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Uga V on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Uga (pronounced UH-GUH) is the name of a lineage of white Bulldogs owned by Frank W. "Sonny" Seiler, which have served as the mascot of the University of Georgia since 1956. Although the University is located in Athens, Georgia, Uga lives with the Seilers in Savannah, Georgia.

The dogs, tended by members of the Seiler family, are present at every Georgia Bulldogs home American football game, most away games, and many University-related functions. Uga wears a spiked collar and a red jersey with varsity letter. Uga is very, very friendly and loves to lick children who attend the games. His jersey is made from the same fabric as the players' official game jerseys. Uga is even issued an official student identification card. Uga travels in style in an air conditioned dog house, as the breed is susceptible to heat stroke (a problem in the humid southeastern United States).

In addition to Uga, a person in the costume of a bulldog in football gear also performs as "Hairy Dawg" on the sidelines at University of Georgia football games.

To date, there have been six dogs to carry the name "Uga", which is derived from an abbreviation for the University of GeorgiA. Each is the son of his predecessor. Deceased Ugas are interred in a mausoleum near the main entrance to Sanford Stadium. The current presiding Uga is Uga VI, the son of Uga V, who died in 1999.

• Uga I ("Hood's Ole Dan," 1956-1966) - the original, a descendant of a Bulldog that accompanied the Georgia football team to its Rose Bowl victory and national championship in 1942.
• Uga II ("Ole Dan's Uga," 1966-1972) - two SEC titles (1966 & 1968).
• Uga III ("Seiler's Uga Three," 1972-1981) - presided over Georgia's second national championship season in 1980 and two SEC championships (1976 & 1980).
• Uga IV ("Uga III's Magillicuddy/Seiler's Uga Four," 1981-1990) - was the first live mascot ever invited to a Heisman trophy presentation in 1982 when, while wearing a tux, Uga IV accompanied Herschel Walker to the Downtown Athletic Club; two SEC championships (1981 & 1982).
  • Otto ("The Substitute," 1986) - When Uga IV injured his left hind knee jumping off a hotel bed before a contest against Vanderbilt in 1986 his older brother Otto replaced him for 4 games, going 3-1. [1]
• Uga V ("Uga IV's Magillicuddy II," 1990-1999) - portrayed his father, Uga IV, in the motion picture "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" and was on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1997; propelled to the national spotlight when he lunged at an Auburn wide receiver, Robert Baker, during a game in 1996.
• Uga VI ("Uga V's Whatchagot Loran," 1999-present) - two SEC championships (2002 & 2005).

Uga VI Official Photo

More victories over ranked opponents than any other Uga (over 20 as of 2007).

The names "Magillicuddy" and "Whatchagot Loran" were given in honor of longtime Georgia icons Dan Magill and Loran Smith, respectively (when lead radio announcer Larry Munson calls Smith for a sideline report, he asks "Whatchagot Loran?").

• Bulldog breeds
• Damn Good Dog - a documentary detailing the history of the Uga dynasty

• Uga Through The Years
• FindAGrave.com entries for all mascots buried at Sanford Stadium

• A Damn Good Dog Turns 50!, by Dawn Downes in the October, 2006 Atlanta DogLife Magazine (link to magazine)

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