Balto, like Togo and nearly every other dog used by Seppala (and bred by him) were of the stock of the Chukchi clan (tribe) of Inuits, from Siberia. Seppala was given a few of these dogs by another visitor to Nome when he was working for a gold mining company there. They were definitely NOT Alaskan Malamutes, which were a much larger breed (though in existence at the time...and also quite rare in the gold mining settlements...they were being more used by the Alaskan Inuit clans/tribes...especially the "Mahlemuhts" [sp?] from which the breed got its name).
Balto and dogs like him were
called "Siberian Huskies", but that was not an official breed name (not until the 1930s). They were seen as huskies from Siberia. As it was common use at the time to refer to ANY breed of dog, which was employed in pulling a sled, as a "husky". Even Malamutes. Most folks, especially after talking with Seppala (and those who knew the dogs) would refer to them more commonly as "those little Chukchi dogs from Siberia".
The Siberian Husky, as we know it today as a breed (especially the show lines rather than the "working" lines), was developed during this period, but refined during the mid twentieth century...well after the Great Serum Run. Thus, most people are accustomed to seeing the "typical" Siberian Husky...the black and white, or red and white, or gray (or silver) and white markings. They would be unaware of, or surprised by, the "agouti", "piebald" or jet black Siberians, which mostly come from working lines (sledders). The show folks don't usually favor those colors or markings...and breed instead for the typical markings and colors.
They might not also be accustomed to the very closely-related "Seppala Sled Dog", a separate line and breed very closely related to the Siberian Husky, and which evolved from the same foundation dogs (including Togo and Fritz). In fact, "Seppalas", as they are known today, look far more like Leonhard Seppala's original dogs (including Togo) than any Siberian Husky does! Here is a link of some interest...take a look through the photo sections, and you'll see what I mean. There are some breeders of this purely working line (they are not recognized by the AKC or UKC, and the breeders and mushers WANT it to remain that way)...which has much more of the sledding drive in it today than the Siberian Husky breed (which has been watered down by the show and conformation people). Er...here is that link...it's for the "Seppala Sled Dog Project":
http://seppalasleddogs.com/default.htm
If ever you thought of wanting to "own" a dog like Togo or Fritz, THIS is the breed...and the place to look for other breeders of this line.
If you wished you could "own" Balto, the best place to look is for a Siberian Husky breeder who breeds only "working" lines (rather than "show" lines). Of course, every once in a blue moon, a dog like Balto does arise from the Seppala stock as well!
