CLEVELAND — One hundred years ago, a dog named Balto, who would become a worldwide star and hero, was born. On Jan. 20, 1925, an outbreak of diphtheria, a highly contagious disease affecting the throat and lungs, in a remote part of Alaska called Nome, brought a team of sled dogs to the national stage, including Balto.Mar 2, 2019
How did Balto and other dogs end up in Cleveland?
After the Race for Life A dispute between owners over unpaid wages resulted in a tour of the country's vaudeville circuit for two years. Then, the dogs were transferred to a "dime" museum in Los Angeles, where they caught the attention of Cleveland businessman George Kimble.
Why was Balto famous and not Togo?
Balto was Kaasen's lead dog during the serum run and thus was at the forefront as the team entered Nome carrying the lifesaving serum. As a result, Balto received an outsized portion of the fame from the journey, including more acclaim than Togo.
Why did Balto run across Alaska?
The 1925 serum run to Nome, also known as the Great Race of Mercy and The Serum Run, was a transport of diphtheria antitoxin by dog sled relay across the U.S. territory of Alaska by 20 mushers and about 150 sled dogs across 674 miles (1,085 km) in 5 ½ days, saving the small town of Nome and the surrounding communities …
Are Balto and Togo related?
Though Balto often gets the credit for saving the town of Nome, it was Togo, a Siberian Husky, who led his team across the most dangerous leg of the journey. Named after Heihachiro Togo, a Japanese Admiral who fought in the war between Russia and Japan (1904-05), Togo was the lead sled dog of Leonhard Seppala.
Is Balto bloodline still alive?
Following his death, his body was mounted and displayed in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, where it remains today….Balto.
| Balto with Gunnar Kaasen, his musher in the 1925 Serum Run. | |
|---|---|
| Species | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Sex | Male |
| Born | 1919 Nome, Territory of Alaska |
| Died | March 14, 1933 (aged 14) Cleveland, Ohio, United States |
Was Balto embalmed?
Balto died on March 14, 1933. Later he was embalmed and we can now find him at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
Is Togo’s bloodline still alive?
According to a lengthy story by the New York Times, the bloodline of Togo, the lead dog in Leonhard Seppala's famous 1925 Nome serum run team, is still alive and part of mushing. The tale begins with Winnie, a direct descendant of Togo, who pulls double duty as a racing dog and a show dog.
Who owned Balto the sled dog?
While in Los Angeles in Feb. 1927, Cleveland businessman George Kimble discovered Balto and his team being displayed in a "dime museum." Outraged at their degradation, Kimble negotiated to purchase the dogs for $2000.
Why did Togo not get credit?
This is why it broke Sepp's heart that Togo did not receive the credit due, for the most dangerous and deadly portion of the Serum Run. Balto had been one of Sepp's dogs, left behind, and he was the lead dog for Gunnar Kaasen; borrowed from the Seppala Kennels, if you will.