April 1, 2021

Presidential Pets

After Donald Trump’s presidency without pets, it was nice to learn that Joe Biden’s presidency would include two German Shepherd’s in the White House. In fact, Major is the first shelter dog to take up residence there.

Since pets are such an important part of all our lives and the first families are no exception, we thought it would be fun to learn more about the presidential pets over the years.

Below you'll find parts I and II in our four-part series about presidential pets and we think you’ll be as entertained and amazed as we were as we found out about the vast variety and quantity of pets that have graced the White House grounds over the years.

George Washington (1789 – 1797)
• American Foxhounds (Sweetlips, Scentwell and Vulcan)
• Black and Tan Coonhounds (Drunkard, Taster, Tipler and Tipsy)
• Greyhound (Cornwallis)
• Andalusian donkey
• Horses (Nelson and Blueskin - wartime mounts), Samson, Steady, Leonidas, Traveller and Magnolia)
• Parrot (Snipe)

John Adams (1797 – 1801)
• Dogs (Juno, Mark and Satan)
• Horses (Cleopatra and Caesar)

Thomas Jefferson (1801 – 1809)
• Shepherd dogs (Bergere and Grizzle)
• Grizzly bear cubs
• Horse (Caractacus)
• Mockingbird (Dick)

James Madison (1809 – 1817)
• Parrot (Polly)

James Monroe (1817 – 1825)
• Siberian Husky (Sebastian)
• Spaniel

John Quincy Adams (1825 – 1829)
• Silkworms

Andrew Jackson (1829 – 1837)
• Horses (Bolivia, Emily, Lady Nashville, Sam Patch and Truxton
• Grey parrot (Polly)
• Fighting cocks

Martin Van Buren (1837 – 1841)
• Tiger Cubs

William Henry Harrison (1841 - 1841)
• Durham cow (Sukey)
• Goat

John Tyler (1841 – 1845)
• Italian Greyhound (Le Beau)
• Horse (The General)
• Canary (Johnny Ty)

James Polk (1845 – 1849)
• None

Zachary Taylor (1849 – 1850)
• Horse (Old Whitey – wartime mount)
• Pony (Apollo)

Millard Fillmore (1850 – 1853)
• Ponies (Mason and Dixon)

Franklin Pierce (1853 – 1857)
• Miniature Japanese Chin dogs
• Japanese birds

James Buchanan (1857 – 1861)
• Newfoundland (Lara)
• Toy Terrier (Punch)
• Eagle

Abraham Lincoln (1861 – 1865)
• Dogs (Fido and Jip)
• Cats (Tabby and Dixie)
• Horse (Old Bob)
• Turkey (Jack)
• Goats (Nanny and Nanko)
• Rabbit

Andrew Johnson (1865 – 1869)
• No pets

Ulysses S Grant (1869 – 1877)
• Newfoundland (Faithful)
• Dog (Rosie)
• Horses (Butcher’s Boy, Cincinnati, Egypt, Jeff Davis (wartime mount), Jennie, Julia, Mary and St. Louis)
• Ponies (Billy Button and Reb)

Rutherford B Hayes (1877 – 1881)
• Cocker Spaniel (Dot)
• Newfoundland (Hector)
• English Mastiff (Duke)
• Greyhound (Grim)
• Miniature Schnauzer (Otis)
• Hunting dogs (Juno and Shep)
• Dog (Jet)
• Siamese cats (Siam and Miss Pussy)
• Cat (Piccolomini)

James Garfield (1881 – 1881)
• Dog (Veto)
• Horse (Kit)

Chester A Arthur (1881 – 1885)
• Horses
• Rabbit

Grover Cleveland (1885 – 1889 and 1893 - 1897)
• Japanese Poodle (Hector)
• Dachshunds
• Mockingbirds

Benjamin Harrison (1889 – 1893)
• Collie (Dash)
• Goat (Whiskers)
• Opossums (Mr. Reciprocity and Mr. Protection)
• Alligators

Watch for Presidential Pets Part III next Thursday.

* Source of information is Wikipedia.

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