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One step closer to the next Reveille

No specific breed was recommended to replace Aggie mascot Reveille VII, but a committee studying the issues surrounding her successor did outline specific behavioral and physical characteristics the dog will need to possess.

Officials said they hope to identify "the best suitable mascot" and have a recommendation by the end of the summer in order to introduce the dog to Aggieland in the fall.

Vice President for Student Affairs Dean Bresciani, who called a brief press conference at 2 p.m., announced in February that the 7-year-old dog would be retiring at the end of the spring semester. He said at the time that a 16-person committee had been formed to help determine if Reveille VIII should be replaced with another female collie or a different breed.

He said they will immediately begin an extensive nationwide effort to identify and evaluate potential canine mascots by using the following guidelines from the committee: Characteristics should include medium to large size dog, healthy, outgoing personality, likes people and is at ease in crowds, not afraid of noise, not highly reactive and positively motivated.

Bresciani said the long-standing tradition will continue of having an official mascot that is an integral part of the "Aggie Family -- attending classes and living in a home-like environment on campus where the mascot will be loved and nurtured."

He said plans for how to proceed include prescreening dogs for the chosen characteristics, while establishing an appropriate level of training. Bresciani said that the next Reveille should be either: a mature, about 1 year old or older, female with a collie-like appearance (not unlike Reveille II), service dog trained and the essential characteristics noted above; or a mature female (again, at least a year old) with service dog training and the "physical attributes and noble appearance" consistent with the role of the university mascot, "not unlike a Golden Retriever."

"We are not inclined to consider a puppy at this point due to the following factors: The length of time it takes to properly train and transition a puppy into this role -- approximately 18 months, the inherent uncertainties of the personality of a puppy and past experiences with this approach not achieving desired results."

He said that he will have the responsibility of assuring that training protocols and oversight are established and evaluated regularly.

The committee was made up of students, faculty, staff, former students and representatives of the Corps of Cadets, athletics and the Federation of Texas A&M Mothers' Clubs. The committee included a Texas A&M veterinarian who is a nationally known animal behavior expert.

For more on this story, read Friday's edition of The Eagle.

• Holly Huffman's e-mail address is holly.huffman@theeagle.com.