Golden Sammy Basics
If you want a sweet-tempered, friendly, kind pooch, you can’t possibly go wrong with a Golden Sammy. As a mix between a Golden Retriever and a Samoyed, this designer dog breed is best known for its lovely personality. Not only that these gorgeous dogs are affectionate and cuddly with their owners, but they also tend to get along well with other pets and children of all ages. Easy to train and a pleasure to have in the family: you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who’s not enamored with the fluffy Golden Sammy.
Although hybrid dogs don’t always inherit the best of both worlds, the Golden Sammy originates from two well-bred, well-behaved breeds in general, so it’s rare that they display any negative traits such as stubbornness or destructive behavior. Especially if trained and socialized on time! Usually, these dogs are quite mellow and easy-going, and they make perfect pets for beginners, singles, active seniors and families of all shapes and sizes.
Friendly, easy-going, and lively, these pooches make a great pet for families with or without children.
Origin
Not much is known about the history and origin of the designer dog breeds. Not only that the intentional crossbreeding of purebred dogs is a fairly recent trend, but it is also something that is still a niche practice in the world of breeding dogs. With that in mind, it really is no surprise that there’s so much yet to learn about the Golden Sammy. For instance, there is no way to know with certainty when and where this mixed breed was first created. Although, if one looks at what we do know about the history of designer dogs in general, it’s safe to assume that the Golden Sammy was also created sometime in the last two decades in the United States, same as the rest of its crossbred fellows.
Pedigree
For any dog to possess official pedigree papers, it has to be registered with the American Kennel Club or one of its international counterparts. Unfortunately, designer dogs are not yet recognized as official breeds by any of the official canine clubs, including the AKC. This means that your Golden Sammy puppy won’t have a material proof of its pedigree. However, in its essence, pedigree is a well-documented family tree that serves to prove that a dog is well bred. Any reputable breeder would be able to offer such reassurance, even without a piece of paper. That’s because either one of your puppy’s parents will have an official pedigree, which will allow you to learn more about your Golden Sammy’s ancestry.
And if you get a Golden Sammy from a shelter, you can rely on the fact that both of its parental breeds are popular and loved around the world. Both the Samoyed and the Golden Retriever started out as working dogs, but were selectively bred to evolve into perfect companions- their offspring is the true proof of that.
Food/Diet
Most dogs are notorious for being greedy eaters with low-standards (shoes, dirty socks, trash- everything goes with pooches). In all honesty, the Golden Sammy is no different. These medium to large dogs will eat almost anything and would eat ungodly amounts of food if allowed. Of course, that doesn’t mean that their diet should look like that. A Golden Sammy needs a well-balanced diet based on high-quality dry dog food to stay healthy and fit. Choose kibble meant for dogs of their size, age (puppy, adult, senior) and activity level (moderate to active).
Additionally, it’s very important to pay attention to the amount of food you’re feeding your pet. Follow the guidelines printed on the kibble bag or ask your vet for advice. Overfeeding your Golden Sammy could lead to weight gain, and, in turn, issues with joints- dogs of this size are particularly prone to it.
Golden Sammy puppies are ideal for beginners, as they are very easy to train.
Training
If you’re a beginner dog owner or never trained a dog before, you’ll manage just fine with a Golden Sammy puppy. These dogs are smart, very eager to please and tend to view training as a play: you couldn’t wish for a better combo than that. Use positive reinforcement method to teach your puppy how to behave on a leash, where to go potty and basic commands. They will cherish the time they get to spend with you and you’ll be shaping your pooch into a well-behaved, socialized pet.
As the Golden Sammy is quite intelligent, they will need to have constant mental stimulation to prevent boredom. Spending time teaching them tricks or even agility could be a great way to engage their mind. Training is not always just about manners- you can turn into a fun activity that deepens the bond between you and your pet.
Weight
As designer dogs are the first generation offspring of two different purebreds, there is always a certain degree of unpredictability in their appearance. However, at least in terms of size, there’s not much room for a surprise with the Golden Sammy. While the Golden Retriever mom is slightly bigger than the Samoyed papa, it won’t lead to drastic weight variations in their puppies. Most Golden Sammy dogs weigh between 50 to 75 pounds when fully grown. The exact number will depend on their sex and parent they favor more.
Temperament/Behavior
Without any exaggeration, Golden Sammy has one of the loveliest characters in the world of designer dogs. Owing to its loving, kind, and smart parents, this hybrid flaunts traits that most dog owners consider make a perfect family pet. Golden Sammy is patient with children, friendly, and loves attention, even from strangers. They’ll never say no to an ear scratch or a belly rub! These handsome hybrids express their love and devotion through their cuddliness and desire to be near their owner whenever possible, but never in an overly clingy way. They’re like a cute teddy bear, both in terms of looks and behavior!
