Picture
Professor Edgeworth David in 1910 with Ambrose
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The First Samoyeds In NSWBy Helen Gabb
During the first two decades of the 1900’s Sydney, the Capital City, and then major sea port for the State of New South Wales witnessed the arrival of numbers of Samoyeds and their offspring returning from various Southern Antarctic Expeditions. It is believed these were the first Samoyeds to arrive in New South Wales. Some of these expedition Samoyeds become well loved family pets of Australian expedition member’s families and/or their friends, very few have been documented. The most famous of the early Samoyeds in New South Wales, and in Australia, is certainly Antarctic Buck. He did not carry any official history and thus his origins from Antarctic Expedition Samoyeds can never be proven. Date wise, he could have had origins in the SS Southern Cross Newnes-Borchgrevink Expedition of 1899-1900, but, also, he may have arrived in Sydney from many other sources. |
Mrs Ivy Kilburn Morris (nee Kilburn Scott) many years later wrote “in 1906 (not 1904 as the breed extension to our Australian Samoyed Standard presently states) my father found a pure bred Samoyed chained up in Sydney Zoo, where it had been for some six years. The dog had no history behind it.
In 1908, my father, with his family, returned to England (after his lecture tour at the Sydney University) taking the dog with him. He was registered with the Kennel Club in England but after quarantine and his first show, he died of distemper. Only five of his registered puppies survived the epidemic.” Although his origins are clearly unproven the recent official ANKC Samoyed Breed extension states that Antarctic Buck’s origins were from Antarctic Expedition Samoyeds (this may perhaps be a myth?). Antarctic Buck was located by Ernest Kilburn Scott during the period Ernest lived in Sydney (i.e. between January 1906 and late 1908) fulfilling the duties of his appointment as the first Lecturer in Electrical Engineering at Sydney University.
Antarctic Buck, along with other Samoyeds, was variously described in the official Sydney Moore Park Zoo records under a variety of names. “The List of Animals” for 1904 records “Canis familiaris - Esquimaux Dog -one on exhibition and one sent in exchange to another Society.” “In 1905 one Canis Familiaris Samoyede Dog” and “1906 one Canis Familiaris Samoyede Dog” (presumably this was Antarctic Buck). Listed for 1907 are “two Canis Familiaris Samoyede Dogs.” The Zoo’s 1908 List shows no Samoyeds and only 4 Canis Familiaris (all Chow Chows) in residence. It appears that Ernest acquired Antarctic Buck from the Zoo during 1908, just in time for his return to the UK in late 1908 as Ernest had resigned his University post from the year commencing 1909.
The liberated Antarctic Buck returned to England with the Kilburn Scott family, Clara and the children having joined Ernest in Sydney and having spent at least the later part of Ernest’s appointment to the University living in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs whilst Ernest maintained an office in Glebe, much mention is found of Ernest and his work in early University records and the Sydney Library. Although Antarctic Buck did not survive long in England it is claimed that he contributed much to the strength of the early English Samoyed.
A surprisingly unknown, but well documented expedition Samoyed, arrived in Sydney from the Shackleton 1907-1909 Expedition. He was Ambrose - a gift to the Expedition’s Geologist, Professor Edgeworth David in appreciation for his services on the expedition. Professor David was also a major discoverer of commercial coal seams throughout New South Wales and beyond - he was appointed Geology Professor at Sydney University in 1891- still holding the appointment throughout E. Kilburn Scott’s years at the University although absent in Antarctica. Ambrose is described as “very handsome, fluffy, cream coloured, with intelligent brown eyes;” “pulling on his leash with the same vigour he had applied to his sledge harness;” “he hated sleeping out under the trees and so commandeered a sofa on the front veranda making a really cosy bed collecting half a dozen cushions from the sitting room and arranging them in a neat heap on the sofa and there sleeping really comfortably.” This description could easily be applied to many modern day Samoyeds. Like so many other expedition Samoyeds Ambrose too died of distemper not too long after his arrival in Australia.
