Tailgaters roam in red and black, kids wave plush Bulldog toys, and at midfield, all eyes drift to the sideline, where a white bulldog named Uga curls up, tongue out, atop a mound of ice, as thousands chant “Go Dawgs!”

Meanwhile, farther north in Knoxville, Smokey the bluetick coonhound tugs at his handler’s lead, his bay echoing through Neyland Stadium, ears flapping, orange and white banners streaming behind him.

For dog lovers, these aren’t just mascots; they are living legends, companions whose personalities rule autumn Saturdays as surely as any star quarterback.

Ritual and Romance: The Making of a Mascot

The Uga line began in 1956, when the Seiler family of Savannah welcomed the very first white English bulldog into their fold.

Each dog has since worn a red jersey and a custom collar, walked onto the field with the Sellers, and watched Bulldog Nation roar around them. At season’s end, the “passing of the collar” links one generation to the next – a ceremony fit for a king, but hidden from the cameras, attended only by family. These touches of tradition lend a fairy-tale quality that Darling Dog readers know and love.

In Tennessee, Smokey was chosen by an entire stadium in 1953 during a howl-off.

The crowd chose the pup who could sing loudest, and every successor since has been cared for by the Hudson family and celebrated as the Volunteers’ “first dog.”

Smokey doesn’t sit primly. He bays, leans in for ear rubs from children, and even has his own social media presence to reach Volunteers fans across the world.

Tenderness at Home, Heroics on the Field

For the Seilers, every Uga is family – spoiled, adored, and laid to rest behind Sanford Stadium in marble tombs.

Sonny Seiler became something of a mascot himself, known as the “guardian of a dynasty,” always ready with a story about his beloved bulldogs and the charms, mischief, or stubbornness each one brought.

Smokey, meanwhile, enjoys campus life with his handlers, getting plenty of belly rubs and treats between games. When not leading the Vols onto the field, he soaks up affection at home, the perfect counterpoint to his game-day bravado.

Both programs honor their mascots like family, celebrated in victory and mourned in loss. Uga VIll’s untimely passing from cancer left Bulldog Nation heartbroken, with tributes flooding in from fans and dog lovers everywhere.

Smokey IX’s playful lunge at a Vanderbilt player in 2006? Fans called it “protecting Neyland” – a reminder no stadium, however large, can tame a dog’s pure instincts.

Mascots Made for Dog Lovers

Why do these canines capture so many hearts beyond Bulldogs and Volunteers fans?

Because they emblematize everything Darling Dog members cherish: loyalty, tradition, and joy. Their playful antics, unfiltered affection, and steadfast devotion are visible each time they step onto the field or snuggle up for a snooze.

For animal lovers, it’s those details that matter: Uga cooling his belly on the ice, Smokey greeting a child at the rail – tiny moments of comfort, connection, and canine wonder.

Looking Forward with Compassion

Dog lovers know well that every breed has needs, and English Bulldogs’ health challenges have drawn attention. Animal advocates urge care with live mascots, emphasizing welfare and responsible breeding.

Both schools have adapted, ensuring mascots travel in style, rest comfortably, and get the attention they deserve. Tennessee, meanwhile, has kept Smokey’s charm alive in person and online, so all fans – furry or not – can enjoy his story.

The Dogs Who Steal Autumn Saturdays

As the drums fade and the stars come out over the South, a child strokes Smokey’s velvet ear, and Uga naps in his chilly doghouse, dreams of treats and cheers flickering behind his snoozy eyes.

Heroes may change from year to year, but for Darling Dog readers, these gentle, joyful mascots are southern icons that remind us – in the stadium, at home, or curled in our laps – nothing beats loyalty on four paws.

References

Associated Press. (2023, September 20). Sonny Seiler, longtime guardian of UGA’s Uga mascot dynasty, dies at 90. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/sonny-seiler-longtime-guardian-ugas-dog-

Mascot-dies-103678399

College Football Network. (2023). Smokey the bluetick coonhound: Tennessee Volunteers’ official live mascot. https://collegefootballnetwork.com/smokey/

GeorgiaDogs.com. (2017). UGA traditions: A history of the mascot. https://georgiadogs.com/sports/2017/6/16/uga.aspx

PETA. (2024). The case against live mascots: Health concerns for English Bulldogs. https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/live-mascots/

University of Tennessee Archives. (n.d.). Smokey: The history of Tennessee’s live mascot. https://volumes.lib.utk.edu/handle/10413/522

Wikipedia contributors. (2023, September 1). Uga (mascot).

Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uga (mascot)

Beau Boyd is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of Darling Dog. He lives in Selma, Alabama with his family and his beloved Goldie, Charlie.