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America is known for being great pet lovers. American Presidents since George Washington have for the most part been dog owners. The stories about their pets, especially when they lived in the White House in Washington, D.C. is alive with fun facts and interesting incidents that depict a side of American political life seldom visited in history books. I never remember any teacher talking about the U.S. President and his pets in out Civics or History classes; although, the facts are very interesting and depict an image of the President as a person not just the leader of a great nation.

THE FACTS PLEASE!!

1. George Washington owned 36 Fox Hounds he used for hunting on a regular basis. He had a large kennel at his home in Mount Vernon.

2. President Teddy Roosevelt had a dog named “Pete”, while in the White House. The story is told how “Pete” tore into the French Ambassador during a visit at the mansion and ripped his pants off, almost causing a major international crisis! He also owned a Spaniel named “Manchu”, a Chesapeake Retriever named “Sailor Boy”, a terrier named “Jack” and a mutt named “Skip”.

3. It was reported President Franklin Roosevelt sent an American destroyer (ship) to pick up his Scottie dog, “Fala” on the Aleutians Island at a cost of $15,000.

4. President Lyndon Johnson had two cute beagles named “Him” and “Her”, when he lived in the White House, along with the famous mutt named “Yuki”, who loved to sing with the President and the white Collie named “Blanco”.

5. President Thomas Jefferson owned a Sheepdog.

6. President Grant brought his son’s Newfoundland, named “Faithful”, to the White House when he was elected.

7. President Benjamin Harrison had a dog named “Dash”.

8. President Warren Harding owned a dog named “Laddie Boy”, which was an Airedale and a Bulldog named “Oh Boy”. “Laddie Boy” sat in on cabinet meetings with the president and had his own chair.

9. The feisty and sometimes fiery President Harry Truman owned a mutt named “Feller” and an Irish setter named “Mike”. Truman is credited as coining the quote: “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.”

10. President Monroe owned a Spaniel.

11. President Lincoln had 2 dogs that romped around the White House lawns – “Fido” and “Jip”.

12. President Hayes loved big dogs and owned 4: “Duke” an English Mastiff, “Hector” and “Nellie” German Shepherds and “Grim” a Greyhound.

13. President Calvin Coolidge owned over 10 dogs which included – a Terrier named “Peter Pan”, 2 white Collies, 2 Chows, a Bull dog named “Boston Beans”, a Sheep dog named “Calamity Jane” and more.

14. President Richard Nixon had several dogs while in office. One Spaniel became fairly famous to most of America; his name was “Checkers” and was with Nixon when he was Vice-President. While in the White House he owned “Vicki” a poodle,
”Pasha” a terrier and “King Timahoe” an Irish setter.

15. President Ford had a Golden Retriever named “Liberty”, who gave birth to puppies while he was in the White House (9 pups).

16. President Reagan had 2 dogs at first when he went to live in the White House, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called “Rex” and a Bouvier des Flandres named “Lucky”. After the President was photographed in some moments when “Lucky” was dragging him across the White House yard he was banished to the California ranch.

17. President G.H. Bush had a Springer Spaniel dog called “Millie” of whom a book was written. In fact more books about “Millie” sold than the autobiography of her owner George H. Bush!

18. President Bill Clinton had a Chocolate Lab named “Buddy”, while President. (Plus a cat named “Socks”).

19. President George W. Bush had a Scottish terrier named “Barney” one named “Ms Beazley” and an English Springer Spaniel named “Spot”, during his 2 terms in office. (Plus a cat named “India”).

20. President John Kennedy had 8 dogs while President: Welsh Terriers – “Charlie” and “Pushinka”, a German Shepherd named “Clipper”, an Irish Cocker Spaniel named “Shannon”, an Irish Wolfhound named “Wolf” and 3 Terriers called “Tips”, “Blackie” and “Streaker”. Russian Premier Kruschev gave the President the dog named “Pushinka” which was an offspring of the Russian space dog “Strelka”. When “Pushinka” had 4 puppies the President called then “pupniks”. The Irish Cocker was also a gift from the Prime Minister of Ireland, while Kennedy was President.

21. President Eisenhower had a Weimaramer named “Heidi”.

22. President Garfield had a dog named “veto”.

23. President Buchanon owned a Newfoundland dog named “Lara”, besides have a pair of Bald Eagles!

24. President Hoover had many dogs, perhaps over 12 during his tenure as President of the United States. He was photographed often with his police dog shepherd “King Tut”.

25. President Obama now has a Portuguese water dog named “Bo”.

Most American Presidents have had some type of pet while living in the White House and they have all not been dogs! Goats, horses, reptiles, birds and many other animals have all lived in the White House as honored pets over the years!