It should be reasonable to believe that the Expedition Samoyeds would grow and prosper in Sydney from their early historical beginnings, in the same way they had in New Zealand. But unfortunately this was not to be. Many succumbed to infections and diseases for which they had developed no resistance while living and working in pristine Antarctica. It was not until years later that Sydney Samoyed owner/breeder Mr J Maike imported the first known registered Samoyed into Australia. She was Aust Ch Yukon Queen (Imp UK), bred in 1929 by Miss Leonard. Mr Maike also imported from the UK the 3rd known registered Samoyed to arrive in Australia - he was Aust Ch Snow White bred by Mrs D Edwards in 1930 and sired by her famous Eng Ch Kara Sea. Later Mr J Maike also brought in the 6th registered import…. White Ripple of Kobe (Imp UK) born in 1938, bred by Mrs D L Perry. Another import arrived in Sydney for Mr Maike…. the 8th registered Samoyed import into Australia, but this time originating in New Zealand - Yurak Silver. Mr Maike’s first two imports went on to produce for him Australia’s first homebred Samoyed Champion – Ch Blackeyed Susan born in 1932, owned in Victoria by Miss L M Irving. The early Australian Samoyed Kennels were all based on Samoyeds from both Mr Maike’s and Miss Irving’s stock.
Some of the more successful early New South Wales Samoyed exhibitor/breeders were Mrs Holmes who in the late 1930’s bred under the Kennel name “Voinakia,.” Mrs Kilburn Morrison (daughter of Ernest and Clara Kilburn Scott) was evacuated to Australia from Hong Kong at the outbreak of World War 2 and stayed with Mrs Homes - but unfortunately her dogs had to be destroyed in Hong Kong prior to her evacuation.
Mrs Winter from the ACT (bred under the prefix “Alaskan”); she later remarried and became Mrs Frost moving to Croydon in Sydney she continued breeding Samoyeds.
Mr G and Mrs B Coates from Wollongong owned Aust Ch Nova Zembla Enchantress (Imp in Dam) (daughter of Claro Valda (Imp UK) and Eng & Irish Champion Gogolev Corbesky) successfully exhibiting her and breeding Samoyeds under the Novaya prefix.
Mrs Jones (Bellinden Kennels) owned a litter sister Ch Nova Zembla Elka - Bellinden later went on to import Ch Laika Csaba (Imp UK), Ch Laika Sarah (Imp UK) and Ch Pride of Kildare (Imp Ireland).
Mrs Frances Goodwin from the NSW South Coast bred under the prefix “Petchoria.” Frances was a cousin of George Jacques breeding his and Merle’s first champion Ch Petchoria Snochief, he was the first NSW Samoyed to win Best Exhibit In Show All Breeds.
The Jacques then imported Ch Princess Karina Of Warnick (Imp NZ) mating her in 1956 to ‘Snochief” to produce to first Eleban champion. Merle and George were later to base many of their showring successes on Samoyeds acquired from Mr J & Mrs Y Sydenham-Clarke’s Victorian Kalina Kennels frequently too using Kalina’s imports and Australian bred Kalina Samoyeds at stud. Other NSW South Coast 1960’s - 1970’s exhibitors were John and Margaret Risk who also based their very successful exhibiting on Eleban and later Kalina Samoyeds. Somewhat later prolific South Coast breeders were Stan and Lena Smith (Moonsnow Kennels) who were to also purchase and exhibit Samoyeds initially from Eleban and Kalina.
Successful Central Western NSW exhibitor/breeders from the 1950’s and the 1960’s were Sleighland (Mr & Mrs Randall) who went on to base much of their later breeding on Kalina lines, and Dardenell Kennels (Mr & Mrs Munday) who began with Samoyeds from Sleighland. The Randalls later moved to Queensland with their Samoyeds, returning years later to the Central West where Mrs Rona Randall very successfully campaigned their last Samoyed Ch Kalina Uki Mosco in the mid 1970’s.
Mr & Mrs Impey (Suomi Kennels) were Sydney exhibitor/breeders with their Victorian bred Wyndalon, Lynstar, Zahmah and Kalina Samoyeds (mostly sired by Aust Ch Starya Of Kobe (Imp UK) in 1959) - they combined these lines successfully in their breeding programme.
Mrs C Willis (Taz Kennels) began her breeding programme with Ch Suvarka Tanya born in 1962 - a daughter of Ch Eureka Of Kobe (Imp UK) and Ch Suomi Myth. Tanya a very successful show winner herself who went on to produce nine champions for Taz; she was always mated to Kalina’s English imports until her last litter - sired by Ch Kalina Silver Blaze. Clara also imported from New Zealand Zahrina of Nentsky who came from Kobe and Fairvilla imported UK parents. Taz and Rotoiti Kennels (the late D & P Hosking) imported Canadian Ch Kristiks Satin Silhoutte (Imp Can) - the first Canadian imported Samoyed to arrive in Australia. Clara continued her successful Samoyed breeding for well over 40 years with her husband Bob usually handling the Taz Samoyeds to their show ring successes. Clara, who is currently the NSW Samoyed Club Co-Patron still owns four Samoyeds, although in the last few years she is no longer actively breeding, Taz Samoyeds are still being exhibited by other owners.
