Is it time for fresh blood in UGA’s Dawghouse?
Does the early death of Uga VIII mean changes are needed in the mascot line? (Associated Press)
The second straight premature death of an Uga mascot, this one after serving just six games, has prompted a lot of discussion both inside and outside the Bulldog Nation about what’s wrong with Sonny Seiler’s proud line of all-white English bulldogs.
As Matt Hinton of Rivals.com put it, “even for a breed with notorious cardiac and respiratory problems and zero tolerance for heat, the Ugas are beginning to resemble the mascot version of the royal hemophiliacs of Europe: Blue-blooded, inbred and increasingly feeble beyond function.”
The two words I’ve heard most from Georgia fans since Uga VIII’s death last week are “fresh blood,” as in a belief that Seiler needs to either abandon the current line that links back in circuitous fashion to the original Uga, give up on restricting the mascot’s job to only pure white bulldogs (one reason substitute Russ isn’t deemed qualified to be the permanent mascot) or at least introduce some hardier stock into the breeding of the line.
So I put the question to JD, a UGA fan who’s also a breeder of English bulldogs: What’s the word on the breeding circuit about the Uga line? Two sickly ones in a row died young. Is it a matter of Sonny needing to freshen the bloodline?
“Definitely,” JD replied. “Sonny has some legitimate health problems in his line. It is not standard for a bulldog to die so young. Average age of a bulldog is 10.”
What would Seiler need to do to strengthen the line and yet still maintain the link to the original Uga?
“He needs to engage in a planned breeding program,” JD said. ” If necessary, buy a quality female or two and then breed to the reigning Uga. That would improve his line (healthwise). Problem is when you have serious health problems, there is an ethical issue on whether you should breed that line any further.”
Some fans have even suggested that UGA look elsewhere than Seiler’s line for a new mascot. One popular suggestion has been the all-white bulldog puppy held up last week by Isaiah Crowell on signing day. JD says the pup, named Magical Munson Woods, was bred by an Athens area fan, Glenn Lyles, with the sire being a dog owned by my high school classmate Mike “Big Dawg” Woods (the ominpresent fan who paints a bulldog on his bald head). The upside of naming that dog as Uga IX would be not only a fresh bloodline, but the school would have a mascot who lived close enough to Athens to attend many more UGA athletic events than the Savannah-based Seiler mascots.
But the chances of the university abandoning an arrangement of more than five decades with a high-profile alum like Seiler seems highly unlikely.
So what can be done? JD believes Seiler “probably has to get off his idea of an unbroken line. … Bring in some new blood from some quality show kennels.”
The situation is complicated, JD said, because many reputable breeders “won’t breed with Sonny because of the quality of his male and the in-line health problems (the first rule of breeding is always breed your female to the best available male) and his restrictive breeding agreement that the owner of the female must sign” about maintaining secrecy and forgoing any marketing rights.
The bottom line, JD says, is that Seiler has to “swallow his pride and accept some major changes.”
What do you think? Do we really need an unbroken line dating back to the original Uga or would it be better for Seiler to start the line over? Should UGA look to another breeder? What would you think of an Uga who wasn’t all-white?
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415 comments Add your comment
lawdawgg
February 9th, 2011
6:08 pm
If we go back to the original UGA Otto, then we need to move more to the atheletic and proud American Bull dog.
Delta Flight Attendent
February 9th, 2011
6:11 pm
Uga’s have been serving since 56 so the average Lifetime as a Mascot is only 5.6 years. That is not very good since the average life of an English Bulldog is closer to 8 yrs not 10. Sonny’s Ugas are better than 1yr old before they can get on the field so that leaves Uga to last about as long as a recruiting class on average. If that is the case then why not get bulldogs from anybody as long as it WHITE since that seems to be such a BIG deal to the Rednecks that cheer for UGA.
Jimmy Payne
February 9th, 2011
6:15 pm
Just for a moment, suppose the Seilers had already gone outside the breeding line but kept it secret. And suppose it didn’t work out so well as we have seen. Now what do you do?
NENE - HOA
February 9th, 2011
6:22 pm
He was a beautiful dog and will be missed by fans all over the SEC who love animals. Rest in Peace.
Unfortunately he had to watch the play calling for 6 games which would make just about anyone croak!
BiggdawgK
February 9th, 2011
6:34 pm
I think it’s fairly obvious Dawg Nation wants to keep the all white Bulldog. As far as Uga having to be a Seiler family Bulldog, I don’t think the majority of fans care about that. I understand the powers that be feeling the need to bend to a wealthy alum like Seiler but if the guy really loves UGA and Uga he should step aside even if only for a few years while he gets his breeding straightened out.
I’m an alum, maybe not as wealthy as Sonny, butI was all for that Crowell puppy before I knew super fan Mike Woods was involved in his breeding. What’s more important, healthy Bulldogs and a happy Dawg Nation or making sure one alum doesn’t have his ego hurt?
randy in dalton
February 9th, 2011
6:35 pm
UGA’s should remain all white.
Sonny should continue but re-start the line.
Big time?? Not
February 9th, 2011
6:35 pm
Incredibly ill informed…..
