There’s a new top dawg at Butler University.

Butler officially introduced Blue V, a red fawn English bulldog puppy, as the fifth mascot in its celebrated Live Mascot Program on Friday, November 13. Born August 17, 2026, Blue V succeeds Butler Blue IV, who is retiring after nearly seven years representing the University. The transition also marks a new chapter for the Live Mascot Program, with Butler graduate April Kirts ’26 stepping into the role of handler.

Blue V was born in Sorento, Illinois, to breeder Rachel Garde of Dog Gone’s Bulldogs. His parents, Rory and Diva, welcomed a litter of six male puppies. Members of Butler’s University Marketing team traveled to Illinois in October to meet the litter and select the next Bulldog to represent the University.

Among the six puppies, one in particular caught the team’s attention.

Referred to as “Boy #2” by the team charged with choosing the next live mascot, the future Blue V stood out for his easygoing, affectionate personality and playful energy. He also seemed particularly interested in Kirts, frequently staying close to his future handler as the team spent time getting to know the puppies.

“He was playful and easygoing, but what stood out was how comfortable he seemed with everyone,” Kirts says. “He was curious, affectionate, and full of personality. He also seemed to know exactly what to do when we brought out the camera. We knew he would be a great fit for Butler.”

Blue V officially joined Kirts in Indianapolis on November 1 and will continue a tradition that has connected generations of Butler students, alumni, and fans.

More than a job

For Kirts, becoming Blue V’s handler represents an opportunity to give back to the University that helped shape her own college experience.

A native of Evergreen Park, Illinois, Kirts graduated from Butler in May 2026 with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Strategic Communication: Public Relations and Advertising. A lifelong dog lover, she grew up with family pets and was drawn to Butler’s Live Mascot Program even before enrolling as a student.

“Learning about Blue before I chose Butler made the University feel more welcoming,” Kirts said. “Having a dog around makes everything a little more fun and approachable. Blue has a special way of bringing people together, and I’m excited to help continue that tradition.”

During her four years at Butler, Kirts gained hands-on experience covering major sporting events, including the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend, and 2026 Men’s Final Four. She credits those opportunities, along with the relationships she developed through Butler’s College of Communication, with helping her find a home in Indianapolis.

Her path to the mascot program began with a simple text message from Butler professor and mentor Bob Schultz, who asked whether she liked dogs and was passionate about Butler. Her response was immediate: “Yes and yes.”

As Blue V’s handler, Kirts will oversee his daily care, training, public appearances, and engagement with the Butler community. She also hopes to build on the program’s national visibility, using Blue’s personality and social media presence to introduce prospective students and fans to the University.

“Blue is often someone’s first introduction to Butler,” Kirts says. “I want to help people across the country experience the same sense of community and belonging that I found here. It’s a privilege to be part of this program and share the joy Blue brings with others.”

Changing of the collar

Blue V’s arrival follows the retirement of Butler Blue IV, who was introduced in January 2020 and has served as the University’s live mascot through nearly seven years of campus celebrations, athletic events, and community appearances.

Under the care of handler Evan Krauss ’16, MS ’23, Blue IV became a familiar face to Butler fans across the country. His tenure included serving as the honorary “Mayor of March” during the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, starring as a puppy in the 2021 Netflix documentary Dogs, and traveling with the men’s basketball team on its Big Dawgs Tour. Blue IV also visited hundreds of prospective and admitted Butler students and developed a robust social presence with more than 300,000 followers.

Krauss, who first joined the Live Mascot Program as a Butler student working with longtime handler Michael Kaltenmark ’02, MS ’16, helped expand the program’s social media presence and strengthen its connections with students, alumni, and fans.

Blue IV will continue living with Krauss, his wife, Kennedy, and their two sons in Westfield, Indiana.

Kirts said Krauss has played an important role in preparing her for the transition.

“Evan has built an incredible foundation for this program, and I’m grateful for his mentorship,” Kirts said. “His dedication to Blue and Butler has made a lasting impact, and I’m excited to build on everything he has accomplished.”

From campus tradition to national spotlight

Butler’s connection to the bulldog dates to 1919, when a bulldog named Shimmy wandered into the offices of The Butler Collegian. A cartoon of Shimmy appeared on the front page of the next issue, helping establish the bulldog as the University’s mascot.

While unofficial live mascots appeared throughout the decades, Butler established its official Live Mascot Program in 2000. Since then, four Butler Blues and their handlers have transformed the program into one of the University’s most recognizable traditions.

Blue I and handler Kelli Walker ’91 laid the foundation for the program. Blue II and Kaltenmark became nationally recognized during Butler’s back-to-back NCAA Men’s Final Four appearances in 2010 and 2011. Blue III, affectionately known as Trip, helped bring the program into the digital age, while Blue IV expanded its social media reach and developed a distinctive personality of his own.

Through these efforts, Butler’s Live Mascot Program has come into the national spotlight, earning coverage from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, ESPN, ABC News, and CBS Evening News. The program has also appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and its story reached a global audience in 2021 through the opening episode of the Netflix docuseries Dogs, Season 2, which chronicled the transition from Blue III to Blue IV.

Now, with Blue V and Kirts beginning their journey together, the next generation of this beloved tradition is ready to make its own mark.