Amiable and sweet, a Golden Sammy will fit right in a multi-pet household. If train and socialize them on time, this pretty pooch will get along with cats, other dogs, and any type of pet, really. They are also quite smart, so make sure you don’t neglect their mind’s need: provide plenty of engaging playtime and puzzle toys to prevent boredom. A bored puppy can become mischievous and start chewing on everything; no matter how nice they are!
Common Health Problems
The jury is still out on the belief that designer dogs have “hybrid vigor” or, in other words, turn out to have fewer health issues than their purebred parents. It seems to be the case with some mixed breed dogs, but there’s simply not enough data for anyone to be making credible claims. Essentially, the only thing that can offer something of a guarantee is the quality of breeding. If you are buying a puppy from a shady backyard breeder or a puppy mill, you can count on them being sickly throughout their life. The inhumane conditions and irresponsible practices of these cruel people are what gives the designer dogs a bad rep in the first place.
Fortunately, if you adopt or buy a Golden Sammy from a reputable source, you’ll be happy to know that these dogs don’t have many hereditary issues that should concern you. Due to its parents, this hybrid dog could be prone to retinal dysplasia (congenital eye issue), as well as hip or elbow dysplasia. Apart from the possibility that your new puppy inherits one of these conditions from its parents, the Golden Sammy is a healthy, resilient pooch. Provide proper preventive care, good diet, exercise, and love- and you’ll get to see your puppy advance to senior years without many issues along the way.
Life Expectancy
As we’ve already mentioned, a lot about the designer dog breeds remains a mystery, including their lifespan. Many of these hybrids haven’t even been around long enough for experts to figure out their longevity! However, a great deal can be guesstimated fairly accurately based on the parental breeds of the designer dog. In case of the Golden Sammy, a look at its purebred mom and dad tells us that this dog will live between 10 to 15 years.
Exercise Requirements
In the breed’s beginning, the Samoyed was used to pull sleds in the harsh Siberian climate. Similarly, the athletic build and water-repellent coat of the Golden retriever were put to use in 19th century Scotland, where this breed was a hunting companion. Even though they’ve come far from their working start, both of these breeds have certain exercise needs even as companions. So, having in mind that both of its parents were originally bred to be working dogs, it’s safe to say that the Golden Sammy is a relatively active breed.
To meet this dog’s exercise needs, you’ll have to provide at least 40 minutes of daily activity. This could be a long walk, visit to the dog park, or throwing a ball in a fenced yard- whatever your pup loves most. Just have in mind that the Golden Sammy shouldn’t exert much in the summertime. Due to their coat, they can overheat fast.
To meet this dog’s exercise needs, you’ll have to provide at least 40 minutes of daily activity.
Recognized Clubs
While the American Kennel Club doesn’t recognize hybrids as official breeds, that doesn’t mean that no canine club does. There are various canine organizations enthusiastic about designer dogs, working towards their universal recognition and improving the standards of breeding. One of those organizations is the Dog Registry of America, which includes the Golden Sammy on their list of recognized breeds.
Coat
The coat of a Golden Sammy might be its biggest point of pride, appearance wise. Of course, it’s undeniable that the looks of any designer dog can vary greatly, even across one litter of puppies. The color of their fur ranges from white and cream to various gorgeous shades of gold.
The Golden Sammy puppies tend to favor more their Samoyed parent when it comes to the quality of their hair, giving them that distinct double-layered fluff, but with some added length from the Golden Retriever. As a result, you get gorgeous dogs that look like they’ve just stepped out of a winter fairytale.
Unfortunately, this also means that you’ll have to put in a bit of extra effort in your grooming sessions. Routine brushing will keep your Golden Sammy looking spick and span and keep away their hair away from your stuff. Expect abundant seasonal shedding, as well. But, all of it is more than worthy to be pawrent to such a four-legged angel!
Puppies
Golden Sammy puppies are tiny bundles of pure delight. Not only they are cute as heck but they tend to be quick learners even at a young age. From the very start, you’ll get to experience the loveliness of this designer dog breed. During their puppyhood, make sure to housebreak them and socialize them. Even though these dogs are complaisant, they still need basic training.
When grown, Golden Sammy keeps some of its puppy spirit, for sure. These big dogs hide an even bigger heart underneath their fluff and will completely conquer you with their beautiful character. Friendly, easy-going, and lively, these pooches make a great pet for families with or without children. Golden Sammy is also a good choice for active seniors or singles looking for a companion.
Photo credit: Catherine 1965/Shutterstock; Sandeep Gore/Shutterstock; xujun/Shutterstock
