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Balto is the more popular because he was the last dog to lead the serum into Nome. The serum run was many relays which yes, I think, Togo did the most miles. But Balto was the last dog like I said, that ran into Nome, so everyone saw him as the hero.

Uh...gotta correct you here, Swords.

Balto led the team mushed by Gunnar Kaasen, which was the last to leave Nome, and stationed the closest to it (with the purpose, apparently, of providing a fresh relief team for Leonhard Seppala once HIS team got closer). Balto was not actually intended to lead the team. Seppala, who owned the team and equipment (and was senior to the younger Gunnar Kaasen in the Pioneer Gold Mining Company, which they both worked for), wanted Fox, a much more experienced dog, to lead that team. And gave instructions to Kaasen, before HE left Nome with his own team, to that effect, and to NOT put Balto in the lead...no matter what Kaasen would have to use the team for. It is presumed that Seppala believed that Kaasen would be running errands for the Pioneer Gold Mining Company in his absence, because Seppala believed that he and his team were going to be only one of, at most, a few teams making the run...and that he was going to pick the serum up in relay near Nenana. That was changed, by Governor Scott Bone, after Seppala left Nome. More teams were added, including Kaasen's. And that's when Kaasen decided to put Balto, a dog he liked, in the lead, and move Fox back in the line-up to co-lead (second dog in rank).

Leonhard Seppala's team was led by Togo. It was a large team (nearly 16 dogs, if memory serves; whereas Balto's team totalled twelve dogs including himself). Togo's half-brother Fritz was the co-leader.

Balto is the most well known husky. Togo is sadly beaing forgotten.

Both.But Balto is more popullary.

Well to me it doesnt seem like Togo is "the forgotten hero" anymore because I've been to a lot of Balto sites, and everyone on those sites knows about Togo and what he did, so i don't think he's forgotten anymore. Balto is just in general more loved because he's the one who saved the town.

Yes, I suppose your right. Everyone on this board now knows of him thankfully Though, in 1925 he wouldn't have been so popular as Balto which is where the name "Forgotten Hero" will have come from.

Balto is more well known by people.

Balto's more well-known, hands down. Togo should have gotten more fame, but he isn't entirely forgotten.

Personally I don't understand why everyone keeps saying that Togo deserves more credit than he has. If anything, he might deserve less. Yes, he did run the farthest distance, but does it matter? The point of this relay wasn't to see who could travel the farthest, it was to get the medicine through, which is what Balto did. I'm honestly not trying to be mean or hateful to Togo, I just think that a lot of the "Togo should have more credit" attitude is coming from Seppala's anger about Balto becoming famous instead of his favorite dog, Togo. I think that was kind of rude of him. He got all upset because a dog that he didn't think much of at all (Balto) was hogging all the fame instead of Togo, his favorite. It seems to me that he was trying to use the "Togo traveled the farhtest" excuse to make people think he deserved more fame.

Feel free to disagree...I would like to know why everyone think's it's so important.

It only makes sense that Seppala was angry because he wanted Togo to be famous because he still believed that he was a better sled dog than Balto was. And he didn't try to gain any fame for any of the other dogs, only Togo. Besides, would it really make sense to try to get everyone to memorize ALL the dogs' names? I know very well that that would be great because they are definitely all heros of the sreum run, but gaining fame for each and every one of them just isn't possible.

You pretty much just proved that what Togo was no surprise from him at all. He was highly experienced, the lead dog of the most famous sled team of that time, had become a racing legend, and had made other rescues. Having him travel a long distance would be something that many others would expect from him. Balto on the other hand, as I pointed out before, was a worthless scrub dog who ultimately proved himself to be a hero and life saver when he and his team finished the race.

Yes, Togo was a great dog in history, he had won many races and was very experienced, but under those circumstances he could only be known so well, and probably only in his time period. He was wonderful, but he didn't save hundreds of lives like Balto did. That's why I believe that Balto is still the true hero. He's the one that lead the finaly team and medicine into the town.

I also want to point out that a lot of people are being hypocritical. They say that ALL the dogs are heros (which they are) and that they all should be famous, but they only focus on debating whether Balto or Togo was more important. They don't pay any attention to the other hero dogs that they seemed so concernded about, and it confuses me a little. I'm sure they don't mean to, but I just want everyone to stop hating on Balto and talking about him like he's nothing compared to Togo.

I think he gets a good amount of credit. His name and information about him is posted on all the great Balto sites out there, and every Balto fan that owns a computer knows just as much about him as they do Balto. Like I said before, Togo isn't actually "forgotten" like everyone says he is. He may have been before, but he difinitely isn't now. Also, keep in mind that his memory has been preserved just like Balto's has. They had both been stuffed and displayed in museums for all to see, and there is even a statue of the two of them lying nexst to each other. They're both great dogs who have the credit they deserve.

Look, I find it very annoying and immature when people try to convince others that they're smarter than them. I'm giving my own opinion and explaining how I feel, and you're trying to completely tear it apart like it's absolutely nothing. No one knows everything, so stop trying to act all high and mighty.

Just so you know, I have been reading about the real life history for years and years. All of the dogs and mushers recieved credit, and I know that because I have read a list of all their names, the number of miles they traveled, and where they traveled to and from. Balto and his team only received more credit because they were the ones who brought the medicine back into the town.

I don't know why you're still telling me that all the dogs deserve credit, because I already know that, and I already said that. Clearly you haven't done your reading on my last post. Like I said, I've read years worth of information, and I'm fully aware of the fate that some of the dogs had to suffer along the way, and I know the true facts. I look at the story of Balto through what really happened, and don't tell me otherwise.

In case you didn't know (which you obviously don't because you haven't read it yet) There were literally hundreds of lives that were at risk during the epidemic. And what are you trying to say, here? That no one is the hero? Because that's what it seems like. If you despise Balto so much, then don't come to this forum.

No, I'm not being hypocritical in the least. Again, I must point out that you haven't read my other post because I did say that I thought that all the other dogs were heros, and that they did deserve credit. They're all heros, but I think that Balto is the true hero because he was the one who lead the final team back home when the musher couldn't. Yes, since you've evidentally read so much, you know that the weather was so bad that Gunnar could hardly see.

Also, the thought of only giving Togo the credit and neglecting Balto would be sort of weird. "Yes, Balto and his team brought the medicine home, but Togo here traveled the farthest, so let's make him even more famous."

Finally, I just want to say that I was only giving my opinion when I posted. I wasn't trying to change everyone's mind. I just wanted them to consider what I said and realize that they don't have to be so upset about Togo being forgotten, because he hasn't been. When I posted, I wasn't trying to argue or start a fight, and when I said that I wanted to know why others feel that Togo getting more credit was so important, I wanted them to calmly and nicely explain why, Like I had. I didn't expect anyone to lash out and insult me like you did.

The bottom line is, all of the dogs that took part in the serum run are heros, and all of us on these websites and forums know it, even if everyone else doesn't. Balto and Togo are both very famous and heroic dogs, and they left behind lagacies that people will know about for many more years to come.