There’s hardly a better thing you can do for your family than treat them to a new member in form of a loving and playful four-legged friend.
Getting a pooch will add so much quality to your daily life that you’ll wonder how have you even managed to live without one.
And, at the very top of the list of dogs you should consider when searching for the perfect family dog are two breeds with distinctly different backgrounds – Golden Retriever and Samoyed.
Their history couldn’t be more different. Golden Retrievers were developed by the British aristocracy, while Samoyed’s origins are with the indigenous people of Siberia.
Still, they are both big furry balls of fun, and among the friendliest and most affectionate breeds in the world.
Of course, diverse backgrounds dictate some differences between the two and I’ll compare Golden Retriever vs Samoyed to see what separates them.
| Attributes | Golden Retriever | Samoyed |
| Good For First Time Owners | Yes | Yes |
| Good Guard Dog | Not The Best Choice | No |
| Apartment Friendly | Yes | With Enough Exercise |
| Good Family Dog | Yes | Yes |
| Shedding | Moderate To High | High |
| Barking And Howling | Low | High |
| Height | 20-24 inches (51-61 cm) | 18-24 inches (48-60 cm) |
| Average Life Expectancy | 10-12 Years | 12-14 Years |
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Golden Retriever – Dog Breed Information
Golden Retriever hails from Scotland and was first developed in the 1800s.
They served the British aristocracy on their hunting trips as they excelled at retrieving, tracking, and had a great sense of smell.
Today these traits make them one of the finest contraband sniffers while their calm and friendly nature is the reason why they also often serve as therapy dogs.
However, their primary role nowadays is as family dogs and they are among the most popular breeds in the US and all over the world.
Appearance
This Scottish breed is often lauded as one of the most beautiful in the world. Goldies are very athletic and their gait is powerful and smooth at the same time.
They have a sturdy, medium-sized body covered with a lush coat. The body of a Golden Retriever is covered with a thick, waterproof double coat.
It can be wavy or straight. Their chest, tail, and back of the legs feature a somewhat heavier feathering.
The color is golden with different shades, from light to dark. Commonly, they have no visible markings.
The head is fairly large and broad with soulful and intelligent eyes. The ears are set high on the head and flopped downwards.
Male Golden Retrievers are 22-24 inches (56-61cm) and weigh 60-80 pounds (27-36 kg).
Females grow around 20-22 inches (51-56 cm) and weigh 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg).
Temperament
Golden Retriever’s main personality trait is their sweet and calm nature.
They were originally developed to work with and serve people so they enjoy spending time with their owners.
They’re always eager to please the owner and up for any activity you may have planned for them.
Goldies are playful and great with children. Also, they get along great with other animals.
Their friendliness extends to strangers, too, which makes them less than perfect for guarding duties.
Furthermore, they’re very intelligent, obedient, and respond well to training.
They can easily be trained to perform a variety of tasks, including hunting and being service dogs.
As an originally hunting breed, they’re fairly active and require a decent amount of daily exercise.
They prefer not to be left alone and will gladly join for a run or hike. Even when left alone outside the house, they will tirelessly roam around the yard.
Samoyed – Dog Breed Information
Hailing from the cold lands of Siberia, Samoyeds are a tough and hard-working breed.
For centuries they lived with native Samoyede people helping them in various everyday chores including sled pulling, herding, and hunting.
Still, despite being bred for work, they also have a gentle and playful side to them.
Appearance
Samoyeds have the classic appearance of a working dog.
They’re medium-large, strong, and powerful, with their abundant coat making them look even bigger than they are.
Similar to most breeds with northern origins, Samoyeds have a double coat that protects them from adverse weather conditions.
The undercoat is silky and soft, while the hairs of the topcoat are more harsh and long.
Most Samoyeds feature solid white coloring, although there are dogs with cream or biscuit shades.
Samoyeds have a big and broad head with the famous “Sammy smile.” Eyes are brown and almond-shaped while the ears are erect and covered with fur.
Fully grown males can be 18-24 inches (48-60 cm) high and weigh roughly 45-65 pounds (20-30 kg).
Females are 18-21 inches (48-53 cm) high and can weigh 35-50 pounds (16-21 kg).
Temperament
Samoyeds are a kind and friendly breed that appreciates every moment spent with their humans.
They are pack dogs, and in the absence of other dogs, they see family as their pack. This is the reason behind their unwavering loyalty and devotion to their owners.
Samoyeds are very careful and patient around kids and also very friendly towards strangers. So, if you’re looking for a watchdog, they’re not the best choice.
They like to be challenged, stimulated, and included in all family activities.
Nevertheless, spending too much time alone can make them depressed and a bit destructive and invoke problematic behavior.
Due to their high energy levels and love for any kind of activity, they’re great companions for hikes, runs, or bike rides.
However, be careful as they have a tendency to wander off.
As for the training, they are very smart and obedient but still require firm leadership.
Golden Retriever vs Samoyed – What’s the Difference?
| Golden Retriever | Samoyed |
 |  |
While they both are wonderful dogs and great additions to any family, there are some notable differences between Golden Retriever and Samoyed that you should pay attention to.
As a northern and hard-working breed, Samoyeds are more independent and can be harder to handle and training.
Golden Retrievers are, on the other hand, more easy-going and probably the better choice for inexperienced owners.
However, they’re also more clingy, so it comes down to what kind of bond you want with your dog.
Both breeds work great as family dogs and are great with children.
While both are rather adaptable to different living environments, bear in mind that Samoyeds shed more and will require more grooming and care.
As for the training, each of these breeds is very trainable, but Golden Retrievers are less independent and stubborn.
At the same time, they’re more intelligent which makes them easier to train.
Conclusion
No matter which breed you choose, Golden Retriever or Samoyed, these dogs will surely bring a lot of joy to your life.
They’re among the friendliest and playful breeds around and both live to please their owners.
A high level of affection and strong loyalty is one of the main personality traits for both breeds, so you’ll have a faithful companion for years to come.
Besides being great for the family, Goldies and Sammies are more than willing to work and will easily handle a variety of tasks you put in front of them.
The choice between the two mainly comes to personal preference and which one fits better into your living and family situation.