Vic and Aileen Perry’s Snosheen Kennels bred prolifically and very successfully exhibited their Samoyeds from the late 1960’s to early 1980’s importing from New Zealand Aust & NZ Ch Schmirnoff Yenesey (Imp NZ) who was owned by New Zealander’s B & A Manning – Snosheen also imported his half sister Aust Ch Schmirnoff Pola Poise (Imp NZ).
In the mid 1980’s Mary Fairly (Scionastir Samoyeds) imported Aust Ch Pearlonna Cox Dairneeve (Imp NZ) who went on to produce 7 Australian Champions from three litters all sired by Chris Fields’s (later Mrs Ambury) Ch Polarblaze Snowstorm. Scionastir later imported 2 males - Novaskaya Royal Blaze (co-owned with Julie Oates - Elgianto Kennels, Victoria) and Mary’s own Novaskaya Nicholi Lefay.
Sever Kennels (S & H Gabb) are currently the longest active breeding/exhibiting Samoyed kennel in NSW - having begun in 1965. Sever imported three New Zealand bred Samoyeds from Bentara and are currently campaigning a Silvertips New Zealand bred male. Helen co-owns, with Crystalfern Samoyeds, Aust Ch Roybridge The Highlander (Imp UK).
NSW Snow Country Working Samoyeds
NSW owned/bred Samoyeds for years proved their working abilities in the NSW snowfields. George Day who managed the “The Chalet,” (then owned by the NSW Govt Tourist Bureau) worked a team of cattle dogs in harness there when he acquired three Samoyed males and a Samoyed female in 1940; (purchasing them from a Sydney Newsagent). The new team adapted quickly to their hauling duties with “Flash.” as leader. “The Chalet” closed during the War in the Pacific and the Day’s moved down to Kosciusko Hotel. Petrol and vehicles were scarce so George and the Samoyeds logged 5,000 kilometres between 1942-1945 bringing mail and supplies up to “The Chalet” caretaker. Breeding had increased the team to 8. But when the team evacuated Dr Bradshaw, (haemorrhaging from a duodenal ulcer) in the early 1940’s, for steadiness George used only a team of 4 to take the Dr to Spencer’s Creek to meet the ambulance to complete his trip to Cooma Hospital for blood transfusions. The team was used frequently for many and varied duties. They pulled a “Tiger Moth” aeroplane back from Caruthers Peak on the main range. The pilot Bob Arnott, training at the RAAF base in Narrandera, decided to land it on the flat top of Caruthers and ski to “The Chalet” for a visit, but the plane flipped when it hit the icy corrugations under wind drifted snow. Unhurt the pilot made his way to “The Chalet”, later to be severely reprimanded. George and the dogs assisted in the salvage of the plane which was skidded down to the Snowy River and there the 275 kilogram engine was removed from the 200 kilogram body. The dogs then made two trips to haul the plane up the slopes to Charlotte Pass and then across to The Chalet.
Fox Movie-Tone and Cinesound made promotional films for the Tourist Bureau during the 1940’s with the Samoyed’s hauling their camera equipment to remote locations. “The Chalet” also organised day sled trips as far as Mt Tate for guests and off duty staff.
The Ski Club of Australia organised races off Mt Townsend down to Lake Albine, and from Mt Twynam to the Snowy River using the Samoyed team to haul food to the races and sometimes to return an injured competitor. The Days left “The Chalet” in 1950. The dogs who had previously been yarded were then allowed to roam. Some, living in the wild, were later shot by sheepman in the nearby ‘summer snow lease” pastures or succumbed to illness. Stories of “White Dogs” living free and roaming in the region abounded for some years. Little is remembered now of this mostly Samoyed dog team who had moved people and goods in a safe and efficient manner often in bitter weather. Those involved had credited the dogs with a major role in the early recreational activities of the Snowy Mountains Main Range area.
