Back in 2003, a permanent art project was unleashed, adorning street corners and storefronts with larger-than-life fiberglass bulldogs.

These bulldog statues are part of the Athens-Oconee Junior Women’s Club’s “We Let the Dawgs Out” project.

Tammy Gilland, club president, said the project was thought to be “a great community art project for Athens.”

Julie Walters, co-chair for the project, said she and a friend had seen New York’s Cow Parade, and were inspired to do a similar thing in Athens.

“We just loved the whole concept of public art,” Walters said.

The club found sponsors and local artists to create vibrant and unusual interpretations of Athens’ iconic animal symbol.

The bulldogs have since become opportunities for scavenger hunt activities – take as many pictures with as many different bulldogs as you can – and photo opportunities for a child’s first visit to the Classic City.

Though there are more than 30 bulldog statues in all, some stand out in peoples’ minds more than others.

Walters said her personal favorite bulldog is the bright green Bugga, who stands at 195 College Ave. Bugga’s insect-covered exterior was designed by Bruce McPhearson and is sponsored by American Pest Control.

“Bugga’s so interesting, and it has so much depth,” Walters said.

Gilland’s favorite statue, Carmen Mirandawg, is on the other side of town. Carmen Mirandawg can be found hanging out in Five Points at 1696 S. Lumpkin St.

“She is a diva,” Gilland said. “She’s bright, she’s colorful, she’s a fun dog.”

Carmen Mirandawg, featuring a hot pink can-can outfit and a headdress of fruit, was designed by Cathe and Ron Stein. She is sponsored by Slippers and Friends.

Josh Goodson, a junior from Dublin, said his favorite bulldog is Caesar Dawgustus, the iconic Roman dog complete with gladiator sandals. Caesar Dawgustus was created by artist Gretchen Fennell and is sponsored by Phil Hughes Honda-Mitsubishi-BMW.

He stands proudly at 100 College Ave. guarding patrons of the corner Starbucks, and is usually the first introduction students have to the art project.

“[Caesar Dawgustus] was the very first bulldog statue that I ever saw when I first came to visit UGA as an incoming freshman, and it remains my favorite to this day,” Goodson said.

Another downtown-area favorite is Lineman, who can be found on Prince Avenue. Lineman was designed by Cathe Stein and is sponsored by Georgia Power. Walters said Lineman was created in honor of the Georgia Power linemen.

Andrew Holloway, a senior from Auburn, Ga., said he likes Lineman “because it is not just painted.”

“Someone went above and beyond [to] create this bulldog,” he said. “It seems to really stand out from the rest.”

Katie Thomason, a senior from Calhoun, thinks a different statue stands above the rest.

“[Reflections of a Classic City] is very unique and I think the mosaic pattern sets it apart from all the other bulldog statues,” she said.

Reflections of a Classic City, a bulldog decorated with mirror pieces, was designed by Charlotte House and is sponsored by Duplicating Systems, Inc. – a local business machine dealership.

The statue catches the light coming in from the trees at the Georgia State Botanical Garden.

Everette Smith, a sophomore from Evans, said his favorite bulldog is the medical-themed A-pooch-ecary, one of three statues residing on campus.

“I like A-pooch-ecary because it symbolizes what I came here to UGA to do, and that is to obtain a degree that allows me to help others,” Smith said.

He said the statue also symbolizes the University as a place that offers more than just athletics.

A-pooch-ecary was designed by Jennifer Flournoy and is sponsored by King’s Drug Store. He used to live outside the Boswell Group at 788 Prince Ave., but has since moved into the lobby of the University’s College of Pharmacy.

Anne Yearta, a senior from Moultrie, works at the Chick-Fil-A on Barnett Shoals, so she has a special bond with her favorite bulldog. Chick-Fil-Uga, designed by Brent Chitwood and sponsored by Modern Body Shop, is Yearta’s favorite “because of all the wonderful Chick-Fil-A-ness.”