UGA_Alum
February 9th, 2011
6:37 pm
I think the problem lies in Seiler’s objection to changing the breeding standards. Even the British are starting to change the breed to one that’s more healthy. Today’s English Bulldog is a mutated monstrosity built for nothing other than looks. What’s known today as an American Bulldog more closely resembles the original English Bulldog, and the first Uga. Those dogs have limited health problems, live on average 2-4 years longer, have a much better quality of life, and actually are an animal that should represent a fierce, competitive athletic team. A dog in an air conditioned house, sitting on bags of ice just doesn’t stir fear in the opposition. I believe that the quality of the animal’s life is far more important than our heritage of the breed. It is not healthy, and not morally responsible to continue breeding these dogs in this manner. If Seiler refuses to change, the University is larger than him and his family. Do what’s best for the University and for the dogs, or get out of the way.
Ima stewardess
February 9th, 2011
6:38 pm
@delta flight guy
I’m really sad that your life is so empty and meaningless that you try and turn everything into a rece issue.
Now go get me some peanuts sweetie.
NENE - HOA
February 9th, 2011
6:40 pm
“Do what’s best for the University and for the dogs, or get out of the way.” Yes!
NENE - HOA
February 9th, 2011
6:41 pm
Special peanuts Sir!
Bdawg Fan
February 9th, 2011
6:42 pm
LOL That was mean but I did laugh at that peanut remark.
Dr. Phil
February 9th, 2011
6:54 pm
Russ earned the job. Continuing to screw around with this issue may invoke a curse. In fact, maybe it already has.
ToccoaDawg
February 9th, 2011
6:55 pm
UGA needs to start their own line of dawgs. My Question is with a great vet school like at U of Georgia why haven,t they been more involved in helping with the breeding and health of the Ugas. The problems with the last couple of dogs really make the school look bad. BUT, with that being said. uga VIII was one of the best looking mascots in a long time. I really feel for Sonny and his family, and the bulldawg nation as a whole. Never forget that Sonny may OWN the dog but they belong to the whole Bulldawg nation. New blood is never a bad thing. Inbreeding is the worst thing you can do to a line of dogs.
NENE - HOA
February 9th, 2011
7:06 pm
Move toward a better future that recognizes and respects the past with the ability to chart a better and more humane course.
The University and all who support UGA will set a great example to all.
ToccoaDawg
February 9th, 2011
7:10 pm
GSU vs GSU Come on People make it happen.
ToccoaDawg
February 9th, 2011
7:12 pm
Sorry folks wrong blog on my last post.
CSA
February 9th, 2011
7:23 pm
I really don’t care if the bulldog is all white or not. If it’s healthy, and mostly white while wearing the jersey, then that should be perfectly fine by all the fans.
SouthGADawg
February 9th, 2011
7:23 pm
I do not think any one dog breeder should have the rights to UGA mascot. The dog should be picked by the AD.
NENE - HOA
February 9th, 2011
7:28 pm
“The dog should be picked by the AD”.
The Ad can’t pick a coach. I dont want him picking the Mascot to.
Pete
February 9th, 2011
7:37 pm
What’s up with the “ALL WHITE” is that a racist thing, that the dog has to be unblemished. I am a UGA Alumni and it Disgust me that all I hear is it has to be an “ALL WHITE” dog. Who FREAKIN cares as long as the mutt is healthy. As usual (ohhh it has to be pure it can’t a spot on it). GET A FREAKIN LIFE!!!!!
NENE - HOA
February 9th, 2011
7:41 pm
I think an All Black dog would be refreshing.
Bob
February 9th, 2011
7:44 pm
Dam! Can’t we have one thing in this world stay all white?
hangman
February 9th, 2011
7:46 pm
known fact: mutts live longer than pures! Let Spike come back or get a billygoat!
NENE - HOA
February 9th, 2011
7:47 pm
All Black Dog, White Sweater with Red G. He would have to have trousers to cover the larger menacing tail.
http://dogtime.com/system/gallery_pictures/4/large/French-Bulldog-4-picture.jpg?1237569279
Delta Flight Attendent
February 9th, 2011
7:51 pm
Bob not even your underware stays all white. HAHAHAH
NENE - HOA
February 9th, 2011
8:15 pm
How about peanut?
http://cdn-www.dailypuppy.com/media/dogs/anonymous/30143/20090702370419_DSC03203.JPG_w450.jpg
WBDawg
February 9th, 2011
8:16 pm
Let’s get the future of UGA out of Seiler’s hand’s and into the Vet School’s paw’s! The best looking pure white bulldog should be the mascot, whether he’s linked to the original UGA or not!!!! Let’s have a beauty contest every 5-6 years to get the most beautiful pooch available!!!!!
DUB
February 9th, 2011
8:18 pm
get rid of Seiler!
NENE - HOA
February 9th, 2011
8:21 pm
Lets be more flexible. How bout a Poodle Bulldawg Mix.
http://willbarnesonline.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/doxipoo.jpg
chipper
February 9th, 2011
8:22 pm
The line must be broken. Sonny has to take his pups’ health into consideration here.
NENE - HOA
February 9th, 2011
8:24 pm
The line must be broken.
