Meet the Samoyed

Samoyed

This is a very ancient breed that traces its ancestry back to early man. These first habitants of the Plateau of Iran moved their tribes in search of food traveling north through Mongolia to then west where a smaller lesser tribe, the Samoyed peoples, finally settled and made their home in the arctic region between the Yenisei River and the White Sea. The dogs became a vital part of the existence as reindeer herders, sledge dogs and household companions. Unique to this breed is that in spite of the passage of time, the Samoyed has bred true to the primitive dog without any mixing of wolf or fox. Living as constant companion to the people to the point of sleeping in their tents, they have bonded with them, protecting not only the reindeer but the people, yet never showing any sign of an aggressive nature. Revered by the early explorers, including Nansen in his early exploration of the North Pole, for their amiable disposition as well as their ability as sled dogs They were best known as being used by Amundsen with his discovery of the South Pole. In England, they gained notoriety early when Queen Alexandra became a fancier and descendants of these early English imports make up much of the background of the present day breed. They still show the same characteristics as their ancestors and gained fame in the western US when during the '50's when some were used for rescue to the point of being dropped from planes with sleds and driver to carry out survivors from a plane crash. With their profuse white double coat, that sheds daily, they are not for those who hate grooming. However, they are the delight of spinners who have discovered that the undercoat, which they so generously donate, spins beautifully, takes dye to achieve any color and knits up to make a fantastically warm, feather weight scarf or mittens. A loving gentle pet who loves its people.

If you would like to knit this design of the Samoyed simply go to http://www.kanineknits.com/kanine_knits_knitting_patterns.htm. If you would like to work any of the 25 charted designs in the Crafty Samoyed Knits book, go to http://www.kanineknits.com/kanine_knits_books.htm.