United States presidential pets

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Socks at the White House Press Briefing Room lectern in 1993
Grace Coolidge with Laddie Boy, an Airedale Terrier, and Rob Roy, a white Collie

Most United States presidents have kept pets while in office, or pets have been part of their families.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Only James K. Polk, Andrew Johnson, and Donald Trump did not have any presidential pets while in office<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> (however, Johnson did take care of some mice he found in his bedroom).<ref name="thoughtlongley" /> Template:Horizontal TOC

History of White House pets

Barney, India, and Miss Beazley, three pets of the George W. Bush White House

The first White House dog to receive regular newspaper coverage was Warren G. Harding's dog Laddie Boy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Pets also featured in presidential elections. Herbert Hoover got a "Belgian Police Dog" (Belgian Malinois),<ref name="Hoover Library & Museum" /> King Tut, during his campaign and pictures of him with his new dog were sent all across the United States.

Theodore Roosevelt was known for having many pets in the White House. He had six children who owned pets including snakes, dogs, cats, a badger, birds, and guinea pigs.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 1944, Franklin D. Roosevelt was running for his fourth term when rumors surfaced that his Scottish Terrier, Fala, had accidentally been left behind when visiting the Aleutian Islands. After allegedly sending back ships to rescue his dog, Roosevelt was ridiculed and accused of spending thousands of taxpayers' dollars to retrieve his dog. At a speech following this Roosevelt said, "You can criticize me, my wife and my family, but you can't criticize my little dog. He's Scottish and all these allegations about spending all this money have just made his little soul furious."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> What was later called the "Fala speech" reportedly helped secure reelection for Roosevelt.<ref name="NCC">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Richard Nixon was accused of hiding a secret slush fund during his candidacy for vice president under Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952. He gave the televised "Checkers speech" named after his cocker spaniel, denying he had a slush fund but admitting, "there is one thing that I did get as a gift that I'm not going to give back."<ref name="k-state.edu">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The gift was a black-and-white cocker spaniel, Checkers, given to his daughters. Although there had been talk of Nixon being dropped from the ticket, following his speech he received an increase in support and Mamie Eisenhower reportedly recommended he stay because he was "such a warm person."<ref>DVM: The Newsmagazine of Veterinary Medicine; Oct2008, Vol. 39 Issue 10, p22-22, 2/3pTemplate:Title missing</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

President Lyndon B. Johnson caused controversy when he was photographed lifting his beagles, named Him and Her, by their ears. Some did not understand the controversy; former president Harry S. Truman said, "What the hell are the critics complaining about; that's how you handle hounds."<ref name="k-state.edu"/> Him died after he was run over by the presidential limousine.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Bill Clinton moved into the White House with Socks, a tuxedo cat, who in 1991 was reported to have jumped into the arms of Chelsea Clinton after piano lessons while the Clintons were living in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was later joined in 1997 by Buddy, a Labrador Retriever, during Clinton's second term.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The two pets reportedly did not get along, with Clinton later saying "I did better with the Palestinians and the Israelis than I've done with Socks and Buddy" while Hillary Clinton said Socks "despised" Buddy at first sight.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The two were, however, the subject of a book, Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets written by then First Lady Hillary Clinton and appeared as cartoons in the kids' section of the first White House website.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

While George W. Bush was president, he had three dogs and a cat at the White House.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Among the canines was Spot Fetcher, an English Springer Spaniel and the offspring of George H. W. Bush's dog, Millie.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This made Spotty the first animal to live in the White House under two different administrations, having been born there in 1989 and passed away there in 2004.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Barack and Michelle Obama were without pets prior to the 2008 election, but promised their daughters they could get a dog when the family moved into the White House.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They selected Bo, a Portuguese Water Dog, partly due to Malia Obama's allergies and the need for a hypoallergenic pet.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The puppy was a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and was later joined by Sunny, a female of the same breed.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bo was featured in the 2010 children's book Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters, written by President Obama with illustrations by Loren Long.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

