Is the Lakeland Terrier Better than the Samoyed as a Pet? Answer…

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Lakeland Terrier Versus Samoyed: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier or the Samoyed.

Lakeland Terrier versus Samoyed

Lakeland Terrier versus Samoyed: Overview

A very important difference between the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Lakeland Terrier is a small-sized dog while the Samoyed is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Lakeland Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

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.

Lakeland Terrier versus Samoyed: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lakeland Terrier 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed

Factor Lakeland Terrier Samoyed
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Height 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 7 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder
Weight 15 to 17 pounds 50 to 60 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 1/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1810 $2460
Price Range $1600 – $2325 $1500 – $3000
Temperament Score 75.0 percent 80.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 1 year
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (X-L PRA) DNA Test
  • RD/OSD
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 142 61
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 62 33

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Lakeland Terrier 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 the Lakeland Terrier is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Samoyed is 71 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lakeland Terrier is a better pet than the Samoyed. So, you should get the Lakeland Terrier!

    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 Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Lakeland Terrier versus Samoyed

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed

    Below is a list of where the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed are most different:

  • Lakeland Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Samoyeds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Lakeland Terriers can tolerate hot weather. However, Samoyeds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • The Similarities Between the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed

    The Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed are most similar:

  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed are not easy to train.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed are very playful.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lakeland Terrier versus Samoyed

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed.

    Lakeland Terriers weigh 15 to 17 pounds when fully grown. Lakeland Terriers are 13 to 14 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.

    Lifespan of Lakeland Terrier versus Samoyed

    The lifespan of Lakeland Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lakeland Terriers is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Samoyeds is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Samoyeds is 13.0 years.

    Lakeland Terriers live longer than Samoyeds.

    Lakeland Terrier versus Samoyed

    Temperament of the Lakeland Terrier Versus the Samoyed

    The Samoyed has a better temperament than the Lakeland Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Samoyed is 80.3 percent while the temperament score for the Lakeland Terrier is 75.0 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 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 75.0 percent, the Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed by measuring the temperaments of 8 Lakeland Terriers and 294 Samoyeds.

    Price of Lakeland Terrier versus Price of Samoyed

    The average price of the Lakeland Terrier puppy is $1810. The price of the Lakeland Terrier typically ranges from $1600 – $2325. However, the price of a Lakeland Terrier can be as low as $1000 and as high as $2550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 11 Lakeland Terrier 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 the 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 Lakeland Terrier.

    Lakeland Terrier Samoyed
    Average Price $1810 $2460
    Price Range $1600 to $2325 $1500 to $3000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Lakeland Terrier and Samoyed. For different price points, the charts show how many Lakeland Terrier puppies or how many Samoyed puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lakeland Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lakeland Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Samoyeds

    A breakdown of the prices of Samoyeds

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Lakeland Terrier 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Lakeland Terrier versus Samoyed

    Adopting the Lakeland Terrier versus Adopting the Samoyed

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Lakeland Terriers and many Samoyeds are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Lakeland Terrier named Boo And Bean that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Lakeland Terriers like Boo And Bean on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Lakeland Terriers, Samoyeds are also available for adoption. For example, We Have No Dogs Available At This Time. is a Male Samoyed that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Samoyeds like We Have No Dogs Available At This Time. that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Cash is the name of another Lakeland Terrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Lakeland Terriers and Samoyeds that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Lakeland Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Samoyed

    Lakeland Terrier Samoyed
    Intelligence Rank 62 out of 130 dog breeds 33 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • 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 Lakeland Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 62 out of 130 dog breeds. The Lakeland Terrier belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Lakeland Terriers tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 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 Lakeland Terrier.

