What blends together than football and puppies? Our best friends find themselves cheering on our favorite teams at home, while some cheer them on from the sideline. Who are the pups that represent their teams in college football?
Uga X – Georgia Bulldogs (Image)
Uga is an English bulldog that resides on the sidelines of Georgia’s football team. Georgia’s Bulldog is currently on its tenth edition, Uga X, or Que. He has been in the role since the start of the 2015 season. During games, Uga has an air-conditioned doghouse near the Georgia cheerleaders. Since 1956, Uga has been the face of college football animals. The spiked collar makes for one of the most recognizable and prominent mascots in sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated named the bulldog the greatest mascot in the history of college football. During weekdays and the off-season, Uga X lives with the Seiler family in Savannah, GA.
Smokey X – Tennessee Volunteers (Image)
Smokey is a Bluetick Coonhound, the official dog breed of Tennessee. Like Uga, Smokey is on his tenth edition. He was born in 2012 and has been active since the 2013 season. On game days, Smokey leads the Volunteers through the T at home games in Knoxville. His favorite hobby is running the endzones after the Volunteers score a touchdown. When he isn’t at Neyland Stadium, Smokey lives with the Hudson family as their pet in a town near Knoxville.
Reveille X – Texas A&M Aggies (Image)
Miss Rev, or Reveille, is a rough collie and the mascot of the Texas A&M Aggies. She was born in 2019 in Topeka, Kansas and donated to the university by her kennel. She officially became A&M’s mascot this May. She is considered the highest-ranking member of the Corps of Cadets. On game days, Miss Rev appears on campus and cheers on her Aggies. Reveille has a tradition that says if she barks while in class, the professor has to end class because she is bored. Additionally, if she falls asleep on a cadet’s bed, that cadet must find somewhere else to sleep. Miss Rev truly is the queen of Texas A&M. She resides with her corporals and is always under the care of her handler.
Handsome Dan XIX – Yale Bulldogs (Image)
Handsome Dan is an Olde English Bulldog, a breed that is known for living longer than the normal bulldog. Handsome Dan is on his nineteenth edition and was born this past January. He has been active since March of this year and cheers his team on from the sidelines weekly during football games. He is widely known across the Yale campus. Handsome Dan I is thought to be the first live mascot ever, debuting in 1892 on Yale’s sidelines. When Handsome Dan isn’t on campus, he resides with his handler, Kassie Haro, in New Haven, CT.
Tuffy III – North Carolina State Wolf Pack (Twitter)
Tuffy is a Tamaskan that represents North Carolina State University. The Tamaskan is a breed that was specifically selected by NC State due to its appearance that resembles a wolf. The breed is a mix of Siberian husky, Alaskan malamute and German shepherd. Tuffy is on its third edition and was born this past March. He’s been in the role since July of this year. Tuffy cheers on NC State on game days and is the second mascot since 1970. NC State had tried to have an actual wolf as a mascot before, though it was a failed endeavor since wolves don’t do well in crowds. Tuffy lives with the Downey family, who have taken care of all of the mascots in the last 50 years.
Dubs II – Washington Huskies (Image)
Dubs is an Alaskan malamute that represents the Washington Huskies. His breed is known as the largest husky breed. Dubs II is the fourteenth mascot in Huskies’ history. The newest Huskies’ mascot was born in 2018 and has been active since 2019. On game days, Dubs runs onto the field with the players before the game begins. Typically, he sits and bathes in the sunlight as the game ensues. Dubs II, known as Puppy Dubs, was selected due to his friendly personality and playfulness. The 2021 season is his first in action with fans. In the off-season, Dubs lives in Sammamish, WA with Davina Gruenstein.
