Brand Elements Yale Bulldogs The original Handsome Dan was athletic icons the first in a line of eighteen mascots of that name, each chosen after the previous Handsome Dan retires. These Logos cannot be Yale’s athletic teams, called the used in combination with “Yale Bulldogs,” are graced the EST. 1701 Mark with Handsome Dan’s presence at many sporting events. The original Handsome Dan in 1889. Courtesy Yale Manuscripts and Archives.