College mascots like the Wildcats, Eagles and Tigers are a sign of pride for their respective fan bases. They’re also some of the most popular in the nation, as a plethora of universities are represented by these animal monikers.
As for colleges represented by mascots that double as man’s best friend, the Bulldog reigns supreme—representing more than 40 different schools. But that lovable breed isn’t the only dog moonlighting as a collegiate nickname, or, in some cases, as a live mascot.
Accompanied by visual descriptions, PetBreeds broke down each dog that symbolizes at least one university.
18 Popular College Dog Mascots
- Bulldog: Represents Butler University, Yale University, University of Georgia, and Gonzaga University.
- Saluki: Represents Southern Illinois University and Southwest Tennessee Community College. Known for speed and agility; bred to hunt gazelles.
- Husky: Represents University of Connecticut, University of Washington, Northeastern University, and Houston Baptist University. Beloved for their thick coat and wolf-like appearance.
- Saint Bernard: Represents Siena College and Emmanuel College. Nicknamed the “Saints”; mascots named Halo and Bernie.
- Scottie: Represents Highland Community College. Known as the Scottish Terrier; first college in Kansas.
- Tamaskan: Represents North Carolina State University. Official live mascot, Tuffy, is a Tamaskan Husky.
- Bloodhound: Represents John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Known for its keen sense of smell, fitting for a criminal justice school.
- Bluetick Coonhound: Represents University of Tennessee. Live mascot Smokey X is a Bluetick Coonhound.
- Great Dane: Represents University at Albany, SUNY. Known for their massive size; the tallest dog record is held by a Great Dane named Zeus.
- Greyhound: Represents University of Indianapolis and Loyola University Maryland. Known for speed and sleek build.
- Pointer: Represents University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point. Nicknamed the “Pointers,” a play on the school’s location.
- Retriever: Represents University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Known as Chesapeake Bay Retrievers; great watchdog capabilities.
- Ridgeback: Represents University of Ontario Institute of Technology. Known as the Rhodesian Ridgeback; bred to hunt lions.
- Setter: Represents Pace University. Known for being fun-loving and good with kids.
- Terrier (Boston Terrier): Represents Boston University, Wofford College, St. Francis College, Thomas College, and Hiram College. Some schools have mascots specific to the Boston Terrier.
- Newfoundland: Represents Lewis and Clark College. Live mascot named Pio; breed known for its association with the Lewis and Clark expedition.
- Collie: Represents Texas A&M University. Live mascots named Reveille; breed known as the “Lassie Dog.”
- Wolf (bonus): Represents Western Oregon University, University of West Georgia, Newberry College, and Northern State University. Close relative to dogs; some schools use the Saarloos Wolfdog as a mascot.
Now let’s explore each dog into greater detail:
Bulldog
Noteworthy schools represented: Butler University, Yale University, University of Georgia, Gonzaga University
Fun (and gross) fact: Butler University’s current live mascot, “Blue III,” once vomited on the court at Madison Square Garden prior to an NCAA Tournament basketball game.
Saluki
Schools represented: Southern Illinois University, Southwest Tennessee Community College
Salukis are a swift and agile breed, similar to the Greyhound. They are believed to have originated in the Middle East and were bred to hunt gazelles.
Husky
Siberian Husky Overview | PetBreeds
Noteworthy schools represented: University of Connecticut, University of Washington, Northeastern University, Houston Baptist University
It’s hard not to have a soft spot for Huskies. From the legend of Balto to the breed’s thick coat and wolf-like appearance, the Husky checked in as the No. 13 most popular dog in 2014.
The UConn Huskies women’s and men’s basketball teams live up to that reputation as well with a combined 14 championships.
Saint Bernard
Saint Bernard Overview | PetBreeds
Schools represented: Siena College, Emmanuel College (Massachusetts)
Although the official nickname for both Siena and Emmanuel College is the “Saints,” the mascot for each school is a Saint Bernard. Emmanuel’s mascot is named Halo, while Siena’s is named Bernie.
Scottie
Scottish Terrier Overview | PetBreeds
School represented: Highland Community College
Highland Community College is the only college with the nickname “Scotties,” representing the Scottish Terrier, otherwise known as the Scottie Dog. It also holds the distinction of being the first college in Kansas (established in 1858).
Tamaskan
Tamaskan Husky Overview | PetBreeds
School represented: North Carolina State University
While North Carolina State University’s nickname is the “Wolfpack,” its official live mascot, Tuffy, a Tamaskan Husky, fits the bill here.