In the 1960’s Miss Eileen Browne (Nansena Kennels) regularly travelled with sled, harness, pack and skiing equipment and three Samoyeds from Sydney to Cooma by rail. Travelling into Central by suburban rail and changing there to the country Cooma Mail train. At Cooma Eileen would beg a lift for them all on a friendly transport delivery truck to Smiggins Holes bus terminus. Delivering parcels and provisions en-route (dogs could not travel on the bus). Other travellers would leave Smiggins and travel into the snowfields in the huge mechanical Snow Cat. Eileen, on arrival at Smiggens Holes, would unload her dogs from the truck with her sled and gear, then harness her dogs to the laden sled then trek with them another mile uphill to the Lodge where they stayed. The Nansena Samoyed team were well known throughout Perisher Valley and its environs. Eileen was later to become Post Mistress in nearby Berridale, then later at Perisher Valley P.O. Her Samoyeds always known as “The Snow Dogs,” gained enormous publicity for the breed and continually shocked the mechanical Snow Caterpillar passengers as they passed the Snow Cat gliding across the snow with Eileen in tow. Eileen when living and exhibiting her Samoyeds in Sydney was well known for travelling by rail to the closest rail station and then walking to the showground to exhibit her Samoyeds. Another NSW Samoyed Club member Mr Col Bruton worked in ski rescue during the recreational snow season with The Ski Club of Australia, assisting him was his working Samoyed, Eleban Sonny Boy, (his show ring Samoyed). Well documented and photographed for this work Col also wrote for a Ski Magazine of his meeting with fellow NSW Samoyed Club member Eileen, and their Samoyed ski excursions with her team on his days off from rescue patrol.
Samoyeds Working For Charity
For many years Mrs Jo Barker (Marydell Samoyeds) used Samoyeds as a “draw card” when collecting thousands of dollars on behalf of the Guide Dogs For the Blind organisation - working often with other Samoyed Club members Mr Ken Wilson and Mrs Sylvia Glendell (Laika Samoyeds UK and later Australia). Mrs Barbara Boyce was another NSW Samoyed Club member known for raising money with her Samoyeds for this charity at her local Warringah Mall and other local Northern Beaches venues.
Working Samoyeds
Throughout the years NSW owned Samoyeds have excelled in the Obedience ring. Barry McManus owner trained and trialled Ch Kalina Korsokov CDX - the first Australian Samoyed to be awarded CDX Korsokov was also R/Up BIS winner at the First NSW Samoyed Club Championship Show in April 1960. (BIS was his sire Ch Starya Of Kobe - Imp UK). Korsokov (Sky) was also the Best Exhibit in Parade winner at the Club’s First Parade – December 1960.
Stephen Gabb trained, owned and trialled Ch Sherola Laska Romanov CDX - the first Champion Australian Samoyed Bitch to be awarded CDX, she was also the first Samoyed to gain a place (9th) in the Annual Australian National Obedience Trial.
Bob Schuck's Ch Icemist Imperial Pearl UD ET is the only Samoyed to be awarded the UD title. (her dam was Grand Ch Mezen the Ice Maiden CDX ET).
Rob & Christie Schuck's Grand Ch Mezen the Ice Maiden CDX ET is the only Samoyed to acheive a Grand Championship and obedience titles.
Competitive Samoyeds
NSW Samoyeds are also proving their versatility away from the Show and Obedience rings by competing in many other dog sports. Ray Dean competed regularly in the Agility Trial ring with his Samoyeds gaining many Agility Titles. The most successful amongst them is probably his Ch Snowvink Hesa Special ADM JDX GD. A select few NSW owners have gained Endurance Titles (ET) with their Samoyeds
Rosie Santangelo’s ‘Cody’ (Silvakan Prince Of All) has been very competitive at weight pull trials and also competing in the Annual Sled Dog races in the NSW snowfields at Dinner Plain, and also in the Southern Highlands. Other NSW owners and Samoyeds have also competed with their sled teams. Rosie’s ‘Cody’ also regularly excelled at Weight Pulls - pulling competitively on 7/0/00 960 kg (34.3 times his own weight of 28 kg). His best weight pull was over a tonne. In competition Cody often registered the best weight to ratio pull. He was known for beating Malamutes more than twice his weight. Cody was the first Australian Samoyed to achieve a WWPD (Working Weight Pull Dog) award.
Kylie Hill taught her Samoyed Snowshadow Akenaten CDX, to dance to music, giving a dancing exhibition with him in at the 1996 Spring Fair. The other troupe members were all Border Collies.
Following a pets therapy programme Mrs Robin Barrs (Beronga Samoyeds) (and others) regularly visit nursing homes with their Samoyeds. Such visits are look forward to with great anticipation by patients.
Rosslyn Rothwell embarked on a new venture for NSW owned Samoyeds competing with a number of her Samoyeds at NSW Herding Trials and gaining Herding Titles with her Aldonza Dolcevita PT and her homebred Ch Keftiu McCoys Bayuani PT.
Samoyeds at Sydney Royal Easter Shows have achieved great success. The first supreme award of Best Exhibit in Show Sydney Royal went to Ch Starya of Kobe (Imp UK) in 1960 owned by John and Yvonne Sydenham-Clarke (Kalina Kennels Victoria).
