Before the famous Notre Dame leprechaun walked the sidelines, the Irish Terrier was the mascot for Notre Dame football teams. Between 1924—when the first dog was chosen by Knute Rockne—until the transition to a leprechaun after the 1966 season, Notre Dame’s football teams won 8 National Championships, thus making the Irish Terrier "College Football’s “Winningest Mascot.” Clashmore Mike, perhaps the most famous ND canine, was donated in 1935 and entertained fans with his sideline gymnastics until his death in September 1945. He was buried in Notre Dame Stadium.