International Dog Day 2019 is officially upon us.
To help celebrate, we present you a list of the best live dog mascots in today’s pro and collegiate sports world.
Our comprehensive list includes all the good doggos. Some live dog mascot legacies date all the way back to the 1800s (i.e. Yale’s “Handsome Dan”) while others are new team acquisitions. We didn’t rank the pups, though: Every dog is a good dog. Let’s just assume a 25-way tie for first, OK?
Let’s take a look at the best dogs in sports.
NFL
Cleveland Browns – “Moose”
The lone NFL franchise to sport a pup also boasts the famous “Dawg Pound” fan section in the east end zone in FirstEnergy Stadium. Well done, Cleveland.
NHL
Buffalo Sabres – “Buff” – @lil_buff_
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt1qNsoBJ2q/
Cuddles with dad ?
A post shared by Buff ? (@lil_buff_) on
When Buff isn’t cheering on the Sabres, you can likely find him in the household of his owner, Sabres center Tage Thompson.
Minnesota Wild – “Breezer” – @mnwildpup
A recent Wild acquisition, Breezer joined the fold after being picked up from a dog rescue in the Twin Cities.
Montreal Canadiens – “Flambo” – @chiotcanadiensmtl
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByahnOoHZfd/
C’est vendredi ! ? // TGIF! ?
A post shared by Flambo ? (@chiotcanadiensmtl) on
Flambo’s Instagram presence (more than 16,000 followers) more than makes up for a rather limited physical presence (30 pounds).
Nashville Predators – “Smash” – @predspup
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1MNtNZBj1d/
Everyone else is doing it, and I hate being left out…?. Starting Puppy-K, I want to be a mascot when I grow up and my favorite subject is recess!
A post shared by Lord Banner of Smashville (@predspup) on
Lord Banner of Smashville is regarded within the Nashville organization as the team’s “official office pup.” You can find him near the water cooler.
New York Islanders – “Radar”
Radar got his name after the late Islanders coach Al Arbour, who led the franchise to four consecutive Stanley Cups in the 1980s.
New York Rangers – “Ranger” – @nyrangerspup
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsqlVqpAUr7/
Celebrating #NationalHatDay in @nyrangers style! Which do you woof more? #NYRPupOnAPath
A post shared by Ranger (@nyrangerspup) on
This Lab is currently training to assist a child with autism. Ranger, a formidable puck handler, is known to snack on peanut butter pre-game.
Ottawa Senators – “Rookie” – @rookiethesenspup
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByFo1YWH005/
Fur-iendly reminder to vote for me for Best Team Dog in the #NHLFanChoice awards ? watch my stories to see how!
A post shared by Rookie the Sens Pup (@rookiethesenspup) on
Rookie, an Australian native, is progressing toward becoming a CNIB guide dog after his hockey career.
San Jose Sharks – “Finn” – @sharkspup / @sharkspup
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0T32R9lMQE/
Sniffing around the Shark Tank today?
A post shared by Finn (@sharkspup) on
What’s not to like about this 8-pound yellow Lab? Finn will soon empower the San Jose community as an assistance dog.
St. Louis Blues – “Barclay” – @stlbluespup
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzJckOLDXFd/
dinner of champions #stlblues #StanleyCup
A post shared by Barclay (@stlbluespup) on
It was a huge year for Barclay. The yellow Lab became fast friends with announcer Doc Emrick and even feasted out of the Stanley Cup trophy in June.
Tampa Bay Lightning – “Bolt” – @boltspup / @boltspup
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1W0LKapyfx/
Mondays are ruff.
A post shared by Bolt ⚡️ (@boltspup) on
Bolt will carry his positive impact toward a service dog career once he hangs up his Lightning jersey.
Vegas Golden Knights – “Bark-Andre Furry” – @barkandrefurry
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1HBetYHlMS/
I got back my photos from @anneliphoto of @rockstardogs yesterday! Let’s do that hockey! ? ? ~ Bark?
A post shared by Bark-André Furry (@barkandrefurry) on
Quite easily the best name on this entire list and a pup-tastic reference to VGK goaltender Marc Andre-Fleury.
NCAA
Butler – “Butler Blue” – @butlerblue3 / @ButlerBlue3
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByIR28blKSn/
For this week’s vlog we snuck into historic Hinkle Fieldhouse before renovations close it down for the summer in order to capture some of the old barn’s best #Instagram spots. Check the link in bio to watch. #GoDawgs #BUtiful
A post shared by butlerblue3 (@butlerblue3) on
Fewer images in college basketball are as iconic as Butler Blue embracing the roar of fans inside Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Connecticut – “Jonathan” – @jonathanhusky14
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1bJwEPntOV/
#whereamiwednesday Everyone should know this building on Storrs campus. #uconn #uconnhuskies #smarthuskies
A post shared by Jonathan the Husky (@jonathanhusky14) on
UConn’s good boy carries on the legacy of Connecticut’s first state governor, Jonathan Trumbull.
Fresno State – “Victor E. Bulldog” – @VictorEBulldog
https://www.instagram.com/p/BstyUyDhCsI/
The spring semester kicks off tomorrow which means my #Bulldogs will be back on campus!! I’m so excited to see you all again! ??❤️
A post shared by Victor E Bulldog III (@victorebulldog) on
Sports. Dogs. Puns. This is someone’s dream come true.
Georgia – “Uga”
Uga, a pure white English bulldog, is nothing short of both the face of Georgia athletics and college football as a whole.
Louisiana Tech – “Tech XXII” – @TechXXII
https://www.instagram.com/p/By6PczuBbpF/
Oh boy! I am so glad to see all of my new pups coming in for orientation today!
A post shared by Tech XXII (@techxxii) on
The son of Tech XXI continues the strong legacy of Tech bulldogs in the university’s history.
Mississippi State – “Bully XXI”
Another facet of MSU’s tradition, Bully the bulldog is synonymous with the gritty culture of Mississippi State.
N.C. State – “Tuffy”
Former N.C. State assistant athletic director Dick Christy welcomed Tuffy, a Tamaskan, to revive the live mascot presence in Raleigh.
Northern Illinois – “Mission” – @NIUMission
The star of Northern Illinois’ #MissionMondays, this Siberian Husky makes consistent appearances to NIU games and team events.
Tennessee – “Smokey X”
Smokey, a Bluetick Coonhound, was first selected in 1953 by the student body to represent the university.
Texas A&M – “Reveille” – @reveille
Reveille’s paw print on Texas A&M dates all the way back to the 1930s. Miss Rev is an icon around the Aggie campus.
Washington – “Dubs II” – @uwmascot
You won’t find a Washington athletics hype reel without a clip of Dubs, an Alaskan Malamute. We can understand why.
Wofford – “Blitz”
If you went mascot-crazy in this year’s March Madness bracket, there’s a good chance you’re already familiar with Blitz and the Wofford Terriers.
Yale – “Handsome Dan” – @HandsomeDan18
Handsome Dan is the face of Yale athletics, a title he has held since the late 1800s.
Don’t forget to follow these great pups on social media and fill your feed with excellent dog/sports crossover content. It’s what any great sports fan and dog lover deserves.
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