Democrats and Republicans might not agree on every issue, but whether your political symbol of choice is an elephant or a donkey, there’s one thing we can all unite over—our love for ‘political animals,’ especially the dogs who have served as First Fido in the White House. Every year, Dogs in Politics Day honors these four-legged companions of U.S. presidents.
When Is Dogs in Politics Day?
Dogs in Politics Day is celebrated annually on September 23. This pet holiday is also known as Checkers Day, in reference to the anniversary of Richard Nixon’s famous 1952 speech addressing allegations of misused campaign funds. During the speech, the then-vice presidential candidate mentioned Checkers, the Cocker Spaniel his family had received as a gift, declaring that the dog was one present they would definitely keep.
10 Fun Facts About Presidential Dogs Through the Years
- George Washington’s Foxhounds: The first U.S. President, George Washington, had several dogs, including a pack of American Foxhounds. He is even credited with helping to develop the breed in America. Washington’s favorite dog was a Foxhound named Sweet Lips.
- Abraham Lincoln’s Fido: Abraham Lincoln was so fond of his dog, Fido, that he let him stay in Springfield when he moved to the White House. Fido was one of the first presidential pets to be photographed.
- FDR’s Fala: Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Scottish Terrier, Fala, was so beloved that he was often mentioned in the president’s speeches and even had his own press secretary. Fala is also the only presidential pet to have a statue in his honor, located at the FDR Memorial in Washington, D.C.
- Checkers the Cocker Spaniel: Richard Nixon’s dog Checkers became famous after Nixon mentioned him in a televised speech in 1952. The speech, known as the “Checkers Speech,” helped save Nixon’s political career, and Checkers became a symbol of political loyalty.
- Barack Obama’s Bo and Sunny: Bo, a Portuguese Water Dog, was a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy to the Obama family. Later, the Obamas added another Portuguese Water Dog, Sunny, to their family. Both dogs were known for their playful personalities and became beloved White House residents.
- Herbert Hoover’s King Tut: Herbert Hoover had a Belgian Malinois named King Tut, who was known for his protective nature. King Tut was so important to Hoover that he featured prominently in Hoover’s presidential campaign to help soften his image.
- LBJ’s Beagles: Lyndon B. Johnson was known for his love of Beagles. His two most famous Beagles were named Him and Her.
- George H.W. Bush’s Millie: Millie, an English Springer Spaniel, was so popular that she “wrote” a book, Millie’s Book, which became a bestseller. Millie also gave birth to a litter of puppies while living in the White House.
- Theodore Roosevelt’s Menagerie: Theodore Roosevelt had a veritable zoo during his presidency, including several dogs. His Bull Terrier, Pete, was notorious for biting guests, including a French ambassador.
- Bill Clinton’s Buddy: Buddy, a chocolate Labrador Retriever, joined the Clinton family during their time in the White House. He was a constant companion to the president and was often seen playing on the White House lawn.