Spuds MacKenzie was an instant hit following his debut in a Bud Light advertising campaign for Super Bowl XXI in 1987. Soon you could buy Spuds MacKenzie shirts and other branded trinkets, and Spuds began appearing in pop culture references, and even the news. Believe it or not, this lovable character created a swirl of controversy, and Bud Light retired Spuds in 1989. 

An adorable white English Bull Terrier with a black spot around his eye, the Spuds MacKenzie dog remains an easily recognizable icon despite stepping out of the spotlight more than three decades ago. If you’ve ever wondered what exactly happened to Spuds, what the Spuds MacKenzie breed is like, or why Anheuser Busch abandoned this cultural icon, keep on reading!

Who Was Spuds MacKenzie?

The character Spuds MacKenzie was dubbed the “Original Party Animal” and enjoyed sipping cold Bud Light on the beach surrounded by gorgeous women. The real Spuds MacKenzie dog was a female Bull Terrier named Honey Tree Evil Eye—just Evie, for short—from North Riverside, Illinois. Miss Evie played Bud Light Spuds MacKenzie from 1987 until her retirement—and the characters—in 1989. 

What Breed Was Spuds MacKenzie?

The breed of Spuds MacKenzie is called an English Bull Terrier. Compact mid-sized dogs, Bull Terriers are goofy, playful, mischievous, and curious dogs who form strong bonds with their humans. An incredibly unique-looking breed, the Bull Terrier is the only dog breed with triangular eye openings. Their long angular snouts are another distinctive feature of the breed along with alert upright ears, a stocky muscular build, and short silky fur. 

What Breed is the Famous Target Dog Bullseye? 

English Bull Terriers stand around 21–22 inches tall and weigh between 50–70 pounds. The average lifespan for these pups is around 12–13 years. 

How Did the Original Spuds MacKenzie Die? 

The dog that played Spuds MacKenzie death occurred around four or five years after the last official Spuds MacKenzie commercials aired. Evie died of kidney failure in 1993 following a full life with her beloved family. 

Controversy & The End of Spuds MacKenzie

Strangely enough, the good-natured Spuds MacKenzie Bud Light premiered for a Super Bowl ad almost immediately fueled a controversy. First, outrage flared when consumers learned that Evie—the canine actor portraying Spuds—was a female dog and not a male dog. As ridiculous as this may seem, the situation quickly escalated. 

The first time Spuds appeared, a Senator from South Carolina began a smear campaign against Bud Light, claiming that the lovable character was a way for the brand to convince children to buy and drink beer. This particular controversy continued throughout the three years of Spuds MacKenzie’s existence. Christmas ads featuring Spuds dressed as Santa were banned in Ohio, arguing both that the ads appealed to children, and that they violated state laws prohibiting alcohol advertising using Santa’s likeness. 

National organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving added fuel to the fire, filing lawsuits against Bud Light and appealing to the Federal Trade Commission in the interest of “public safety.” While the FTC did not find issue with the Spuds MacKenzie Bud Light campaign, Anheuser Busch decided to put an end to the hubbub and retire the character officially in 1989. Spuds has only appeared in one ad since, but not in his corporeal form! 

Spuds MacKenzie Fun Facts

Enough about the drama—get to know a little more about your favorite beer-promoting pooch! For a fictional character with only three years of active relevance, Spuds MacKenzie managed to drum up a lot of attention. 

Anheuser Busch sponsored rescue dogs from Spuds’ hometown!

Evie lived in North Riverside, Illinois, but she was originally from a kennel in Woodstock, Illinois. As a tribute to Evie and the Spuds MacKenzie character, Anheuser Busch sponsored a number of dogs from the same shelter over the years. 

Is the Spuds MacKenzie dog breed a Pitbull?

No, but English Bull Terriers are related to Pitbull-type dogs. Bully breeds are thought to originate with Bull Terriers and English Bulldogs, but they aren’t widely considered Pitbull-type dogs. 

Two famous cartoon cartoon dogs are based on Spuds MacKenzie.

Well-known cartoon TV shows Futurama and The Simpsons each created characters parodying and inspired by Spuds MacKenzie. Futurama’s version is a bit more obvious with the name “Slurms MacKenzie the Original Party Worm” but the Simpson’s version is far more well-known. Believe it or not, Santa’s Little Helper is based on Spuds which makes him the perfect companion for beer-loving Homer Simpson!

Spuds MacKenzie inspired the song “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-a-Lot!

After seeing Bud Light’s Spuds MacKenzie Super Bowl commercial, Sir Mix-a-Lot felt moved to make a song about a type of beauty he wasn’t seeing on TV. Most women on TV in the 80s—including the women who hung out with Spuds—were thin white women, and Sir Mix-a-Lot wrote Baby Got Back as an ode to diverse beauty. 

Bud Light conjured the spirit of Spuds for one more Super Bowl ad in 2017

Spuds MacKenzie was featured in one last ad campaign following retirement in 1989. Bud Light’s commercial for Super Bowl LI in 2017 included Spuds in the form of a ghost who loves beer and helps a hapless man reconnect with his friends. As an adorable tribute to the original Spuds MacKenzie, the home in the commercial had the house number 1989! Since then, Spuds has not been summoned back into the world of the living. 