In 1971 Best Exhibit in Show was the South Australian Ch Lourdale Tzarmak, owned and bred by Marilyn Roulston – (It is interesting to note that Tzarmak was a G Grandson of Starya and also carried a number of other lines back to Starya in his pedigree).
Victorian Fay Tucker bred, owned and handled her Ch Aldonza Kiss and Tell to Best Exhibit in Show in 1994.
Just two years later, in 1996, the supreme award again went to another Victorian Samoyed - Ch Tobalsk Royal Secret bred by Leonie Waymouth, handled by Julie Oates and co-owned by Julie and Phil Phillips.
In 1908, my father, with his family, returned to England (after his lecture tour at the Sydney University) taking the dog with him. He was registered with the Kennel Club in England but after quarantine and his first show, he died of distemper. Only five of his registered puppies survived the epidemic.” Although his origins are clearly unproven the recent official ANKC Samoyed Breed extension states that Antarctic Buck’s origins were from Antarctic Expedition Samoyeds (this may perhaps be a myth?). Antarctic Buck was located by Ernest Kilburn Scott during the period Ernest lived in Sydney (i.e. between January 1906 and late 1908) fulfilling the duties of his appointment as the first Lecturer in Electrical Engineering at Sydney University.
Antarctic Buck, along with other Samoyeds, was variously described in the official Sydney Moore Park Zoo records under a variety of names. “The List of Animals” for 1904 records “Canis familiaris - Esquimaux Dog -one on exhibition and one sent in exchange to another Society.” “In 1905 one Canis Familiaris Samoyede Dog” and “1906 one Canis Familiaris Samoyede Dog” (presumably this was Antarctic Buck). Listed for 1907 are “two Canis Familiaris Samoyede Dogs.” The Zoo’s 1908 List shows no Samoyeds and only 4 Canis Familiaris (all Chow Chows) in residence. It appears that Ernest acquired Antarctic Buck from the Zoo during 1908, just in time for his return to the UK in late 1908 as Ernest had resigned his University post from the year commencing 1909.
The liberated Antarctic Buck returned to England with the Kilburn Scott family, Clara and the children having joined Ernest in Sydney and having spent at least the later part of Ernest’s appointment to the University living in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs whilst Ernest maintained an office in Glebe, much mention is found of Ernest and his work in early University records and the Sydney Library. Although Antarctic Buck did not survive long in England it is claimed that he contributed much to the strength of the early English Samoyed.
A surprisingly unknown, but well documented expedition Samoyed, arrived in Sydney from the Shackleton 1907-1909 Expedition. He was Ambrose - a gift to the Expedition’s Geologist, Professor Edgeworth David in appreciation for his services on the expedition. Professor David was also a major discoverer of commercial coal seams throughout New South Wales and beyond - he was appointed Geology Professor at Sydney University in 1891- still holding the appointment throughout E. Kilburn Scott’s years at the University although absent in Antarctica. Ambrose is described as “very handsome, fluffy, cream coloured, with intelligent brown eyes;” “pulling on his leash with the same vigour he had applied to his sledge harness;” “he hated sleeping out under the trees and so commandeered a sofa on the front veranda making a really cosy bed collecting half a dozen cushions from the sitting room and arranging them in a neat heap on the sofa and there sleeping really comfortably.” This description could easily be applied to many modern day Samoyeds. Like so many other expedition Samoyeds Ambrose too died of distemper not too long after his arrival in Australia.
It should be reasonable to believe that the Expedition Samoyeds would grow and prosper in Sydney from their early historical beginnings, in the same way they had in New Zealand. But unfortunately this was not to be. Many succumbed to infections and diseases for which they had developed no resistance while living and working in pristine Antarctica. It was not until years later that Sydney Samoyed owner/breeder Mr J Maike imported the first known registered Samoyed into Australia. She was Aust Ch Yukon Queen (Imp UK), bred in 1929 by Miss Leonard. Mr Maike also imported from the UK the 3rd known registered Samoyed to arrive in Australia - he was Aust Ch Snow White bred by Mrs D Edwards in 1930 and sired by her famous Eng Ch Kara Sea. Later Mr J Maike also brought in the 6th registered import…. White Ripple of Kobe (Imp UK) born in 1938, bred by Mrs D L Perry. Another import arrived in Sydney for Mr Maike…. the 8th registered Samoyed import into Australia, but this time originating in New Zealand - Yurak Silver. Mr Maike’s first two imports went on to produce for him Australia’s first homebred Samoyed Champion – Ch Blackeyed Susan born in 1932, owned in Victoria by Miss L M Irving. The early Australian Samoyed Kennels were all based on Samoyeds from both Mr Maike’s and Miss Irving’s stock.
