Sammypoo

The spirited Sammypoo brings the smarts and playful nature of the Poodle together with the loyal and often wilful personality of the Samoyed for a great family dog that loves to be involved in all of his human pack’s activities.

The spirited Sammy is a fun combination of the playful Poodle and the wilful Samoyed.

As a designer dog, the Sammypoo most likely dates back 30 years to the 1980s when breeders first began to cross different pure-bred dogs to produce pups that carried desirable traits such as gentler personalities, smaller sizes and hypo-allergenic qualities – all without the health issues often found in their parents.

The Sammypoo is the offspring of 2 different pure-bred dogs which means he isn’t eligible to join the American Kennel Club (AKC) however both parent breeds are long-time members; the Poodle joined AKCs “sporting” group in 1887 while the Samoyed was named to AKC’s “working” group back in 1906.

The Sammypoo is a medium- to-large sized dog that is super active and will need a nutrient-rich kibble that meets his age, size and activity levels. Because this dog can experience joint issues later in life it’s important to keep his weight in check so plan to feed him 2 to 3 smaller meals each day versus allowing him to free-feed. Choose a kibble free of fillers that will cause him to overeat to feel full and with the Poodle side of this dog being prone to digestive issues, look for a low-fat version.

The Sammypoo is playful, affectionate, a little stubborn but truly loyal to his human pack.

Patience can be a virtue with the alert and sometimes willful Sammypoo. While he is intelligent and quick to pick up commands, the stubborn Samoyed in him may mean he decides to not respond. This pooch can be ultra-sensitive so a rewards-based approach will work wonders. Use a firm, consistent style that establishes the pack-leader early on, offer him loads of verbal praise and of course treats of your choosing for a job well done.

The Sammypoo is a solid medium-sized dog who will typically weigh in the range of 50 to 60 pounds once he reaches adulthood.

The Sammypoo comes from two active, hard-working breeds so needs to be kept active and mentally stimulated as boredom can result in destructive behaviors – specifically chewing. This intelligent boy is playful, affectionate, a little stubborn but truly loyal to his human pack. He loves kids and while he may bark at strangers, he typically greets enthusiastically so don’t expect watchdog material. A strong herding instinct may mean a tendency to chase and “herd” other animals which could be a challenge for households with cats or small pets. He’s a great hiking, camping or just hanging-around-the-house companion dog.

While Designer Dogs have typically been bred to cancel out the health issues that can plague their parent breeds, one always needs to know what their new pup could inherit down the line. With the Sammypoo that can include joint issues such as hip dysplasia, a heart condition known as mitral valve disease and from the Poodle, digestive issues including bloat.

The Sammpoo has a lifespan of between 12 and 14 years.

The Sammypoo is an active dog who will need a vigorous exercise regimen to keep him physically fit, mentally stimulated and out of mischief. While he will enjoy the freedom of running loose at a dog park, he does have an instinct to chase so may not be popular with smaller dogs. He also tends to become distracted and wander when he picks up a scent so any park or backyard must to be fully fenced. This dog is a great choice for active families who can keep up with his love of interactive play and long walks.

The Sammypoo is loyal and loving but can become destructive without sufficient exercise and mental stimulation.

Because the Sammypoo is the offspring of two different pure-bred dogs, he doesn’t quality to be a member of the American Kennel Club (AKC) however he is a member of the Designer Breed Registry (DBR) and International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

While the Sammypoo will typically inherit the medium-length, soft, curly coat of the Poodle and be a low-shedding dog, he will still need brushing 3 to 4 times per week to keep his fluffy fur from matting and tangling. A trip to the groomer every couple of months will be needed to maintain the shape of his coat with bathing only as needed. Because he is a floppy eared dog, a weekly inspection and cleaning will help prevent infection.

The super-smart Sammypoo can grow into a stubborn little dog if not obedience trained at an early age. Ensure pack leadership is established and because his instincts tell him to chase and herd, socialization will be important to ensure this little guy knows how to play nice with other dogs.

Photo credit: xujun/Shutterstock; Abramova Kseniya/Shutterstock; Leigh J/Shutterstock