Joe and Jill Biden moved into the White House with two German Shepherds, Champ and Major.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Major was the first shelter dog in the White House, while Champ returned to Washington, having joined the Biden family during Joe Biden's tenure as vice-president.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Bidens announced the death of 13-year-old Champ on June 19, 2021.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In December 2021, the Bidens announced the arrival of a pedigreed German Shepherd puppy named Commander, gifted to them by Joe Biden's brother. Officials later told the press that Major had been rehomed to a quieter environment following a series of biting incidents. Commander also had to be rehomed after at least 25 biting incidents.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Bidens had also promised they would get a cat, and they fulfilled that promise in January 2022 by adding a two-year-old gray tabby, Willow, to the family.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

List of presidential pets

In addition to traditional pets, this list includes some animals normally considered livestock or working animals that have a close association with presidents or their families. Presidents have often been given exotic animals from foreign dignitaries; occasionally these are kept, but often they are promptly donated to a zoo.

George Washington

Portrait of George Washington Taking the Salute at Trenton by John Faed shows Washington on his horse Blueskin
  • Sweetlips,<ref name="usnews">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Scentwell and Vulcan<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> (among others)<ref name="number unknown" group="key" /> – American FoxhoundsTemplate:Efn

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> a gift from King Charles III of Spain<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> – horses<ref name="breed unknown" group="key">Breed unknown</ref><ref name=WhiteHouse(1999)>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> that were Washington's wartime mounts

  • SnipeTemplate:Efn – parrot<ref name="species unknown" group="key">Species unknown</ref> said to have been owned by First Lady Martha Washington<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> – stallions

John Adams

  • Juno, Mark, and Satan<ref name="usnews"/> – dogs<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" />
  • Cleopatra and Caesar<ref name=":1" /> – horses<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" />

Thomas Jefferson

  • Dick – mockingbird;<ref name="species unknown" group="key" /> Dick was the favorite from among at least four mockingbirds the president had while in office<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Bergère and Grizzle – shepherd dogs from France, possibly Briards<ref name=choron2/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Caractacus – horse named after Caratacus, a 1st-century British chieftain. The horse was the offspring of Jefferson's mare Allycroker and a Godolphin Arabian named Young Fearnought<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Sheep – beginning in 1807, the president bred sheep from "four of the most remarkeable varietiesTemplate:Efn [...] pro bono publico." By spring 1808, nearly 40 sheep were grazing at the president's house. One notorious Shetland ram was said to have killed "a fine little boy."<ref name=

"Jefferson sheep">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Efn

James Madison

James Monroe

  • Buddy<ref name=mob/> - A spaniel<ref name=choron2/> belonged to Monroe's youngest daughter, Maria Hester Monroe<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Sheepdogs were provided by Marquis de Lafayette as working dogs on Monroe's farm.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

John Quincy Adams

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="NCBLA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • An alligator<ref name=":1" /> – Said to have belonged to Marquis de Lafayette and housed for two months in the East Room.Template:EfnTemplate:Efn Although this story has been widely circulated, the lack of evidence from contemporary accounts or official records suggests an apocryphal myth.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Andrew Jackson

  • Poll – grey parrot who learned to swear. Anecdotally,Template:Efn it is said that she attended Jackson's funeral and had to be removed due to loud and persistent profanity.<ref name="Parrots-Lafeber"/>
  • Fighting cocks<ref name="name unknown" group="key" /><ref name="number unknown" group="key" />
  • Bolivia, Emily, Lady Nashville, Sam Patch, and Truxton – horses<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" /> Sam Patch was named after the famous daredevil known as "The Yankee Leaper."

Martin Van Buren

  • Two tiger cubs – It is said that Van Buren received them from Said bin Sultan, Sultan of Muscat and Oman but Congress quickly forced him to donate the tigers to the zoo.<ref name="NCBLA" /><ref name="thoughtlongley">Template:Cite news</ref> This story, however, is likely untrue and conflated with a rumor of a similar story at the time, relating to a gift including two lions<ref name=WETA>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> from the emperor of Morocco and the American Consulate in Tangier.<ref name="Slate 2021">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Although the Sultan did send a ship with many exotic gifts, (including two horses) that became a point of contention within Congress, there is no contemporary reference to tiger cubs.<ref name=WETA/>

William Henry Harrison

John Tyler

James K. Polk

  • None<ref name="thoughtlongley" />

Zachary Taylor

  • Old Whitey – horse<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" /> Taylor's wartime mount
  • Apollo – Pony;<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" /> formerly a "trick pony" from a circus, a present for Taylor's daughter Betty and resided in the White House stables with Old Whitey<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Millard Fillmore

Franklin Pierce

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Two birds from Japan,<ref name="name unknown" group="key" /><ref name="species unknown" group="key" /> which had just opened its trading posts to the United States.

