Are Samoyeds Hypoallergenic? (Owners Tell All!)

There has been a great debate amongst dog owners on whether or not Samoyeds are REALLY hypoallergenic. A lot of people believe that in order to be hypoallergenic a dog must not shed. If you know anything about Samoyeds then you know they shed a lot!

Even though Samoyeds shed, they are still considered hypoallergenic, this is because of the smaller amount of protein levels in their saliva. They also have lower dander levels and don’t drool. This limits the allergin-causing protein that sufferers are exposed to causing them to have fewer allergic reactions than they would to other dogs.

Definition of Hypoallergenic

To understand why Samoyeds are considered hypoallergenic, we need to understand a little more about what that means.

Hypoallergenic means to produce below-average or fewer allergy responses than other kinds (or in this case other dog breeds).

It is important to understand that when something is hypoallergenic it doesn’t mean that it causes zero allergies, it only means it’s less likely to cause allergic reactions.

This is why many people will say there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. If they are confused with what that term actually means.

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In reality, it means there are dogs with lower dander levels and lower protein levels in their saliva which can cause a minimal reaction for those with allergies.

What Causes Dog Allergies?

People who have allergies from dogs are reacting to the protein found in the dog’s dander (tiny particles of a dog’s skin), saliva, and urine.

Their immune system will treat it as a dangerous foreign material such as a pathogen or bacteria and will try to attack it.

This will cause reactions common to hay fever, such as runny nose, sneezing, red watery eyes, headaches, cough, etc.

For people who are especially sensitive it could also cause asthma symptoms such as difficulty breathing or wheezing.

These symptoms can show up anywhere from 15 minutes after exposure to several days if the allergens are at lower levels and the immune system has less of a reaction.

Unfortunately, the best way to avoid getting these reactions is to avoid the cause, meaning don’t have a dog. There are also over-the-counter medications that can be taken to help ease symptoms.

Are Samoyeds Really Hypoallergenic?

As stated at the beginning of the article Samoyeds shed a lot! Many dogs that are hypoallergenic don’t shed. This confuses some people to think that if they shed they can’t be hypoallergenic. This is certainly why this is such a hotly debated topic among dog owners.

Samoyeds are not the most hypoallergenic dog breed there is, but of all the double-coated shedding dogs Samoyed are considered to be the most hypoallergenic.

Not only are Samoyeds dander level lower they have an iconic Samoyed smile that serves a multifaceted purpose!

Fun Fact: Samoyed smiles are an evolutionary trait meant to keep them warm in the frigid temperatures of the artic. Their upturned lips prevent them from drooling, which in freezing temperatures would cause icicles to form down their jaw.

Since Samoyeds always smile (their jaw curls up not down) they drool less frequently. This means less saliva on you.

They also have a very low allergen protein level in their saliva so when they groom themselves and that sheds in your house there are fewer allergens in the air.

What do Owners Say?

“My husband was worried when we were getting our puppy that he would have allergy issues, but he was fine. Even at the breeder’s house where there were multiple dogs, he had no problem. Which was good because I would have hated to have to choose the puppy over him.”
Aimee F.

One owner said they had a reaction to their Sammy for the first week, but after that, it went away.

Another owner who usually has severe allergies said that they had no reaction to their Samoyed, but they did make it a point to invest in a heavy-duty vacuum!

“My daughter and I suffer from asthma due to dog / cat and horses allergies (in between many others!). Usually it is the saliva (rather than the skin and fur) to create most of allergies. We have 2 sammies and never had any sort of problem.“
Silvia G.

A Samoyeds coat is considered wool. If you are allergic to wool don’t get a Sammy!
Their wooly coat is often saved and spun into clothing such as hats and scarves.

“I’m allergic at different levels to soo many dogs and have never had a reaction to a Samoyed. I did teach one of mine to shake off before coming in the house when she had been lying in the yard and I would wipe them down a bit with wipes during heavy pollen season.”
Sue L.

One owner said that her Samoyed doesn’t bother her, but her sisters Golden Retriever does.
Another owner got their Sammy with the expectation of taking allergy meds for the rest of her life. She said after 6 months the allergies to her Samoyed mostly went away.

“My Fiancé and I are both allergic to dogs and we have a Sam. She has never negatively affected our allergies and we have no issues with her. Only thing is they are high maintenance and things outside they get into might trigger them. I brush mine daily to prevent any dirt to stay in her fur.”
Daniella R.

Web MD says that having dogs in the home with young children can often help prevent them from developing allergies into adulthood.

“We’ve had our Samoyed for about a year now and my husband is still taking Benadryl daily along with Flonase and has an inhaler. Other days are worse for him, we do try to vacuum daily but it doesn’t always help. He does react a lot less compared to when we first got our samoyed though.”
Kaitlyn P.

Do Samoyeds Shed?

As we have already discussed it’s a common misconception that if a dog is hypoallergenic then it doesn’t shed. That is not true!!