Some of the more successful early New South Wales Samoyed exhibitor/breeders were Mrs Holmes who in the late 1930’s bred under the Kennel name “Voinakia,.” Mrs Kilburn Morrison (daughter of Ernest and Clara Kilburn Scott) was evacuated to Australia from Hong Kong at the outbreak of World War 2 and stayed with Mrs Homes - but unfortunately her dogs had to be destroyed in Hong Kong prior to her evacuation.
Mrs Winter from the ACT (bred under the prefix “Alaskan”); she later remarried and became Mrs Frost moving to Croydon in Sydney she continued breeding Samoyeds.
Mr G and Mrs B Coates from Wollongong owned Aust Ch Nova Zembla Enchantress (Imp in Dam) (daughter of Claro Valda (Imp UK) and Eng & Irish Champion Gogolev Corbesky) successfully exhibiting her and breeding Samoyeds under the Novaya prefix.
Mrs Jones (Bellinden Kennels) owned a litter sister Ch Nova Zembla Elka - Bellinden later went on to import Ch Laika Csaba (Imp UK), Ch Laika Sarah (Imp UK) and Ch Pride of Kildare (Imp Ireland).
Mrs Frances Goodwin from the NSW South Coast bred under the prefix “Petchoria.” Frances was a cousin of George Jacques breeding his and Merle’s first champion Ch Petchoria Snochief, he was the first NSW Samoyed to win Best Exhibit In Show All Breeds.
The Jacques then imported Ch Princess Karina Of Warnick (Imp NZ) mating her in 1956 to ‘Snochief” to produce to first Eleban champion. Merle and George were later to base many of their showring successes on Samoyeds acquired from Mr J & Mrs Y Sydenham-Clarke’s Victorian Kalina Kennels frequently too using Kalina’s imports and Australian bred Kalina Samoyeds at stud. Other NSW South Coast 1960’s - 1970’s exhibitors were John and Margaret Risk who also based their very successful exhibiting on Eleban and later Kalina Samoyeds. Somewhat later prolific South Coast breeders were Stan and Lena Smith (Moonsnow Kennels) who were to also purchase and exhibit Samoyeds initially from Eleban and Kalina.
Successful Central Western NSW exhibitor/breeders from the 1950’s and the 1960’s were Sleighland (Mr & Mrs Randall) who went on to base much of their later breeding on Kalina lines, and Dardenell Kennels (Mr & Mrs Munday) who began with Samoyeds from Sleighland. The Randalls later moved to Queensland with their Samoyeds, returning years later to the Central West where Mrs Rona Randall very successfully campaigned their last Samoyed Ch Kalina Uki Mosco in the mid 1970’s.
Mr & Mrs Impey (Suomi Kennels) were Sydney exhibitor/breeders with their Victorian bred Wyndalon, Lynstar, Zahmah and Kalina Samoyeds (mostly sired by Aust Ch Starya Of Kobe (Imp UK) in 1959) - they combined these lines successfully in their breeding programme.
Mrs C Willis (Taz Kennels) began her breeding programme with Ch Suvarka Tanya born in 1962 - a daughter of Ch Eureka Of Kobe (Imp UK) and Ch Suomi Myth. Tanya a very successful show winner herself who went on to produce nine champions for Taz; she was always mated to Kalina’s English imports until her last litter - sired by Ch Kalina Silver Blaze. Clara also imported from New Zealand Zahrina of Nentsky who came from Kobe and Fairvilla imported UK parents. Taz and Rotoiti Kennels (the late D & P Hosking) imported Canadian Ch Kristiks Satin Silhoutte (Imp Can) - the first Canadian imported Samoyed to arrive in Australia. Clara continued her successful Samoyed breeding for well over 40 years with her husband Bob usually handling the Taz Samoyeds to their show ring successes. Clara, who is currently the NSW Samoyed Club Co-Patron still owns four Samoyeds, although in the last few years she is no longer actively breeding, Taz Samoyeds are still being exhibited by other owners.
Vic and Aileen Perry’s Snosheen Kennels bred prolifically and very successfully exhibited their Samoyeds from the late 1960’s to early 1980’s importing from New Zealand Aust & NZ Ch Schmirnoff Yenesey (Imp NZ) who was owned by New Zealander’s B & A Manning – Snosheen also imported his half sister Aust Ch Schmirnoff Pola Poise (Imp NZ).
