Togo Dog Names

For most people, the name “Togo” refers to a small country in West Africa with a population of 7.6 million. Its capital city is Lomé and one of the country’s claim to fame is footballer Emmanuel Adebayor, who has played for some popular football clubs such as Manchester City, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace. However, for Americans, particularly those in Alaska, Togo refers to the heroic dog who helped save the small town of Nome.

Born in 1913, Togo played a vital role in the serum run to Nome, which eventually helped end an epidemic in the town. Named after Japanese admiral Togo Heihachiro, he was one of the offspring of Suggen, the former lead sled dog of Leonhard Seppala, a Norwegian sled dog musher. As a puppy, Togo was often ill and even needed special care from Seppala’s wife. He also exhibited a mischievous streak, which made Seppala decide to give him away when he was 6 months old.

Amazingly, a few weeks after leaving, Togo was able to escape new home and travel miles back to Seppala’s kennel. Because of the devotion the dog displayed, Seppala was impressed and decided to keep him. Initially, the dog was stubborn and aggressive but tamed down after being injured by a much bigger dog. At 8 months old, Togo exhibited signs of stamina and leadership that was unheard of in most sled dogs, particularly ones as young as him. He was even referred to as an “infant prodigy” by his master and believed that Togo was a natural-born leader. After two years of training, Togo became one of Seppala’s most prized dogs and the lead dog of his team. During the time of the serum run, the 12-year-old Togo had been acting as the lead sled dog for 7 years.

In 1925, an epidemic known as diphtheria spread across the tiny town of Nome, Alaska, which was home to about 975 European settlers and 455 Alaskan natives. Dr. Curtis Welch, the sole doctor in the town, had ordered some antitoxin for the disease. However, the port was inaccessible due to the weather and the antitoxins did not arrive before the port was shut down. Since the only way to get the antitoxins was through the Iditarod Trail, a decision to use sled dogs was made to retrieve the cure.

Seppala and his team of dogs, led by Togo, journeyed over 261 miles in order to retrieve the antitoxin and save the people of Nome. While most history books credit Balto as the hero, he was simply the backup dog who ran the last 55 miles of the run. In reality, it was Togo who led the team of dogs through the longer and riskier leg of the journey. After the historic “Great Race of Mercy”, Togo retired in Poland Spring, Maine. At the age of 16, he was eventually put to sleep. Shortly after his death, Sepalla had Togo’s body mounted and displayed at Vermont’s Shelbourne Museum. At present, it is on display in the museum of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Headquarters, located in Wasilla, Alaska.