Samoyeds do shed a lot! Owners report that their dogs shed on a daily basis. They will shed more twice a year when they change their coats for the seasons. This is called blowing their coats.

Owning a hypoallergenic Samoyed you can be sure that you will still have to deal with dog hair all over everything!

Thankfully there are a lot of tricks owners have used to help keep the shedding under control. You can read more about that here. Samoyed Shedding Complete Guide (Tips and Tricks From Owners)

How to Ensure Sucess and Keep the Allergies Down

The only way to find out if a Samoyed is truly hypoallergenic for you is to spend some time with the breed to find out how you react.

Even different Samoyeds because of slight genetic differences can cause different reactions among allergy sufferers.

Tip #1: If you are wanting to get a Samoyed puppy ask the breeder if you can spend some time around the mom and dad to see how you react. A good breeder should have no problem allowing this.

Tip #2: If you are looking in shelters for a Samoyed then spend some time with the Samoyed in the shelter before adopting it. Several sessions of several days would be ideal.

Not only will this help you know if you will have allergies to the dog it will help the dog get to know you and help you bond with it before you bring it home.

Tip #3: Sometimes the issue allergy sufferers have with owning a dog is reacting to the stuff they pick up from outside. Samoyeds have beautiful thick double coats that are quite amazing in its ability to repel dirt and debris, but their hair is quite thick so it can pick up a lot of pollen and junk.

Keeping your Sammy on a good grooming schedule with bathing and brushing is important read this article to know how often a Sammy should be bathed. Bathing Your Samoyed (Frequency, & Puppy Tips)

A Sammy breeder recommends that all Sammy owners have a forced air blow dryer at home to use to keep the dust, dirt, and excess hair blown out of their dog.

It takes about 15-30 minutes once a week. Plus you have an easy way to dry them if they get wet and to blow out the dry residue when they have a digging adventure.

Are Samoyed Mixes Hypoallergenic?

Samoyed mixes are not very easy to find. Finding a breeder that can verify you are getting a Samoyed mix can be even more difficult.

Any dog mixed with a Samoyed will have a 50/50 chance of being hypoallergenic unless the dog you are breeding it with is also hypoallergenic then the chances go up to 90% or above.

The most popular hypoallergenic Samoyed mixes are the Sammypoo (Poodle Samoyed Mix). Because the Poodle coat is less likely to shed and the Samoyed is less likely to create dander the chances of getting a do you are not allergic to are high.

It is possible still to have allergies to this type of dog, so the best bet is to spend some time around the parents to see how you react to them first before bringing home a puppy!

Are Golden Retriever Sammy Mixes Hypoallergenic?

No Golden Sammy’s are not hypoallergenic though they won’t shed as much as other Samoyed mixes like an Aussie Samoyed, or a Chow Chow Samoyed they will still shed and cause dander.

Is a Husky Samoyed Hypoallergenic?

A Samoyed Husky or Samusky is not hypoallergenic. This mixed breed sheds a lot and has a medium amount of dander which will have a high likelihood of causing problems for allergy sufferers.

Is a German Shepherd Samoyed Hypoallergenic?

No, a German Shepherd Husky mix is not hypoallergenic. This mixed breed has a double coat of hair that will shed moderate to severe and can cause problems for allergy sufferers.

Other Hypoallergenic dogs similar to Samoyeds

FAQ

How much does a Hypoallergenic Samoyed cost?

The cost to buy a hypoallergenic Samoyed is generally between $600-$3000. The price range is so large because there are many things to factor in when considering the price. Show bloodlines cost more, as well as established breeders that do extensive health testing.

Where can I find a Hypoallergenic Samoyed for sale?

The best place to start looking for a Samoyed to adopt or buy is at a Samoyed rescue. You can check this website to find out more about rescuing a Samoyed. Samoyed Rescue Groups – Samoyed Club of America

Are Samoyed puppies hypoallergenic?

Samoyed puppies are considered to be hypoallergenic. In general, they are in the mid-range of hypoallergenic dog breeds since they still do shed, but create less dander.

Are Samoyeds good for allergies?

Samoyeds are not the best dog breed for allergy suffers, but because they produce less dander they are considered hypoallergenic and good for some allergy suffers.

Are there non-shedding Samoyeds?

There is no such thing as a non-shedding Samoyed. All Samoyeds shed. A Samoyed mixed with a non-shedding dog like a poodle will likely not shed as much as a full-bred Sammy, but depending on the inherited genetics will still shed some.

Are Miniture Samoyeds Hypoallergenic?

Miniature Samoyeds have the same genetics as far as coat goes as full-size Samoyeds. Miniature Samoyeds would be considered Hypoallergenic as they also don’t cause as much dander as a regular size Samoyed. The only thing different for these dogs is their size.

Do Miniature Samoyeds Shed?

Miniature Samoyeds do shed. They shed the same amount as their larger counterparts, but because of their smaller size, the amount of hair is less.