DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Drake Bulldogs will soon be represented by a real bulldog.
The school announced Friday that it will begin searching for an English bulldog to represent Drake at live sporting events, much like at Georgia and Butler.
Officials say they were inspired to adopt a live mascot after seeing Porterhouse, the 2009 winner of their tongue-in-cheek "Beautiful Bulldog" contest, become a fixture in the campus community.
The school says the winner of the popular bulldog beauty pageant each year will continue to serve as the mascot of the Drake Relays.