20/02/2023
Happy Presidents Day!!!! There is a long history of pets in the white house today I've gathered some photos and interesting information about the most well known presidential pups throughout history.
George Washington had more than 20 dogs, they had there own kennel that he would visit every day night to check up on them and make sure they were fed and cared. Our nations first president also created the American Foxhound breed we know today to assist him on his fox hunts. His favorite of his dogs was sweetlips who he is quoted calling "the perfect foxhound".
Abraham Lincoln's dog Fido is the reason we use the name for dogs so commonly now. Our nations 16th president had to rehome Fido to a family friend after moving into the White House because Fido had trouble adjusting to his new home with the amount of people coming in and out. He was sent along with very specific care instructions to a Lincoln family friend.
Theodore Roosevelt, our nations 26th president had many pets including some exotics pets a badger and a kangaroo rat. His most notable pet however was a Bull Terrier named Pete who chased a French Ambassador up a tree. Unfortunately there are no known photos of Pete.
Franklin D. Roosevelt had 8 different dogs while serving in the White House. Our nations 32nd president's most popular dog was a Scottish Terrier named Fala, he even had his own secretary to sort out his fan mail and gifts. Fala is immortalized in statue at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt memorial in Washington D.C., the pup was even in attendance at the funeral of our nations 32nd president.
Calvin Coolidge and his family had 23 different pets while our nations 30th president was serving his term. These pets included cats, dogs, a donkey, a bobcat, and even a racoon. One of the family's most notable pets was Rob Roy a white collie who accompanied First Lady Grace Goodhue Coolidge in her official White House portrait.
John F. Kennedy, our nations 35th presidents most notable pet was his pup Pushinka. Pushinka was at one point accused of being a spy, because she was a gift from Nikita Khrushchev who at the time was the leader of the Soviet Union. In the midst of the cold war going on Pushinka was thoroughly examined before being welcomed into the White House and into the Kennedy family.
George H.W. Bush, our nations 41st president had an English Springer Spaniel named Millie. Millie was the first Presidential pup to "write" a New York Times Bestseller. With the help of First Lady Barbara Bush a book was written describing the day in the life of the President of the United States from a first dogs point of view.
Barack Obama, our nations 44th president promised his daughters a dog if he won his first Presidential race. Thus came Bo the family's Portuguese Water Dog. Bo quickly became a social media star, becoming so popular that a plush toy of Bo was sold through the White House online gift shop.
Joe Biden our nations 46th president had 2 German Shepherds when entering the White House. Champ was not new to the White House as he had visited before when President Biden served as Vice President from 2010 - 2018. Champ was included as a member of the Biden family on President Biden's plaque at the Naval Observatory. Major however was new to the White House and also happened to be the first rescue to be first dog in the white house.
Many interesting furry friends have served alongside our nation's presidents over the years. Some of which have made history for one reason or another. I hope you all have a wonderful President's Day!
