Samoyed Association

THE SAMOYED ASSOCIATION OPEN SHOW 

21 JUNE 2026

Lini Owen (Svetllen)

I’d like to thank the Samoyed Association for the special honour of judging a breed club show and the warmth of their hospitality. Thanks also to my able and efficient stewards for going above and beyond to ensure the show ran smoothly; in particular, for orchestrating the last-minute ring change to ensure everybody remained cool and comfortable in the extreme temperatures. A special thank you to the exhibitors for allowing me the pleasure of their Samoyeds and accepting my decisions with grace, and for the lovely, sporting atmosphere around the ring. 

I was pleased with the depth and breadth of quality of the entry, which made for some difficult choices. Temperaments and presentation could not be faulted; condition was generally good but a few exhibits were carrying a little extra weight which did affect their movement especially on such a hot day. Sizes were variable but the breed standard allows for this: within the ranges the standard permits I had no preference for size and focused instead on balance, proportions, and overall quality. As expected the exhibits present were in various stages of coat, also entirely normal for the breed, and I prioritised coat type and texture. 

Movement was the deciding factor in several of my choices: whether hunting, herding, or hauling, the Samoyed covered a long and gruelling annual migration route across the tundra with his original masters, and the standard rightfully asks for a dog that is capable of great endurance.  

BABY PUPPY DOG

(1,0) 1ST Gwynne’s Rosnorske Royal Miracle: My star of the day. Only just turned 4 months old, this baby puppy dog already has showstopping ring presence. Appealing wedge head with dark brown almond eyes, full black pigment on eye rims, lips, and, nose, plush puppy coat and a delightfully cheeky Sammy smile. Lovely substance and proportions for his age, correct long feet with thick pads, and good tail set and carriage. Stood confidently for examination and trotted around the ring like he owned it, singing his little Sammy song to himself as he went. An absolute crowd pleaser! I was astonished to learn it was his owner’s first time in the ring too, as the handler-dog bond is already so evident. Honoured to have judged this lovely baby on his debut!  

PUPPY DOG 

(2,1) 1st Manns’ Vandreem Imperial Linken: 9 month old dog full of quality and of good breed type. Masculine wedge-shaped head with good breadth of skull and correctly set ears with strong and thick ear leather. Medium length muzzle with good depth of underjaw, excellent jet black pigment. Well-defined stop conveying strength to skull. Loved his eyes – obliquely set, almond shaped, and dark brown, giving him a kind and intelligent expression. Correct scissor bite. Pleasing to go over, with strong but not heavy bone and good muscling throughout. Excellent bend of stifle in the rear complements a well laid shoulder and upper arm of matching length and angulation in front with depth of chest developing and width between forelegs. Excellent length of plumed tail, draped gracefully over his back and to one side. Good ribbing and a strong compact loin give strength to his topline, and correct length of body and leg complete a lovely balanced picture. His well-constructed body is covered with excellent harsh double coat of the hard stand-away quality to the guard hairs I was particularly looking for. Franked his good conformation by demonstrating a very pleasing fluid, open sidegait; long reaching strides powered by strong drive from behind, with correct convergence at working trot and no wasted lift of the feet or displacement of topline, impressive in such a young dog. Very promising, maturing along all the right lines. I was happy to award him Best Puppy Dog, Best Puppy in Show, and Reserve Best Dog.

LIMIT DOG 

(2,0) 1st Collinsons’ Vandreem Imperial Mario at Norjack JW Upstanding 18 month old dog with powerful and masculine outlook. Pleasing head with good breadth to flat skull and strong tapering muzzle, punctuated by good stop, and strength and depth to underjaw. Deep-set almond-shaped eyes set well apart sparkle with intelligence and alertness. He has moderately sized, well coated thick ears set correctly. Good sized teeth set into strong jaws in a deep scissor bite. Strong black pigment in all the necessary places. A nice dog to go over, with well-presented coat of harsh texture, a little light on undercoat. His strong, arched neck leads into a well laid shoulder and strong, level topline. His forelegs are well muscled and strongly boned, with firm yet flexible pasterns into a strong, flattish foot with plenty of coat between the thick pads. He has a well sprung ribcage carried well back to a muscular loin. Good set and carriage of profusely coated tail. I particularly liked his well-made and powerfully muscled rear: he has the good turn of stifle the standard demands, leading down to low set, firm hocks, and when viewed from the rear his legs are parallel and vertical with feet pointing straight forward. His excellent construction translated into a powerful, agile driving gait, true and straight both going away and coming back. 

