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
Dawg
February 10th, 2011
2:15 pm
Delta…drop the race card. If you knew the hx of the Uga’s, you would know why this dog has been a white English Bulldog. The color of the bulldog has nothing to do with the color of your skin or mine. Many of you need to read up on the hx of this UGA tradition. How many of you know the health problems and short life expectancy face by ALL English Bulldogs? I think this is a decision best left up to Sonny and the vet school. These are all pretty intelligent and educated people. When you make your rude and classless remarks, do you recall this is a family pet and do you realize how much this family has done for UGA?
Connie
February 10th, 2011
2:16 pm
It’s more then fresh blood or fresh lines. It’s about responsible breeding. Anyone can see by checking the Bulldog club of american that it’s not easy to be a responsible breeder. Shortcuts = ill bred dogs of any breed. It’s sad when a loved dog/pet dies. People need to be aware it can take a year to find a responsible bred puppy as these responsible breeders do not breed randomly or for supply and demand. Why not find a rescue dog and promote rescue, or take the time and do the proper leg work and find a responsible breeder. They do genetict testing, health testing, are involved with clubs and organsations and promote the life and welfare of the breed.
Hairy Dawg
February 10th, 2011
2:28 pm
Auburn guy….dontcha mean for Auburn players to chase the goat!! Ya’ll barners are all about some barnyard fun eh? LOL
goodness gracious
February 10th, 2011
2:28 pm
First you can see the pride of the UGA faithful in the responses to this article. Its real simple all sonny has to do is introduce new dogs in the breeding for the future. That being said we need to use woods pup. The story involved with the signing of the states top prospect is story book. Just imagine what it would mean if the team goes on to greatness. And woods has already agreed to give the pup to the school. The pup is also from the UGA line. Why complicate this issue more. SONNY PLEASE GIVE THE OK TO USE THE PUP. ITS WHATS BEST FOR GEORGIA!
LynneF
February 10th, 2011
2:37 pm
new line is needed.
too many health problems in the current line
stop breeding dogs that have poor health
Jacks
February 10th, 2011
2:39 pm
I have problem with this breeder. Legacys are great and all ,but THESE DOGS ARE DYING AT ALARMING RATES! Why doesn’t the University President or Board Members raise objections? While the dogs are not the schools most pressing issues, the fact is these animals are THE CHOSEN MASCOTS OF THIS UNIVERSITY and they are dying due to their DNA.
This is insanity. We are all over Vick and his cruelty(rightly deserved), but an institution of higher learning isnt more responsible?
Grow up! Say enough is enough! This breeder is going to keep his status quo by doing the same thing. He doesn’t want to lose his “fame” and will let dogs die by inbreeding. Give him his free tix for life and move on to a better breeder.
The Overlord
February 10th, 2011
2:39 pm
The obvious choice is being overlooked. A proven breeder with a stellar football record…..MIKE VICK!
KC
February 10th, 2011
2:45 pm
I think the Seilers family should start treating the dog like an animal. Feeding the dog human foods such as (steak, potatoes, grilled chicken) on a regular cannot be good for a dog’s diet, especially when it comes to breeding. As a “double-dawg”, I prefer if UGA is kept all white, it’s our signature and what makes us stand out! There is not UGA football game without Uga! The Seilers family has done a great job thus far, but there does need to be a consistent vet that watches over the family and the animals.
Auburn Guy
February 10th, 2011
2:49 pm
Hairy Dawg – You may be right about that but we stay away from those goats. Too dang ornery!
Cletusdawg
February 10th, 2011
2:52 pm
The Seilers have ridden UGA’s legacy for much to long. It’s time for the University to take over, breed, maintain and house the next UGA mascot.
bagheera
February 10th, 2011
2:54 pm
I have to think that Sonny would want to do right by the University and also to the dogs. With breeding you have to be careful not to overbreed the line and really look closely at each and every pup. I don’t even think it is right to have these animals (whether UGA, the Auburn eagle, etc.) even at the games, seems cruel.
myother
February 10th, 2011
3:00 pm
It’s about time UGA revamped the offensive line….
Bully Lover
February 10th, 2011
3:00 pm
It breaks my heart to think that someone would continue to breed any dog out of vanity or ego (if there is something wrong with the bloodline). I don’t know and it hasn’t been proven (but it’s not looking good) that there is something wrong with the UGA bloodline. I have heard for years that his dogs have all kinds of problems, including cancer. I have a special place in my heart for these dogs, we own one and love her dearly. She is the sweetest baby ever (isn’t that what all parents think). They are such wonderful animals. For goodness sake, if he cares one iota (and if there really is something wrong with the bloodline) then he should change his breeding program.
Justin
February 10th, 2011
3:00 pm
Note:
UGA (pronounced by reading each letter individually) is the University of Georgia.
