When he was stolen and sold by a family servant, Buck was a young dog, just four years old. He was in his prime, a huge dog, a German Shepherd - St Bernard cross. He'd become the lord of all he surveyed around Judge Miller's place - he was a lucky dog; born with the strength of one parent and the intelligence of the other. But Buck's civilised life was about to come to an end, for dogs like him were in demand. Gold had been found in Alaska and men were rushing to find their fortunes. Dogs like Buck were desperately needed to pull the sleds in that harsh, frozen country. And Judge Miller had a servant who had not enough money and too many children to feed. That is how Buck came to be stolen away from his pampered life and sold into the slavery of the sled dog.