James Buchanan

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Punch – Toy terrier
  • Eagle<ref name="name unknown" group="key" /><ref name="species unknown" group="key" />
  • Two Thai elephants – Mary and Buddha; sent to President Buchanan by King Mongkut of Siam, but arrived when Abraham Lincoln was president who refused them as a gift.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> The elephants were then sent to the Philadelphia Zoo.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Abraham Lincoln

Old Bob caparisoned in a mourning blanket at Abraham Lincoln's funeral
  • Nanny and Nanko – goats<ref name=WhiteHouse(1999) />
  • Jack – Turkey,<ref name=WhiteHouse(1999) /> intended as Christmas dinner, but Tad Lincoln intervened<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Fido – dog,<ref name="usnews"/><ref name=choron2/> "assassinated"<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> by a drunk with a knife, a few months after Lincoln's assassination;<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> "Fido" became a generic name for a dog because of Lincoln's famous dog<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Jip – dog<ref name=choron2/>
  • Tabby and Dixie – cats. Lincoln was gifted Tabby and Dixie from his Secretary of State William Seward when it was decided that Lincoln’s dog Fido would have to stay home in Illinois after his election. Lincoln once remarked that Dixie "is smarter than my whole cabinet."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Horse<ref name="name unknown" group="key" /><ref name="breed unknown" group="key" />
  • Rabbit<ref name="name unknown" group="key" /><ref name="breed unknown" group="key" />
  • Old Bob – horse
  • Pig – One lived on the White House grounds<ref name=mob/>

Andrew Johnson

  • Johnson fed white mice that he found in his bedroom<ref name="name unknown" group="key" /><ref name="number unknown" group="key" /><ref name="thoughtlongley" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Ulysses S. Grant

  • Butcher's Boy, Cincinnati, Egypt, Jeff Davis (his wartime mount), Jennie, Julia, Mary, and St. Louis – Horses.<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" /> Grant purchased Butcher's Boy from a butcher following an impromptu race on D.C. streets where he lost to this horse pulling a butcher's cart.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Cincinnati was a thoroughbred of renowned racing pedigree.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Billy Button and Reb – ponies<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" />
  • Faithful – Newfoundland<ref name=choron2/>
  • Rosie – dog<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" />
  • Parrot<ref name=mob/>

Rutherford B. Hayes

James A. Garfield

  • Kit – horse<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" />
  • Veto<ref name="usnews"/> – dog<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" />

Chester A. Arthur

  • Rabbit<ref name="name unknown" group="key" /><ref name="breed unknown" group="key" />
  • Four standardbreds<ref name="name unknown" group="key" />
  • Indian pony – gift from the Eastern Shoshone<ref name="name unknown" group="key" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Coquette – horse<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" />

Grover Cleveland

  • Hector – German poodle<ref name=choron2/>
  • Mockingbirds<ref name="name unknown" group="key" /><ref name="species unknown" group="key" /><ref name="number unknown" group="key" />
  • Three<ref name="Kelly(Cleveland)">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Dachshunds<ref name=choron2/>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Hundreds of imported fish, including exotic fish and common goldfish<ref name=":3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

    • Paradise fish – A gift from the ruler of Siam (now Thailand)<ref name="Kelly(Cleveland)"/><ref name=":3" />

Benjamin Harrison

Template:Multiple image

  • Whiskers ("His Whiskers," or "Old Whiskers") – goat,<ref name=WhiteHouse(1999) /><ref name="WH for kids" /> kept at the White House for the president's grandchildren; may have belonged to Russell Harrison<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Dash – collie<ref name=choron2/>
  • Mr. Reciprocity and Mr. Protection – opossums,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> named from the 1896 Republican party platform,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> which includes: "Protection and reciprocity are twin measures of Republican policy and go hand in hand."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Two alligators – According to one account, Russell Harrison kept two alligators in the White House conservatory<ref>San Francisco Chronicle. "Russell Harrison's Alligator Didn't Influence His Friends' Luck." May 9, 1890. Via: {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

