Dubs (mascot)

This article is about the University of Washington mascot. For other uses, see Dubs (disambiguation).
Dubs
Dubs in 2024
UniversityUniversity of Washington
ConferenceBig Ten
DescriptionAlaskan Malamute
First seen2009
Related mascot(s)Harry the Husky, Sunny Boy
WebsiteGoHuskies Dubs

Dubs is the official live mascot of the University of Washington. Since Dubs I's introduction in February 2009,[1] every Dubs has led the football team onto the field during home games. The Huskies use an Alaskan Malamute as their live mascot because it is the "largest and strongest of all Husky breeds."[2]

Background

The Washington Huskies have had 14 live mascots since 1922. The first of the live mascots was Frosty I (1922-30), adopted by the fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He was followed by Frosty II (1930-36), Wasky I (1946-47), Wasky II (1947-54), Ski (1954-58), Denali (1958), King Chinook (1959-68), Regent Denali (1969-81), Sundodger Denali (1981-92), King Redoubt (1992-98), Prince Redoubt (1998), and Spirit (1999-2008).[2]

Dubs II is the 14th official live mascot of the University of Washington. He is an Alaskan Malamute from Snohomish, Washington.[3] Unlike other animal mascots, such as the University of Georgia's bulldog Uga, each Dubs is from a separate family tree and is not related in order to prevent inbreeding.[4] An exception was made after the sudden passing of the tenth live mascot King Redoubt during a heatwave a month before the 1998 football season, with his son Prince [5] Redoubt succeeding him for the season.[2] When he is working, he has a team of one dog trainer, Anne-Lise Nilsen Knight,[4] and a rotating base of student handlers. The student handlers, led by Knight, are responsible for assisting with fan interactions, keeping him safe, and running out with him to start each of the University of Washington's home football games. In 2024, University Book Store in Seattle launched the Dubs Collection,[6] a line of clothing and accessories based on the beloved school mascot. They did so in collaboration with Knight and her team of handlers.

Historically, the university has also hosted a long line of Alaskan Malamutes as mascots.[6] The dogs were originally cared for by the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity; this arrangement was followed by a 49-year tradition (1959–2008) of care by the Cross family (a UW professor, followed by his son).[7] Dubs is now taken care of by an Alumni family[5] based in Sammamish, Washington. The 14 official live mascots thus far are as follows:

  • Frosty I (1922–30)
  • Frosty II (1930–36)
  • Wasky (1946–47)
  • Wasky II (1947–53)
  • Ski (1954–57)
  • Denali (1958)
  • King Chinook (1959–68)
  • Regent Denali (1969–80)
  • Sundodger Denali (1981–92)
  • King Redoubt (1992–97)
  • Prince Redoubt (1998)
  • Spirit (1999–2008)
  • Dubs (2009–2018)[8]
  • Dubs II (2018– )

Dubs namesakes

  • Dubs I (2009–18) – Started the Dubs mascot line. An Alaskan Malamute from Burlington, Washington. In late September 2008, the University of Washington announced an initiative to search for an appropriate name for its live mascot. A contest was launched online and fans were asked to submit their favorite name for the live Husky dog. More than 1,400 different nominations were received and a committee that consisted of campus and community representatives narrowed the field to a reasonable list of finalists. More than 20,000 votes were received in two rounds of online, with Dubs emerging victorious.[9][8] In Fall 2018, UW Athletics hosted a “Passing of the Collar” ceremony where the UW president removed the collar from Dubs I and placed it on Dubs II, signifying the official retirement of Dubs I. Dubs I died on April 3, 2021, aged 12.
  • Dubs II (2018 – present) – Began training alongside Dubs I during the Fall of 2018, he currently resides in Sammamish, Washington.[1]

Fun Facts

  • Dubs' favorite treat of all time is string cheese, according to his handlers.[10]
  • Dubs is a Capricorn, and his birthday is January 4th.
  • The command Dubs' handlers use to get him to bark or howl is "go dawgs!".
  • Dubs regularly attends sporting events, parties, and other events mostly on campus, but also around the greater Seattle area.
  • You can hire Dubs to attend your party or event.
  • Dubs has attended to two bowl games: The 2024 Sugar Bowl, and the 2019 Rose Bowl, as well as the 2024 National Championship.

References

  1. ^ a b "Washington Huskies". Washington Huskies. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  2. ^ a b c "Mascot History". Washington Huskies. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  3. ^ "Washington Huskies". Washington Huskies. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  4. ^ a b Mag, Seattle (2018-08-28). "Meet the Trainer for Dubs II, University of Washington Football Mascot". Seattle magazine. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
  5. ^ a b "From College Mascot to the Show Ring, Dubs' Comfort Zone Has No Limits". American Kennel Club. 2018-12-30. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
  6. ^ a b "Dubs Collection". University Book Store. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
  7. ^ Written at Seattle. "UW dog is case of Northwest history — Kirkland family has raised Husky maskcots for past five decades". The Herald. Everett. Associated Press. December 17, 2000. For years, members of the Cross family have led the University of Washington's Alaskan Malamute mascot through the Husky Stadium tunnel and onto the field for football games.
  8. ^ a b Clark, Ryan S. (January 26, 2018). Written at Seattle. "UW looking for next Husky mascot as Dubs' days almost done". The News Tribune. Tacoma. Washington has gone through several names ranging from 'Frosty' to 'Regent Denali' to 'King Redoubt' to 'Spirit' until it arrived on 'Dubs.'
  9. ^ "Washington Huskies". Washington Huskies. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  10. ^ "10 wag-worthy facts about Dubs". Be Boundless. 2025-09-26. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
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