Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dalmatian Versus Samoyed: Introduction
- Dalmatian versus Samoyed: Overview
- Dalmatian versus Samoyed: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dalmatian and the Samoyed
- The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the Samoyed
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dalmatian versus Samoyed
- Temperament of the Samoyed Versus the Dalmatian
- Price of Dalmatian versus Price of Samoyed
- The Intelligence of the Dalmatian versus the Intelligence of the Samoyed
- The Popularity of Dalmatian versus Popularity of Samoyed
- Health Problems of Dalmatian versus Health Problems of Samoyed
- Which one drools more, the Dalmatian or the Samoyed
- Does the Dalmatian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Samoyed?
- Do Dalmatians Bark and Howl? What about Samoyeds?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus Samoyed
- Can Dalmatians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Samoyeds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Samoyeds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and Samoyeds?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dalmatian or the Samoyed?
- Is the Dalmatian Easier to Train than the Samoyed?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. Samoyed
- Are Dalmatians good family dogs? What about Samoyeds?
- Do Dalmatians shed more than Samoyeds?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dalmatian or the Samoyed?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dalmatian
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Samoyed
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dalmatian versus Samoyed. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dalmatian Versus Samoyed: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dalmatian and the Samoyed? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Dalmatian and the Samoyed better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Dalmatian and the Samoyed.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dalmatian and the Samoyed is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Dalmatian and for the Samoyed. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Dalmatian and the Samoyed.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Dalmatian or the Samoyed
Dalmatian versus Samoyed: Overview
Both the Dalmatian and the Samoyed are similar in size. The Dalmatian and the Samoyed are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Dalmatian belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
On the other hand, the Samoyed belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Dalmatian versus Samoyed: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dalmatian to the Samoyed based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
| Factor | Dalmatian | Samoyed |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 13 to 16 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Height | 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 7 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 48 to 55 pounds | 50 to 60 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1410 | $2460 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $1500 – $3000 |
| Temperament Score | 83.3 percent | 80.3 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 60 | 61 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 39 | 33 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Dalmatian in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Samoyed. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for a Dalmatian is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Samoyed is 71 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Dalmatian is a better pet than the Samoyed. So, you should get the Dalmatian!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Dalmatian and the Samoyed so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dalmatian and the Samoyed
Below is a list of where the Dalmatian and the Samoyed are most different:
The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the Samoyed
The Dalmatian and the Samoyed are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dalmatian and the Samoyed are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dalmatian versus Samoyed
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dalmatian and the Samoyed.
Dalmatians weigh 48 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Dalmatians are 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Samoyeds weigh 50 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Samoyeds are 1 foot, 7 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the Samoyed Versus the Dalmatian
The Dalmatian has a better temperament than the Samoyed.
This is because the temperament score for the Dalmatian is 83.3 percent while the temperament score for the Samoyed is 80.3 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 83.3 percent, the Dalmatian has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 80.3 percent, the Samoyed has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dalmatian and the Samoyed by measuring the temperaments of 359 Dalmatians and 294 Samoyeds.
Price of Dalmatian versus Price of Samoyed
The average price of the Dalmatian puppy is $1410. The price of the Dalmatian typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Dalmatian can be as low as $250 and as high as $2600. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 233 Dalmatian puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Samoyed puppy is $2460. The price of the Samoyed typically ranges from $1500 – $3000. However, the price of a Samoyed can be as low as $800 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 114 Samoyed puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Samoyed is more expensive than the Dalmatian.
| Dalmatian | Samoyed | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1410 | $2460 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $1500 to $3000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Dalmatian and Samoyed. For different price points, the charts show how many Dalmatian puppies or how many Samoyed puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Dalmatians. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Samoyeds
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Dalmatian puppy or the Samoyed puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Intelligence of the Dalmatian versus the Intelligence of the Samoyed
| Dalmatian | Samoyed | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 39 out of 130 dog breeds | 33 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Dalmatian has an obedience intelligence rank of 39 out of 130 dog breeds. The Dalmatian belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Dalmatians tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Samoyed has an obedience intelligence rank of 33 out of 130 dog breeds. The Samoyed belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Samoyeds tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Samoyed is more intelligent than the Dalmatian.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Dalmatian versus Popularity of Samoyed
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Dalmatian and the Samoyed over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dalmatian is more popular with dog owners than the Samoyed. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dalmatian is 60 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Samoyed is 61 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Dalmatian
Popularity of Samoyed
| Year | Dalmatian Popularity Rank | Samoyed Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 64 | 67 |
| 2014 | 66 | 68 |
| 2015 | 62 | 61 |
| 2016 | 62 | 65 |
| 2017 | 63 | 57 |
| 2018 | 56 | 59 |
| 2019 | 59 | 58 |
| 2020 | 51 | 56 |
Health Problems of Dalmatian versus Health Problems of Samoyed
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Dalmatian and the Samoyed are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Samoyed is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dalmatian.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Samoyed than for the Dalmatian.
