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
athdog
February 9th, 2011
11:05 pm
We’ve got one of the best vet schools in the country, therefore the world, in Athens. Why wouldn’t the Dean of the school be consulted for this story? He’d probably know more about the likelihood of any shortcomings in the line than any fan, breeder or writer. Just a thought.
Delta Flight Attendent
February 9th, 2011
11:06 pm
Yes, watching the new and weather now to see if I will be in Atlanta a few days longer.
akitadawg
February 9th, 2011
11:06 pm
Russ: That’s right, let’s just breed him with a mutt. He will be healthier. That real enough!
athdog
February 9th, 2011
11:06 pm
Having said that, I will miss Bruce…he was a great looking specimen, such a great face!
burnin dawg
February 9th, 2011
11:08 pm
I would’t want you to have the taste of that nasty A-hole in your mouth Russ. I know you would have taken one for the team though.
burnin dawg
February 9th, 2011
11:14 pm
Why does Delta charge for bags? We always fly Delta, it sucks. Costs the same as another ticket when said and done. It cuts deep like a sharp knife in the back. We do love Delta though and continue to take the beating. You guys should at least hand out a few liqour drinks to ease the pain. We flew 5 times last year and paid over $600.00 for our bags to fly!
Russ The Temporary Mascot
February 9th, 2011
11:26 pm
burnin,
Sometimes a dog’s gotta step in and do a man’s job.
VII got a bite in on Cam Newton’s leg while we was riding the bench in Jacksonville.
Said it tasted like hot dog.
Russ I
Fire Mark Richt
February 9th, 2011
11:34 pm
All White, or the exact opposite of our defense since David Pollack left.
Russ The Temporary Mascot
February 9th, 2011
11:36 pm
All I know is Delta doesn’t charge me baggage fees when I ride first class.
Only problem is I just found out my first road trip this season is through Memphis.
I hate Memphis.
Russ I
burnin dawg
February 9th, 2011
11:39 pm
Do right team! Love, the burnin dawg!
RED DOG 77
February 10th, 2011
1:55 am
@Bill King………..Well Bill, you seem to have topped yourself this time ‘ol buddy. Do you mean to tell me, that after five decades of breeding all white English Bulldogs, the Seiler family is not only heart broken, but busily trying to figure out what would be in the best interest of the dog first, then how to correct the health problems is not weighing heavily on their hearts,then you sir, are a fool………Sincerily, RED DOG
Glenn Cobb
February 10th, 2011
4:08 am
The DAWG should be white..otherwise ur talking about Miss State. UGA made the cover of SI, never seen MSU’s dog on the cover. I’d like for Sonny to change his “ways”. If not , we should go with the one from Athens.
I’m sure it was a chore for the Seiler’s in the beginning. I’m also sure they’ve recieved enough notoriety & perks to make up for expenses in the past 50 yrs. Let’s hope he doesn’t have the “rights” to the name UGA.
The interbreeding cant continue AS IS.
Dawg79
February 10th, 2011
5:50 am
Atta kid Red, tell him what’s what. Let the Seilers and the UGA Vet School figure it out, if there is anything to figure here other than extreme misfortune. God Bless Uga………
tom
February 10th, 2011
7:03 am
King Get a life
AltamahaDawg
February 10th, 2011
7:20 am
Glenn, they don’t mix different breeds together.
NC Dawg
February 10th, 2011
7:32 am
UGA has Vet school for goodness sakes. Let them weigh in on it.
JACKSON DAWG
February 10th, 2011
8:08 am
you’re an idiot
ugab
February 10th, 2011
8:19 am
It is hard to keep an all white dog in this breed of dogs. I think a new blood line would help with the health of these bulldogs.
m
February 10th, 2011
8:47 am
There is nothing wrong with the bloodline.
It is simply a case of suicide…for having to watch crappy uga football.
mtroy
February 10th, 2011
9:00 am
go with a bulldog rescue (never will happen)
03 Alumi
February 10th, 2011
9:02 am
Do what is right for the dogs best interest.
Breeding “sick” dogs b/c of “tradition” is just stupid and it does not make the university look good.
UGAG fans must be SOOOOO Proud
February 10th, 2011
9:07 am
Holy Smoke !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
790theZone morning crew just KILLING UGAG this morning.
As was described:
Crowell’s facebook/twitter pages are so disturbing
with all manner of filthy and vile comments and language,
that the crew was calling for Richt to ban Crowell from facebook/twitter and all other media access.
Man, UGAG picked a real gem with this Crowell retart.
UGAG fans must be SOOOOO Proud
February 10th, 2011
9:08 am
Guess Crowell is doing things…the “Georgia” way.
Brucerugby79
February 10th, 2011
9:08 am
love cuz comment new blood at tailback new blood at mascot cuz you have written great stuff over the years that may be best
Daisy Duke
February 10th, 2011
9:41 am
I am a complete brindle english bulldog!! And wish to send my resume into UGA for the mascot position. Why do all the mascots have to be male?? Whatever happened to equal opportunity?? I guarantee i have more UGA spirit that any other mascot out there!! Even more than some of these fair-weather fans on this site!!
Hunker down!!!
