Balto and the Great Race

Balto and the Great Race is first and foremost a story of the powerful bond that exists between humans and dogs. It is a bond forged over dozens of generations and which can be traced back almost as far as history itself. This bond is evident in Siberian huskies and their relationship to their mushers in the story of the Serum Run. Balto, Togo, and countless other sled dogs prove their dedication and courage as they lead the serum across the wild Alaskan wilderness. Seppala was deeply aware of the underlying potential of Siberian huskies and “always tried to convince the mushers at the Nome Kennel Club that the Siberian was a superior breed and a faster racer” (7). He insisted on using only Siberians on his dog teams, and mushers like Seppala “could look at a dog and know in an instant if he was a natural for a team” (5). The breed itself has a history with humans that is over 2,000 years old, and which originated in Siberia, a harsh northern landscape not unlike Alaska. Because of this rich history of working alongside humans, “Siberian huskies have become a gentle breed. They are known for their great devotion to their owners” (7).