Flora will reign as the 2026 Drake Relays mascot and the Most Beautiful Bulldog
Judges proudly announced the winner of the 47th Annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest® at the Knapp Center on Drake University’s campus on Sunday. Seven-year-old Flora was crowned the champion and will serve a week-long reign as the official mascot for the 2026 Drake Relays.
Flora, hailing from Iowa Falls, Iowa, stole the show during her strut down the “pup-way.” Accompanied by owners Nicole Gleason and Augie Wachter, the charismatic bulldog charmed the judges in her blue dress embellished with a glittery Drake “D” and white flowers. A puppy-mill survivor, Flora is happiest when soaking up attention from her loving humans.
The 47th Annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest® carried special significance as it was the final contest overseen by Griff II, Drake University’s beloved live mascot, who will retire in May. While Flora reigns for one week over the Drake Relays, Griff II’s successor, Griff III, will take over full-time duties as the University’s live mascot next month.
The competition was fierce this year, featuring 24 finalists hand-picked via lottery from a pool of 117 hopefuls representing 13 different states. In addition to awarding Flora this year’s Most Beautiful Bulldog, the judges recognized several other standout bulldog competitors with the following awards:
- First Runner Up: Pickles, Urbandale, Iowa
- Second Runner Up: Carl, Terril, Iowa
- Porterhouse People’s Choice Award: Chunk, Johnston, Iowa
- Best Dressed Award: Tater, Forest City, Iowa
- Drake Spirit Award: Pickles, Urbandale, Iowa
- Rescue Dog Award: Zeus, Windsor Heights, Iowa
Milo, the 2025 Most Beautiful Bulldog Contest winner, took a final victory lap as the Drake Relays mascot before handing over the crown to Flora. Results for the annual Griff Giffs Back campaign were also announced at the contest. This year, Griff II helped raise more than 17,000 pounds of pet food for The Pet Project Midwest thanks to the generous support of the community. Several donation sites are still being collected as of April 20 and will contribute toward the total.
For more than 45 years, Drake University has hosted the Beautiful Bulldog Contest. Click here to see a listing of past contest winners. For the latest information about the Beautiful Bulldog Contest, follow the contest Facebook page.
Watch the full event recording on Vimeo.