William McKinley

  • Washington Post (or "Loretta")<ref name="Slate(2021-01-31)">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> – Yellow-headed Mexican parrot; could whistle "Yankee Doodle"<ref name="Parrots-Lafeber" />

Theodore Roosevelt

Archie riding Algonquin
Roosevelt family with Skip
Illustration of Slippers, the White House catTemplate:Efn

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Baron Spreckle – hen,<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" /><ref name="National Park Service" /> likely named after sugar baron Claus Spreckels
  • Bill the Lizard – lizard,<ref name="species unknown" group="key" /><ref name="National Park Service" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> brought from California and described as a "horned frog"<ref name="Treasures">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> (cf. horned toad); likely named after Lewis Carroll's Bill the Lizard.

  • Blackjack – Manchester Terrier
  • Eli Yale – Hyacinth macaw<ref name="National Park Service" /> Named after the British merchant (also College namesake)
  • Emily Spinach – garter snake,<ref name="species unknown" group="key" /><ref name="National Park Service" /> so named by Roosevelt's daughter Alice because "it was as green as spinach and as thin as my Aunt Emily"<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Fedelity – pony<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" />
  • Gem and Susan – dogs<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" />
  • Jack<ref name="National Park Service" /> and Pete – terriers<ref name="breed unknown" group="key"/><ref name=choron2/><ref name="National Park Service" /><ref name="usnews"/> Pete was exiled to Long Island "after chomping on one too many legs."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=choron2/>

  • Jonathan Edwards – small black bear from West Virginia<ref name="National Park Service">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> named after the religious leader, an ancestor of Mrs. Roosevelt;<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> eventually sent to the Bronx Zoo<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Jonathan – Piebald rat<ref name="species unknown" group="key" />
  • Josiah (or "Josh")<ref name="Treasures" /> – badger<ref name="species unknown" group="key" /><ref name="National Park Service" /> During a railroad tour of the West, the president acquired two-week-old Josiah at a stop in Sharon Springs, Kansas<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
  • Manchu – Pekingese dog<ref name=choron2/><ref name="National Park Service" />
  • Maude – pig<ref name="National Park Service" />
  • Peter Rabbit – rabbit;<ref name="species unknown" group="key" /><ref name="National Park Service" /> was given a "proper state" funeral<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Cf. Peter Rabbit.

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Barn owl<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Fierce<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> – one-legged rooster<ref name="National Park Service" />

  • Lion<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

William Howard Taft

  • Caruso – dog,<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" /> a gift for Taft's daughter Helen from opera singer Enrico Caruso; after a White House performance, he decided that cows were not appropriate pets for a little girl<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Mooly Wooly<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" /> and Pauline Wayne – cows. Pauline (or "Miss Wayne") was a Holstein of considerable fame; she "went missing" for two days.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Woodrow Wilson

  • Davie – Airedale Terrier<ref name=choron2/>
  • Old Ike – ram,<ref name="Wilson(Kelly)" /> led the flock of sheep<ref name="Slate 2021" />
  • Puffins – cat<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" /><ref name="Wilson(Kelly)" />
  • Bruce – Bull Terrier<ref name="Wilson(Kelly)" />
  • Songbirds<ref name="name unknown" group="key" /><ref name="species unknown" group="key" /><ref name="number unknown" group="key" />
  • Sheep<ref name="name unknown" group="key" /> – The flock, numbering 48 at its peak,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> kept the White House lawn trimmed "in the most economical way".<ref name="Wilson(Kelly)">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Their wool was sold to benefit the Red Cross<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Warren G. Harding

Laddie Boy
  • Laddie Boy (July 26, 1920 – January 23, 1929) – Airedale Terrier<ref name="usnews"/><ref name=choron2/>
  • Old Boy – Bulldog<ref name=choron2/>
  • Petey – canary<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Bob – canary<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Numerous canaries, names not recorded<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Pete – squirrel<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Calvin Coolidge