Uga (prnounced “UGH-uh”) is UGA’s mascot.
UGADawgGuy
February 10th, 2011
3:01 pm
I don’t want UGA to be all-white — that would be illegal. UGA integrated in the 1960s.
An all-white Uga, on the other hand, is fine with me.
Big Nasty
February 10th, 2011
3:03 pm
The Seilers are cruel and pompous people who should be loathed for their macabre breeding habits. Their dogs should be confiscated and euthanized so the torture does not continue to go on unabated.
UGA should distance itself from these cretins and start a new line afresh and with the latest standards and technology in breeding by the Veterinarian department not some old hat with a bad hair piece.
Chris
February 10th, 2011
3:06 pm
Well – it has always been all white, but we keep chanting all white, then the NAACP is going to be all over us…………lol
RIP UGA VIII………………………..this time its’ personal
The Bill King
February 10th, 2011
3:10 pm
You guys like how I act like an actual UGA grad with any ties to the school? It’s a big joke.
MS
February 10th, 2011
3:10 pm
For the sake of the young FANS please find stronger stock. We adults may understand all of this breeding lines, and inbreeding, but think of the kids who only know the dog DIED! AGAIN!! Not cool UGA. Just get a HEALTHY darn dog that will last more than ONE season. And why not upgrade Russ to UGA, he’s doing a fine job.
UGA '79
February 10th, 2011
3:10 pm
Seiler needs to go. And take Richtus with him.
Dog Fan
February 10th, 2011
3:13 pm
Wow, so much ignorance in a thread. Many of you need to study animal breeding so that you know what you’re talking about. Others need to go back and read the article a little better as you’ve missed key points. The Uga bloodline has hit a critical point of being overly inbred, new blood is DEFINITELY required to make it work. I do like the Munson idea, if he’s all white and bred by a UGA fan, then what’s the problem? But something’s gotta be done, losing 2 mascots in a short amount of time is completely unnecessary and his whole breeding program seems to have problems.
MS
February 10th, 2011
3:13 pm
…ALSO. We have 2 retired show dogs, boxers. The breeder was RESPONSIBLE and pulled the youngest which was winning OUT of the breeding program because they noticed he had a SLIGHT underbite. THAT is responsible breeding. It is supposed to BETTER the breed, what the folks are doing with these poor bullies is unethical. If you look at the breed standard for bulldogs and what his dogs look like compared to the ones winning best in show you will notice they are far too top heavy, they almost look like shar pei bull dogs, it can’t be healthy.
John Smith
February 10th, 2011
3:20 pm
This is a dog. Not worth discussing removing the monarch in Britain. Geez folks.
1911A1
February 10th, 2011
3:21 pm
I’m thinking that as long as Sonny keeps writing those big, fat checks to the athletic department, he gets to keep doing things his way.
Brandy
February 10th, 2011
3:22 pm
Yes- genetics. While any dog can get cancers it can be geneticly bred into them as well with poor breeding. Same with BMD who’s life expectancy is less then 8 yrs and are prone to cancers as well as Goldens are prone to cancers due to ill breeding. Bulldogs have alot of genetic issues that take a responsible breeder to breed away from. I do not see that on the bulldogs being use. [English Bulldog: 1, 3, 6, 19, 42, 54, 55, 80, 88, 90, 94, 98, 103, 116, 129, 130, 145, 152, 154, 164, 166, 179, 181, 201, 205, 217, 242, 245, 260, 261, 278, 280, 287, 308, 325, 330} Dogbiz dot com has the meaning of all above. Bottom line is promote a true breeder that is helping the breed stay happy and healthy. Or better yet, give one of these adorable homeless bulldogs a home, job and adoring fans rescuebulldogs dot org find out what a true breeder is at learn to breed dot com.
meh
February 10th, 2011
3:24 pm
Russ seems pretty healthy. let him hook up with a couple bulldog ladies that aren’t his sister. surely there’ll be an all white one in the litter somewhere.
Martin
February 10th, 2011
3:28 pm
How was Uga VIII considered all white when he had brown on his right ear?
Skitty
February 10th, 2011
3:37 pm
I said this when the last UGA died, I’ll say it again. INBREEDING. His parents were probably siblings. Those rednecks schmucks down in Bumble****, GA are just trying to pump out as many Ugas as possible without caring one bit about the health. The University should definitely find a new breeder.
Kappadawg
February 10th, 2011
3:41 pm
Since I’m not a breeder, I guess what I am about to say may seem a little callus but what real difference does it make what line the bulldog comes from anyway? If I had not been told that Uga VIII passed and another dog was there on opening day, would I even know the difference? How many of you would? It’s the symbol of UGA and the bulldog that represents the bulldog nation and not one dog from one line. The team doesn’t stop playing because the best player leaves…put in another dog, call it Uga IX and keep it moving.
