ATHENS, Ga. --- An English bulldog named Big Bad Bruce will be the next Uga, University of Georgia athletic officials announced Wednesday.

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Uga VIII, a bulldog known as Big Bad Bruce, will take over his duties as Georgia's mascot before Saturday's game against Vanderbilt at Sanford Stadium. The bulldog is 13 months old.

On Saturday, Bruce will become Uga VIII, the latest in the world-famous line of mascots owned by the Savannah, Ga., family of Frank W. "Sonny" Seiler.

Georgia President Michael Adams, athletic director Greg McGarity and members of the Seiler family are scheduled to unveil Bruce on the field before the kickoff of Saturday's Georgia-Vanderbilt game in Sanford Stadium.

Bruce takes over for Russ, who was named interim mascot after Uga VII died unexpectedly last Nov. 19 at the age of 4. He was in his second season as Georgia's mascot.

Georgia football teams went 4-4 with Russ as mascot.

Russ began his mascot duties in last year's Georgia Tech game; Georgia played one game without a mascot last year, a Nov. 21 loss to Kentucky.

While Russ was serving as mascot, the future Uga VIII was growing. Born Sept. 12, 2009, Bruce is named for Bruce Hollett, a veterinarian in the Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine who has provided medical care to the Uga bulldogs for years.

"We had several puppies that were direct descendants from the Uga line to choose from," Seiler said in a statement. "We came to the conclusion that this dog had all the physical attributes that we look for in a Georgia mascot. He is the grandson of Uga VI. He is only 13 months old. He already weighs 55 lbs. and we think that he has an excellent head."

Seiler said the choice was "based on experience."