- Dogs are the most popular presidential pets.
- The Obamas had two Portuguese water dogs, Bo and Sunny.
- The Bidens adopted a new puppy, Commander. Their dog Champ died in June, and Major was rehomed.
New York Times reporter Gray Gables wrote of Gallagher and Cleveland's other dog Millie, "Both animals take great liberties with Mr. Cleveland when he is accessible to them and when not otherwise employed, are rolling each other about on the lawn."
Laddie Boy learned to deliver the newspaper to the president's breakfast table every morning.
Coolidge was quoted as saying, "Any man who does not like dogs and want them about does not deserve to be in the White House."
He also helped Hoover get elected by appearing in a campaign photo to help the candidate appear more approachable.
A former police dog, Major caused an international incident in 1933 when he attacked the visiting British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald and nearly ripped his pants.
Roosevelt received Fala as an early Christmas present in 1940.
Feller was sent to Truman by a supporter.
Pushinka's mother was one of the first dogs to fly into and return from space.
The Kennedys also had horses, hamsters, parakeets, a canary, a cat, and a rabbit.
The dogs became national celebrities thanks to a spread in Life magazine in 1964.
Kim was born when Him was bred with another beagle in 1965.
Freckles was from the same litter as Kim.
Yuki accompanied Johnson to Cabinet meetings and the Oval Office.
Nixon's well-known dog Checkers of "Checkers speech" fame never actually lived in the White House.
Susan got Liberty as a surprise for her father when she was a puppy. Years later, Liberty had nine puppies of her own.
Grits was a gift from his daughter Amy's teacher.
Lucky never fully adjusted to life in the White House, so the Reagans sent her back to their California ranch in 1985.
Rex was a gift from conservative writer and commentator William F. Buckley.
Millie was the star of the book "Millie's Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush" in 1992.
Buddy became best friends with the Clintons' cat, Socks.
Spot was known as a friendly, obedient dog that would accompany Bush to meetings.
Barney died of lymphoma in 2013.
Bo was a gift for Sasha and Malia Obama after their father won the presidency.
"I get a memo at the beginning of the month with a request for their schedules, and I have to approve their appearances," first lady Michelle Obama told PBS in 2016.
"Today our family lost a true friend and loyal companion," President Barack Obama wrote on Twitter. "For more than a decade, Bo was a constant, gentle presence in our lives — happy to see us on our good days, our bad days, and everyday in between."
Major was the last rank Biden's son Beau held in the US Army JAG Corps before he died from a brain tumor in 2015.
Major had some trouble adjusting to life in the White House, biting a Secret Service member and a National Park Service employee in two separate incidents. The first family has since decided to rehome him.
"After consulting with dog trainers, animal behaviorists, and veterinarians, the First Family has decided … it would be safest for Major to live in a quieter environment with family friends," Jill Biden's spokesman Michael LaRosa told The New York Times' Katie Rogers. "This is not in reaction to any new or specific incident, but rather a decision reached after several months of deliberation as a family and discussions with experts."
"He was our constant, cherished companion during the last 13 years and was adored by the entire Biden family," Biden and first lady Jill wrote in a statement posted on Twitter.
Commander helped thank service members around the world and wish them a merry Christmas at a White House event with the president and first lady.
He made his TV debut on Super Bowl Sunday — the day before Valentine's Day — during an appearance at "Puppy Bowl XVIII" with the first lady.
"What's so wonderful about having pets is they bring us unconditional love, joy and comfort every day," she said in a video shared before the event. "All of us are wishing you a very happy Valentine's Day."
In January, the Bidens announced that their highly anticipated White House cat, a 2-year-old tabby named Willow, had finally joined them.
source https://www.businessinsider.com/all-the-presidents-dogs-2018-8