2 health tests are recommended for Dalmatian while 5 tests are recommended for the Samoyed.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dalmatians and in Samoyeds.
Dalmatian Health Problems
Dalmatians are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Dalmatian puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Dalmatian puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Dalmatian breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Dalmatians for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dalmatians here.
Samoyed Health Problems
Samoyeds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Samoyed puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Samoyed puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Samoyed breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Samoyeds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Samoyeds here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Dalmatians and Samoyeds
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Dalmatian Breed is Baer Hearing Test problems.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks 1 out of 21 dog breeds for Baer Hearing Test problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 8730 Dalmatians, 1003 of them had Baer Hearing Test problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Dalmatians, and how common these diseases are in Dalmatians relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Samoyed Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.
This is because the Samoyed ranks 46 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 486 Samoyeds, 1 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Samoyeds, and how common these diseases are in Samoyeds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Dalmatian and in Samoyed and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dalmatian and the Samoyed:
| Disease | Dalmatian Rank | Samoyed Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 1 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hyperuricosuria problems | 1 out of 11 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 6 out of 115 dog breeds | 103 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 9 out of 71 dog breeds | 46 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 10 out of 159 dog breeds | 50 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | 11 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 51 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 132 out of 144 dog breeds | 100 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 161 out of 182 dog breeds | 123 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 170 out of 198 dog breeds | 110 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 98 out of 145 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Which one drools more, the Dalmatian or the Samoyed
Dalmatians do have a very low tendency to drool.
Samoyeds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Is the Dalmatian Better for Apartment Owners than the Samoyed?
Dalmatians do not adapt well to apartment living.
Samoyeds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Does the Dalmatian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Samoyed?
Dalmatians have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Samoyeds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Dalmatians Bark and Howl? What about Samoyeds?
Dalmatians are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Samoyeds bark and howl, but not very much.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dalmatian or the Samoyed?
Dalmatians are OK for new dog owners.
Samoyeds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus Samoyed
Dalmatians can be left alone only for a short time.
Samoyeds do not like to be left alone.
Can Dalmatians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Samoyeds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dalmatians can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Samoyeds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Samoyeds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dalmatians can tolerate hot weather.
Samoyeds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and Samoyeds?
Dalmatians get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Samoyeds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dalmatian or the Samoyed?
Dalmatians get along very well with other dogs.
Samoyeds get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Dalmatian Easier to Train than the Samoyed?
Dalmatians are very easy to train.
Samoyeds are fairly easy to train.
Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. Samoyed
Dalmatians have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Samoyeds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Are Dalmatians good family dogs? What about Samoyeds?
Dalmatians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Samoyeds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Do Dalmatians shed more than Samoyeds?
Dalmatians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Samoyeds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dalmatian or the Samoyed?
Dalmatians are very easy to groom.
Samoyeds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dalmatian
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dalmatian that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Dalmatian:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Samoyed
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Samoyed that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Samoyed:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Dalmatian and how the Samoyed compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dalmatian and of the Samoyed to other breeds:
Dalmatian Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dalmatian versus Lancashire Heeler Dalmatian versus Hovawart Dalmatian versus Maltipoo Dalmatian versus Bulldog Dalmatian versus Mudi Dalmatian versus Bich Poo Dalmatian versus Cocker Spaniel Dalmatian versus Pyrenean Mastiff Dalmatian versus Dutch Shepherd
Samoyed Versus Other Dog Breeds
Samoyed versus Silky Terrier Samoyed versus English Setter Samoyed versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Samoyed versus Xoloitzcuintli Samoyed versus Chorkie Samoyed versus Welsh Terrier Samoyed versus Cocker Spaniel Samoyed versus Puggle Samoyed versus Afghan Hound Samoyed versus Irish Wolfhound
Conclusion: Dalmatian versus Samoyed. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Dalmatian and the Samoyed better suits you and your family.