THE SAMOYEDE 241 



Mr. Kilburn Scott believes the Samoyedes to be 

 the nearest to the original dog, and some years ago 

 he propounded a theory, which the Pomeranian Club 

 has apparently accepted, that it is the ancestor of 

 the Pomeranian. It is a thoroughly domesticated 

 animal. He is the right hand of his master, and 

 without them a nomadic race like the Samoyedes 

 could not exist at all. A native will not sell a 

 trained dog at any price, and they may be purchased 

 in this country more cheaply than in St. Petersburg 

 and Moscow. Samoyede puppies are the most de- 

 lightful little creatures, being as much like living 

 " teddy bears " as one could wish. They are not 

 very susceptible to distemper, nor do they suffer 

 from the many other diseases which are usually 

 common to domesticated dogs. This is certainly 

 a strong point in their favour. It is commonly sup- 

 posed that some of these Arctic dogs are unreliable 

 in temper, but no such aspersion can be cast upon 

 the Samoyede. The following description has been 

 formulated by Mr. Kilburn Scott : 



COLOUR. Pure white ; white, with slight lemon 

 markings ; brown and white ; black and white. The 

 pure white dogs come from the farthest north, and 

 are most typical of the b'reed. 



EXPRESSION. Thoughtful, and remarkably pretty 

 in face;; fighting instincts strongly pronounced when 

 roused. 



INTELLIGENCE. Unusual intelligence, as shown 

 by the many purposes for which dogs are used by the 

 Samoyede people and the ease with which they can 

 be taught tricKs. 



SIZE AND WEIGHT. Dogs 19 to 2iJ inches at 

 shoulders ; bitches 18 to 19! inches at shoulders ; 

 weight about 40 lb\ 



Book of the Dog. j[ J 