Skip
February 10th, 2011
3:44 pm
Sonny will figure out what to do. I’m sure they hate losing these dogs more than we can imagine.
MikeD
February 10th, 2011
3:47 pm
Time for robo-Uga. Besides making PETA happy, think of all the water saved by not having to haul out pounds of ice for Uga to sit on at every home game. Plus, it’ll never get tired – tons more photo ops and functions to keep Rednec…I mean Dawg Nation happy and content!
rebeldawg
February 10th, 2011
3:49 pm
Uhhh ya think? And you better start searching now UGA before its to late and Uga IX bites the dust before we even know who Uga IX is.
ml
February 10th, 2011
3:50 pm
get with the progam and upgrade to the AMERICAN Bulldog. the current mascot is a joke and symbolizes nothing but negative things.
Zombie Steve
February 10th, 2011
3:55 pm
I think UGA should go back to the original mascot of the the university: the majestic GOAT. That’s right, UGA fans, your mascot was a goat.
Goooooooo, GOATS! Sic’um!! Baaaaaaaaaahhhhh
CaribouRancher
February 10th, 2011
3:57 pm
This is crazy!
Ronnie Thornton
February 10th, 2011
4:06 pm
Leave Sonny alone, people like you Skitty have no idea the sacrifice they have made for our enjoyment. I was fortunate to have shared Uga and followers since the 1950’s. If there is any result of poor inbreeding it seems to have been in your backyard.
Zombie Steve
February 10th, 2011
4:08 pm
The average lifespan of a goat 10-15 years, may live as long as 30 years.
GO BACK TO THE GOAT, UGA!
Dawg
February 10th, 2011
4:23 pm
Well said Ronnie Thornton.
I have had cancer….4 year survivor. Does this mean I should kill of my children so they don’t pass it on to their chidren??
Let’s see…the original question…I like the all white dog, but don’t mind if he has some brown. I think Sonny and the vet school will do the best possible with the breding. If there is a problem, I am sure they are aware and will correct. These are not stupid people.
Canis Familiaris
February 10th, 2011
4:25 pm
The Bulldog bloodline has always been from the Seiler’! Sonny brought the first ever live bulldog to a game back in the 50’s. I think it should stay in the “family”. If not, there is only one person who deserves to put in a replacement and that is the aforementioned Mike “Big Dawg” Woods,(the Erk to Sonny’s Vince) perenial UGA Superfan. It may be coincidental that the last 2 UGA’s have lived short lives due to disease.Simply, what I’m saying is, lets keep it inside the Bulldawg Nation when choosing the next “great white hope” for our beloved DAWGS!!
UGAG fans must be SOOOOO Proud
February 10th, 2011
5:34 pm
Bill King = Jabba the Mutt
Camden Mark
February 10th, 2011
5:50 pm
NO! You young ones have no since of tradition
Jborodawg
February 10th, 2011
6:22 pm
‘03, Faye, Connie, Goodness gracious, LynneF, MS, Jacks, DogFan, Skitty…and especially ugadvm, et al: All of you go to the chalk board and write 500 times, “Canine Lymphoma is not cause by inbreeding…Canine Lymphoma is not caused by inbreeding…”
Jborodawg
February 10th, 2011
6:25 pm
Justin: thank you for pointing out that “Uga” is not the same as “UGA”. Good lord people…
Jborodawg
February 10th, 2011
7:51 pm
Annie G, I believe you’re referring to the Altamaha Plantation Bulldog, or Antebellum Bulldog. Yes, it is a Georgia breed and would be a great mascot. But they lack the cuteness factor. SI and the fans wouldn’t like that.
Actually, it may be time for a change to a different breed. The bulldog, often referred to as the English bulldog, is not suited to hot climates; actually they suffer in the heat. That’s why Ugas like the a/c doghouses and bags of ice. An Altamaha Plantation Bulldog would be more suited to hot weather; it’s a south Georgia breed. And they tend toward pure white. Being a new breed, they have fewer inherent health issues; EG a high incidence of hip dysplasia . I have a high regard for the Seilers for being loyal Dawgs and transporting Uga for all these years. But even Sonny has turned the game-day duties over to the kids. Maybe it is time to move on. Having a resident mascot is a good idea; not sure how the admin would handle what has been a private tie-in with the Athletic Assoc., as opposed to a university ownership issue. I guess if UGA can own horses, they can own dogs. And I guess it’d have to be the vet dept; and students would get practical experience caring for and breeding PURE WHITE dogs (yes, it’s a tradition thing and that’s what the vast majority of Bulldog Nation wants). Having Altamaha Plantation Bulldogs would be a perfect fit; the flagship university helping to advance a Georgia breed.
But, if we’re gonna stay with “English” bulldogs, I agree with Chantal that adopting from ‘bulldog rescue’ would be an excellent way to go.
