Pets of the Presidents: Kennedy – Biden
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This month, we continue our look at pets of the presidents – past and present. Our final part details the many pets of President Kennedy through our current President, Joseph Biden. Interested in the first First pets? Be sure to check the links to part one and two at the end of the article! Don’t forget to take a look at our presidential pet history with parts one and two.
John F Kennedy: 1961-1963
Kennedy and his family were all avid animal lovers and during his term, the White House was filled with pets. Jacqueline Kennedy even created a special play area for her children near the West Wing, and included housing for their pets in the design.
The Kennedy White House, often referred to as “Camelot,” was known for its youthful energy and vibrancy. This extended to the unique menagerie of animals that called the White House home during their presidency. Here’s a closer look at the furry and feathered companions who accompanied the Kennedy family:
Caroline, Kennedy’s daughter, was given a pony by then-Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson. She named the pony Macaroni and children around the world fell in love with the animal as they wrote letters to the pony. During the bitterly cold winter, Macaroni often pulled Caroline and John all over the White House grounds in a sled.
This was merely the beginning as during Kennedy’s short stay in the White House, he was able to add a myriad of First Pets!
Cats
- Tom Kitten: a gray cat who arrived at the White House in 1961. He wasn’t very fond of the lively household and reportedly clashed with other Kennedy pets. He was eventually placed with another family shortly after his arrival due to fears he may be injured by one of the Kennedy’s many dogs. But, this cat was never forgotten and even had an obituary notice published by the press after his death in 1962.
Just as an interesting side note: There is a legend about a giant cat who prowls the underground tunnels of the White House. When security sees this shadow, the believe it predicts of a possible assasination attempt. While Tom Kitten doesn’t really fit the description of a, “giant cat”, some believe his brief and somewhat unhappy stay in the White House may be Tom Kitten protecting current presidents. His departure could have been reinterpreted as him residing “underground” and his personality transformed into a watchful protector.
Learn More about Ghostly Cats Here
Dogs
- Pushinka: A gift from Nikita Khrushchev, the Soviet Premier, Pushinka was a charming, white, female Husky puppy. Though initially wary of children, she became a beloved family pet. Pushinka gave birth to a litter of puppies after arriving at the White House. The father of the puppies was Charlie, one of the Kennedy family’s other dogs, a Welsh Terrier. Two of the puppies from this litter, Butterfly and Streaker, were gifted to children in the Midwest, while the other two, White Tips and Blackie, stayed with the Kennedy family for a while before being given away to family friends
- Charlie: A Welsh Terrier, Charlie was energetic and playful, often accompanying John F. Kennedy on walks and hikes. While President Kennedy loved his walks, this was primarily Caroline’s dog.
- Clipper: Another German Shepherd, Clipper was described as loyal and protective, a constant presence by the President’s side.
- Shannon: A Cocker Spaniel, Shannon was a gift from JFK’s sister Jean and her husband. This sweet-natured dog enjoyed the company of the Kennedy children.
- Blackie: A Beagle, Blackie was adopted from a shelter and loved playing fetch with the Kennedy kids.
- Wolf: This Irish Wolfhound was gifted to the Kennedys in 1963 by Father Thomas Kennedy, an Irish priest. True to his breed, Wolf (or Wolfie) was a large and majestic dog, weighing around 180 pounds. While details about Wolf’s personality are scarce, some accounts describe him as playful and friendly. Unfortunately, Wolf’s time in the White House was short-lived as he didn’t adjust well to the bustling environment and tended to clash with the other Kennedy dogs. Due to concerns about compatibility and his large size, Wolf was placed with another family shortly after his arrival. Wolf’s stay in the White House coincided with the arrival of Pushinka, the Husky puppy gifted by Soviet Premier Khrushchev. These two dogs, representing opposite ends of the Cold War, briefly shared the White House together. Wolf isn’t as widely remembered as some of the other Kennedy pets, like Pushinka or Charlie, but his presence adds another layer to the rich history of animals in the White House. So, while Wolf’s stay at the White House was brief, he contributed to the diverse group of furry companions that called it home during the Kennedy presidency.
Birds
- Robin, a canary
- Bluebell and Marybelle, parakeets
Horses
- Tex: Tex was a gift from Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson in March 1961. Tex was a Yucatan Bay Pony, a brown gelding with one black shoe who was 3 years old at the time of the gifting. Described as gentle and well-mannered, he was one of the few suitable for riding by Caroline Kennedy. Tex was initially kept at Glen Ora, the Kennedy family’s Virginia estate, before residing at the White House grounds in Middleburg, Virginia. After Kennedy’s assassination, Tex remained with the Kennedy family.