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The Target bullseye dog is aptly named “Bullseye” and he’s been the store’s mascot since 1999 when he appeared in his first advertising campaign for the brand. The OG “Bullseye” Target dog was actually named Smudgie. Smudgie was an AKC champion white Bull Terrier who also went by his much fancier show name Kingsmere Moondoggie. Bullseye caught the public’s attention immediately, and Target began selling Bullseye plushies the same year, which you can still buy more than twenty years later.

Since the Target brand introduced Bullseye to the world, he has become a staple in American pop culture, but how much do you know about the breed behind the brand? 

The English Bull Terrier is a visually distinctive breed, even without the Target corporation’s logo on its face! Let’s dive into the deets on this breed, and chat a little more about Bullseye the Target dog…or dogs.

Meet 4 Internet Famous Bull Terriers

Bullseye the Target dog is a white English Bull Terrier, but Bull Terriers come in around a dozen standard colors including brindle, red, and tricolored variations. Let’s take a look at a few Bull Terriers who share their lives on Instagram. 

1. Bond

Bond is a white English Bull Terrier with black spots on his ears. Bond is a cheerful boy who is always smiling, and you can find him wherever his human is!

2. Trixie

Trixie is a gorgeous two year old tricolored mini English Bull Terrier who would spend all day running around outside if she could. A good girl with lots of energy, Trixie will always play with her canine friends. 

3. Sia

Miss Sia is a seven-year-old brindle and white Bull Terrier who loves absolutely everyone—humans, other dogs, even cats! Sia has a big personality, but she’s a total snuggle bug who just wants to love on you.

4. Ernie

This handsome boy is Ernie, a red and white Bull Terrier with great vibes who loves to go on adventures. Ernie is a social pup, and he’s always up for a day spent playing with his buddies or shadowing his human in case a treat happens to appear. 

Bull Terrier Basic Info

English Bull Terriers are a unique breed easily singled out for its distinctive facial structure and features. The only breed to have triangular eye openings, the Bull Terrier also has a long and wide triangular face, erect triangular ears, and a sturdy build—these dogs look almost geometric. 

There’s plenty more to the Bull Terrier than just its looks, so let’s dive into some details about the breed. 

Bull Terrier Temperament

Bull Terriers are sometimes compared to human toddlers for their playful, energetic, yet stubborn and independent personalities. Bull Terriers absolutely love their humans and can be very affectionate, but they will also happily ignore your commands if they are stuck on an activity. Determined and brave, Bull Terriers can be a little reactive towards other dogs, and aren’t known for doing well with small children. 

If you have the time to dedicate to a high energy pup, and you’re looking for a goofy dog with a mind of its own, a Bull Terrier might just be right for you. 

Bull Terrier Size

Bull Terriers are medium-sized dogs that stand between 21–22 inches tall and weigh around 50–70 pounds. 

Bull Terrier Health

Badly bred Bull Terriers are highly susceptible to heart and kidney issues and hearing loss. These issues can mostly be avoided by buying puppies only from ethical breeders, and the only other health problem to be aware of specifically for the Bull Terrier breed is patellar luxation. 

Bull Terrier & Target Dog FAQ

There’s so much to learn about the Target dog breed—AKA the English Bull Terrier—we couldn’t possibly fit it all in one blog! To close this beginner’s guide out, we’re answering the top questions about the Bull Terrier. 

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In a world where loyalty is rare, dogs stand out with their unwavering devotion and love towards their human companions. But what happens when these furry friends, who have given their all, are deemed too old and “gross” to be part of a family? This is a story of Dawn, a senior dog who was abandoned when she needed love the most, and a community that stepped up to ensure her golden years were filled with care, comfort, and plenty of puppy cappuccinos.

The Heartbreaking Reality of Senior Dogs

Dawn’s story began in a shelter, discarded by a family she had loved unconditionally simply because she had grown old. Dawn’s cloudy eyes and worn-out paws tell a story of neglect and age. Despite her health issues, her gentle demeanor shines through.

A busy shelter is no place for a senior dog with health issues and there was concern that her time there would unfortunately be short. But her tale took a turn when Rocky Kanaka got involved and was determined that her final chapters would be written with kindness and love.

A Glimmer of Hope Amidst Despair

Dawn’s journey from the shelter to a hopeful future was not a straightforward one. When Rocky first met with this senior Bull Terrier in her kennel it was heart-wrenching, witnessing her neglected state, her itchy skin, and her inflamed paws. Yet, amidst the visible signs of neglect, her spirit remained unbroken. When Rocky called Frosted Faces Foundation, a haven for senior dogs, to plead Dawn’s case, he was turned down because they were full. But then, a space opened up, which literally saved Dawn’s life.

A Community Comes Together

The rescue mission was a testament to the power of community. From the moment Dawn was pulled from the shelter, to her first bath in who knows how long, and her initial steps into a new, hopeful life, every individual she encountered played a pivotal role in her journey.

