Okay, we all know this nasty scene: Steele and his minions bullied Balto and banished him: "Half-wolf in the side pocket there!". However, at this stage there is something curious. Let's look at it.

Later I will say something about Steele.

Nikki, Kaltag and Star just laugh along with Steele. But when he leaves, Nikki says quite amusing phrase:

– That son of a wolf...  (Nikki)
– ...He's the most malicious, the most disgusting, obnoxious, the most revolting, the most repulsive... (Kaltag)
– He is no lap dog. (Star)

This random dialogue has a number of questions. What Nikki wanted to say? What did he mean?

There is no doubt that Nikki said this phrase aside Steele. First, they're very angry looking at their boss. Secondly, Nikki closes his mouth with his paw, turning to Kaltag. So it is not clear who exactly was meant by the word "the wolf" - male or female (Steele's mother or father).

What then: Steele is part-wolf or was it just an insult from "true friends"?

It would make sense. For example, all dogs afraid of him and grovel before him because Steele is stronger than them and can easily kill them, because he has the blood of a wild animal. Or this: Steele is never afraid of Balto (although Balto is half-breed) and quietly attacks him. There are two options: Steele is a dog with pathologies, or Steele is half-wolf. In addition, he is very similar to the wolf  (much more than Balto). Small ears, a long muzzle, neck and withers, the shape of the body, tail and legs (not paws). I'm serious. I corrected the some of the features in the model sheet and added some profiles. Look.

I gave him wolfish markings on paws and face. Isn't it a real wolf, is it?

I know that Steele is the Siberian Husky. I prefer to think that it was just an insult (that is to say we have analogical phrase as "you son of a ..."; that is, profanity, carrying crude expression for to insult of man and his mother). It also highlights the fact that the trio are simple flatterers, who are chasing celebs for glory, but when celebrities stop being celebrities, these sycophants throw them and flee to seek other popular people. By the way, in the early design Steele is more like a dog, but arrogance and chauvinism have already emerged.

— Let the half-dog run. (Nikki)

And now back to Steele (here Steele is the wolf with dog's blood). Do not use this drawing. Personally, I think it would be much better if Steele was half-wolf, while Balto was just mongrel. Firstly, the main villain would be more danger and wildness. He looks more creepy, threatening, intimidating, dangerous and wild. In addition, we would have worried about Balto much stronger. In addition, with such a role Steele could be positioned  as ruthless and merciless beast, smart and sly hypocrite and severe enemy. Who felt the call of the wild ancestors, the wolves. Especially in the scene of the fight. A dog-hero against distraught and cruel wolf-dog crossbreed (in the movie, I was furious that Wolfdog can not win in a fight with a weak dog. And Balto does not evades from blows. weakling and a wimp). When an ordinary dog does not resist (and doesn't afraid) and safely on an equal goes against the wolfdog which is more aggressive and stronger and can easily kill the fragile body of Balto. It is much more bold and reckless act (in the cartoon is it just silly when the wolfdog can not and does not want to fight with some husky). Thus, the main character, the dog, would have great respect (I will not tolerate when a wolf, a noble host of the northern forests, was made as molluscous and spineless pacifist). It would be the great villain.

Or it would have been the leader of the wolf pack.

However, some people may say, "If Steele is half wolf, why he mocks on his own kind". First, Steele is very angry and envious. Balto is much faster than him, but Balto very sensitive to own mixed heritage. Secondly, Steele enjoys everything that was given to him. He plays on the feelings. He knows the weaknesses of their potential rivals. That's why.
In addition, it is the most simple psychology. People scoff at others to hide their own inferiority or their own shame. For example, Voldemort (the main antagonist) in a series of books about Harry Potter, tried to destroy everyone ordinary people and half-bloods (who was half man and half magician). Although, the main villain was, too, a half-blood, but he carefully concealed it and hated all only because of his own imperfection.

Thanks for reading.