“Crean had started to take the pups out for runs, and it was very amusing to see them in their rolling canter just managing to keep abreast by the sledge and occasionally cocking an eye with an appealing look in the hope of being taken aboard for a ride. As an addition to the foster father, Crean, the pups had adopted Amundsen. They tyrannized over him most unmercifully. It was a common sight to see him, the biggest dog in the pack, siting out in the cold with an air of philosophic resignation while a corpulent pup occupied the entrance of his dogloo. The intruder was generally the pup Nelson, who just showed his forepaws and face, and one was fairly sure to find Nelly, Roger, and Toby coiled up comfortably behind him.

“At hoosh time Crean had to stand by Amundsen’s food, since otherwise the pups would eat the big dog’s ration while he stood back to give them fair play. Sometimes their consciences would smite them and they would drag round a seal’s head, half a penguin, or a large lump of frozen meat or blubber to Amundsen’s kennel for rent. It was interesting to watch the big dog play with them, seizing them by the throat or neck in what appeared to be a fierce fashion, while really quite gentle with them, and all the time teaching them how to hold their own in the world and putting them up to all the tricks of life.”

— Ernest Shackleton, South

“They tyrannise him most unmercifully. It is a common sight to see him, the biggest dog in the pack, sitting out in the cold with an air of philosophic resignation, while a corpulent pup occupies the entrance to his igloo. At ‘Hoosh Time’ Crean has to stand by Amundsen’s food otherwise these villainous young scoundrels will eat the big dog’s whack, while he stands back to give them fair play … It is a fine sight to see the big dog play with them, seizing them by the throat, beck or ‘whatnot’ in what looks like a fierce fashion while really quite gentle with them, & all the time teaching them how to hold their own & putting them up to all ‘the tricks of the trade.'”

— Frank Worsley