SavDawg
February 10th, 2011
9:44 am
NO WAY !! The Seiler family has done , and will do, a magnificent labor of love with the mascot. Just look at the track record. Like our football team, a run of bad luck is no reason to panic, jump ship, or make rash decisions. Russ will do fine until a new dawg emerges in the line. They have NEVER let us down.
Hairy Dawg
February 10th, 2011
9:46 am
No disrespect to the Seilers…but why in the hell is the mascot of UGA living in Savannah!! He’s suppose to be a representative of the school…attending all school functions. Hard to do from Savanny. The mascot should be in Athens 24-7…representing not only football games…but all sports and activities for UGA.
Alabama | MrSEC.com
February 10th, 2011
9:50 am
[...] going into last night’s game (a 79-60 Gator blowout in Columbia).2. Georgia fans are wondering if the school needs to go to a new breeder to find its next Uga mascot. (Hey, they take Uga seriously in the Peach State.)3. Mike Bobo [...]
wildbill
February 10th, 2011
9:52 am
I agree with Hairy 100%. UGA needs to be in Athens. He may not want to wander the halls of dorms or that kind of involvement, but UGA does need to be seen at more events. I said this past fall that something was wrong with Bruce. He wouldn’t even bark. He looked sick and weak. My opinion is that a UGA mascot needs to be strong, animated, and able to bark. The UGA that went after the Auburn player years ago was the greatest!!! I have that pic in my office.
LA DAWG
February 10th, 2011
9:53 am
Break the line, let the university purchase the dog and have the vetrinary school take care of it. This will alloow the dog to be seen more often and also allow the students to have hands on with their mascot.
lastgrad
February 10th, 2011
9:55 am
Ask Mike Woods.
banditdawgg
February 10th, 2011
9:55 am
My brother owned one of Sonnys Seilers bulldogs that did not make the cut .That dog had nothing but health problems and he paid almost 2000.00 for that dog.I honestly believe his dogs have been overbread to acheive that dominant pure white look as such was my brothers dog.
Zach
February 10th, 2011
10:07 am
Has anyone ever noticed that Sonny Seiler is a complete ass and displays some of the worst characteristics of a southerner. It’s time for some fresh ownership blood as well as a healthy bulldog line.
UGA
February 10th, 2011
10:35 am
Too bad the last couple Ugas aren’t from the original bloodline anymore. Seiler wont admit it, but this is the case. We need Pollack’s dog which is from the original line.
Whisky Breath
February 10th, 2011
10:42 am
Why in the hell should the Seiler family have the right to continue to produce UGA?. What do they have to do to prove they are unworthy? Don’t use the Vet school, that would make to much sence.
Chantal
February 10th, 2011
10:44 am
Adopt a bulldog puppy through Georgia English Bulldog Rescue.
Dawg Tired
February 10th, 2011
11:35 am
The whole thing is Dawg-gone complicated – pun intended.
schmeckdawg
February 10th, 2011
12:17 pm
@ Zach: Damn good call! He is a complete a-hole!
'03 Dawg
February 10th, 2011
1:32 pm
We need healthy Ugas. Having a mascot at all is more important than if it’s from an unbroken line or if it’s all white. I don’t have a problem with the Seilers still being the ones the university works with, but they have to let new blood into their line so the dogs are healthier.
zfreak
February 10th, 2011
1:32 pm
What about crowning a Junkyard Dawg as Uga???
zippity doodah
February 10th, 2011
1:33 pm
Send the Seilers a “thank you” note, then get a new Uga from somewhere in Athens.
cindi
February 10th, 2011
1:39 pm
i agree with the puppy that Isiah had last week – i had just mentioned that to someone the other day -
GOATS?
February 10th, 2011
1:40 pm
Before bulldogs, the mascot was the goat. Maybe it would be better if they just changed back and became the UGA Goats again.
Faye
February 10th, 2011
1:44 pm
Definitely keep all white, but go with new blood line. Use Glenn Lyles’ dog. Adorable.
UGA I
February 10th, 2011
1:48 pm
Hopefully, the Bill King bloodline can be stopped.
Auburn Guy
February 10th, 2011
1:51 pm
I think a goat would be a great idea! Think of the Auburn players it could chase all over the field then!
Annie G
February 10th, 2011
1:53 pm
Let’s get rid altogether of the freakish, abnormal English Bulldog breed and go with an American Bulldog – stronger, more muscular, more intimidating, HEALTHIER, and a breed SAVED by a breeder in Georgia. Also, the American Bulldog is MUCH more like the origninal Bulldog UGA used in is old logos, etc. In fact, I woudl not be surprised if the proud, tall, muscular dog we see in hats, shirts etc. is in fact an American Bulldog.
ugadvm
February 10th, 2011
1:54 pm
I’m a veterinarian and a UGA graduate- It is awful that we keep breeding these poor quality bulldogs to represent such a great university, especially one that has such an outstanding veterinary school. The Seiler family needs to care for these dogs, not just their bank account!! If they can’t be responsible breeders then the university needs to cut ties with them and find a breeder that cares about improving the English Bulldog breed instead of keeping the $$$ coming into their bank account.
Donna
February 10th, 2011
1:58 pm
It is time to allow another to provide a healthy bulldog! Magical Munson Woods, the dog from Glenn Lyles, would make a great new UGA.
17 of 20
February 10th, 2011
2:10 pm
The Athens paper has just reported that Russ (the temporary) has transferred to Mississippi State.