Portrait of Rob Roy and Grace Coolidge
  • Rob Roy (1922–1928) and Prudence Prim – White collies<ref name=choron2/>
  • Peter Pan – Wirehair Fox Terrier,<ref name="Wombats"/><ref name=choron2/> the Coolidges' first White House dog;
  • Paul Pry – Airedale Terrier,<ref name=choron2/> half-brother of Warren Harding's Laddy Boy<ref name="Wombats" />
  • Calamity Jane – Shetland Sheepdog<ref name=choron2/>
  • Tiny Tim and Blackberry – Chow Chows<ref name=choron2/>
  • Ruby Rouch – collie<ref name=choron2/>
  • Boston Beans – Boston bulldog<ref name=choron2/>
  • King Cole – Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendael)<ref name="Coolidge Foundation" />
  • Palo Alto ("Palo") – A black and white English Setter, a bird dog that Coolidge soon gave to Colonel Starling,<ref name="Wombats" /> chief of the Secret Service detail in the White House
  • Bessie – collie
  • Rebecca – raccoon,<ref name="species unknown" group="key" /><ref name=bauer/><ref name="Coolidge Foundation"/> Rebecca was intended for a Thanksgiving feast; First Lady Grace had a tree-house built for her instead<ref name="Wombats">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="WHHA" />

  • Reuben – A male raccoon acquired as a companion for Rebecca; soon escaped and not recovered<ref name="WHHA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Ebeneezer – donkey
  • Nip and Tuck – canaries, both olive green in color; the Coolidges' first birds<ref name="Wombats" />
  • Peter Piper and Snowflake – Two more canaries; Snowflake was white<ref name="Wombats" />
  • Goldy – A "yellow bird"<ref name="species unknown" group="key" /><ref name="Coolidge Foundation" /><ref name="Wombats" />
  • Do-Funny – a trained songbird (troupial)<ref name="species unknown" group="key" /> from South America;<ref name="Wombats"/> said to be Mrs. Coolidge's favorite bird<ref name="Coolidge Foundation"/>
  • Enoch – goose<ref name="species unknown" group="key" />
  • Smoky – bobcat
  • Blacky and Tiger (or "Tige") – cats<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" /><ref name="Wombats"/><ref name="Coolidge Foundation">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • A wallaby – Promptly given to a zoo<ref name="Coolidge Foundation"/>
  • A duiker (a very small type of antelope) – Also sent to the zoo<ref name="Coolidge Foundation"/>
  • Bruno – A black bear from Chihuahua, Mexico; Mrs. Coolidge promptly sent him to a zoo<ref name="Coolidge Foundation"/>
  • Pekin ducks – Thirteen ducklings were received as an Easter gift; Mrs. Coolidge attempted to raise them in a White House bathroom, but eventually sent them to a zoo<ref name="Coolidge Foundation"/>

Herbert Hoover

Herbert Hoover with King Tut
  • Mr. Cat – a cat<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
  • Billy Possum – A wild opossum that occupied Rebecca's vacant tree-house and was "adopted" by the Hoovers;<ref name="WHHA" /> temporarily filled in for a local high school's missing mascot.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The name likely derives from a nickname used for the 27th president, William Howard Taft.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:AnchorFranklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt and Fala (1940)

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> After a number of White House biting incidents, he was sent to live at Roosevelt's private residence in Hyde Park, New York.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Harry S. Truman

  • Feller – Cocker Spaniel,<ref name=planet/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> because the Trumans "preferred to be a pet-free family" he was given as a puppy to Truman's personal physician<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} (slide 11/26)</ref> and claimed to not be a "pet lover" <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Dwight D. Eisenhower

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

John F. Kennedy

The Kennedy family and dogs
  • Gaullie – poodle<ref>Sally Bedell Smith, Grace And Power, Random House, Inc., 2006, Template:ISBN, p. 219.</ref>
  • Charlie – Welsh Terrier<ref name=planet/>
  • Tom Kitten – cat<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" /><ref name="jfklibrary.org">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Robin – canary<ref name="jfklibrary.org"/>
  • Bluebell and Marybelle – parakeets<ref name="jfklibrary.org"/>
  • Ducks – JFK's daughter, five-year-old Caroline raised ducklings at the White House.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Ongoing conflicts with their terrier Charlie prompted sending them to Rock Creek Park.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Lyndon B. Johnson

