Pick of the Litter: AKC Poll on Favorite Dog Mascot

The American Kennel Club wants to know -- which canine college mascot is your favorite?

As part of the celebration of their 125th anniversary, the AKC has launched a quest to find the 125 top dogs in American popular culture. The nominees for top college mascot are Georgia's UGA, Yale's Handsome Dan, Texas A&M's "Reveille", Georgetown's "Jack the Bulldog" and Boston University's "Rhett the Boston Terrier." You can vote for your favorite on Pawnation.com.

Personally, I'm wishing they allowed write-in candidates. The nominees are all worthy pooches, to be sure... but the list is a touch bulldog-heavy. The bulldog is one of the most-overused mascots in college sports -- there are 38 college teams called the bulldogs -- 14 playing basketball in Division I alone -- and that doesn't even count teams that aren't called the bulldogs but have a bulldog for a mascot (like Georgetown).

Jonathan the Husky deserves a spot on the list -- UCONN has been one of the most successful basketball programs of the last decade, after all.  And I'd like to see Albany's Great Dane get a little recognition as well. But my write-in vote goes to the Saluki of Southern Illinois.

Originality goes a long way in my book.

• More NCAA Basketball Mascots
• Fans, Cheerleaders and Mascots at the 2009 NCAA Tournament