New Husky mascot debuts at UConn

January 28, 2014 11:00 pm • Last Updated: January 29, 2014 2:45 pm

The University of Connecticut's new mascot, Jonathan XIV, left, a Siberian Husky, sits next to his predecessor, Jonathan XIII, after being introduced at a UConn Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, in Storrs, Conn.

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — The University of Connecticut is getting a new top dog.

The school's all-white Husky mascot, Jonathan XIII, is retiring after serving in the position since 2008. Officials say the dog has become a bit skittish around crowds.

Jonathan XIV, a 3-month old black-and-white Siberian Husky, was introduced to the school's Board of Trustees on Wednesday.

The school has had a live mascot since 1935. The dog was named Jonathan after colonial Gov. Jonathan Trumbull, and each successive mascot has kept that moniker. Its care is funded through private donations.

Both Jonathan XIII and Jonathan XIV live with the same host family.

School officials say color was not a factor in choosing the dog, which more closely resembles the school's updated Husky logo.

See a video of the new Jonathan on

UConn's official Youtube account.

The University of Connecticut's new mascot, Jonathan XIV, a 3-month-old Siberian Husky, is introduced at a UConn Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, in Storrs, Conn.

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