2nd Gwynnes’ Rosnorske Royal Kylo Handsome 2 year old male with a lovely head – strong wedge with pleasing fill under the eye and a nicely padded muzzle of good depth and width, and equal in length to his broad, flat skull. Dark brown almond eyes with black rims set at correct upward oblique lines to the base of the ears convey softness and mischief, and harmonise with his tight, black, upcurved lips to produce classic smiling Samoyed expression. Plush correctly set ears. Correct scissor bite. He has a proudly arched neck. Moderate angulation front and rear. Decent substance all through with strong, straight legs and firm pasterns with enough give. Loved his tail – one of the best of the day – profusely coated and of excellent length, set on neither too high nor too low and carried over his back and to the side. My notes also say excellent feet, which had the length and flattish quality of a correct hare foot, with exquisite feathering and well-developed tough pads. Double coat of very good texture and beautifully presented, a little light on undercoat at the moment. Strong and positive mover with correct convergence on the down and back at working trot, demonstrating good reach in front complemented by steady and smooth driving action from the rear. 

OPEN DOG 

(6,3) 1ST Jebsons’ and King’s Ch Vandreem Imperial Ripasso JW Very appealing 5 year old male, worthy champion, of balanced proportions and good substance, with a lovely smiling expression. He has a correct broad flat skull, strength to tapered muzzle, and kind almond eye, with correct scissor bite and a well-developed underjaw. Excellent reach of neck, nicely arched, flows into a well set shoulder matched by equal-length upper arm at 45 degrees to the horizontal, setting his elbow under his withers just where it should be. His forelegs are strongly muscled and straight with correct width between them, producing a pleasing true front when viewed head on. Deep chest and well sprung ribs extend to a short and muscular loin, his back broad and muscular with a strong and level topline and nice tuck up to the underline. Presented in excellent condition and in beautifully prepared dazzling white jacket. Another with good long flattish feet, thickly padded and well cushioned with hair. A correctly set and well coated tail of good length, carried over his back, standing and on the move, completes the appealing picture. A powerful mover who used his strong hocks well to produce excellent drive from the rear, showing good extension in front, and was true and straight both coming and going. 

2nd Webb and Bates’ Gold Charm Polaris Royal Dreams (IMP UKR) Six year old mature dog of pleasing type with lovely soft expression, very masculine yet without any coarseness. Slightly more compact in proportions and moderate in angulation front and rear, but nicely balanced all through. Would just like stronger muscling throughout. I liked his head: he has a strong, flat skull of good breadth between small, plush ears that are well covered inside and out with coat, and boasts correct eye shape, set, and colour with good width between and fill under. His muzzle is nicely padded and of good width as seen from the front, and depth when viewed from the side, tapering from skull to nose to form a powerful blunt wedge-shaped head. He has strong black pigment to nose, lips, and eye rims. Correct scissor bite and strong jaws. My notes say excellent coat: he sports a superb double coat consisting of hard, straight, and stand-off guard hairs with soft, dense, and close undercoat, forming correct weatherproof and insulating jacket that would serve him well in his native Arctic. His tail is profusely coated and correctly carried. Appealing male who moved out positively today with balanced strides and correct foot placement. 

