Search Results for: blog sledding with the big dogs

Balto (1995)

When I first picked up “Balto” for my kids, I didn’t know it was based on a true story. I was fascinated to learn the history behind the film, and I’d like to share a little bit of that with you before we leap into the film itself. Back in 1925, a huge outbreak of diphtheria swept through Nome, Alaska, leaving many children on the brink of death. The people badly needed diphtheria antitoxin, but the closest source was in Anchorage, nearly a thousand miles away. Another team brought the medicine as far as they could, then it was passed … Continue reading →

The History of Huskies

The Siberian husky was bred by the Chukchi people of northeastern Asia to be an endurance sled dog. The Chukchi were semi-nomadic people who traveled to hunt; when changing climate forced them to expand their hunting grounds, they developed the huskies to help them survive. Huskies can travel long distances in low temperatures at a moderate speed; they can pull a light load with only a modest energy expenditure. In 1909, the Siberian husky made its first appearance in North America at the All Alaska Sweepstakes Race, prompting a massive import of the breed. A year later, John “Iron Man” … Continue reading →