- Yukon King
Yukon King was a
fictional dog on theradio andtelevision 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.ources
*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.
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