Dawg Squeeze
February 10th, 2011
8:17 pm
Too bad we don’t have a quality veterinary medicine school in this state that could help with this situation.
lln
February 10th, 2011
10:09 pm
Go with Lyles’s dog! It is a healthy line and a pretty dog. What is there to lose?
atl xmen
February 10th, 2011
11:44 pm
February 8, 2011
Winning isn’t everything
Randy Young
CNHI The Times Enterprise Tue Feb 08, 2011, 07:30 PM EST
I’ve been a football fan all my life and have called football games on the radio for the better part of 30 years. I know how important it is to win, especially in the Southeastern Conference, unquestionably the most dominant football league in the universe.
The Georgia Bulldogs’ most recent season wasn’t one most UGA fans will want to remember. The year ended with the first losing record of head coach Mark Richt’s career and, predictably, many Georgia fans were calling for him to be fired.
We’ve all seen coaches screaming at the top of their lungs at their players, many of them cursing with every other word. And, of course, some of them get away with it because they win on the field more than they lose, so their fans put their hands over their eyes and ears and say that it’s all OK.
A devout Christian, Richt has never been a screamer or a cusser. But some “experts” even criticized him for those aspects this year, saying that “top” coaches never bring their religion into play, that intensity and winning should be their primary focus. Basically, because he is a coach who prefers to let his actions speak louder than his words, he has been a target of criticism.
I want to share a little story with you that illustrates clearly there should be much more considered than whether or not he is winning more often than he is losing that measures the worth of a coach — and a man.
Three weeks ago, James Eunice of Valdosta went duck hunting on a big lake in Lowndes County called Ocean Pond. A 17-year old senior at Valdosta High School, Eunice was a talented baseball player who had already been accepted at the University of Georgia.
But as talented he was on the baseball diamond, Eunice was more passionate about football. He was an emotional leader on the most recent edition of Valdosta’s legendary Wildcats football team. And even though he wasn’t a star on the gridiron, his desire made him determined to be a part of the Bulldogs football team once he got to Athens.
So with that dream in his mind and burning in his heart, Eunice had written Richt a letter that spelled out his plan to walk on at UGA in the fall and be a Dawg.
At some point while on the before mentioned hunt, Eunice apparently fell out of his boat and drowned. His body was recovered on Jan. 31, and his funeral was held this past Saturday.
The Valdosta community was stunned. For a bright, young life so full of potential to be snuffed out so prematurely, lives across the board were shaken from their foundations.
For the last two years, Eunice’s Wildcats football teammate, Jay Rome, was one of the most highly recruited players in the nation. While all of the confusion and despair about Eunice was going on, Rome was one of the top players who committed to the University of Georgia. At the memorial service for his friend, Rome spoke. As part of his message, Rome read a personal letter written to the family from Richt.
Mind you, this was a letter written during perhaps the busiest period of the year for big-time college coaches — a time when they are crisscrossing the nation recruiting those players that will be the lifeblood of their programs for the coming years. For weeks at a time, they don’t see their own families while trying to convince top football players in every nook and cranny across America to come to their schools.
In the letter, the Bulldogs head coach opened up about his own heartbreak in learning of Eunice’s passing and also offered his most sincere prayers for the family. He also shared how he had been contacted by Eunice about his plans to walk on the Bulldogs football squad.
Richt stated that Eunice’s name had been added to the teams’ roster and he had officially “made the team.” The family was then presented an official UGA jersey emblazoned with “EUNICE” across the back, and “23” — the number Eunice wore at Valdosta.
Those gathered at the funeral for James Eunice stood, applauded — and cried.
I know if you are a head football coach at a major university you are supposedly paid to win. I understand that ultimately championships and such are your measuring stick, and that just goes with the territory.
But any human being who believes that any victory on the football field could be more important than what Richt just did for the family of a young man whose life ended much too soon needs to take a long look in a mirror.
Like football, life isn’t a game that should be solely measured by whether or not you lose or win. Rather, it should be measured by how you play the game and whether or not God’s rules are at the center of your performance, both on and off the field.
Coach, thank you for the reminder of that fact, one too many of us forget far too conveniently.
bob
February 11th, 2011
12:13 am
All white dogs have health issues, its not up for debate so just quit having them. Get one that has a little black on their bellies or paws and quit with the all white crap.
RED DOG 77
February 11th, 2011
12:29 am
@atl xmen……….I have often read and enjoyed your posts, but this one was by far the best I’ve ever seen on any blog pertaining to college football……..or rather life itself…..Thank you my friend for picking up this story and sharing it with us……….God Bless…….your friend, RED
JuneBaby
February 11th, 2011
1:56 am
UGA’s next mascott should be the bulldawg “SPIKE” from the old “Tom & Jerry” cartoons. Now, that was a dgd if you’ve ever seen one! And he’s healthy too.