3rd Kosmane’s Rosnorske Royal Qui Gon at Glamyarn JW

VETERAN DOG

(3,2) 1st Jones’ and Kirkwood’s Ch UK/IRE/BL/INT/NL/DK/GER Ch Vandreem Imperial Kazhiya Most striking 8 and a half year old male, still in his prime and getting even better every time I see him. Simply oozes breed type and indomitable ring presence. In males of our breed I value distinct secondary sex characteristics: relative to bitches, a pronounced stand-off ruff around the neck and shoulders, framing the head; harsher and slightly longer guard hairs; a stronger head with more breadth to skull and muzzle; and a deeper chest. This superb male hit all those points for me, giving an outlook that is utterly masculine, imposing, and dignified yet kind, soft, and cheeky at the same time. The most handsome head, broad of skull with fill under the eye and gradual taper to nicely padded muzzle of medium length and good depth, conveying strength. He has a well-defined but not overly strong stop. Correct scissor bite and jet black tight lips that curve up in a classic Sammy smile. Lovely almond-shaped dark brown eyes set at an upward oblique to the base of his ears enhance his smiling expression. His ears are plush with good strong ear leather and set well apart. A joy to go over, when you put your hands on him they sink a couple of inches into his correct harsh stand-away gloriously biscuit-shaded outer coat before meeting soft and dense woolly undercoat. Good reach of neck, proudly arched, flows gracefully into a well laid back long shoulder that meets his equal-length upper arm at 90 degrees. Strong forelegs set under him, ample bone but not so heavy as to be cumbersome or impede the agile movement the standard demands, and excellent strength to his flexible pasterns, especially for his age. Correct width of forechest allows him to stand on a lovely true front. His ribcage is well sprung, carried well back and tapering to a tight, muscular, and compact loin. Back of good breadth and well-muscled. Profusely coated tail set and carriage excellent, slightly shortening in length which is as expected at his age. The rear on this male is just superb, featuring graceful sweep of well angulated stifle to strong, well-defined, and low-set hocks. Rear pasterns short, vertical and parallel in stance. Thighs powerfully muscled. His body is the right length to accommodate his excellent angulation, affording him excellent reach and drive with no need for overreach, pacing, or crabbing. Correct length of leg completes a picture of pure balance. When asked to move he dropped his head and strode out with power and elegance, long, fluid strides eating up the ring, topline held perfectly level and firm. From the rear he drives forward from strong hocks, straight and true, on long flattish feet with thick and strong pads. On the approach his front movement is clean with legs angling inwards to a central line at working trot, firm elbows close to his body, with a little song for the judge that sealed the deal. A fantastic male who has so much to offer the breed; I had no hesitation at all in awarding him Best Veteran Dog, Best Dog, Best Veteran in Show, and Best in Show.

MINOR PUPPY BITCH

(2,1) 1st Kirkwood & Carruthers’ Vandreem Imperial Anezka (TAF) Just six months old and already a self-assured showgirl. Stood confidently four square, regarding the ring with sparking mischief in her almond-shaped and obliquely set dark brown eyes. She has a feminine wedge-shaped head with full black pigment in all required areas, equal length of muzzle and skull, small, thick ears set well apart, and a delightful smiling expression. Deep scissor bite with well-developed teeth. Excellent reach of neck. Beautifully constructed all through with good spring of rib for her age, strength of bone to her forelegs, and lovely balanced proportions throughout finished off with good set on and length of tail which will tighten in carriage as she grows. Plush puppy coat, soft but not droopy or flat, absolutely appropriate for her age. Loved her rear construction in particular, with well-turned stifle and low-set hocks, giving strength to rear pasterns which she used to advantage on the move. Strong feet of a good size, long, flattish, and well feathered with thick springy black pads. Very together for one so young and impresses in movement with balanced, smart strides and correct foot placement, no looseness to be seen here despite her tender age. Exciting prospect whose career I will watch with interest. Best Puppy Bitch and Best Opposite Sex Puppy in Show. 

PUPPY BITCH 

(2,0) 1st Webb & Bates’ Angelicus Chiquitta At Rosskaja Appealing 11 month old bitch of nice type, moderate in angulation and slightly compact in frame, carrying a full cream double coat of excellent texture and type. Balanced all through allowing her to stand four square at all times. She has good strength to her head, which is wedge shaped with nice depth and width of medium-length muzzle, scissor bite set into strong jaws, while retaining femininity. Thick, small ears are set the correct width apart on a broad flat skull, with good ear leather and well covered inside with hair. Enough stop. Excellent jet black pigment to nose, eye rims, and closely fitted upcurved lips. Dark almond eyes and quintessential Sammy smile give her a lovely sweet expression. In good body, well-muscled for a youngster particularly through her broad and strong back, with good spring of rib, although she has had perhaps one too many treats lately. She has a lovely thick tail, set on and carried well. Her rear is strong, toned, and nicely developed, with straight, short rear pasterns and low, firm hocks that she used well to move out positively around the ring. 

