Presidential pups: 10+ White House dogs you need to know about

Ever heard of National Dogs in Politics Day? No, we’re not pulling your paw! It’s a thing - also known as National Checkers Day - which takes place on the 23rd September and commemorates political pooches, past and present. 

Make no doubt about it: being a dog in the White House is important business. These presidential pups aren’t spending their days lounging around the Oval Office and catching zzz’s in between press conferences. In fact, the First Dog of the United States (FDOTUS - a noble title, we’ll have you know) is tasked with some very important duties, from keeping the White House safe from rogue squirrels to picking up shifts on the police force. 

Now, you certainly don’t need to ask us twice to write a whole article all about White House dogs! So, in celebration of this patriotic day, we’ve pawed out 10+ of the most notable canines that have made the White House their home…

Dogs in politics: 10+ presidential pooches you need to know about

Dogs are the most popular presidential pets, with 33 presidents owning a dog while in office. That amounts to over 100 dogs that have called the White House their home! We do hope there’s a spare lint roller in the Oval Office - or should that be Oval Pawfice?

While we’d love to tell you about each and every one, here are a couple to get you started: 

1. Laddie Boy
2. King Tut
3. Pushinka
4. Grits
5. Lucky & Rex
6. Millie & Ranger
7. Buddy
8. Barney & Miss Beazley
9. Bo & Sunny
10. Champ, Major & Commander

1. Laddie Boy (President Warren G. Harding)

Laddie Boy was an Airedale Terrier belonging to President Warren G. Harding, who joined the list of White House dogs when he moved into the Presidential palace in 1921. 

He became somewhat of a celebrity during Harding’s time in office, and the White House Historical Association notes that Laddie Boy “was the perfect representation of Harding’s 1921 campaign slogan, ‘Return to Normalcy.’” 

Laddie Boy had an active role as FDOTUS: he delivered newspapers to the President each morning; he hosted the 1923 White House Easter Egg Roll on the White House lawns, and he regularly sat in on impawtant meetings... he even had his own cabinet chair!

2. King Tut (President Herbert Hoover) 

President Herbert Hoover actually had around 15 pooches during his time in office, although King Tut - a Belgian Shepherd -, was by far the most famous (and rumoured to be Hoover’s favourite. Although, we would never propose playing favourites among pets!). 

His appearance in Hoover's campaign photo helped to transform the President’s public image with US voters, and portrayed him as much more warm and approachable. Nothing brings people together quite like dogs, huh?

As well as helping Hoover's public perception, King Tut would also patrol the White House gates and went on to work as a patrol dog for the White House police force.

3. Pushinka (President John F. Kennedy)

Doing wonders for international relations, Pushinka was given to JFK as a gift by Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev. It certainly beats any gift we've been given!

Now, buckle in, because there's a LOT to say when it comes to Pushinka. Firstly, her mother was one of the first ever dogs to fly into (and safely return from) space!

With tensions high during the Cold War, some Americans were suspicious of Pushinka, and thought she may be wearing a listening device. However, after being examined and gaining clearance, any suspicions she might be a spy were swiftly dismissed, and this Cold War canine was warmly welcomed into the Kennedy household.

JFK kept Pushinka (amongst other pets) despite the fact he had a documented dog allergy. Honestly, we'd take a lifetime of antihistamines for Pushinka…

4. Grits (President Jimmy Carter)

President Carter’s Spaniel mix, Grits, was born on the same day Carter was elected president. Serendipitous or what? 

Like many of our White House dogs, Grits was an important part of Reagan’s political canine cabinet. He even worked on a PR campaign on a drive against canine heartworms!

5. Lucky & Rex (President Ronald Reagan)

President Ronald Reagan shared the White House with his two pups: a Bouvier des Flandres named Lucky, and a Charles Spaniel named Rex. 

Reagan loved his fur family - he even wrote about them in his diaries, and kept him company while First Lady, Nancy Reagan was away: "Rex and I are lonesome", "Rex and I are roommates again", and "Upstairs and waiting for Nancy's return and here she is. Me and the dog are very happy."

We wonder if he had ever considered house sitting?

6. Millie & Ranger (President George Bush)

Millie and Ranger were two Springer Spaniels belonging to George H.W. Bush. 

Millie lived a star-studded life: after giving birth to her six puppies, she and First Lady, Barbara Bush were featured on the cover of Life magazine. She was also the star of “Millie’s Book,” which reached No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller non-fiction list.

In 2004, Houston's first-ever dog park, Millie Bush Bark Park (in George Bush Park, naturally) was opened after much petitioning from local residents.

7. Buddy (President Bill Clinton)

Buddy, a Chocolate Labrador belonging to Bill Clinton, was a beloved White House pet. He was even named after Clinton’s late great uncle, Henry “Buddy” Grisham. 

After entering the White House, Buddy took America by storm, and soon enough websites and fan clubs began to pop up in his name.

Buddy too lived a life in the spotlight - he and Socks (the Clinton’s famous feline) even broke the literary world when First Lady, Hillary Clinton, published a book of children's letters to the two pets, with all proceeds going to the National Park Foundation. 

8. Barney & Miss Beazley (President George W. Bush)

Barney and Miss Beazley were Scottish terriers owned by George W. Bush.

The President’s dogs became much loved by the nation during Bush's time in office. Barney even had his own website where he would star in “Barney Cam” - a series of videos from the dog’s perspective on White House affairs. He and Miss Beazley also featured in the White House Christmas video, A Very Beazley Christmas.

9. Bo & Sunny (President Barack Obama)

Bo and Sunny were two Portuguese water dogs owned by the Obama family. Bo, a male Portuguese water dog, entered the White House shortly after Obama’s presidential win in 2009. This was a promise was made to his daughters, Sasha and Malia, that they would get a dog after the election - win or lose.

Sunny, Bo’s sister and fellow Portuguese water dog, joined the family a few later in 2013.

Apparently, these two political pups were so high in demand, that they had their own official schedules for White House appearances!

10. Champ, Major & Commander (President Joe Biden) 

Champ and Major, the Biden's two German Shepherds, entered the White House after Biden's presidential win in 2021.

Sadly, Champ passed away shortly after in June 2021. Major's stint in the White House was equally short-lived: after struggling to settle into life at the White House, he was eventually rehomed with some family friends.

Biden wasn't sans-dog for long, though - on his 79th birthday, he was gifted a new puppy and FDOTUS, another German Shepherd named Commander. We're starting to think the Biden's might be quite fond of German Shepherds, what do you think?

There we have it! Just over 10 (seriously cute) canine candidates that have made the White House their home. What can we say? They get our vote…