Through the centuries, the Samoyed has bred true. Of all modern breeds, the Samoyed is most nearly akin to the primitive dog - no admixture of wolf or fox runs in the Samoyed strain. The arctic suns and snows have bleached the harsh stand-off coat and tipped the hairs with an icy sheen. The constant companionship with man through the years has given an almost uncanny "human" understanding, while generations of guarding reindeer, requiring always a protector, never a killer, has developed through the ages in the breed a disposition unique in the canine world. Something of the happy childlike air of these primitive peoples is found as well in every Samoyed.

Nor has the long human association made of the stalwart Samoyed a pampered pet. As work dogs Samoyeds of the great Arctic and Antarctic expeditions have a record of achievement unexcelled in the canine world. The sledge dogs of early polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen (19 males averaging 58.7 pounds each, and 9 bitches averaging 50.5 pounds), working day after day under conditions of utmost hardship, drew one and a half times their own weight of supplies and worked with the joyous abandon and carefree air typical of the breed. Each new expedition, Jackson-Harmsworth, the Duc d'Abruzzi, Borchgrevink, Shackleton, Scott and most notably, Roald Armundsen in his successful reach of the South Pole in 1911 - added new lustre to the breed's history.

Beautiful, eye arresting, perhaps the most beautiful breed in existence; gentle and companionable, an excellent watchdog, never a troublemaker, yet able to hold its own when forced into a fight, with an independence born of unusual intelligence, yet marked with a "smiling" face and dark,intelligent eyes and the strong sturdy muscular body, with legs built for speed - that is the Samoyed.