Balto is the novel’s archetypal hero and a symbol of the achievements of everyone who participated in the Serum Run of 1925. He is not a traditional protagonist and does not take most of the narrative; instead, Balto’s importance is subtly foreshadowed until his defining moment arrives and he takes the lead on Kaasen’s dog team. Balto is introduced as being a dog who possessed the Qualities of a Great Leader, including endurance, intuition, stamina, courage, and intelligence. He senses things that other dogs and the humans do not, such as the impending storm and the arrival of Olson’s team in Bluff, and is a “powerfully built, strong animal” (18). Initially, when Kaasen chooses Balto for his team, it is as if Balto already knows he has been chosen for something of great importance: “Balto knew what was expected of him. In the past, Kaasen had sometimes noticed Balto acting with wisdom and understanding” (23).

When Kaasen arrives safely in Nome with the serum, he props Balto up as the hero of the night. During the night, Kaasen’s lead dog became lost in the blizzard. In the back, Balto was pulling and eager, as if he knew the problem and knew he could solve it.