Yukon King
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Yukon King was a fictional dog on the radio and television versions of Challenge of the Yukon (aka Sergeant Preston of the Yukon).
Although nominally the sidekick to Sergeant Preston, in both versions, the real hero was often King. Yukon King, an Alaskan husky, was the lead dog for Preston's sled team, as well as his faithful companion. King had a keen instinct for sensing criminals, and was equally valuable dealing with wild animals, once saving a small child from a wolverine.
In the radio version, King's barks were usually provided by animal imitators, usually sound effects artist Dewey Cole, and later, actor Ted Johnstone. The radio series supplied King with a backstory. As radio historian Jim Harmon recalled, King had been a Husky puppy raised by a mother wolf. When a lynx attacks the wolf and her cub, Sergeant Preston arrives in time to save King. Preston then raised the animal as his own dogteam captain.
On television, Yukon King was still a vital element, though the dog was now played by an Alaskan Malamute. Trained by Beverly Allen, the dog received star billing right after Preston, alongside Rex the horse.
[edit] Sources
- Bartel, Pauline (1997). Amazing Animal Actors. p. 169-170. Dallas: Taylor Publishing. ISBN 0-87833-974-4
- Harmon, Jim (1967). The Great Radio Heroes. p. 215-219. New York: Doubleday and Company.
- Osgood, Dick (1981). Wyxie Wonderland: An Unauthorized 50-Year Diary of WXYZ Detroit. Ohio: Bowling Green University Press.
