You may not agree with their politics, but you won’t be able to stop yourself from smiling when you see the Presidents with their dogs.
George Washington and the American Foxhound. America’s first President was not only the father of his country but also the father of the American foxhound. He carefully bred and maintained his dogs, listing more than 30 hounds in his journals, including ones named Drunkard, Tipler, and Tipsy. TimeAbraham Lincoln and Fido. This floppy-eared rough-coated dog of unknown ancestry lived with Lincoln in Springfield, Ill., for the five years before he became President. Upon his election, Lincoln decided that the dog would not survive the trip to Washington and, despite the objections of his son Tad, left Fido in Illinois. When Lincoln’s body was returned to Springfield, Fido was brought out to meet the mourners. TimeArchie Roosevelt, son of President Theodore Roosevelt (1901-09), poses with Algonquin the pony, June 17, 1902. Photos from the Library of Congress.Theodore Roosevelt Jr. and Eli the Hyacinth macaw, June 17, 1902. Library of Congress photo.Warren G. Harding & Laddie Boy. The 29th President not only gave his Airedale Terrier a hand-carved cabinet chair to sit in on high-level meetings but also threw a birthday at the White House inviting all the neighborhood dogs, where they dined on dog biscuit birthday cake.TimeGrace Coolidge with Rebecca, a cherished pet raccoon. Presidential Pet MuseumCalvin Coolidge & Rob Roy. Coolidge and his wife Grace kept an entire menagerie at their White House. In addition to a pair of white collies, Rob Roy and Prudence Prim, they kept numerous other dogs, plus raccoons, a donkey, a bobcat, canaries, a goose and a mockingbird. TimeHerbert Hoover and King Tut. In addition to this German shepherd, the 31st President owned two fox terriers named Big Ben and Sonnie, an elkhound named Weejie and an Irish wolfhound named Patrick.President Herbert Hoover (1929-33) poses with his uncomfortable-looking dog, King Tut, a Belgian shepherd. Circa 1928 photo courtesy Herbert E. French, Library of Congress.Franklin D. Roosevelt and Fala. One of the most iconic first dogs, Roosevelt’s Scottish terrier starred in a movie, was named an honorary Army private and had his own press secretary. TimeFranklin Roosevelt with his dog Fala. BuzzfeedFranklin Roosevelt with his dog Tip in New York in 1904. BuzzfeedKermit Roosevelt, son of President Theodore Roosevelt, sits with the Manchester terrier Jack on the White House lawn in 1902. Courtesy Frances Benjamin Johnston, Library of Congress.Harry S Truman and Feller The 33rd President once famously said, “You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog.” Evidently, he didn’t care much for friends, as he regifted a cocker spaniel, given to him as an unsolicited Christmas present in 1947, to the White House physician. Dog lovers around the country assailed the President for surrendering Feller, who came to be known as the Unwanted Dog. TimePresident Dwight D. Eisenhower walks by Heidi, his Weimaraner, as he returns to the White House after a press conference on March 11, 1959, at the Executive Office Building, which today is named the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in memory of the 34th president. Photo courtesy Dwight D. Eisenhower Library Center.John F. Kennedy and Shannon, Clipper, Charlie, and Wolf. Dog lovers all, the Kennedys built a special play area near the West Wing for their children and the family pets. J.F.K. was the first President to request that his dogs come out to meet the presidential helicopter when he arrived at the White House. TimeA bright spot during the cold war between the United States and the Soviet Union was Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev’s gift of a fluffy white mixed-breed puppy to little Caroline Kennedy. Presidential Pet Museum
