Go to Athens on a Saturday in the fall. You’ll see it immediately. It’s not just the sea of red or the smell of bourbon and charcoal. It’s the way people look at a small, white English Bulldog. They don’t just like him. They adore him. Uga isn’t just a mascot; he’s essentially the king of a sovereign nation called the University of Georgia.
But then there’s Hairy Dawg.
He’s the one doing the backflips. He’s the one crowd-surfing. While Uga is the dignified, stoic soul of the program, Hairy is the pure, unadulterated caffeine. It’s a weird dynamic if you think about it. Most schools pick one—a live animal or a costumed character. Georgia decided to have both and, honestly, it’s the best branding move in the history of the SEC.
The Seiler Family and the Uga Bloodline
Let’s get one thing straight: Uga is a dynasty. This isn't just some random dog the athletic department picks up at a shelter every few years. Since 1956, every single Uga has been owned by the Seiler family of Savannah. It started with Frank W. "Sonny" Seiler and continues through his family today.
It began almost by accident. Sonny and his wife, Cecilia, brought their dog to the first home game of the '56 season. The dog wore a homemade shirt with a "G" on it. Coach Wally Butts asked if they could keep him around. That was Uga I, known as "Hood's Ole Dan." Since then, we’ve seen ten more take the throne. Uga X, also known as "Que," became the winningest mascot in school history before he retired in 2023, passing the torch to Uga XI, known as "Boom."
Boom had big shoes—or paws—to fill. Que saw the Dawgs win back-to-back National Championships. That’s a lot of pressure for a dog who mostly likes to nap on a bag of ice.
People always ask about the ice. If you’ve ever been to Sanford Stadium in September, you know it’s basically the surface of the sun. English Bulldogs aren’t built for 95-degree humidity. So, Uga gets a custom-built, air-conditioned doghouse on the sidelines. He sits on bags of ice. He’s got it better than the fans in the 600-level, that’s for sure.
Hairy Dawg: The Legend of the 1981 Sugar Bowl
If Uga is the tradition, Hairy Dawg is the energy. He didn't show up until much later. He made his debut at the 1981 Sugar Bowl, which just happened to be the game where Georgia beat Notre Dame to win the national title. Talk about good timing.
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Hairy was created by a former Georgia cheerleader named Tom Sapp. He wanted something that looked intimidating but stayed fun. Before Hairy, there was a mascot called "Fluffie," who... well, he looked like a stuffed toy. He didn't fit the "Junkyard Dawg" mentality that Coach Vince Dooley was building. Hairy changed that. With his spiked collar and those huge, slightly crazed eyes, he looked like he was ready to line up at linebacker.
There’s a specific kind of athleticism required to be Hairy. It’s not just waving. You’re doing pushups after every score. You’re navigating a stadium of 92,000 people while seeing through a tiny mesh slit in a dog’s mouth. It's grueling.
Why the Duo Works
- Uga represents the history. He’s the one on the 20-yard line. He’s the one who gets his own obituary in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution when he passes away.
- Hairy represents the fan experience. He’s in the stands. He’s high-fiving kids. He’s the face of the marketing materials.
Most schools have an identity crisis. Think about the "Auburn Tigers" who also use a "War Eagle." It’s confusing. Georgia doubled down on the Bulldog. You have the literal dog and the metaphorical one.
The Famous Bite (and other Uga moments)
You can't talk about Uga without mentioning the 1996 Auburn game. Robert Baker, an Auburn wide receiver, scored a touchdown and got a little too close to Uga V. Now, Uga V was generally a chill dog, but he wasn't having it that day. He lunged. He snapped. He almost got a piece of Baker's jersey.
That photo went everywhere. It cemented the idea that while Uga looks cute and pudgy, he’s still a Bulldog. He has a job to do.
Then there’s the burial. This is the part that usually weirds out people from the West Coast or the Big Ten. All the deceased Ugas are buried in a marble vault at the Southwest corner of Sanford Stadium. There are bronze plaques. People leave flowers. It’s a literal cemetery inside the football stadium. It sounds morbid, but it’s deeply respectful. It treats these animals as part of the team, which, in Athens, they absolutely are.
