The Nordic canines, ‘Samoyeds’ inherited their name directly from the Northern Siberian people, of the same name, which bred them.  These peoples would move about regularly over vast expanses in northern Russia taking their dogs with them.

The dogs would be put to different uses often according to their individual physique.  The larger examples would be used for sledge-pulling or shepherding reindeer or caribou, while the smaller ones would be kept as pets and even held tightly by their owners as a means of keeping warm.

What we can now define as being a most humane way of keeping these dogs also prevented them from mating with arctic wolves.  This has resulted in the Samoyed breed having few wolf-like features.

The characteristics of the Samoyed are that of a highly intelligent, sensitive and affectionate creature, qualities which have improved further over time culminating in the marvellous specimen of the present day.

Towards the end of the 1800’s the husband and wife team, Kilburn-Scott, began to import these dogs to England from Russia and Siberia.  They adhered to a strict selection procedure in order to produce examples of competition standard.

The very first examples of Samoyeds were of different colours: white, chocolate brown, black, biscuit- coloured and dappled.  Eventually the Kilburn-Scotts were able to achieve a pure white or white with off-white shading which is held as being the standard of today.

The Kilburn-Scotts pioneered an early standard for this breed which, on the one hand provides an ideal image, and on the other serves as a guide as to the preservation of the fundamental characteristics of the breed.

Currently Samoyeds are kept specifically as pets due to their exceptionally sweet and affectionate personality traits.  They are an inseparable playful companion to any child and are equally at home in the domestic environment as they are on long walks with their owners, or in a more sporting environment running and sledging in snow.