According to the New York Times, “The Tamaskan is a mix of German shepherd, Alaskan malamute and Siberian husky, first bred in Finland in the 2000s.”
Bloodhound
Bloodhound Overview | PetBreeds
School represented: John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Located in New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice is the only school with “Bloodhounds” as its nickname. It’s an apt fit for a school that focuses in criminal justice, as the Bloodhound is known for its keen sense of smell that enables it to track people.
Bluetick Coonhound
Bluetick Coonhound Overview | PetBreeds
School represented: University of Tennessee
Anyone who knows about the University of Tennessee is likely aware that the school’s nickname is the Volunteers (or Lady Volunteers), often shortened to Vols. So, what does this have to do with dogs? Not much, but Tennessee’s live mascot, Smokey (the 10th version), is all about dogs.
Smokey X is a Bluetick Coonhound, a breed that has represented the university dating back to the 1950s.
Great Dane
Great Dane Overview | PetBreeds
School represented: University at Albany, SUNY
Built more like small horses than dogs, Great Danes are an absolutely massive breed. SUNY at Albany is the only college with the Great Dane as a nickname/mascot.
The Guinness World Record for tallest dog is held by Zeus, a black Great Dane, who stood 44 inches tall on all fours and 7’4” when standing on his hind legs.
Greyhound
Greyhound Overview | PetBreeds
Noteworthy schools represented: University of Indianapolis, Loyola University Maryland
Like the aforementioned Saluki, Greyhounds are known for their speed and sleek build.
The University of Indianapolis and Loyola University Maryland are two schools that have ensured the majestic breed isn’t boxed in to representing buses.
Pointer
School represented: University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point
“Pointers” may seem like an odd choice for a school nickname, provided that it doesn’t exactly instill fear into the hearts of opponents. When you realize the location of University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point, however, it becomes a rather cute play on words.
Retriever
Chesapeake Bay Retriever Overview | PetBreeds
School represented: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
It doesn’t get much more classic than a retriever dog breed. There are a number of different types—Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Golden Cocker Retriever, Golden Border Retriever—but the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (the only school with “Retrievers” as a nickname) sport a costumed mascot representing the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
Otherwise known as Chessies, the breed requires regular exercise and has great watchdog capabilities.
Ridgeback
Rhodesian Ridgeback Overview | PetBreeds
School represented: University of Ontario Institute of Technology
The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) is a very new school, as it was established in 2002. It’s the only college represented by the “Ridgeback” nickname connected to the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog breed.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is also known as the African Lion Dog or African Lion Hound. The reason? They were bred to hunt lions. How’s that for fearless?
Setter
School represented: Pace University
It’s not clear which type of setter Pace University, a private college in New York, was going for. Nevertheless, they can’t exactly go wrong with either the Irish or English Setter.
Both are popular, fun-loving breeds that are known to be good with kids. They’re certainly more cute than intimidating, but they’re still worthy of doubling as a university’s nickname.
Terrier (Boston Terrier)
Boston Terrier Overview | PetBreeds
Schools represented: Boston University, Wofford College, St. Francis College, Thomas College, Hiram College
All five of the schools listed above go by the more generic “Terriers” moniker, but at least two—Boston University and Wofford College—have mascots specific to the Boston Terrier.
Wofford even has a live version in addition to the costumed original.
The good news is Wofford has a live Boston Terrier mascot: pic.twitter.com/rs6GVemN5c
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) March 10, 2015
Newfoundland
Newfoundland Overview | PetBreeds
School represented: Lewis and Clark College
A private university located in Portland, Oregon, Lewis and Clark College’s nickname is actually the Pioneers (a no-brainer). It does, however, feature a live mascot Newfoundland named “Pio.”
This also makes perfect sense, provided that Lewis and Clark were actually accompanied by a Newfoundland named Seaman during their famous expedition.
Collie
School represented: Texas A&M University
The Texas A&M Aggies boast a rich history with live mascots that dates back to the 1940s (possibly even 1930s). The chosen name of each pup in school history has been “Reveille,” of which the university is up to Reveille IX.
The breed is the energetic Collie, also known as the Rough Collie or “Lassie Dog.” Part of the herding group, Collies ranked No. 35 in popularity in 2014.
Bonus: Wolf
Saarloos Wolfdog Overview | PetBreeds
Schools represented: Western Oregon University, University of West Georgia, Newberry College, Northern State University
A handful of colleges use “Wolves” as their nickname, and while it’s not technically a dog, both animals are closely related.
We also couldn’t pass up the opportunity to show our readers the Saarloos Wolfdog.
Read more: 23 Most Famous Dogs of All Time