The Evolution of the Look
Hairy Dawg has changed over the years, too. If you look at photos from the 80s, he looked a bit more "DIY." Today, he’s polished. The suit is more athletic. The expression is more consistent. But the soul of the character—that frantic, hyper-energetic dog—hasn't changed a bit.
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Interestingly, there’s a hierarchy. Uga is the only mascot allowed on the field during certain times. Hairy has more freedom to roam. You’ll see Hairy at gymnastics meets, basketball games, and even weddings. Uga usually sticks to the big stage: football and major university events.
Managing the Controversy
Let’s be real for a second. There is always a conversation about the health of English Bulldogs. Animal rights groups like PETA have frequently called for Georgia to retire the live mascot tradition. They argue that the breed has too many respiratory issues and that the stadium environment is stressful.
The university and the Seiler family have countered this for decades. They point to the 24/7 veterinary care the dogs receive. They point to the climate-controlled travel and the fact that these dogs live like royalty in Savannah when they aren't on the sidelines. It’s a debate that isn’t going away, but for now, the tradition is firmly entrenched. The school has actually worked to ensure the Uga line is as healthy as possible, selecting for traits that help with the heat, though the breed's inherent limitations remain a reality.
Practical Advice for Fans
If you’re heading to Athens and want to see the "Double Dawgs" in action, here is how you actually do it. Don't just show up at kickoff and expect a front-row seat.
1. The Dawg Walk
About two hours before kickoff, the team arrives at the stadium. This is where you see the spirit squad, the band, and Hairy Dawg. Hairy is usually leading the charge, getting the crowd hyped. It’s the best place to get a close-up of the costume mascot.
2. The Uga Photo Ops
Finding Uga is harder. He stays in his kennel until shortly before the game. However, if you hang out near the South sideline (near the bridge) about 45 minutes before kickoff, you can often see the Seiler family bringing him in. Don't try to pet him without permission. He's a working dog, and there’s usually a lot of security.
3. Visit the Vaults
If it’s a non-game day, you can still walk through the stadium area. The tombs of the past Ugas are accessible. It’s a quiet, cool spot that gives you a sense of the gravity of the tradition.
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4. Check the "Uga-Scale"
The weather matters. If it's a "Noon Kick" in August, Uga might not be on the field for long. He has a backup plan—a cool room inside the stadium—if the heat index gets too high. Hairy Dawg, meanwhile, will be out there sweating in a 30-pound suit. Give that guy some credit.
What it Means to be a Dawg
There is a specific "bark" Georgia fans do. It’s polarizing. Other fanbases hate it. But when Hairy Dawg starts the chant and Uga is sitting there looking regal, it works.
The two mascots represent the two sides of a Georgia fan. Uga is the "Old Georgia"—the mossy oaks of Savannah, the history of the Deep South, the quiet dignity of a program that went 41 years between titles but never lost its pride. Hairy Dawg is the "New Georgia"—the powerhouse that Kirby Smart built, the aggressive, loud, "wolfpack" mentality that expects to win every single time they step on the grass.
You can't have one without the other. Without Uga, the program loses its soul. Without Hairy, it loses its heartbeat.
If you want to truly understand the culture of the University of Georgia, stop looking at the scoreboard for a minute. Watch the dog. Then watch the guy in the dog suit. Between those two, you’ll find everything you need to know about why people in this state are so obsessed with Saturdays in the fall.
Next Steps for the Georgia Faithful
To see the current Uga XI in person, plan to arrive at the Tate Center parking lot at least three hours before any home game. Follow the official Georgia Bulldogs social media channels for "Hairy Dawg" appearances at smaller events like baseball or tennis, where you can get much closer for photos than you ever will at a football game. For those interested in the history, visit the Seiler family’s legal office in Savannah; while it's a place of business, the lobby is famously adorned with Uga memorabilia that rivals any museum.