Samoyed

Originating from the Arctic regions of North Eastern Siberia, the Samoyed was a breed developed to help his owners – nomadic tribes of the Samoyede and the Nentsy. They had to be versatile, herding and guarding reindeer, pulling loads and even hunting. Sometimes the dogs were slaughtered and their pelts used for clothing. The early dogs were sometimes parti-coloured, black and white or brown and white. Parti-coloured dogs were used on the first Polar Expedition but now the white, sometimes with cream or biscuit shadings, is the recognised colour of the breed. His double coat provided insulation against the climate and his flat feet, sometimes likened to snow shoes, with thick hair between the pads, prevented the build-up of snowballs on the feet.

One of the dogs used to establish the breed in the UK, Antarctic Buck, was a survivor of Carsten Borchgrevink's expedition and had been discovered in Sydney Zoo and brought to the UK by Mr Kilburn-Scott.

Read the breed standard

Images for this breed

The Pastoral breed group

The Pastoral Group consists of herding dogs that are associated with working cattle, sheep, reindeer and other cloven footed animals.

Usually this type of dog has a weatherproof double coat to protect it from the elements when working in severe conditions. Breeds such as the Collie family, Old English Sheepdogs and Samoyeds who have been herding reindeer for centuries are but a few included in this group.

Colour Watch

Category 0: Breeds with no NBS colour registration options.

Read more about Colour Watch.

Breed Standard colours

Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.

Breed standard colours in this breed include:

Cream
White
White & biscuit

Other colour/s

'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registrations process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.

Non-breed-standard colours

Non-breed-standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.

Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog, health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.

Whether you’re thinking of buying a puppy, or breeding from your dog, it’s essential that you know what health issues may be found in your breed. To tackle these issues we advise that breeders use DNA tests, screening schemes and inbreeding coefficient calculators to help breed the healthiest dogs possible.

More about health

Priority health schemes and tests

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeders must use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice. All other breeders are strongly advised to also use these.

Hip dysplasia screening scheme (BVA/KC)

Important health schemes and tests

We strongly recommend that all breeders, both assured breeders (ABs) and non ABs, use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice.

Eye screening scheme (BVA/KC/ISDS)
Check inbreeding calculators
Breed club – Breeders should issue grooming advice

Other health schemes and tests available

DNA test - XLHN - Find a list of tested dogs
DNA test - XLPRA - Find a list of tested dogs

Find out about a particular dog's results

Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed Register.

You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.

Have any questions about health in your breed?

If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.

Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.

To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email:

Mikaela Short

Breed watch

Category 1

Currently no points of concern specific to this breed have been identified for special attention by judges, other than those covered routinely by The Kennel Club breed standard.