other ways, and you won’t like most of them. These dogs can become destructive if not tuckered out, so it’s important to keep them as exhausted as you can.

Training 🦮

Training a Sammypoo can be an exercise in extremes. They’re intelligent and often eager to please, so when training goes well, it can be almost effortless.

However, they definitely have a stubborn streak. They may push back against some of your training efforts, so it’s best if you’re confident in your abilities. First-time owners may not have the experience necessary to keep them in line.

Part of the difficulty that their extreme intelligence poses is the fact that you’ll need to keep your training sessions as entertaining as possible. If you don’t hold your Sammypoo’s attention, something else will, and your entire session can quickly become derailed.

If you’re not confident in your training abilities, then by all means, hire a professional to help you. However, it’s best if you can handle the bulk of the training duties yourself, as it will build a bond between you and your dog, while making it easier to handle any behavioral issues that crop up along the way.

These pooches do best with positive reinforcement, so avoid harsh punishments. Instead, reward them for things they’ve done right, and ignore any behaviors that you don’t want to continue.

Grooming ✂️

Most Sammypoos are hypoallergenic, so you shouldn’t have to deal with much in the way of shedding. However, that’s not true of every member of the breed, as some Sammypoos take after their Samoyed forebears more than the Poodle ones.

Even if that’s the case, shedding should be minimal. You should brush them every week or so just to corral any loose hair and prevent matting, though.

In addition to whatever grooming you do, you should have a regular appointment set up with a professional groomer. You Sammypoo likely need their hair trimmed, and unless you have a steady hand, you should save your dog some embarrassment and leave the styling to the pros.

These dogs need to be bathed more often than many other breeds, so expect to wash them once a month or so. You’ll also have to dry them thoroughly, possibly with the assistance of a hair dryer.

Beyond that, you should brush their teeth daily, and trim their nails as needed. Clean out their ears at least once a week because if you let dirt and bacteria build up, it can lead to infection.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Like most mutts, Sammypoos tend to be fairly healthy. Poodles are extremely healthy, and Samoyeds aren’t far behind, so there’s not much you’ll have to worry about from a health standpoint with the Sammypoo.

However, there are a few things that you should look for. We’ve listed a few of the most notable issues below.

Minor Conditions
  • Corneal dystrophy
  • Sebaceous adenitis
  • Entropion
  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Allergies
Serious Conditions
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Addison’s disease
  • Mitral valve disease

Divider 5Male vs. Female

There isn’t that much difference between male and female Sammypoos, other than the fact that the males tend to be bigger than females (this is true of both Miniature and Standard varieties).

However, there can be some notable temperament differences between Sammypoos depending on which parent breed they favor. This can be hard to predict ahead of time, though, so you just have to take your chances when adopting one of these dogs.

Divider 3Final Thoughts

If you want an incredibly intelligent, energetic dog that’s excellent for people with allergy issues, you can’t go wrong with the Sammypoo. These pups can make wonderful companions for anyone with enough energy to keep up with them.

Not everyone is capable of providing them with the exercise they need, though, and they can be difficult for first-time owners to train properly.

For those who can handle them, the Sammypoo will make a wonderful pet. They’re lovable and affectionate, and they’re cute enough to get away with it when you come home to discover they’ve chewed up your couch.

See Also:


Featured Image Credit: Left – Waldo93, Pixabay; Right – carah_, Pixabay

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