As I prep the hotdogs for our annual July 4th bash, I know my pitbull Sarge will be nudging me begging for a weiner. And so he should, dogs can celebrate our independence too! With that, I thought I’d pay homage to some of the greatest first dogs this country has been blessed with.
George Washington’s Dog Breeding Obsession
1789-97
Considering little can be dug up on our earliest presidents, nothing can bury the fact that our very first leader was, indeed, a huge dog lover.
Washington was most notorious for being an avid fox hunter, giving him the nickname “father (or founder) of the American Foxhound.” With his farmer upbringing and a passion for breeding hunting dogs, the commanding general of the Continental Army even tried to go hunting weekly during the American Revolution!
So, it’s no surprise that behind that sweet dollar-bill smile is just another man with his best friend.
Theodore Roosevelt’s Family of Dogs
1901-09
Roosevelt was inaugurated at the beginning of the last century. Our 26th president moved more pets into the White House than all of his six children combined!
“Teddy” and his family raised several dogs, such as Sailor Boy the Chesapeake retriever, Jack the little terrier, Skip the mongrel, and Pete the bull terrier. What’s more, Roosevelt was such an animal activist that he built 150 national forests, 51 federal bird reserves, and four national game preservatories, to name a few.
Herbert Hoover’s Dog, King Tut
1929-33
What better way to help relieve people during the Great Depression than a happy man with his dog?
Funny enough, Hoover had no experience running for office before the presidency and held a less than favorable image to his competitors. So, to win the hearts of millions, he publicised photos of him with King Tut. Nope, not the mummy but his beloved German Shepherd!
Not only did the personable political ad (in a time before TV) help him gain the most votes, but even the New York Times called it “one of the happiest photos of Hoover” ever taken.
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Dog, Fala
1933-45
A true tale of friendship is that of FDR and his black Scottish Terrier, Fala. As one of America’s favorite presidents, FDR owned several pets, with Fala being the most famous one. The cameras loved him, and he often accompanied FDR on trips.
The little guy also stirred up the notorious ‘Fala Speech,’ inspired two movies, several cartoon series, ‘supported’ the president’s 4th inauguration, and more. Plus, after FDR died in 1945, the loyal pup walked beside his old pal’s coffin – Fala is the only First Dog ever to be in the presidential memorial.
John F. Kennedy’s dogs, Pushinka, and more
1961-63
JFK’s presidency took place with the backdrop of the Cold War. President Kennedy’s dog, Pushinka (Russian for “Fluffy”), a cute little Welsh terrier, however was actually a gift by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.
What’s more, Pushinka had a famous mother, Strelka, who was the first space dog that the Russians shot up in a rocket and had come home alive!
Richard Nixon’s dog, Checkers
1969-74
Perhaps best known for the Watergate scandal, thus causing his early resignation, Richard Nixon did leave America with some soft hearts, thanks to his cocker spaniel, Checkers.
In fact, after the famous 1952 Nixon’s Checkers speech that introduced his dog to the nation, September 23 of every year became dubbed “National Dogs in Politics Day” A.K.A. “Checkers Day.”
Barack Obama’s Dog, Bo
2009-17
Our 44th president, Barack Obama, is also a lover of all things furry and four-legged.
Bo, the Obama’s Portuguese water dog, was there when the Pope visited, when they flew Air Force One, when their daughters went off to college, and more. Unfortunately, in early 2021, the beloved ‘First Dog’ passed away, and the Obamas gave him a warm dedication on social media. RIP Bo.
Joe Biden’s Dogs, Champ and Major
2021-present
As we progress more into a modern era, it seems to be a must that any new president should have a canine sidekick in the Oval office. So, Joe Biden, our newly elected (46th) president, is no exception.
Two days after his inauguration, Biden created a joint Twitter account for his ‘First Dogs,’ Champ and Major. Talk about family! The German Shepherds were also the ‘first rescued dogs to live in the White House.’
Unfortunately, Champ has recently passed but will always be remembered as the family’s “constant, cherished companion”. RIP Champ.