2nd Mazureks’ Sofi Kraina Platkow Sniegu FCI Lovely 9 month old bitch with among the prettiest bitch heads here today. Nicely balanced all through with correct length of body and good leg to body length ratio. Her head viewed from the front has a lovely wedge shape with strength to muzzle and good width between the ears. Scissor bite. I loved her eyes, they have a beautiful oblique, deep set and true almond shape, dark brown in colour with dainty cream eyelashes giving her a meltingly sweet expression. Ears of nice medium size, thick and erect, well coated. Pleasing reach of neck to a well laid shoulder and decent length and angulation of upper arm. Well ribbed up through her body and in good condition, spring of rib and depth of chest developing. Rear angulation matches her front giving her nice balance, she could just strengthen in pasterns--front and rear--slightly. Long, flattish feet with good feathering and cushioned with hair. Lovely texture and type of coat, cream in colour, with requisite harshness of guard hairs. Profusely coated, thick tail, still tightening but this should come soon. Moved out well with drive. Promising youngster, just needs time.

JUNIOR BITCH 

(2,0) 1ST McGreade’s Vandreem Imperial Ocean For Frostia Exciting 14 month old bitch who I have done well for previously and I see she is fulfilling all her earlier promise. She has a lovely outline on the stand that draws in the eye and a lovely strong yet utterly feminine head of good proportions, nicely defined stop, with excellent depth to muzzle and a well-developed underjaw. Strong teeth set in scissor bite. Shown in excellent harsh, profuse coat, beautifully presented. Dark brown eyes and closely fitted jet black lips, curved upwards at the ends, give her a beautiful Sammy smile. She has excellent substance throughout without being too heavy, with well-boned and strong forelegs and good muscle tone all through. Proud reach of neck into a well laid back shoulder complemented by good return of upper arm gives her good front angulation. Nice length of body with firm, well-sprung ribbing carried well back to a short and hard loin. Lovely strong and level topline with good breadth and strength to her back. An especially strong rear with very well turned stifle, broad muscular thigh, hocks well let down and strong vertical rear pasterns. Thick and profusely coated long tail set on and carried correctly. Balanced and fluid on the move with a lovely open sidegait; today I could tell she wanted to really stride out, but I felt she was being held back a little and could be moved to better advantage; I’d love to see her gaited on a longer and more loose lead. A very bright future awaits, no doubt.

2nd Mazureks’ Sofi Kraina Platkow Sniegu FCI See notes for 2nd in Puppy Bitch.

SPECIAL YEARLING BITCH

(1,0) 1st King and Jenning’s Original Beauty Lady Orleansnow (IMP CZE) Pretty 22 month old lady who commanded attention, standing proudly four square with a self-assured and confident outlook. Immaculate gleaming white and cream jacket, of good weatherproof texture, and good undercoat. Presented in lean, fit condition today; well-sprung ribs and good depth of chest with graceful sweep upwards of her underline to well-muscled loin. Feminine head with almond shaped dark brown eyes and a sweet smiling expression. Very neat, plush ears set well apart, well furred, mobile and used well in the ring. Scissor bite. Good length to body and balanced angulation, with particularly nice feet, having excellent feathering, good length and a flattish quality. Good forechest with width between strong, straight and parallel forelegs. Well set on plumed tail carried over her back and to the side, standing or moving, completes the attractive picture. She flowed around the ring with smooth assured strides, covering ground fluidly and at one with her owner. Handled to perfection, her owner skilfully bringing out her best qualities without detracting any attention from her charge. Appealing bitch who stood alone in the class today but deserved her placing.

GRADUATE BITCH 

(1,0) Walton’s Brilantico Cloudy Dreams Well balanced 2 year old girl with good ratio of length of leg to body, just coming back into coat which was well presented and of excellent harsh texture with desired stand-off quality to the biscuit tinted guard hairs. Sweet wedge-shaped head with good pigment to nose, eye rims, and lips, and kind expression, lovely biscuit tips to her ears. Correct scissor bite. Decent reach of neck and well laid back shoulder blade, her forelegs have strength and substance with firm yet flexible pasterns with just the right amount of slope. Well boned all through and in lovely condition, with solid muscle to her loin and thighs and a broad, firm back. Body of correct length for a bitch, with good strength to topline coming from a well carried back ribcage that was nicely sprung. Moderately angulated rear matching her front angles to produce a balanced outline in stance. She stands on well-feathered feet of good length and flattish whilst being well padded and cushioned underneath, with abundant hair between the pads. Liked her tail: thick, plumed, and carried well despite the hot day. Initially slightly unsettled as she set off today, she was steered with quiet confidence by her handler and ultimately moved nicely around the ring at a steady trot.

