Meet Victor E. Bulldog IV, Fresno State’s newest live mascot. He’ll take over next year

Fresno State’s live mascot is preparing to pass the collar to his successor.

The college’s alumni association on Tuesday introduced Victor E. Bulldog IV, a five-month-old English bulldog puppy.

“This pup is well equipped to be our next mascot,” Dr. Chris Dobbins, an alumnus and local veterinarian at Fresno Pet ER, said about the 30-pound pup that’s expected to put on 20 more pounds by adulthood. “His overall health and demeanor are perfect for the job. Although he has big shoes to fill, his love of people, fearlessness and energetic attitude are setting him up for success.”

Earlier this year, Fresno State announced Victor E. Bulldog III’s retirement and a planned farewell tour ahead of his seventh birthday; the average lifespan of an English bulldog is between eight and 12 years. His tenure started in June 2015 and has included thousands of appearances, according to the university.

Bulldog III will train his successor, who is also his great nephew, until spring when the university will host the ceremonial passing of the collar and induct Bulldog IV.

Fresno State is the only California State University campus with a live mascot.

“The live mascot program is just one of the many facets of Fresno State that makes us so unique,” Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval said. “Today, we celebrate our newest campus ambassador.”

The live mascot tradition started in 1935 with a white, purebred bulldog named Touchdown.

But Fresno State legends say a nameless white bulldog greeted students in 1921, leading to students taking the dog to football games, according to the university. That year, the student body association adopted bulldogs as the college’s nickname.

The Morning Republican first called the university the Fresno State Bulldogs on Nov. 21, 1921.