    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 Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Samoyed is more popular with dog owners than the Lakeland Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Samoyed is 61 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Lakeland Terrier is 142 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Lakeland Terrier

    Popularity of Lakeland Terrier

    Popularity of Samoyed

    Popularity of Samoyed

    Year Lakeland Terrier Popularity Rank Samoyed Popularity Rank
    2013 134 67
    2014 149 68
    2015 141 61
    2016 145 65
    2017 138 57
    2018 147 59
    2019 148 58
    2020 136 56

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lakeland Terrier versus Samoyed

    Lakeland Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Samoyeds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lakeland Terriers shed more than Samoyeds?

    Lakeland Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Samoyeds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Lakeland Terrier or the Samoyed

    Lakeland Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Samoyeds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lakeland Terrier or the Samoyed?

    Lakeland Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Samoyeds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Lakeland Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Samoyed?

    Lakeland Terriers 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.

    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 Lakeland Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Samoyeds?

    Lakeland Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Samoyeds bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Lakeland Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Samoyeds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lakeland Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Samoyeds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lakeland Terrier vs. Samoyed

    Lakeland Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Samoyeds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Lakeland Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Samoyeds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Lakeland Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Samoyeds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Lakeland Terrier or the Samoyed?

    Lakeland Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Samoyeds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Lakeland Terriers good family dogs? What about Samoyeds?

    Lakeland Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Samoyeds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Lakeland Terriers and Samoyeds?

    Lakeland Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Samoyeds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Lakeland Terrier Easier to Train than the Samoyed?

    Lakeland Terriers are not easy to train.

    Samoyeds are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Lakeland Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Samoyed?

    Lakeland Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Samoyeds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lakeland Terrier or the Samoyed?

    Lakeland Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Samoyeds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lakeland Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier:

  • Irish Terrier (79 percent match with Lakeland Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Samoyed vs Irish Terrier.
  • Barbet (80 percent match with Lakeland Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Samoyed vs Barbet.
  • 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:

  • English Setter (75 percent match with Samoyed). Here is our comparison of the Lakeland Terrier vs English Setter.
  • Siberian Husky (75 percent match with Samoyed). Here is our comparison of the Lakeland Terrier vs Siberian Husky.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Lakeland Terrier and how the Samoyed compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Lakeland Terrier and of the Samoyed to other breeds:

    Lakeland Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lakeland Terrier versus Toy Fox Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Shiba Inu     Lakeland Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Lakeland Terrier versus Lhasa Apso     Lakeland Terrier versus Beagle     Lakeland Terrier versus American Eskimo Dog     Lakeland Terrier versus Puli     Lakeland Terrier versus Italian Greyhound     Lakeland Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Skye Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Collie     Lakeland Terrier versus Scottish Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Maltese     Lakeland Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Lakeland Terrier versus German Pinscher     Lakeland Terrier versus Bichon Frise     Lakeland Terrier versus Newfoundland     Lakeland Terrier versus Ibizan Hound     Lakeland Terrier versus American Hairless Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund     Lakeland Terrier versus Beaglier     Lakeland Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound     Lakeland Terrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Lakeland Terrier versus Cockalier     

    Samoyed Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Samoyed versus Chi-Poo     Samoyed versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Samoyed versus Japanese Spitz     Samoyed versus Bichon Frise     Samoyed versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Samoyed versus Great Dane     Samoyed versus Standard Schnauzer     Samoyed versus Boxerdoodle     Samoyed versus Boston Terrier     Samoyed versus Labradoodle     Samoyed versus Lakeland Terrier     Samoyed versus Bull Terrier     Samoyed versus Afador     Samoyed versus Beaglier     Samoyed versus Swedish Vallhund     Samoyed versus Affenpinscher     Samoyed versus American Hairless Terrier     Samoyed versus Harrier     Samoyed versus Chi-Poo     Samoyed versus Dogo Argentino     Samoyed versus Pomapoo     Samoyed versus Stabyhoun     Samoyed versus Coton de Tulear     Samoyed versus Whippet     Samoyed versus Fila Brasileiro     

    Conclusion: Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier and the Samoyed better suits you and your family.