Is the dog known as Bullseye, who was the target in question, still living?

Introduction: The Target Dog Bullseye

Bullseye is a dog that gained notoriety for being the target of a retail company’s advertisements. The dog, who was dubbed "Bullseye", became the mascot for Target Corporation in 1999. Despite its popularity, Bullseye’s portrayal as a target led to controversy and concerns about animal welfare. Many people wondered what happened to the dog after the advertisements ended, and whether it is still alive.

The History of Bullseye

Bullseye was a purebred English Bull Terrier, born in 1991. The dog was owned by a couple named Janene and David Cross, who were also breeders of Bull Terriers. In 1999, Target Corporation approached the Crosses and asked to use their dog as the mascot for the company. The Crosses agreed, and Bullseye became a household name. The dog appeared in numerous Target commercials, print advertisements, and even had its own line of merchandise.

The Controversial Life of Bullseye

Bullseye’s life as a celebrity dog was not without controversy. The dog was often portrayed as a target in Target advertisements, which led to concerns about animal welfare. Some animal rights activists claimed that the portrayal of Bullseye as a target was cruel and promoted violence towards animals. Others argued that the dog was well-cared for and enjoyed its life as a celebrity. Despite the controversy, Bullseye continued to appear in Target advertisements until 2018.

The Use of Bullseye as a Target

Bullseye’s portrayal as a target was a central part of Target’s advertising campaign. The dog was often depicted wearing a Target bullseye around its eye, and sometimes appeared in commercials with arrows sticking out of its body. Target defended its use of the dog as a target, claiming that it was meant to be a playful and lighthearted way to promote the company’s brand. Nevertheless, the use of Bullseye as a target drew criticism from animal rights groups and some members of the public.

Was Bullseye a Real Dog?

There were rumors that Bullseye was not a real dog, but rather a computer-generated image or a series of different dogs. However, these rumors were false. Bullseye was a real dog, owned by the Cross family. The dog was trained by professional animal trainers and appeared in all of Target’s advertisements.

The Fate of Bullseye After the Commercials

After Bullseye’s tenure as Target’s mascot ended in 2018, many wondered what happened to the dog. According to the Cross family, Bullseye retired to live with them and their other Bull Terriers. The family stated that Bullseye was in good health and enjoying its retirement.

The Public’s Response to Bullseye’s Role

Bullseye’s portrayal as a target sparked a public debate about the use of animals in advertising. Some people found the ads to be humorous and harmless, while others found them to be in poor taste. Many animal rights activists argued that the ads promoted violence towards animals and were inappropriate. Target responded to the criticism by stating that it had always treated Bullseye with the utmost care and respect.

The Legal Action Taken Against Bullseye’s Use

In 2007, a California animal rights group called the Animal Defense League filed a lawsuit against Target, claiming that the use of Bullseye as a target was cruel and violated animal welfare laws. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed, but it drew attention to the issue of animal welfare in advertising.

The Legacy of Bullseye

Bullseye’s legacy is mixed. While the dog became a beloved mascot for Target, its portrayal as a target led to controversy and criticism. Nevertheless, Bullseye’s popularity helped to raise awareness of the English Bull Terrier breed and inspired many people to adopt similar dogs.

The Current Status of Bullseye

As of 2021, Bullseye is still alive and living with the Cross family. The dog is said to be in good health and enjoying its retirement.

Conclusion: The Impact of Bullseye on Animal Welfare

Bullseye’s portrayal as a target in Target’s advertisements sparked a debate about the use of animals in advertising. While the controversy surrounding Bullseye’s role was unfortunate, it helped to raise awareness of the importance of animal welfare in advertising. Today, many companies are more careful about how they use animals in their advertisements, thanks in part to the discussions that were sparked by Bullseye’s portrayal as a target.

References and Further Reading

• "Target’s Bullseye Dog" by Mary Bellis, ThoughtCo.
• "The Story of Bullseye, Target’s Beloved Mascot" by Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping.
• "Is Target’s Bullseye Dog Still Alive?" by Jessica Booth, Distractify.
• "Target Defends Use of Bullseye as a Target" by Stuart Elliott, The New York Times.
• "Animal Defense League Sues Target Over Bullseye Ad Campaign" by George Raine, SFGate.