On occasion, we are asked “Why Wild Spirit for the name of your kennel”?
The answer is not that simple, but we’ll give it a try;
The Samoyed is one of the 12 most ancient of domesticated dogs breeds recognized by AKC. The forbearers of today’s modern Samoyed lived a hardscrable existence on the Siberian tundra among the Samoyede People. This magnificent breed was initially bred to pull sleds, and herd reindeer and the interplay between their wild “wolf-like” tendencies and the dependence on humans were constantly at odds in those early times. Over the years, their dependence and interactions with humans overtook their more wild tendencies and soon, these dogs were not only sleeping with their owners (for warmth), but also weaving their way into the lives and hearts of their human “owners”. Still, they always have retained just a touch of their ancient wild tendencies which occasionally still shows up in subtle ways, such as their occasional stuborness.
The Samoyeds of today, while not living nearly as difficult life as in the ancient times, are most definitely still a working breed, and their lives are even more so intertwined with their humans. This close association with humans has led to their famously gentle disposition and intense need for human interaction and companionship. This is what initially attracted us to the breed. We got our first “pet quality” Samoyed (Juno) in 2000 and instantly fell in love with the breed. We’ve always been drawn to Northern breeds, owning several other breeds (primarily Siberian Huskies) along the way, but Juno showed us the true Samoyed way. He was the perfect blend of dependent and devoted, yet just independent and stubborn enough to show us the right amount of “spunk” we were looking for in a family pet. We loved that boy with everything we had for 12+ years. In 2013, Juno went over to the Rainbow Bridge, but he stayed with us in spirit and ultimately drew us back to the breed.
In January of 2017, we were fortunate the have made contact with the breeders of both of our future “foundation” bitches. Claire and John O’Neil (Bark Bark Samoyeds) who have helped ultimately shape our view on what the perfect Samoyed looks and behaves like. We first acquired Sadie (GCH CH Bark Bark’s Sedona Spirit of Juno) in March, 2017 and then later, Aster (CH Bark Bark N Wild Spirit’s Desert Star) in February of 2018. Both of these bitches come from pure AKC Championship bloodlines that go back to superior kennels known for breeding AKC Champion Samoyeds (Bark Bark, Snowater, Polar Mist). Both have superior AKC show bloodlines and are proven breed quality Samoyeds. Just as important to us though, is that both of these girls perfectly embody the spirit and majestic qualities that we have come to love about this breed and are perfect “pets” for our family. No matter how celebrated they are in the ring, we will always celebrate their Wild Spirit, and appreciate their elegance and intensive need for human interaction.
It is the wild spirit in every Samoyed that truly underpins the very core of the breed and makes them so unique and special. Their wild spirit is what makes us so passionate about the breed
Tim & Katie Dubois
Wild Spirit Samoyeds