- Macaroni: This pony was ten years old when gifted to the Kennedys. Part Shetland pony, he was a roan gelding with four white stockings and a star. He was quite playful and known for his gentle nature. The Kennedy’s kept him at Glen Ora with Tex and like Tex, Macaroni stayed with the family after the president’s passing.
- Leprechaun: While Tex and Macaroni are well-documented, details about Leprechaun remain scarce. We don’t have specifics on its breed, age, personality, or role in the family’s life.
- Sardar: Arabian (gift of Ayub Khan, President of Pakistan, 1962) and favorite horse of Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy. This award-winning bay gelding sported a chestnut color and a white diamond spot on his mid-forehead. He was approximately10 years old when gifted in 1962 and presented to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy by Pakistani President Ayub Khan during her goodwill tour. Described as spirited and well-mannered, he certainly meshed well with Jacqueline. He resided at the Kennedy family’s Virginia estate, Glen Ora, before his death in 1969. Ridden by both Jacqueline and Caroline Kennedy, he was a beloved member of the family. Some sources claim he might have been the riderless horse that followed John F. Kennedy’s caisson, although other sources refute this claim.
Critters
- Debbie and Billie, hamsters
- Zsa Zsa, a rabbit
Lyndon Johnson 1963-1969
President Johnson’s beloved Yuki was a mutt found at a Texas gas station by first daughter, Luci Johnson. Many photographs capture the image of Johnson howling as Yuki perched on his lap, joining in.
Other pets include beagles, Beagle and Little Beagle, and Him and Her. Blanco was a white collie. Johnson also kept a variety of hamsters and lovebirds.
Richard Nixon 1969-1974
While Richard Nixon’s presidency was known for many things, his relationship with pets was often complex and even attracted some public controversy. Let’s delve into his furry and feathered companions:
Dogs
- Checkers: This cocker spaniel gained national fame through a pivotal “Checkers Speech” Nixon delivered in 1952, defending himself against accusations of campaign misconduct. Checkers remained a beloved companion until his death in 1964. Despite his initial popularity, Checkers’ story highlights the potential tension between personal life and political image. While some saw the dog as a symbol of relatability, others criticized Nixon’s decision to use him for political gain.
- Vicky: A French poodle gifted to Nixon in 1963, Vicky became a source of amusement with her playful antics and occasional appearances in photos.
- Pasha: A Yorkshire terrier gifted by the President of Austria in 1969, Pasha was another White House dog during Nixon’s presidency. While he received several dogs as gifts, historical accounts suggest Nixon wasn’t particularly fond of them. This might explain why some, like Pasha, didn’t stay at the White House long.
- King Timahoe: This Irish setter joined the White House in 1969 and was featured in many iconic photos with Nixon and his family.
Other Animals
- Hamsters: Nixon reportedly kept hamsters at the White House, though details are scarce.
- Lovebirds: Two lovebirds reportedly resided in the White House during Nixon’s presidency, although information about them is limited.
Gerald Ford 1974-1977
Gerald Ford had several hilarious pets who were beloved by all. Compared to previous presidents, the Fords had a relatively large number of pets in the White House. This reflected their genuine love for animals and desire for companionship beyond political life.
He often used his dog Liberty to escape meetings in the Oval Office. When he wanted a meeting to end, he would signal Liberty, who would approach the guest with her tail wagging. This would cause a break in the conversation and allow Ford to wrap up the meeting.
Cats
Shan: Susan Ford brought her Siamese cat Shan with her when she moved into the White House. Unlike some other presidential pets who struggled with the bustling environment, Shan reportedly adapted well and enjoyed spending time with Mrs. Ford.
Dogs
- Liberty: Undoubtedly the most famous of Ford’s pets, Liberty was a golden retriever gifted to him by his daughter Susan and photographer David Hume Kennerly in 1974. She quickly became a beloved member of the White House, known for her playful personality and even giving birth to a litter of puppies during her stay. After their time in the White House, Liberty remained with the Fords until her passing in 1984. Photos of Liberty were autographed with a rubber stamp of her paw print.
- Lucky: Another dog in the Ford household was Lucky, whose breed and arrival date are a little less clear. Some sources mention him as a golden retriever adopted after Liberty’s passing, while others suggest he might have been present during the White House years alongside Liberty. Regardless, Lucky also enjoyed the family’s affection.
It’s worth noting that the Fords also cherished horses and enjoyed riding during their time at their Virginia estate. While not technically White House pets, these animals further showcase their connection to nature and a quieter side of their lives.
Jimmy Carter 1977-1981
While Jimmy Carter didn’t have the most extensive menagerie in White House history, he was known for his love of animals and had several furry companions during his presidency. Here are the ones who became “First Pets”.
