For the first time in four years, dogs will be returning to the White House when Joe Biden is sworn in as president in January 2021.
First dogs-elect, Champ and Major, will be reviving a tradition that goes back to George Washington – the first president to have a dog – when the two German Shepherds move into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Champ has been with Jill and Joe Biden since Christmas 2008.
President Barack Obama promised his daughters Malia and Sasha a puppy if he won the 2008 election, and Joe made the same promise to Jill.
Champ, who was named by the Bidens’ granddaughters, was purchased from a Pennsylvania breeder and lived at the vice presidential residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory during Joe’s two terms as Vice President under Obama.
For the first time in four years, dogs will be returning back to the White House when Joe Biden is sworn in as president in January 2021 (Champ pictured with Jill and Joe)
Build Bark Better: Jill Biden cuddles up to Major (left) and Champ (right) in a post on her Instagram page
While his owner set is the first ever presidential candidate to receive 75 million votes, Major (above) will also be setting a record of his own as he’s set to become the first ever rescue dog to live in the White House
First dogs-elect, Champ and Major, will be reviving a tradition that goes back to George Washington – the first president to have a dog – when the two German Shepherds move into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Joe Biden faced backlash at the time for buying from a breeder instead of rescuing a dog. But he and Jill later adopted their second dog, Major, from the Delaware Humane Association in 2018.
‘We are so happy to welcome Major to the Biden family, and we are grateful to the Delaware Humane Association for their work in finding forever homes for Major and countless other animals,’ the Bidens said in a statement at the time.
While his owner became the first ever presidential candidate to receive 75 million votes, Major will be setting a record of his own as he’s set to become the first ever rescue dog to live in the White House.
The Biden’s fostered Major first before adopting him. He was ‘from the litter of German shepherd pups that were surrendered and not doing well at all,’ according to DHA.
‘Once we posted about them for your help, Joe Biden caught wind of them and reached out immediately. The rest is history,’ the rescue center wrote on Facebook.
Champ and Major are frequently featured on the Bidens’ social media pages and even made some special appearances leading up to the presidential election.
‘No ruff days on the trail when I have some Major motivation,’ Biden wrote alongside a sweet clip of Major licking his face.
Champ, who was named by the Biden’s granddaughters, was purchased from a Pennsylvania breeder and lived at the vice presidential residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory during Joe’s two terms with Obama (Michelle Obama shown left with Jill and Champ in 2012)
The Biden’s fostered Major first before adopting him. He was ‘from the litter of German shepherd pups that were surrendered and not doing well at all,’ according to DHA.
Champ and Major are frequently featured on the Bidens’ social media pages and even made some special appearances leading up to the presidential election
During his campaign, Biden also made it a point he wanted to ‘bring dogs back to the White House.’
Donald Trump was the first president in decades not to have a dog.
Biden last week tweeted a video of Trump at a rally asking, ‘How would I look walking a dog on the White House lawn?…I don’t feel good,’ accompanied by the comment, ‘Let’s put dogs back in the White House,’ and ‘Champ and Major for DOTUS.’
Prior to Trump, President Obama owned two Portuguese water dogs, Bo and Sunny, during his eight-year tenure.
His predecessor George W. Bush had a Scottish terrier, called Barney, and Bill Clinton had a chocolate Labrador retriever named Buddy.
Kamala Harris, the vice president elect, does not have a dog. However, she’s known to be pro-canine, having previously tweeted a collage of pooches who visited her at work, writing ‘dogs are always welcome in my Senate office’.
Prior to Trump, President Obama owned two Portuguese water dogs, Bo and Sunny, during his eight-year tenure
George W. Bush had a Scottish terrier, called Barney, and Bill Clinton had a chocolate Labrador retriever named Buddy
Since news broke of Biden’s election victory, several online pup-influencers have taken to social media to celebrate Champ and Major’s imminent White House debut.
‘This is Major and Champ,’ wrote WeRateDogs. ‘They are the dogs of [Joe and Jill Biden]. Champ has already been to the White House, but Major hasn’t yet. Champ can’t wait to show him around. Both 14/10 would be an honor to pet.’
‘THERE WILL BE DOGS IN THE WHITE HOUSE AGAIN!!’ Doug the Pug tweeted.
‘I’m not big into politics, especially American politics. But I am over the moon to see two beautiful German Shepherd dogs in the White House,’ added Fabulous Finn.