Isnt that what Scarlet said to Miss Melly Wilkes!
Old Dawg
February 9th, 2011
8:38 pm
I appreciate everything the Seiler’s family has done for Georgia. Sonny must be broken hearted over loosing UGA VIII, but even more over this article. This is just crazy talk.
Ima Stewardess
February 9th, 2011
8:43 pm
@delta flight guy
Everyone knows you are an expert on dudes dirty underwear.
Now go get me another drink sweetie.
Russ The Temporary Mascot
February 9th, 2011
8:43 pm
Just got back from dinner.
Today, Charles has been playing the opening track from Led Zeppelin IV.
I wonder if this is a sign of things to come.
Your friend,
Russ
NENE - HOA
February 9th, 2011
8:44 pm
Heres your special Peanut Colada Sir!
AltamahaDawg
February 9th, 2011
8:44 pm
Flight attendant,
Uga I, -10 yrs
Uga II, -6 yrs.
Uga III, IV, V, VI, -9 yrs
By the way, that was “served as mascots”, meaning they lived a few year longer.
Considering the Life expectancy of an English Bulldog is 8 years most optimistic, 6 years by some studies, I’d say Sonny is doing pretty damn well. Particularly given Uga are subjected to far more stress than the normal pet.
Now you go and average in:
Uga VII , heart attack
Uga VIII, cancer
Completely unrelated to each other. Completely unrelated to or any breeding traits. I suppose if you are just blindly averaging in cosmic forces, well ok. Would you average in choked on a biscuit?
You also need to average in the 3 or 4 interim mascots, (same line) who also lived longer than most.
And how does 56 / 8 equal 5.6?
Ultra Sensitive
February 9th, 2011
8:51 pm
Oh golly wiggles. I’m glad these bleeding heart pc thugs have opened my eyes. UGA fans don’t want an all white Bulldog because Uga has traditionally been that way. It has nothing to do with wanting their Bulldog to stand out from other copycat schools with a bulldog mascot either.
It’s because they are all horrible ooky racists who are worse than Hiltler. Oh no I just had a thought. Since Uga is by far the most popular, beloved and recognized college mascot of all time, that means everyone who likes him is a racist.
I’m so upset I can’t finish my free range tofu wrapped kelp burger.
Mutter
February 9th, 2011
8:52 pm
The stupid mutt croaked?
Russ The Temporary Mascot
February 9th, 2011
8:53 pm
Altamaha,
I’m six years old but I feel like I’m three.
I am still here and I am ready.
Russ
Ima Stewardess
February 9th, 2011
8:54 pm
@NENA
Are you flirting with me and if so can you post a pic so I can make an informed decision?
BiggdawgK
February 9th, 2011
8:57 pm
@Altamaha
Don’t confuse flight attendant with facts and logic. I thought about posting a very similar msg to your’s earlier this evening but was too lazy.
BiggdawgK
February 9th, 2011
8:59 pm
@Ultra
LOL Now that was some nice sarcasm.
Of course there’s always the chance you are being serious in which case the only possible thing to say is……..how the heck can you eat a tofu burger?
dawg
February 9th, 2011
9:00 pm
I had some interaction with the Seilers last year at the UGA center. They are rude to fans and need to understand again WHY they are there. They are there because of the dog. If the dog wasnt there the Seiler’s wouldnt be noticed. I think several breeders need to be brought in and lets have a bid process.
Lazoo
February 9th, 2011
9:00 pm
Why doesn’t Sonny just change the bloodline and not tell anybody?
Delta Flight Attendent
February 9th, 2011
9:09 pm
Altamaha
2011-1956= 55 years sorry not 45.
So 55/8 = 6.87 years per Uga then or 6yrs 10 months
Minus the 1 and a few months until the dawg is field ready then you still have an average of just Ugas field time at 5yrs. So I am still basically right when I say just 1 recruiting class on average.
Dawg in Kentucky
February 9th, 2011
9:09 pm
keep seiler and all white
Russ The Temporary Mascot
February 9th, 2011
9:09 pm
Lazoo,
Us dogs here have an agreement.
What happens in Savannah stays in Savannah.
Russ
Russ The Temporary Mascot
February 9th, 2011
9:12 pm
Delta,
Didn’t they tell you its time to turn off all electronic devices?
Russ
Ole Yeller Dawg
February 9th, 2011
9:21 pm
I am kind of partial to the color yeller myself but I understand why most of you vote for all white. Kind of like women and wedding dresses……white = pure…..if the dress were any other color, folks would think something might of happened before the wedding!
Same with multi color dogs, if they have more than one color in its coat, he/she might of been messing around somewhere he/she should not have been!!!!
I believe UGA should have more than one Uga, kind of like the TV show Lassie. I hate to break to some of you who have always thought that one single dog filmed the whole show but there were a total of seven dogs that would fill in as needed.
So how about a team of all white Uga’s….1st string, 2nd string, 3rd string and so on….1st string Uga gets sick, in steps the 2nd string Uga until 1st string Uga is on his feet again. This way you could use more than one breeder and not all Uga’s would have to be male!
I still like the color yeller best!