- Grits: A Springer Spaniel mix gifted to Carter’s daughter Amy by her teacher in 1977. However, Grits struggled with the White House environment and was not a good match for the family. While the House diary records a meeting between the parents and a dog handler, Grits was eventually returned to the teacher.
- Chip: A German Shepherd adopted while Carter was campaigning for governor of Georgia. Chip enjoyed a long life and stayed with the family well past Carter’s presidency.
- Misty Malarky Ying Yang: An adopted Siamese cat belonging to Amy Carter. Despite the unusual name, she was a cherished family member.
- Multiple goldfish: While not furry companions, Carter kept several goldfish in a bowl in the Oval Office. He even gifted a goldfish to a young visitor who admired them.
Unlike some presidents who received pets as gifts, Carter’s approach involved adopting most of his animals, highlighting his genuine love for rescuing and giving deserving animals a loving home.
Ronald Reagan: 1981-1989
Rex was a King Charles Spaniel who replaced Lucky, a Bouvier des Flandres when she grew too big and was sent to the ranch to live. Rex’s doghouse was designed by Theo Hayes, the great-great grandson of former President Rutherford B. Hayes and was formerly owned by William F. Buckley, Jr., the conservative columnist.
Rex’s first official act as First Dog was to help the President pull the switch to turn on the White House Christmas tree. The dog often pulled very hard on his leash and was photographed many times pulling President Reagan away from reporters posing questions. Reagan also cared for Cleo & Sara, Tortoiseshell strays, and several unnamed cats.
George Bush 1989-1993
Millie, a Springer Spaniel belonging to George and Barbara Bush, holds the distinction as being the first dog known to have authored a book. With the First Lady’s help, she penned Millie’s Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush. In it, Millie gives a dog’s-eye view of life in the Bush White House.
Millie gave birth to several puppies while living at the White House, amongst the litter was Ranger and Spot – two more dogs that resided as Bush’s pets.
Bill Clinton 1993-2001
Socks, the cat joined the Clinton White House while First Daughter Chelsea was still a young girl – despite the fact that both parents were allergic to cats.
Hillary Rodham Clinton later wrote a book titled, Dear Socks, Dear Buddy. The book contains a series of letters written to Socks and Buddy (the Clinton’s chocolate Labrador retriever) by children from around the world.
Socks was later adopted by Betty Curie, Clinton’s White House Secretary, when Chelsea went off to Stanford University. Socks and Buddy’s intense rivalry became well known during Clinton’s term.
George W. Bush 2001-2008
George W. Bush kept both cats and dogs. Barney and Miss Beazley were both Scottish Terriers and Spot was a mutt. Ernie, India, and Cowboy were the President’s beloved cats.
Cowboy, said to be the President’s favorite, died of kidney disease in February 2000 at the age of 12. The Bushes’ ginger polydactyl cat Ernie was judged too wild for White House life and later found a new home with a family in California.
Barack Obama 2009 -2016
Bo is a male (neutered) Portuguese Water Dog belonging to the family. President Obama was given the dog by Senator Ted Kennedy after months of research was done to find a hypoallergenic dog due to Malia Obama’s allergies.
Sunny joined the family in 2013. She is also a Portuguese Water Dog and was selected from a breeder in the Great Lakes region. We are still trying to educate our presidents on the importance of rescues!
Donald J Trump: 2017 – 2021
No animals in the White house during Trump’s term. While we personally can’t imagine not having pets, Donald Trump is not the only president who didn’t have pets in the White House. Several other presidents throughout history haven’t had pets during their terms. Here are some examples:
- James Buchanan: Known for his bachelor lifestyle, Buchanan reportedly didn’t have any pets during his presidency.
- Andrew Johnson: Though he owned horses and other farm animals before becoming president, there’s no record of him keeping any pets in the White House.
- Martin Van Buren: While owning dogs earlier in his life, Van Buren didn’t bring any to the White House.
- Millard Fillmore: Though gifted a raccoon during his presidency, Fillmore reportedly kept it outside the White House and didn’t consider it a personal pet.
- Chester A. Arthur: Arthur briefly kept a dog named Prince, but the animal died just a few months after arriving at the White House.
Joe Biden 2021 – Incumbent
Say hello to Champ and Major, two german shepherd dogs that belong to President of the United States and his wife, First Lady Jill Biden. Both are rescues, which just makes us that much more impressed with President Biden.
According to People, the couple have some rules for letting the dogs have the run of the White House: The’re not allowed on the furniture.
“We trained them from the beginning,” Biden said. “Champ is old, he’s 14 years old and he was extremely well-trained by the Canine Corps and he thinks he’s Secret Service, but Major, who is a big, little dog, is about a year-and-half-old and the only rule Jill has and he follows it: do not get up on the furniture.”
