Dog
of the ages, with a history and tradition as fascinating as the
breed itself! The legend runs that, from the plateau of Iran, man's
first earthly habitat, as the sons of man multiplied, the mightier
tribes drove the lesser ones, with their families, their herds, and
their dogs, farther and farther away in order th This relationship of the Samoyed dogs in the Samoyede culture was heightened to reverence due in part to the culture's traditional animistic religion (worship of animal spirits). They took puppies and gave them a special place in their lodgings ("chooms"). This relationship went from reverence to partnership. Both the hunter-gatherer and the wolf-like canine had many aspects of their clan/pack behavior that were identical. It is therefore easy to see how the primitive canines adapted well to the similar social structure of the Samoyede people. Here, through the centuries, the Samoyed has bred true. Of all the modern breeds, the Samoyed is most nearly akin to the primitive dog. No admixture of wolf or fox runs in its blood. The Arctic suns and snows have bleached the harsh standoff coat and tipped the hairs with an icy sheen. The constant companionship with man through the years has given an almost uncanny human understanding to the Samoyed and 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 people is found in every Sammy.
The Samoyede people call their
dogs "bjelkier" (byel-kee-er) which translates to "white (dog) that
breeds white." In Russian, the dogs are called "voinaika" which
means lead or direction dog. The Samoyedes
incorporated their dogs into every aspect of their daily lives and
trained and depended on them year round for hunting,
herding, guarding, and as sledge (sled-pulling) dogs. Their dogs
were considered part of their family. They included them in
meals and even brought them in to sleep (especially with the
children) for warmth on cold Arctic nights. The Samoyede so trusted
their dogs that they would leave them to guard their children and
possessions (including their valuable reindeer) while they were out
hunting. |