I read your article on the “woolly dogs” (Study shows colonials forced Indigenous woolly dogs into extinction) with some interest. I believe the word you’re looking for is Samoyed.
Many thousands of years ago the Samoyed people of Russia domesticated a white dog. The dogs were trained to herd reindeer, pull sleds and keep the family warm at night. Very cold nights were known as “three dog nights.”
As the ancient historians have proven, the people of Russia travelled across the frozen ocean to modern-day Alaska and farther down the west coast of North America. This trek could only be possible with the help of their packs of dogs. It is more than likely this is where the indigenous people of the coast became introduced to these amazing dogs.
The breed today is simply known as Samoyed in tribute to the herdsmen who domesticated them so many centuries ago. The breed is not extinct, in fact, it is alive and well and fully recognized by the American and Canadian kennel clubs.
Even today many people collect the hair of the Samoyeds and spin it into wool, making sweaters, mitts and all manner of apparel. Anyone who has ever groomed a Samoyed will attest to the amount of hair a single dog will shed.
I have owned Samoyeds for 50 years and there is not a friendlier, more loyal breed than any family could ask for.
Ed William
Colwood
