about us

Back in 2007, I got my first dog – a wonderful, sweet-natured mixed breed that was half Labrador Retriever and half Dalmatian. Aside from being an avid puller on walks, she was an easy dog to raise and love. She was patient, snuggly, food-motivated and lazy – the picture book dog for most modern families. I loved her and I knew that from now on, I always wanted a dog in my life. But as she began to grow old, I started to wonder if she was the type of dog I wanted in my life in the future.

There were sides of her that I definitely didn’t want to miss, especially her sweet and friendly nature. Yet even while she was alive, I lamented the fact that she wasn’t as playful as other dogs, had no real interest in learning new things, and didn’t fancy going on adventures outside of our usual walking routes. During the last years of her life, I also developed a fascination for various dog breeds and whenever I heard a new breed name, I instantly headed to Google to learn as much as I could about various breeds, their purpose, and their origin. This brought me into contact with several suitable candidates for my future buddy.

When my sweet old lady eventually passed away at the age of 14, I was heartbroken, but I also knew that I now had the chance to find a dog that suited me a little better. I had already figured out exactly what I wanted: a friendly, active, and playful dog who would want to go out on adventures and maybe take part in a dog sport. I didn’t just want a pet who would sleep the day away, I wanted a buddy to actively play, work, and experience the world with.

A couple of breeds ended up on my shortlist. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever seemed to fit the bill quite nicely, but after reaching out to a couple of breeders and owners to learn more about the breed through their first-hand experience, I was left feeling defeated and put off. Almost everyone, from breeders to other owners, acted like gatekeepers and did their best to actively discourage me from getting the breed. I knew their reasons were unfounded, but the community made me feel anything but welcome. And I really wanted a strong community to help with questions and experiences. I briefly considered the rare Finnish Lapphund, but found very few breeders in my area, meaning I would probably end up on a waitlist for many years and once again lack the community I desperately wanted. The Alaskan Malamute was the hardest to cross off my list and to this day, this breed holds a special place in my heart. But I had to face the reality: as a small woman, an adult Malamute would have no problem pulling my weight ten or more times. I needed I breed I could still physically control in case of emergencies (or teenage tantrums).

This left one breed on my list: the Samoyed. I had first spotted this breed while driving to a doctor’s appointment while my old dog was still alive and I was instantly taken by their gorgeous looks. Upon googling what dog I had just encountered, I realised that this breed seemed to suit me perfectly: active, playful, friendly – it was exactly what I had been looking for. I spent years reading whatever I could about the Samoyed, their exercise and grooming needs, and their character. I spoke with many different owners and encountered the exact opposite of the Toller community. Everyone was open, friendly, welcoming, and confirmed that a Samoyed would be a wonderful match for my lifestyle. I was in love. To this day, I’m an active member of the community, love sharing photos and stories of my Samoyed, and helping newer owners out with their questions. It is a wonderful community to be in.

In January 2022, the stars aligned. I had recovered from a major surgery enough to be active again, I was in between jobs and due to start working from home full-time, and my breeder had a cute, fluffy litter of 7 baby polar bears. One of the girls was about to be mine.

At the point of starting this blog, Banshee and I have been living under the same roof for over two years. I can’t offer decades of breed experience, such as a good breeder might, but I have learned more about Samoyeds, dog nutrition, training, and grooming than I have been able to find in a single place. When Banshee moved into my home, I promised to do right by this majestic, ancient breed and it has been a wonderful and enlightening journey so far. Aside from reading everything that I could about Samoyeds and talking to other owners worldwide, Banshee has taught me more about dogs than I ever could have learned from a younger, potentially easier breed. And here I am now, sharing my knowledge and my experience with you.