In the mid 1980’s Mary Fairly (Scionastir Samoyeds) imported Aust Ch Pearlonna Cox Dairneeve (Imp NZ) who went on to produce 7 Australian Champions from three litters all sired by Chris Fields’s (later Mrs Ambury) Ch Polarblaze Snowstorm. Scionastir later imported 2 males - Novaskaya Royal Blaze (co-owned with Julie Oates - Elgianto Kennels, Victoria) and Mary’s own Novaskaya Nicholi Lefay.
Sever Kennels (S & H Gabb) are currently the longest active breeding/exhibiting Samoyed kennel in NSW - having begun in 1965. Sever imported three New Zealand bred Samoyeds from Bentara and are currently campaigning a Silvertips New Zealand bred male. Helen co-owns, with Crystalfern Samoyeds, Aust Ch Roybridge The Highlander (Imp UK).
NSW Snow Country Working Samoyeds
NSW owned/bred Samoyeds for years proved their working abilities in the NSW snowfields. George Day who managed the “The Chalet,” (then owned by the NSW Govt Tourist Bureau) worked a team of cattle dogs in harness there when he acquired three Samoyed males and a Samoyed female in 1940; (purchasing them from a Sydney Newsagent). The new team adapted quickly to their hauling duties with “Flash.” as leader. “The Chalet” closed during the War in the Pacific and the Day’s moved down to Kosciusko Hotel. Petrol and vehicles were scarce so George and the Samoyeds logged 5,000 kilometres between 1942-1945 bringing mail and supplies up to “The Chalet” caretaker. Breeding had increased the team to 8. But when the team evacuated Dr Bradshaw, (haemorrhaging from a duodenal ulcer) in the early 1940’s, for steadiness George used only a team of 4 to take the Dr to Spencer’s Creek to meet the ambulance to complete his trip to Cooma Hospital for blood transfusions. The team was used frequently for many and varied duties. They pulled a “Tiger Moth” aeroplane back from Caruthers Peak on the main range. The pilot Bob Arnott, training at the RAAF base in Narrandera, decided to land it on the flat top of Caruthers and ski to “The Chalet” for a visit, but the plane flipped when it hit the icy corrugations under wind drifted snow. Unhurt the pilot made his way to “The Chalet”, later to be severely reprimanded. George and the dogs assisted in the salvage of the plane which was skidded down to the Snowy River and there the 275 kilogram engine was removed from the 200 kilogram body. The dogs then made two trips to haul the plane up the slopes to Charlotte Pass and then across to The Chalet.
Fox Movie-Tone and Cinesound made promotional films for the Tourist Bureau during the 1940’s with the Samoyed’s hauling their camera equipment to remote locations. “The Chalet” also organised day sled trips as far as Mt Tate for guests and off duty staff.
The Ski Club of Australia organised races off Mt Townsend down to Lake Albine, and from Mt Twynam to the Snowy River using the Samoyed team to haul food to the races and sometimes to return an injured competitor. The Days left “The Chalet” in 1950. The dogs who had previously been yarded were then allowed to roam. Some, living in the wild, were later shot by sheepman in the nearby ‘summer snow lease” pastures or succumbed to illness. Stories of “White Dogs” living free and roaming in the region abounded for some years. Little is remembered now of this mostly Samoyed dog team who had moved people and goods in a safe and efficient manner often in bitter weather. Those involved had credited the dogs with a major role in the early recreational activities of the Snowy Mountains Main Range area.
In the 1960’s Miss Eileen Browne (Nansena Kennels) regularly travelled with sled, harness, pack and skiing equipment and three Samoyeds from Sydney to Cooma by rail. Travelling into Central by suburban rail and changing there to the country Cooma Mail train. At Cooma Eileen would beg a lift for them all on a friendly transport delivery truck to Smiggins Holes bus terminus. Delivering parcels and provisions en-route (dogs could not travel on the bus). Other travellers would leave Smiggins and travel into the snowfields in the huge mechanical Snow Cat. Eileen, on arrival at Smiggens Holes, would unload her dogs from the truck with her sled and gear, then harness her dogs to the laden sled then trek with them another mile uphill to the Lodge where they stayed. The Nansena Samoyed team were well known throughout Perisher Valley and its environs. Eileen was later to become Post Mistress in nearby Berridale, then later at Perisher Valley P.O. Her Samoyeds always known as “The Snow Dogs,” gained enormous publicity for the breed and continually shocked the mechanical Snow Caterpillar passengers as they passed the Snow Cat gliding across the snow with Eileen in tow. Eileen when living and exhibiting her Samoyeds in Sydney was well known for travelling by rail to the closest rail station and then walking to the showground to exhibit her Samoyeds. Another NSW Samoyed Club member Mr Col Bruton worked in ski rescue during the recreational snow season with The Ski Club of Australia, assisting him was his working Samoyed, Eleban Sonny Boy, (his show ring Samoyed). Well documented and photographed for this work Col also wrote for a Ski Magazine of his meeting with fellow NSW Samoyed Club member Eileen, and their Samoyed ski excursions with her team on his days off from rescue patrol.
