Butler Blue IV, Bulldogs' Live Mascot, Stepping Away from Public Events

The beloved bulldog mascot cites being "dog tired" as the reason for the hiatus.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Butler Blue IV, the live bulldog mascot for Butler University athletics, announced on Wednesday that he will be stepping away from public events indefinitely. The mascot cited being "dog-tired" from the year-round demands of the role and needing to rest up.

Why it matters

Butler Blue IV is a beloved figure for the university and its sports teams, with a large social media following. His absence from public events will be felt by the Butler community and fans who enjoy seeing the mascot at games and other functions.

The details

In a message posted on X, Butler Blue IV said "Being the mascot for an entire university is a year-round job. With no off-season, I'm dog-tired. My team and I have decided that I'll be stepping away from public events so I can rest up." The mascot assured fans that his social media antics will continue, and that he will be cheering on the Bulldogs from home.

  • Butler Blue IV took over the mascot role on February 29, 2020 in a Passing of the Collar Ceremony during a men's basketball game against DePaul.
  • The announcement of his hiatus from public events was made on February 11, 2026, prior to a game against UConn.

The players

Butler Blue IV

The live bulldog mascot for Butler University athletics.

Michael Kaltenmark

Butler's former Director of External Relations, who cares for the Blue mascots and handles their often viral social media account.

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What they’re saying

“Being the mascot for an entire university is a year-round job. With no off-season, I'm dog-tired. My team and I have decided that I'll be stepping away from public events so I can rest up.”

— Butler Blue IV (X)

The takeaway

The temporary absence of Butler Blue IV, the beloved live bulldog mascot, highlights the demanding nature of the role and the need for mascots to have proper rest and recovery time. This decision underscores the importance of supporting the well-being of university mascots who bring so much joy to their communities.