All About the Fluffy, Cat-Loving Samoyed, the Breed of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s New Dog

Kelli BenderTue, September 1, 2026 at 5:50 PM UTC

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Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift; a stock photo of a Samoyed dogCredit: Kevin Mazur/Getty; Getty -

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s new dog, a Samoyed, debuted in a Tommy Hilfiger Fall 2026 campaign

Samoyeds are Arctic-bred working dogs known for their thick white coats, perpetual smiles, and social personalities

The breed is playful and affectionate but requires consistent training and activity to prevent mischievous behavior

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are putting Samoyeds in the spotlight.

Kelce, 36, officially introduced the couple’s new dog to the world on Sept. 1 by including the canine, a female Samoyed, in Tommy Hilfiger’s Fall 2026 campaign, which stars the Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end.

It appears that Kelce is smitten with the fluffy breed, telling Vogue the pooch “lights up my day” and “crushed” her modeling job for the Tommy Hilfiger campaign.

Plenty sets this dog apart from other canines. Samoyeds are part of the Spitz family of dog breeds, canines originally bred in Arctic climates to assist with challenging work, like hauling sleds. Physically, Samoyeds are known for their signature “thick all-white coats,” which make them “impervious to the cold” and cause them to shed frequently. However, daily brushing helps control loose fur, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).

The nonprofit registry also noted that Samoyeds are adored for their perpetual smiles, which helped the dogs keep drool icicles from forming on their faces when they worked as sled dogs in the world’s coldest locations. According to Daily Paws, the dogs typically weigh 35 to 65 pounds and stand about 2 feet tall at the shoulder.

A stock photo of a Samoyed dog runningCredit: Getty

As for their personalities, Samoyeds are known for being smart and social dogs who love attention and affection, but they also have a mischievous side that can be exacerbated when left alone with little to do. To prevent behavioral mishaps, the AKC recommends keeping Samoyeds active with structured, consistent training and family activities.

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“They need some daily exercise and enjoy play sessions with their owner in a safely fenced yard or long walks on leash. The breed has a strong urge to run away and roam, and if loose, a Sammie might travel for miles,” the AKC shared of the breed.

Even with training and attention, Samoyed owners should be prepared to hear from their pooches, according to Annie-Mae Levy, CFBA, a professional dog trainer and behaviorist at Woofz.

A stock image of a sitting Samoyed dogCredit: Getty

“People may be falling for a fluffy white Instagram dog, but Samoyeds can be rather vocal, as is the case with all breeds in the Spitz family. They’re lovely dogs, known for having tons of personality, for their classic smile, and for being very playful and outgoing,” Levy shared in a statement to PEOPLE, adding, “Spitz breeds were originally created for herding and sled pulling, so owners should remember that beneath the fluffy appearance is a working dog that needs plenty of activity to stay happy.”

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Good news for Swift’s three felines — Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button — the Samoyed is a breed that often gets along with cats, especially when introduced to the pets as puppies, per Daily Paws. The outlet also reported that the breed’s love for affection and attention often makes it an ideal therapy dog and a good dog for families with children.

Overall, Samoyeds are fluffy, happy dogs who seek connection, but they also have an independent and sometimes stubborn spirit that can create extra training and obedience challenges; these issues can often be overcome with consistent training that starts early and is both positive and firm.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”