Originally bred to hunt, pull sleds and herd reindeer, the Samoyed dog breed proved to be a valuable companion for the Samoyed people of northwest Siberia. The breed's duties included: trekking, tracking, and warming up their owners by sleeping on top of them at night.

History

The rugged and gentle Samoyed was originally used to hunt, herd reindeer and pull sleds for the Siberian Samoyed people. It is said that the Samoyeds treated these working dogs kindly, allowing them to join in with family activities at the end of the day. It was this closeness that created a sense of trust and loyalty in the breed that still exists today.

The Samoyed traveled from Siberia in the late 19th century and early 20th century to pull sleds on polar expeditions, including Sir Ernest Shackleton's famous trip to Antarctica. These dogs endured terrible hardships along with the explorers they assisted. Only the strongest and fittest dogs survived such expeditions.

Personality

The Samoyed is an intelligent, gentle and loyal dog. He is friendly and affectionate with his family, including children, and thrives on being part of the household activity.

The Samoyed enjoys close association with his environment and is mentally and physically unfit to be left alone in a kennel or backyard. His loyalty and alertness often make him a good watchdog.