All eyes were on the newly elected POTUS Joe Biden and FLOTUS Dr. Jill Biden as they moved into the White House on January 20, 2021. All canine eyes, however, are on Champ and Major, the new FDOTUS or “First Dogs of the United States.” Pet lovers around the world are giddy with excitement as the White House will once again be the most famous dog house in America. But for Champ and Major, President-elect Joe Biden will still just be their “dog dad.”
First Shelter Dog in the White House
Both Champ and Major are German shepherds, and Major will be the first shelter dog to be “indogurated.” The Bidens adopted Major in March 2018 after the Biden’s daughter Ashley, saw a post on Facebook seeking foster families for a litter of puppies with health issues. The Bidens had always wanted a sibling for Champ, and quickly contacted the Delaware Humane Association where Major was recovering from treatment due to being exposed to toxins. Happily, all five of Major’s litter mates recovered and were adopted.
For Champ, the move to Washington D.C. as a presidential pet will be familiar, as he spent eight years living in the vice-presidential residence about two miles from the White House during Biden’s terms as vice president. The Bidens adopted Champ on Christmas 2008 at which time Biden said, “I’ve had German shepherds since I was a kid and I’ve actually trained them and shown them in the past.”1 Champ, however, should feel right at home in the Oval Office, as he had frequent play dates with Bo and Sunny, the Obama family dogs.
Past President's Pets
Dogs, and pets in general, are not new to the White House. Dogs have been the most popular presidential pet with 32 of 45 presidents having at least one dog, starting with George Washington.4 Technically, Washington did not live in the White House, which wasn’t built until President John Adams succeeded Washington, but it’s not an exaggeration to say that our first president loved dogs. In fact, he is believed to have owned over 50 dogs during his lifetime, and several during his presidency. Pets of all variety have been welcome in the White House with 43 of 45 presidents having a variety of pets in the White House including horses, rabbits, chickens, a racoon and even alligators during the presidencies of John Quincy Adams and Herbert Hoover.
But before Champ and Major get too comfortable in their new home, they should know that the Bidens have announced they plan to adopt a cat to serve as First Feline (and undoubtedly take control of the entire White House). The original First Feline of the United States (FFOTUS) to live in the White House was during President Lincoln’s presidency, and included many stray cats that the president would welcome to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. President Lincoln was known to love cats and was often photographed with his cats Tabby and Dixie. At one point, according to the Presidential Pet Museum, the president (who never told a lie) famously exclaimed, “Dixie is smarter than my whole cabinet! And furthermore, she doesn’t talk back!”3
Life of a Presidential Pet
The public has always been fascinated by presidential pets which has resulted in quite a few tall “tails” about what it’s like for a dog or cat to live in the White House. One common question is whether presidential pets are protected by the secret service. Unfortunately, for Champ and Major, the answer is “no.” According to federal law, secret service protection is provided to presidents, vice-presidents and their immediate families, which does not include pets. Even though we often consider our pets to be members of the family, pets are categorized as “property” under the law.
Nonetheless, Secret Service agents have frequently been photographed walking presidential dogs, which lead to speculation that protection was being provided. However, according to the former Secret Service agent Dan Emmett, “walking the dog or cat is not part not and will never be part of an agent’s job description.”2 Obviously, Secret Service agents are highly trained and skilled, but apparently, even the most hardened Secret Service agents are powerless when it comes to forming bonds with presidential pets which is why agents often volunteer for dog-walking duty.
Presidential pets undoubtedly enjoy many perks of living in the White House, after all, there are five full time chefs ready to whip up a meal whenever the president is hungry, which means plenty of opportunity for table scraps. Also, Champ and Major will have over 18 acres of White House lawn to sniff, and 55,000 square feet to explore inside. However, despite all the perks of being a presidential pet, there isn’t a White House veterinarian on staff. While the White House Medical Unit can provide emergency care on-site to any person in the White House, the highly trained White House Physician would be unable to provide medical care to the four-legged members of the first family. As a result, the first family, like every American family with pets, should consider an appropriate pet insurance policy to ensure the FDOTUS and the FFOTUS can stay healthy and help run the country safely. Consider Pets Best for a pet health and wellness plan fit for a First Pet.
References
1 Gregorian, D. (2020, November 9). Biden's bringing the big dogs to the White House — German shepherds Champ and Major. Retrieved from NBC News: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/meet-bidens-first-pets-elect-german-shepherds-champ-major-n1247153
2 Palmer, B. (2013, January 16). Guard Dog. Retrieved from Slate: https://slate.com/human-interest/2013/01/obama-dog-bo-does-the-secret-service-protect-the-first-dog.html
3 Presidential Pet Museum. (2014, January 9). Abraham Lincoln's Cats. Retrieved from Presidential Pet Museum: https://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/pets/abraham-lincoln-cats/
4 Types of Pets. (2021). Retrieved from POTUS:
https://www.potus.com/presidential-facts/types-of-pets/