About the Samoyed Breed
(Excerpt from The Samoyed Club of America's pamphlet, "The Samoyed")

     The Samoyed is a fine example of an ancient working dog. His eye-arresting beauty and gentle, companionable nature, coupled with unusual intelligence, demand the love and loyalty of his owner, which he will return a hundred-fold.

     The correct pronunciation of the breed's name is SAM-A-YED´, with the accent on the last syllable. The dogs are also affectionately known as Sammies.

     The recommended size for a male Samoyed is 21" to 23½" at the tip of the shoulder blade (withers), and for a female 19" to 21". A male in is height range from 45 to 65lbs. and a female from 35 to 50lbs.

     His magnificent white, cream and/or biscuit coat has two layers, a dense, woolly undercoat, which is typically shed out once a year, and a silver-tipped harsh outer coat of long, straight guard hairs.

     Hardy, vibrant and event-tempered, the Samoyed was originally used to haul sledges, hunt, and drive reindeer for the Samoyed people they served in northwestern Siberia. The Samoyed tribesmen were peaceful nomads, who manifested extraordinary love for their beautiful dogs, treating them as members of the family. Thus their dogs developed a love and understanding of humankind and an unfailing sense of trust and loyalty which is retained in the breed to this day. They remain the delightful playmates and faithful protectors of children.

     Preserved in the geographic isolation of their rugged homeland, Samoyeds were brought out of Siberia at the end of the last century and the early part of this century to pull sledges on arctic and antarctic expeditions. These valiant dogs endured terrible hardships serving man in his quest for the poles. Only a few returned. Clearly, no toy or miniature version of the Samoyed breed could have performed those tasks. Only one breed is the powerful, gentle, magnificent Samoyed-a true working dog.

     Most of the Samoyed strains in England and the United States are descended from those veteran expedition sledge dogs. The first American Samoyed, a Russian import, was registered with the AKC in 1906, although most of the present day American Samoyeds trace their ancestry to dogs imported after the first World War.

     Despite his arctic heritage, the Samoyed has adapted well to the warmer climates and even tolerates the heat of Florida, Texas, and southern California. He can sleep outside, although he certainly prefers to sleep inside, and needs to spend a significant part of each day being a beloved part of the family, in the center of everything you do. We Sam fanciers find this zealous participation in the whole of our lives to be their greatest asset.

     Samoyeds are active dogs. They are inquisitive, quick dash witted, and mischievous, remaining playful through old age. With a twinkle in their dark, intelligent eyes and their ever present "Samoyed smile," they are truly dogs with Christmas in their hearts the whole year long.