Uga VII, the University of Georgia’s beloved bulldog mascot, lives in Savannah with the Seiler family, who has owned the line of white English bulldogs since 1956. Swann Seiler, whose parents raise and train the dogs, spoke to The South about Uga VII’s second season at the head of the Dawg pack.

The Off-Season

“A lot of people don’t realize that Uga doesn’t just work during football season; he works year-round. He is very busy attending other university events, and his calendar is still full.”

The Treats

“One of his favorite things is on Saturdays, I would take him to McDonald’s to get a hamburger, and he just loved it. We used to get him cheeseburgers, but we noticed he was putting on weight, so we cut it down to plain hamburgers.”

The Chunk

“The pounds have kind of snuck up on him in the winter months, so we took him to the vet and they put him on a special diet. So, no more McDonald’s. He’s very disappointed.”

The Hobbies

“He plays with his cat named Knowshon. They just play and tumble and they’re very good with each other.”

The Attitude

“You hate to call a bulldog sweet, but Uga is very loving.”

The Spirit

“Each Uga has a very different personality. This one had greatness thrust on him seemingly out of nowhere, and he has remained exceptionally calm. Unlike his dad, Uga VI, who was a real junkyard dog, he doesn’t get rattled by the marching band or excited by the game; he is just very calm and laid-back.”

The Choice

“I think what my parents look for in a litter is a dog that closely resembles his predecessor and that has all the elements of a good English bulldog: the face, the right stance, the ears, the tail. And I’m sure that personality has a part in it, too.”

Let the Big Dog Eat

Uga VII is on a strict preseason diet of Hill’s z/d Prescription Diet dog food. The only snacks his doctors at UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine allow him are baby carrots. Charles Seiler, Uga’s current caretaker, admits, “I’ve never given him any carrots. These dogs are funny about what they eat.”

Gameday Preps

To help Uga VII get in the football groove, Charles and Wendy Seiler will simulate the gameday atmosphere. “We’ll take him for a lot of walks, especially around Daffin Park,” Charles Seiler says. “We let him hear the noise of the crowd in the baseball stadium to get him used to noisy crowds again. He also practices riding in his kennel in the car for long periods of time; he needs to get used to that because of the long trips to Athens.”

All Dogs Go To Heaven

All of the Ugas are buried in marble vaults near the south end of Sanford Stadium.

Baa, Baa Red and Black … Goat?

UGA’s mascot for its first football game against Auburn University in 1892 was a goat. The goat wore a black coat with red U.G. letters on both sides. Throughout the game, Auburn fans yelled, “Shoot the billy goat!”

Uga’s Right-Paw Man

Charles Seiler, son of Sonny and Cecelia Seiler, is Uga VII’s on-field handler. His tenure on the sideline began as a young teenager. “For me, it’s just another day at the office,” explains Charles Seiler. “But I love to see the smiles on people’s faces when they see Uga. Plus, I get to see a lot of folks from my past. And that’s always fun.”

Uga’s Family Tree

Uga I, 1956–1967

Name: Hood’s Ole Dan

Record: 53-48-6

The Seiler family’s very first Uga was a gift given to Cecelia Seiler by a friend. His first game appearance was the 1956 home opener.

Uga II, 1966–1972

Name: Ole Dan’s Uga

Record: 42-16-3

Uga II took over the mascot job when his father, Uga I, died. The 1966 homecoming game was his first time on the sideline.

Uga III, 1973–1980

Name: Seiler’s Uga Three

Record: 71-32-2

Uga III stood on the sidelines of 100 football games, including the 1980 NCAA national championship win.

Uga IV, 1981–1989

Name: Seiler’s Uga Four

Record: 77-27-4

The highlight of Uga IV’s career was escorting Herschel Walker to the Heisman Trophy banquet in 1982. He was the first mascot invited to the prestigious affair.

Uga V, 1990–1999

Name: Uga IV’s Magillicuddy II

Record: 65-39-1

Uga V was the last puppy sired by his father, Uga IV. Sports Illustrated put him on its cover in 1997 and declared him the nation’s best college mascot.

Uga VI, 1999–2008

Name: Uga V’s Watchagot Loran

Record: 87-27

Uga VI has the most wins of any mascot in UGA history. He was also the biggest of all mascots, weighing 65 pounds at his coronation.