In the beginning

Lore Samoyeds was established in 1996 after getting my first Samoyed, Nicky, through the Samoyed Club of Washington State’s rescue program in 1994. Nicky was a wonderful boy who taught me a lot about the breed as we grew together while earning his multiple obedience and herding titles. Nicky was officially known as Nicky of Angle Lake, AKC/UKC CD, HCTs, JHDs, PT, CGC but I mostly called him Nicky Bad Dog as he simply loved to prank me and make doggie jokes at my behalf. And he hooked me on the breed with his loveable humor, intelligence, and impish outlook on life.

I purchased my first show dog, Conor, from Shaman Samoyeds in 1998 and he was the first dog to bear my kennel name. Conor was Am/Can/UKC/Int’l CH Shaman’s Ri Caithreim O’Lore, Am/Can/UKC CD, WSX, HCTs, CGC. Conor’s name is Irish Gaelic for King Joyous Noise, and he was certainly that! Con-Man, as he was often called, made Nicky look stiff and boorish in comparison. Conor took to heart the joie de vivre that is part and parcel to the Samoyed. Life was a party and he was the center of it! In 2002, Morrigan came to Lore Samoyeds and my life changed forever. A very challenging girl to live with when she was younger, Morrigan embodied her goddess name and lived life entirely on her terms. She was Am/Can/Int’l CH Snowbastian Raven Mistress Lore but she preferred to be called “Your Highness.” Her “real” name evolved into “The Mighty Miss Morrigan, Most Horrible, Empress of the Known Universe and Queen of the Bad.” Yeah, she earned every last part of it, too. I loved that dog! Conor and Morrigan were the foundation of all future generations of Lore Samoyeds.

While I do not breed often, I strive to produce Samoyeds true to the AKC breed standard. Rock-solid temperaments with athletic, strong bodies. Beautiful dogs with the breed’s typical (sometimes uncanny) intelligence. Beauty with brains with sweet personalities who will run mountains with you or curl up for a cuddle during movie night. And when you walk them around town, people will come up to meet your Sammy, asking to pet your dog and often tell stories about how they used to have one, or knew someone who did. I’m sorry, but your walks will take longer with them by your side. It’s hard to pass up the opportunity for those not lucky enough to have a Sam.

As a breeder, I’m here for my puppy buyers for the life of your puppy and beyond. I enjoy updates and photos of your pup as he or she grows up. If a training or medical problem comes up, you can reach out to me at any time. While I’m not a veterinarian or a certified animal trainer, I’ve been around the block a time or two and may have some advice to help you out. Many of my past puppy buyers also bring their pups to me for “Kamp” while the human family is out of town. And if you want to try your hand (or paw) at the whole dog show thing, whether in conformation or one of the working events such as obedience, agility, rally, barn hunt, herding and the like, I’m happy to help you out and mentor you. Want to go hiking, skijoring, or dog sledding instead? I can point you in some helpful directions there as well. A well-rounded dog is a happy dog!

Bottom line here is I own, show, and breed Samoyeds for one reason: I love this breed. They are terrific companions, ready to enjoy life with you and be there to comfort when you’ve had a rough go of things. Sammies will challenge you daily to keep up with their love of life and live in the present. And if you get a good laugh out of it along the way, all the better!

~Cyndy Knighton Founder Lore Kennels