President Joe Biden’s two German shepherd dogs moved into White House in January 2021, restoring the long-established tradition of having a presidential pet in the White House. Donald Trump was the first United States president in over 100 years that doesn’t have a pet while in office. To celebrate the return of Pets in Chief, let’s take a look back at some of the most well-known furry friends of our US presidents.
Joe Biden’s Dog
The first shelter dog of the White House
Major is the first shelter dog living in the White House. Biden adopted him from the shelter in 2018. Major had his own “indoguration” event before the presidential inauguration and raised over $200,000 for Delaware Humane Association, Major’s former rescue home.
Joe Biden’s another German shepherd, Champ, was named by his granddaughters. Biden promised his wife Jill Biden he would get a dog after the 2008 presidential election if Barack Obama won. He purchased Champ as a puppy from a breeder in 2008. Now Champ is aged 12 and Major is 3.
Major running on the White House lawn in January 2021. Photograph by Adam Schultz.
Barack Obama’s Dogs
Love for daughters
“I love you both more than you can imagine,” Obama told his daughters, Sasha and Malia. “You have earned the puppy that is coming with us.” Barack Obama promised his daughters a puppy and accepted Bo as a gift from his friend Senator Ted Kennedy. Bo is a male Portuguese Water Dog chosen because of Malia Obama’s allergies, needing a hypoallergenic breed.
In 2013, a female dog of the same breed joined the former First Family of the United States. This younger sister of Bo is named Sunny.
Bo, left, and Sunny, the Obama family dogs, on the South Lawn of the White House, Aug. 19, 2013. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.
George W. Bush
Gifts to his wife
Over the course of president, George W. Bush had three dogs and a cat at the White House. Spot Fetcher, a female English Springer Spaniel dog, was the only pet that lived in the White House during two non-consecutive terms. She was the daughter of Millie, President George H. W. Bush’s dog.