Samoyeds Working For Charity
For many years Mrs Jo Barker (Marydell Samoyeds) used Samoyeds as a “draw card” when collecting thousands of dollars on behalf of the Guide Dogs For the Blind organisation - working often with other Samoyed Club members Mr Ken Wilson and Mrs Sylvia Glendell (Laika Samoyeds UK and later Australia). Mrs Barbara Boyce was another NSW Samoyed Club member known for raising money with her Samoyeds for this charity at her local Warringah Mall and other local Northern Beaches venues.
Working Samoyeds
Throughout the years NSW owned Samoyeds have excelled in the Obedience ring. Barry McManus owner trained and trialled Ch Kalina Korsokov CDX - the first Australian Samoyed to be awarded CDX Korsokov was also R/Up BIS winner at the First NSW Samoyed Club Championship Show in April 1960. (BIS was his sire Ch Starya Of Kobe - Imp UK). Korsokov (Sky) was also the Best Exhibit in Parade winner at the Club’s First Parade – December 1960.
Stephen Gabb trained, owned and trialled Ch Sherola Laska Romanov CDX - the first Champion Australian Samoyed Bitch to be awarded CDX, she was also the first Samoyed to gain a place (9th) in the Annual Australian National Obedience Trial.
Bob Schuck's Ch Icemist Imperial Pearl UD ET is the only Samoyed to be awarded the UD title. (her dam was Grand Ch Mezen the Ice Maiden CDX ET).
Rob & Christie Schuck's Grand Ch Mezen the Ice Maiden CDX ET is the only Samoyed to acheive a Grand Championship and obedience titles.
Competitive Samoyeds
NSW Samoyeds are also proving their versatility away from the Show and Obedience rings by competing in many other dog sports. Ray Dean competed regularly in the Agility Trial ring with his Samoyeds gaining many Agility Titles. The most successful amongst them is probably his Ch Snowvink Hesa Special ADM JDX GD. A select few NSW owners have gained Endurance Titles (ET) with their Samoyeds
Rosie Santangelo’s ‘Cody’ (Silvakan Prince Of All) has been very competitive at weight pull trials and also competing in the Annual Sled Dog races in the NSW snowfields at Dinner Plain, and also in the Southern Highlands. Other NSW owners and Samoyeds have also competed with their sled teams. Rosie’s ‘Cody’ also regularly excelled at Weight Pulls - pulling competitively on 7/0/00 960 kg (34.3 times his own weight of 28 kg). His best weight pull was over a tonne. In competition Cody often registered the best weight to ratio pull. He was known for beating Malamutes more than twice his weight. Cody was the first Australian Samoyed to achieve a WWPD (Working Weight Pull Dog) award.
Kylie Hill taught her Samoyed Snowshadow Akenaten CDX, to dance to music, giving a dancing exhibition with him in at the 1996 Spring Fair. The other troupe members were all Border Collies.
Following a pets therapy programme Mrs Robin Barrs (Beronga Samoyeds) (and others) regularly visit nursing homes with their Samoyeds. Such visits are look forward to with great anticipation by patients.
Rosslyn Rothwell embarked on a new venture for NSW owned Samoyeds competing with a number of her Samoyeds at NSW Herding Trials and gaining Herding Titles with her Aldonza Dolcevita PT and her homebred Ch Keftiu McCoys Bayuani PT.
Samoyeds at Sydney Royal Easter Shows have achieved great success. The first supreme award of Best Exhibit in Show Sydney Royal went to Ch Starya of Kobe (Imp UK) in 1960 owned by John and Yvonne Sydenham-Clarke (Kalina Kennels Victoria).
In 1971 Best Exhibit in Show was the South Australian Ch Lourdale Tzarmak, owned and bred by Marilyn Roulston – (It is interesting to note that Tzarmak was a G Grandson of Starya and also carried a number of other lines back to Starya in his pedigree).
Victorian Fay Tucker bred, owned and handled her Ch Aldonza Kiss and Tell to Best Exhibit in Show in 1994.
Just two years later, in 1996, the supreme award again went to another Victorian Samoyed - Ch Tobalsk Royal Secret bred by Leonie Waymouth, handled by Julie Oates and co-owned by Julie and Phil Phillips.