Johnson lifting Him by the ears
  • Him and Her – beagles<ref name=planet/><ref name=john/><ref name=days>Bryant, Traphes, with Frances Spatz Leighton, Dog Days at the White House: The Outrageous Memoirs of the Presidential Kennel Keeper, New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1975. Template:ISBN</ref>
  • Edgar – beagle<ref name="usnews"/><ref name=planet/><ref name=john>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=days/>

  • Blanco – white collie<ref name=planet/><ref name=john/><ref name=days/>
  • Freckles – beagle<ref name=planet/>
  • Yuki – mongrel dog<ref name=planet/><ref name=john/><ref name=days/> famous for "singing duets" (howling) with Johnson for White House guests<ref name="NewsOK">Template:Cite news</ref>
  • Hamsters<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" />
  • Lovebirds<ref name="species unknown" group="key" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Richard Nixon

King Timahoe, Vicky and Pasha looking out the window in the White House
  • Vicky – poodle<ref name="RNPL">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=planet/><ref name=gmu>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Gerald Ford

  • Liberty (February 8, 1974 – 1984) – Golden Retriever<ref name=planet/>
  • Misty – Liberty's puppy, born in the White House
  • Shan – Siamese cat<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Jimmy Carter

Amy Carter with her cat Misty Malarky Ying Yang

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> after snapping at several White House visitors<ref name="usnews"/>

  • Lewis Brown – Afghan hound<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Misty Malarky Ying Yang, daughter Amy Carter's pet – Siamese cat<ref name=bauer>Stephen Bauer, At Ease in the White House: Social Life as Seen by a Presidential Military Aide, Taylor Trade Publications, 2004. Template:ISBN. p. 224.</ref>
  • Elephant – given to his daughter Amy but it was sent to the National zoo<ref name=mob/>

Ronald Reagan

Rex, Ronald Reagan's dog
  • Lucky (October 4, 1983 – January 5, 1995) – Bouvier des Flandres<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=coren>Stanley Coren, Why Does My Dog Act That Way?, Simon and Schuster, 2007, Template:ISBN. p. 6.</ref><ref name=coren2>Stanley Coren, Why We Love the Dogs We Do: How to Find the Dog That Matches Your Personality, Simon and Schuster, 2000, Template:ISBN. p. 5.</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

George H. W. Bush

George H. W. Bush walking with Millie and Ranger

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Ranger (March 17, 1989 – April 10, 1993) – one of Millie's puppies<ref name=planet>Sandra Choron, Planet Dog: A Doglopedia, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2005, Template:ISBN. p. 21.</ref><ref>George H. W. Bush, All the Best, George Bush Simon and Schuster, 2000, p. 595, correspondence from September 10, 1996, Template:ISBN</ref>

Bill Clinton

  • Socks (March 15, 1989 – February 20, 2009) – Cat<ref name="breed unknown" group="key" /><ref name="WH for kids" />
  • Buddy (August 7, 1997 – January 2, 2002) – Chocolate Labrador Retriever<ref name="WH for kids">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

George W. Bush

Barack Obama

Bo and Sunny
  • Bo (October 9, 2008 – May 8, 2021) – Portuguese Water Dog.<ref name="usnews"/>
  • Sunny (born June 11, 2012) – Portuguese Water Dog.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Donald Trump

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Joe BidenTemplate:Anchor

  • Champ<ref name="Vogue">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> (November 11, 2008 – June 19, 2021) – German Shepherd

  • Major<ref name="Vogue" /> (born January 17, 2018) – A German Shepherd rescue. Sent to live with family friends in Delaware by December 2021 after several White House biting incidents.
  • Commander<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> (born September 1, 2021) – A German Shepherd given to the Bidens as a puppy by the president's brother, also removed from White House after biting incidents.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Willow<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> – A gray tabby cat who was adopted after the cat jumped onstage during a rally in Pennsylvania in 2020. Willow, who Biden described as having "no limits," often slept on top of the president's head during his term.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Key

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See also

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Notes

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References

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Template:United States presidential pets Template:Lists of US Presidents and Vice Presidents Template:United States presidential family political lines

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