Pets seem to be special members of American presidential families at the White House. Below is a look at the pets of several U.S. presidents throughout history.
President Joe Biden has revived the tradition of presidential pets at the White House. Previously, President Donald Trump was the first president in over 100 years not to bring pets to the White House. President Biden brought two German Shepherds named Champ and Major into the White House. However, these two dogs were returned to the Biden family’s home in Delaware after one of them bit a White House security staff member.
President Bill Clinton adopted a cat named Socks. Later, Socks became known as the First Cat of the United States. In addition to Socks, President Clinton also had a Labrador Retriever named Buddy in the White House.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt had several pet dogs, but the most famous was a Scottish Terrier named Fala. Fala became one of the most famous pets of a U.S. president and is remembered alongside his owner at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C.
President Calvin Coolidge owned various pets, including a raccoon named Rebecca, and Billy – a pygmy hippopotamus. However, Coolidge’s favorite pet was a white Collie named Rob Roy. He often took Rob Roy for walks with his wife on the White House lawn.
President Barack Obama had a Portuguese Water Dog named Bo at the White House. In 2013, President Obama adopted another Portuguese Water Dog named Sunny. This breed is quite rare and special, with webbed toes for swimming.
President Richard Nixon was a great dog lover. The 37th president of the United States owned a Cocker Spaniel named Checkers.
President Gerald Ford was also a dog lover. His famous pet was Liberty, a golden retriever, given to the president when she was 8 months old.
President Theodore Roosevelt was known for his contributions to conservation, protecting land and wildlife. Throughout his presidency, he owned many pets, one of which was a black bear named Jonathan Edwards.
President Abraham Lincoln had a wild turkey named Jack.
President Thomas Jefferson loved birds. He is believed to be the first U.S. president to have pets in the White House. President Jefferson had a mockingbird named Dic that would often fly around his office.
