Bully XXII and owner Julie Martin visit with members of the MSU dance team . Photo by Mississippi State / Grace Cockrell .
big win over Army , 13-7 , at West Point . Shortly after that second victory , a litter-mate of Ptolemy ’ s became the first mascot called “ Bully ” and a beloved tradition was born . In 1961 , MSU adopted the Bulldog name for all of its athletic teams .
An American Kennel Club registered English Bulldog , Dak is the 22nd mascot to carry the inherited title of Bully and comes from royal bloodlines , at least as far as MSU fans are concerned .
Fawn and white , he comes from the lineage of past MSU live mascots , including Tonka , or Bully XIX , and Champ , Bully XX .
“ He is a very comfortable dog in his own skin . He is very gentle ,” said Bruce as Julie agreed , saying “ He is very easy going , mild mannered .”
If you put that harness on him , he knows ‘ I am at work .’ And he knows it . That is what he is trained to do …. he knows where he is going and what he is about to do .
Julie Martin
At home and away from the spotlight , however , may be a different story joked the Martins .
“ When he ’ s at home , he is a rambunctious , mischievous boy ,” Bruce laughed to which his wife quickly added , “ He is a normal dog at home .”
Dak , named after former MSU and current Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott , showed the desired physical and personality traits of a MSU mascot shortly after he was born on March 1 , 2021 , in Pennington , Alabama , and was chosen to be a possible successor to Jak , or Bully XXI .
MSU officials wanted him to have a normal life with a loving family in a home away from the spotlight , but with a family who regularly attended MSU events and could handle the time commitment and dedication of raising a university mascot .
So , Mississippi State turned to the Martins , longtime supporters of the university who have raised other English Bulldogs from mascot litters .
“ Dak makes our third dog out of a mascot litter ,” said Bruce , president and owner of Meyer & Rosenbaum Insurance who graduated from Mississippi State in 1977 with his bachelor ’ s degree in finance and insurance . Julie , who did not attend MSU , is a retired nurse .
22 • MERIDIAN LIFE