Uga ( mascot ) Uga ( or ) is the official live mascot of the University of Georgia Bulldogs . Since 1956 , all the dogs serving as Uga have been part of a lineage of English Bulldog s owned by Sonny Seiler . Background . The Uga mascot line started in 1956 when Seiler brought a bulldog that was given to him as a wedding present to Georgia ' s first home game of the season . Afterwards , head coach Wally Butts asked his permission to use the dog as Georgia ' s mascot , and around the same time a college friend , Billy Young , suggested that he name it Uga , a play on the common abbreviation of the University of Georgia , UGA . Since then , every Uga has been owned by and lived with the Seiler family in Savannah , Georgia . Traditionally , the current Uga is present at every Georgia Bulldogs home football game , many away games , and other University - related functions and sports events , and usually wears a spiked collar and red jersey with varsity letter . The red jersey is Uga ' s typical " uniform , " though he wears a green jersey on St . Patrick ' s Day . Other special appearances include 1982 , when Uga III attended the Heisman Trophy Ceremony in New York City wearing a tuxedo , and 2007 , when Uga VI wore a black jersey for the " blackout " game against Auburn University . Uga ' s jersey is made from the same fabric as the players ' official game jerseys , and even has an official student identification card . He has a custom - built air conditioned dog house at Sanford Stadium and typically sits on or near bags of ice at games , as bulldogs are susceptible to heat stroke ( a problem in the humid southeastern United States ) . To date , 9 dogs have carried the name " Uga " , which is derived from an abbreviation for the " U " niversity of " G " eorgi " a " . Each has been descended from the original Uga , and has frequently been the son of the predecessor . Deceased Ugas are interred in a mausoleum near the main entrance at the southwest corner of Sanford Stadium . A bronze plaque describing each dog ' s tenure and including an epitaph is engraved in front of each tomb . The tombs ' original location was at the east end of Sanford Stadium , and Uga ' s I and II were originally buried there . Prior to its 1981 enclosure , the University moved the Uga graves to the west end . When the west endzone was enclosed in 1992 , the Uga ' s were entombed in their current resting place , and a bronze , life - sized statue representing Uga was placed in front of the mausoleum . Several Ugas have retired as part of pre - game ceremonies , during which there is a " passing of the collar " and the new Uga begins his reign . During these ceremonies , the fans typically chant " Damn good dog , " a tradition dating back to Uga I . Genealogy of Uga namesakes . Temporary mascots . Since 1956 , four other bulldogs ( three of which were from the Uga family line ) have served as temporary sideline mascots when the current Uga was not available . The bulldog later known as Uga IX served two terms as an interim mascot before officially becoming Uga IX . Georgia mascot history prior to Uga . Georgia officially claims the following animals as live mascots prior to the introduction of the Uga line in 1956 .