Animation Source Forums

Perhaps Togo was the inspiration for Balto?

It's very possible. There are undeniable connections between the Balto character (as presented in the cartoon) and the real Togo. And the cartoon Balto does like a TINY BIT like the real Togo (though, from what I've read about Togo, and what I can see even from black & white photos, that connection's speculative). But I seem to recall seeing a production documentary or something (maybe on a copy of the DVD) where they were showing the live animals from which they drew the inspiration for the Balto cartoons (I just don't remember when I saw it...it was probably a good while ago)...and they were showing the production designer and concept artists looking over a real wolf-dog of similar coloration. They mentioned nothing at all about Togo. I just wish I could remember where and when I saw it.

On the DVD I've got it has a documentary about the making of the film and there was a greyish-brown huskie they used as a real-life model for Balto, although he still loks a little bit Togoish, maybe that picture someone drew was half based on the cartoon Balto with elements of Togo thrown in?

Again, it's possible, Whitewolf. I thought that dog they showed them looking over was a wolf-dog. But then, I could be wrong. Heh heh...

Don't strain yourself

It's a very good picture! I haven't a clue who has drawn in though I guess its not that big a deal though. Hopefully we will find some more art on BS of the real team and all! I have started to draw some, it would be interesting to see others draw pics of real Balto and Togo

Hehe, I'm gonna do some pics of the real Balto, Togo and Fritz, I'd do the others but I can never get a good enough ref pic for them.

Whitewolf - that'd be AWESOME! Er...the pics I posted of both Togo and Balto are most of what's out there. But let me post a few here, and what I can of Fritz (there isn't much of him)...and as to color, well, you can sort of see some of Togo's color only from the distant shot of his skin mount. Here's a running list (hope this helps!):

Balto
Jet black Siberian husky...white socks on all four feet, though the right foreleg has much longer sock...some light "feathering" on forelegs...white "bib" on chest, and slight white markings on the tip of the muzzle. Eyes dark brown.





Togo
Dark brown Siberian husky with some grayish mottling, as well as lighter cream or white markings on chest, legs and muzzle. Ice blue eyes.

Here's what I can provide of a color-point reference. It isn't much to go on, but you can extrapolate colors from this, and then a pic or two of some of his descendants (some Seppala sled dogs):


(Descendants...Seppala sled dogs of similar coloration)




(Historic images of Togo...close-ups)



(Other close images)



Fritz
White/cream Siberian husky with grayish-brown "saddle" and some grayish-brown on the head, shoulders, and chest. Eye color unknown, but probably ice blue (many other modern light-colored Seppala sled dogs have blue eyes).

Here first is a color-point reference...Fritz's skin mount:


(Fritz, at left foreground, w/Seppala)


(Fritz w/Togo)


(Fritz, at right, w/Seppala and two other Sepp dogs)

Oh thank you so much Seppala, these will come in really useful, THANKIES!!!!

Awwwwww...shucks! Heh heh. You're welcome! I'd do it for any other artist here too!

Sorry - I'm double-posting, but I cannot WAIT to see the end results! WOOOOOO!!!! Heh heh...

Can't wait to see your pics WhitewWolf! I am going to draw some as well, thanks for the pics Balto Seppala, i will see what i can do with them ^^ I posted some real balto art today! If you check my gallery on BS you will find a pic of the real Balto which i have sent up Hopefully more to come!

Good luck, Highland! I look forward to seeing yours too! As always, glad to help...

You know, actually, the only other member of Balto's team who is clearly identified, in pics, is Fox. The second-in-command. He appears to have been a "saddleback" Siberian.

Here he is (markings were black and white, eye color is anyone's guess):

(Fox is on the left in this pic)


(Fox is behind Balto in this pic, with his face concealed)


Incidentally, here are a few other shots which show the whole team (or most of it)

I think I'll have a shot at Fox too, thankies Seppala.