The joy in her eyes post-rescue, her first taste of a puppuccino, and her playful interactions with her new avocado toast squeaky toy, were all moments that stitched together a new narrative for Dawn, one where she was loved, valued and cared for.

Frosted Faces Foundation – A Haven for Senior Dogs

Dawn’s next chapter unfolded at the Frosted Faces Foundation, a sanctuary for senior dogs like her. Here, dogs who have been abandoned in their twilight years find a new lease on life. The foundation not only provides them with the medical care they need but also showers them with love, ensuring their final years are their best ones yet. Dawn, with her newfound family, stepped into a world where she was no longer an inconvenience but a cherished member of a loving community.

Adopting a Senior Dog? Here’s 100 Rescues & Sanctuaries That Specialize in Seniors.

The Heroes Of Frosted Faces

The Frosted Faces Foundation, run by Kelly and Andy, is more than just a shelter. It’s a promise to senior dogs that they will be cared for, loved, and respected in their final years. The foundation, which relies heavily on donations and volunteers, ensures that every dog, like Dawn, who enters their doors, is given a chance at a happy, healthy life, regardless of their age or medical condition.

A Plea for Help and a Future of Hope

Dawn’s journey from neglect to love is a beacon of hope and a testament to the kindness that exists in the world. But there are many more Dawns out there, waiting for their chance at a better life. The call to action is simple: donate, volunteer, and spread the word. Every little bit helps in ensuring that senior dogs are given the love, respect, and care they deserve in their twilight years.

1. Adopt Dawn

While Dawn was saved from a busy shelter, she still needs a forever home. If you think she is the perfect dog for you, apply! No adoption fees, and Frosted Faces provides free lifetime medical care onsite at FFF Veterinary Hospital.

2. Consider Donating To Frosted Faces

Frosted Faces stands out as a truly remarkable organization, dedicating its efforts to ensure that senior dogs bask in love and care throughout their golden years. The organization not only prioritizes the well-being of elderly canines but also extends phenomenal programs and resources to adopters and the wider community, embodying a holistic approach to animal welfare and community support.

????Donate To Frosted Faces Here: https://frostedfacesfoundation.org/donate

3. Want To Foster Or Adopt A Senior Dog? (It Comes With a Monthly Stipend)

????Learn more about fostering & adoption here: https://frostedfacesfoundation.org/family

The Frosted Faces Foundation (FFF) passionately advocates for the well-being of senior animals, ensuring they enjoy love and care in their twilight years. Through a variety of meticulously designed programs, FFF not only provides shelter but also facilitates lifelong homes for these “Frosted Faces.” From temporary fostering to permanent adoption and specialized programs for senior citizens, the foundation is committed to ensuring every elderly pet experiences love, care, and a warm home throughout their golden years. The Molly & Me Project offers $200 a month.

1. Molly & Me Project
   • Suitable for: Homes without other animals, willing to dedicate time and space to a pet that prefers being the only animal.
   • Financial Assistance: $200/month
   • Time Commitment: 12 months.
   • Medical Coverage: Free at FFF Veterinary Hospital.
   • Boarding: Free.
2. Frosted Fling (Short term)
   • Suitable for: Individuals or families looking for a short-term commitment and wanting to help increase a pet’s adoption chances..
   • Time Commitment: 2 weeks.
   • Medical Coverage: Free at FFF Veterinary Hospital.
3. Foster
   • Suitable for: Those who can provide a stable environment and assist in finding a permanent home for the pet.
   • Time Commitment: Until adoption.
   • Medical Coverage: Free at FFF Veterinary Hospital.
   • Location: Must live near FFF.
   • Boarding: Free.
4. Adoption
   • Suitable for: Individuals or families ready for a long-term commitment to providing a forever home.
   • Time Commitment: Until passing.
   • Medical Coverage: Free at FFF Veterinary Hospital.
   • Location: Can live anywhere.
5. Seniors for Seniors
   • Suitable for: Senior citizens (65+ years old) looking for a companion without the common obstacles of pet ownership.
   • Time Commitment: Until passing.
   • Medical Coverage: Free at FFF Veterinary Hospital

4. Does Your Family Need Financial Aid?

Frosted Funding provides a crucial lifeline for families facing financial struggles, ensuring their pets, especially senior animals, receive necessary veterinary care, food, supplies, and additional assistance with aspects like grooming and pet deposits. More than just financial aid, the program is a heartfelt endeavor to empower families to retain their pets, preventing shelter relinquishment or economic euthanasia, while also championing the noble cause of senior pet adoption, weaving a narrative of enduring care and unbreakable bonds.

???? Apply here: https://frostedfacesfoundation.org/frostedfunding

5. Want To Volunteer?

???? Learn more here: https://frostedfacesfoundation.org/volunteer

6. Ensure Your Pet Has A Place To Go After You’re Gone

???? Learn more here: https://frostedfacesfoundation.org/finalwish

Love Your Pet? Here’s How to Make Sure They’re Cared for Even When You’re Gone

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