POSTGRADUATE BITCH 

(2,0) 1st Kirkwood and Carruthers’ Nirvana Prie Svetlicos To Vandreem (IMP LTU) Honest 22 month old bitch whose ideal proportions and excellent balance caught my eye right away. She has an attractive wedge-shaped head with good fill under the eye, a broad and flat skull, and well-defined stop, muzzle nicely padded, not too long, and tapering gently to a jet black nose. Scissor bite set into strong jaws with good depth of underjaw. Beautiful, deep set, black-rimmed dark, almond eyes in an oblique line to the base of her plush, well furred small ears. Excellent tight black upcurved lipline produces open, smiling expression. Her neck is of good length and proudly arched, flowing gracefully to a well laid shoulder that meets her upper arm at a textbook 90 degree angle, positioning elbows under withers. Good forechest and depth of chest to elbow, with nicely sprung long tapering ribcage giving strength to her topline. Excellent rear angulation in perfect balance with her front, length of body spot on. Her stifles are well bent and she has firm, clearly defined hocks with short and firm rear pasterns leading into lovely flattish, well feathered and thickly padded feet of good length. Presented today in superb hard condition all over which I truly appreciated; the standard does mention muscling three times and for me this is not simply an optional extra. In between coats but what she had was of the right texture, cream, with the harsh straight guard hairs I was looking for. Lovely plumed tail of good length carried close over her back and to one side completes the attractive picture in profile. All very well and good to this point, but it was when this bitch set off on the move that I stopped in my tracks and paid very close attention. A girl on a mission today, she dropped her head and powered off from strong firm hocks, steady driving action in the rear and long reach of foreleg producing a beautiful extended sidegait that was so smooth and elegant she seemed to float on air. Correct body length complemented her excellent angulation to ensure back feet landed with precision into the footprint just vacated by front feet, no overreach, no wasted energy or lateral or vertical displacement of topline whatsoever. Steady and true as an arrow on the down and back, extending from the shoulder, legs angling in and feet converging to a central line at working trot. The best mover of the day and presented in enviable hard condition; I was delighted to award her Best Bitch, Best Opposite Sex in Show, and Reserve Best in Show. 

2nd Gwynne’s Rosnorske Royal Azalea 2 year old bitch of instant appeal with a most delightfully cheeky expression and smile. She has a lovely head, feminine but in no way weak or fine, wedge-shaped with a broad, flat skull and lovely blunt wide muzzle, not too long, punctuated by a good stop and with well-developed underjaw giving an impression of strength and quality to her features in profile. Scissor bite. Eyes of lovely dark brown colour, almond in shape and deeply set along oblique lines to plush, neat ears with slightly rounded tips set the right width apart. Excellent black pigment and lips tight and clean, curved up at the corners to produce a beautiful, open smiling expression. Shown in well-presented coat of good texture, slightly light on undercoat as were several others today. Good length of neck leads into a well placed shoulder matched by good length of upper arm set at correct angles to bring her front legs nicely under her. Forelegs straight, hands width apart in the front, with pasterns of enough slope and give. Now to her feet, this girl had the best feet of the day: exquisitely feathered, long, flattish, with thick black pads and well cushioned with hair. Nicely balanced with rear angles matching her front and correct ratio of leg length to height at withers, and good length of body. Lovely long tail, set well and carried over her back and draped to one side with graceful sweep of trousers behind producing pleasing ‘bum shelf’; I note similar comments as for her brother’s tail. Moved out well today with graceful, balanced strides showing good reach and drive; true fore and aft.

