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Introduction

In the quest for ‘greener pastures’, a very long time ago, the tribe responsible for the Samoyed dog’s creation reached Siberia and made it its home. They were nomads, groups of families traveling together, and they were always followed by their dogs, which were used for pulling sleds, herding reindeer, and keeping humans warm during the winter. These dogs had a gentle temperament because they were raised with family members, ate alongside with them, and snuggled with them at night, especially when it was cold. They were great companions and work partners.

After Kilburn-Scott created a Club for this new comer dog in 1909, the breed was named Samoyede, after the people responsible for its creation. The Kennel Club officially recognized the breed, known as Samoyede outside of Siberia, in 1912 and placed it in its proper category. In 1923, the final E was dropped from the name by the English Kennel and the AKC did the same in 1947. Eventually, these changes lead to the name not being correctly pronounced. What should have been Sahm-uh-yed (as pronounced by natives) became Sahm-oid for anglophones.

Unfortunately, these expeditions proved to be fatal to Bjelkier dogs because explorers did not know how to properly care for them and they did things to them that precipitated the dogs’ death. They sheared the dogs’ fluffy coats and cut their tails which caused the animals to develop pneumonia, freeze and die. Weaker dogs were killed and fed to the stronger ones.

Bjelkier dogs remained relatively pure and healthy in their genetic markup and they are easy to reproduce. Samoyede destroyed and recycled (for clothing) dogs that did not behave properly. The Bjelkier dog is also close to the wild wolf-like dog that humans first accepted into their camps. Humans felt a sort of kinship with wolves or wolf-like canines because their pack hierarchy and hunting ways resembled those of humans. Humans used naturally occurring instincts in these dogs to help them with various chores such as hauling sleds, hunting and herding caribou.

The beautiful Samoyed dog takes its name after nomadic hunter-gatherer groups of Asian origins (most likely of Mongolian descent) named Samoyede. Other Asian migrating groups include the Eskimos (Inuit) who became the first inhabitants of the North American continent, (Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Siberia.) and Laplanders, who reached the Northern parts of Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Samoyede people are generally short, with yellowish-white skin, high cheek bones and concave or straight noses. Most of the Samoyede still alive today (approx 50,000) speak Turkish or Russian.

Official CKC Breed Standard
for the Samoyed
Revised Standard CKC approved September 1992, effective January 1, 1993

Origin and Purpose
One of the oldest domesticated breeds of dogs, the Samoyed was bred and developed by the nomadic Samoyede tribes in Northeast Siberia north of the Arctic Circle. Rather than being bred for a specific purpose, they were bred and are noted for their versatility as a sled, herding, guard and companion dog. They made a tremendous contribution to the Arctic and Antarctic expeditions as a strong and dependable sled dog. They were used by the Samoyede people as a sled and draught animal as well as to guard and drive reindeer herds from one feeding ground to another. Their importance to the Samoyede people, who depend largely upon their dogs for survival, caused them to be regarded as members of the family and companions, as well as tough, sturdy work animals, which contributed to the unique Samoyed disposition of today.

Samoyed Breed Standard
Working Group