Breed comparison
Samoyed vs West Highland White Terrier
How the two breeds compare on the American Kennel Club's 1 to 5 trait ratings, and which one suits which home.
5Affection with family5
5Good with young children5
3Good with other dogs3
5Openness to strangers4
5Playfulness5
4Energy level4
4Trainability3
4Mental stimulation needs4
4Adaptability4
4Watchdog / protective5
5Barking5
3Shedding3
3Coat grooming3
1Drooling1
The biggest differences
These two breeds are close on every trait: no score differs by more than one point.
They score the same on affection with family, good with young children, good with other dogs, playfulness, energy level, mental stimulation needs.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the Samoyed if you want a dog that is easier to train. Pick the West Highland White Terrier if you want a more protective watchdog.
Ratings are general breed tendencies from the AKC. Every dog is an individual, so meet the dog, and its parents if you can, before you decide. Not sure? Try the breed selector.
Source: American Kennel Club breed ratings (compiled February 2022). How we check.