For many years, the history and lore of the Samoyed has been as fascinating as this dog. The story begins on the Iranian plateau, where in ancient times it was all about tribal warfare, with the powerful tribes driving the weaker tribes (along with their families, livestock, and dogs) far away to ensure adequate food for themselves. The driven tribes went straight north, through China, to the vast tundra between the White Sea and the Yesenyi River. They found safety behind a natural barrier of snow and ice. And these people were the Samoyeds, the earliest inhabitants of Seyathes. The Samoyedes are considered a transitional race of purebred Mongols and Finns. Here they have always lived a nomadic life, herding reindeer. The Samoyedes kept dogs to help them herd reindeer and pull sleds, as well as to keep them company. Throughout the centuries, the Samoyed has remained a pure breed. Of all modern dog breeds, the Samoyed is one of the closest to the original, but without the mix of wolf or fox blood. The Arctic sun and snow give the Samoyed a white, ice-like coat. The long association with people has given the Samoyed an incredible understanding. Being a protector rather than a killer of reindeer gives the Samoyed a unique character. The happy, childlike character of the original inhabitants is found in every Samoyed. Spending a lot of time with people does not make the Samoyed spoiled. As a working dog, the Samoyed holds an unsurpassed record for polar expeditions. The sled dogs of the early polar expeditions worked day in and day out under extremely harsh conditions. They had to pull supplies equal to one and a half times their own weight, but remained happy and carefree, which is typical of Samoyeds. Each of these expeditions, Jackson Hasworth, Dacre Abruzzi, Burchworth, Thackleton, Scotty and most famously Ward Amoldson, who successfully reached the South Pole in 1911, have added to the history of the Samoyed. In the less than 100 years since it was brought to Britain, the Samoyed has been the focus of attention at every dog show. Queen Alexandra loved the dog so much that there are still descendants of her Samoyeds with many breeders in England and the United States today. Samoyeds are now found all over the world. The Siberian-born Samoyed crossed the equator safely and remained healthy in the ice and snow of Antarctica. Samoyeds returning from Antarctic expeditions have survived the Australian sunshine to return to the UK, where they have made their home.
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