Pets & Animals

The White House Hosts Presidential Pups After Four Long Years

April 3, 2022

The White House is once again uplifted with the presence of dogs—and we couldn’t be more excited! Major and Champ are the first pooches to call the White House home after 4 long years. Since William McKinley’s presidency in 1987, all of the US Presidents have had a pet, except ex-president Donald Trump.

Champ Upgrades to the White House

Champ is no stranger to US politics—in fact, as a pup, he spent many days running around the US Naval Observatory, which is the traditional home of the Vice President of the US. The Bidens adopted him back in Christmas 2008, only a short while before Obama started serving as POTUS. Also, fun fact, his name comes from the nickname Biden’s father gave him growing up!

Adam Schultz | Champ has been with the family for 12 long years

Making History as the First Rescue Dog

Pets breaking history is the kind of news we’re always elated about. After 10 great years with their first German Shepherd, Champ, the Biden family turned to the Delaware Humane Association to adopt Major. The rescue dog was part of a litter that was not doing well at all, leading to the Bidens fostering, and later, adopting him.

Adam Schultz | Major is the first rescue dog to grace the White House

No Less Important that the President’s Advisors

The White House media is every bit as excited as we are to see these absolutely adorable pets liven up the building – and they’re showing their affection in the best of ways, too. Adam Schultz, the WH photographer, shared an image of Champ and Major in the Oval Office. listening in to important Presidential meetings with the senior advisers.

Other shots feature the President-elect posing with his two German Shepherds. While Champ laid sprawled out on the rug in the Oval Office, Major stood perched next to his owner, who had a hand placed on his head, and a smile plastered to his face. From other pictures that have graced our eyes, we think it’s safe to say that the personality depicted in this image is apt of both dogs.

Another picture of both dogs in Washington snow features Champ sprawled out in a similar fashion, while Major runs freely around the grounds. The picture was captured by President Biden’s niece, Naomi Biden.

Malay Mail | President-elect's two German Shepherds

All Settled In

January 24, 2021, officially marked the day that Champ and Major started calling the White House home. The Bidens wanted to make sure they had settled in properly before bringing the dogs over from their home in Delaware. According to the First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, both Champ and Major are loving their new life—Champ is an absolute fan of his new dog bed, and Major just can’t get enough of the South Lawn.

 

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