OPEN BITCH 

(3,0) 1st Bees’ Ch Rosskaja Ginjo Pearl for Snowbiscuit JW Beautifully presented 2 year old bitch, dainty and feminine; she has a very pretty head of lovely proportions. In full bloom today with dense white outer coat of harsh, straight guard hairs; and although we were under shade, sparkling silver tips were clearly evident. Lovely dark brown almond-shaped eyes, with black rims and pretty long white eyelashes, set obliquely, give her an alert yet soft and gentle outlook, coupled with tight black upcurved lips to produce classic sweet, smiling expression. She has neat plush ears with lovely thick ear leather, well furred within, set apart well on a flat skull of good breadth. Lovely fill under the eye and gentle taper to her nicely padded muzzle. Correct scissor bite set into strong jaws, with good depth and strength to underjaw. She stands away from her handler with confidence, four square at all times, presenting an eye-catching picture in stance. Balanced angulation fore and aft, with good reach of neck set into well placed shoulders. She was pleasing to go over, with good spring to well carried back rib, a broad firm back, and excellent muscle tone throughout, particularly in the rear. Handled to advantage and moved at smart working trot, she won the class on her tidy, clean movement with balanced strides and correct foot placement, and her super ring presence, which she maintained in the Challenge to take Reserve Best Bitch. Quite the showgirl and a worthy champion. 

2nd Jones and Kirkwood’s Vandreem Imperial Bellini Very appealing 4 year old bitch, another in full bloom today and beautifully presented in plush white coat. Lovely outline with graceful flowing lines of proudly arched neck into well laid back shoulder, level topline, and plumed long tail with ample bum shelf behind; strong straight forelegs set under withers and upward sweep of underline to loin. Good bend of stifle with low set hocks form a well-constructed rear. She has a pretty head with deeply set dark brown almond-shaped eyes, good width apart, at oblique lines to base of the ear, a medium length muzzle, correct dark points and good scissor bite, with good depth of underjaw. She has a nice deep chest, ribs well sprung and extending right back to a short loin, with ample forechest of good width viewed head on. Stands on well boned, straight legs, with strong pasterns having just the right amount of flexibility and slope. Fills the eye in stance, and standing I thought I had found my winner but unfortunately her mind was elsewhere today – I appreciate it was a long, hot day and she has only just returned to the ring from maternal duties, being the dam of my BPIS winner– and she was quite unsettled, making her movement difficult to assess this time. I hope to see her again in future when she’s got her head back in the game.

3rd Lukkonen’s Mishka Na Severe Kiss Of The Rose (IMP CZE)

VETERAN BITCH

(1,0) McRobbie and McRobbie-Millar’s Mangata Jade Knight 7 year old bitch of a beautiful, old-fashioned type I was delighted to find in my ring today. The loveliest of bitch heads, the kind you can’t help but smile back at; wedge-shaped, with excellent breadth to flat skull, neat plush well-furred ears, and gentle taper to padded muzzle punctuated by a nicely defined stop--strong yet absolutely feminine. Scissor bite. Closely fitted black upcurved lips harmonise with twinkling dark brown almond-shaped eyes of a nice deep set, in oblique lines, with jet black rims, to produce most endearing sweet expression. Slight snow nose, completely acceptable, especially in a veteran. In full and profuse cream coat today of correct straight, harsh quality to guard hairs and abundant soft, woolly undercoat. Good bone and substance throughout, with a deep chest and correct width to forechest. Enough reach of neck leading into well laid back shoulder and decent length and layback of upper arm. Well sprung ribs carried back to a short loin, with rear angulation matching her front, short strong rear pasterns, and a well set and carried tail of enough length. Excellent long flattish feet, large and well suited to function, with thick tough pads and nicely feathered. Correct length of body for a bitch and the right length of leg—she may appear a bit short legged to the eye as she is carrying a full and heavy coat; hands on confirms height at withers to leg length ratio is spot on. Broad muscular back; in fact in good muscle throughout, with a particularly broad and powerful thigh, but carrying a bit of weight today especially around her shoulders. Moved well in all directions with good foot placement and correct convergence fore and aft; no wasted lift of feet and excellent reach. She was a little lethargic on the move however and slightly soft in front pastern which I put down to carrying the little extra weight; this must affect a veteran, especially on such a very hot day, but can be so easily remedied and shouldn’t be allowed to hold her back in future. Overall a lovely bitch of super quality and type who I did consider carefully in the Challenge; another I would love to see on a different day after fewer treats have been enjoyed. Best Veteran Bitch and Best Opposite Sex Veteran in Show.