Kirk Herbstreit is a familiar presence in the football world, appearing on ESPN's "College GameDay" each Saturday, Amazon Prime's "Thursday Night Football", and in the booth for some of the sport’s biggest college matchups.
Traveling with him almost everywhere is his dog, Peter, who has become a fan favorite with frequent appearances on college campuses across the country.
The star of the show has arrived!
— Casey Kay (@caseykaytv) September 12, 2025
Kirk Herbstreit’s dog, Peter has arrived in Knoxville ahead of College GameDay tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/J57a7Hr9tF
Herbstreit has always spoken about how much his dogs mean to him, including his old travel buddy, Ben.
Get to know Peter Herbstreit, his relationship with his owner Kirk, and his role in college football.
MORE: Where is ‘College GameDay’ this week?
Who is Kirk Herbstreit's new dog?
Peter, a young golden retriever, is in his first year fully traveling with Herbstreit, after Herbstreit's old emotional support dog passed away. Ever since Ben passed, Peter has been a frequent companion for Herbstreit, appearing on both "Thursday Night Football," and "College GameDay."
Playoff Peter in full effect 😎 pic.twitter.com/OlmRteINRq
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) December 22, 2024
He officially joined Herbstreit on his travels in November 2024, after Herbstreit's old dog, Ben, passed away. When in Athens, Georgia, for No. 9 Tennessee vs. No. 6 Georgia, Herbstreit said Peter was "making himself right at home."
Since joining the team, Peter has made some cameo appearances in the broadcast booth.
This broadcast has gone to the dogs.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 2, 2025
Specifically, Kirk Herbstreit's dog, Peter, who got a headset. pic.twitter.com/URYS0F3ztT
Kirk Herbstreit dog photos
This season, Peter has been in Columbus, Ohio, Norman, Oklahoma, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Knoxville, Tennessee for all four college football pregame shows.
Peter and @KirkHerbstreit before @CollegeGameDay 🫶
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 6, 2025
Of course Peter steals the show on SportsCenter 😂 pic.twitter.com/VCY4iTQZ5M
In the back half of the 2024 season, Peter joined his owner at all of the biggest college football sites, including colleges for the first-ever playoff games played on campus.
Playoff Peter in full effect 😎 pic.twitter.com/OlmRteINRq
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) December 22, 2024
Peter's role was recognized by the college football world. At the 2025 Rose Bowl, where the eventual champions Ohio State defeated No. 1 Oregon, Peter was given the title of "Chief Happiness Officer," following Ben getting that title in 2024.
Pete’s first Rose Bowl was one for the books pic.twitter.com/mE37Zh0q4u
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) January 5, 2025
Why does Kirk Herbstreit have a dog?
Herbstreit has stated how much his dogs mean to him in the past, especially on his travels. When speaking about Ben on ESPN after he passed away, he mentioned he “first started bringing Ben on the road” with him for support. Herbstreit said he needed a "travel companion," and that being with a dog helped him feel like he was at home.
I’m sorry I couldn’t properly lead to this beautiful tribute the @CollegeGameDay put together. Really wanted to thank all of you for the avalanche of love and support you’ve shown Ben. It gives me and my family such comfort knowing how he impacted so many peoples lives around the… pic.twitter.com/1ygVve4K6V
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 9, 2024
In his first "College Gameday" without Ben, Herbstreit choked up before the show aired his tribute to his "best friend."
He went on to say that "dogs' only flaw as a species is that they don’t live long enough but the warmth they give us, that never goes away."
When did Kirk Herbstreit get his new dog Peter?
According to Herbstreit, Peter joined the family in December 2023. He spent his first year mainly at home, as Ben was joining Herbstreit on his football trips.
Now, Peter frequently appears with Herbstreit on his shows.
MORE: Kirk Herbstreit family tree
What happened to Kirk Herbstreit's old dog?
Herbstreit's old dog, Ben, passed away at 10 years old. Ben had leukemia and lymphoma, and in November 2024, he was put down.
This is really hard to write but so many of you have loved and cared about Ben that I wanted to let you know. We found out today the cancer had spread throughout Bens organs and there was nothing left we could do-we had to let him go. I’ve had dogs my whole life but Ben was 1 on… pic.twitter.com/jDvPTbNv2M
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 7, 2024
Before that, Ben would accompany Herbstreit on nearly all of his trips, with Herbstreit saying he made "my journeys seem less like wandering and more like belonging."
MORE: Kirk Herbstreit pens emotional goodbye to Ben after pet's battle with cancer
In his tribute, Herbstreit said Ben "made everyone happy, and he did it without trying ... it didn't matter if you were a college student, a movie star, a national championship quarterback, or even a state governor."