The Queen Mother Wore Black Lace and the Famous Samoyed Smile
A great white cloud of fur fills the middle of the canvas, with a black lace veil draped over the Samoyed's head like a mantilla. Her dark eyes and black nose stand out sharply from her snowy face, and the black gown beneath is embroidered with gold flowers and a necklace of tiny pearls. Behind her the Renaissance landscape of lakes, cliffs and green valleys is soft and bluish, and the contrast of her bright coat and dark veil is striking. She wears the faint upturned corner of the mouth that Samoyeds are famous for.
That upturned mouth is known as the Samoyed smile, and it helps keep drool from freezing in cold weather, which is a nice bit of breed history. Samoyeds were developed by the Samoyedic people of Siberia to herd reindeer and pull sleds, and their thick double coat is made for cold. They shed heavily and need brushing several times a week, with extra care during seasonal shedding. They are friendly, social and talkative, and many like to dig and bark, so exercise and training are essential. Because of that coat they overheat easily, so keep them cool in summer. A vet or groomer can help with coat care and a safe exercise plan.
The queen mother smiles because she is delighted, and she will be sharing the fluff with the whole court.
