10 Most Beloved Presidential Pups in White House History
The Oval Office has hosted diplomats and generals, but some of its most beloved figures had muddy paws and wagging tails. These presidential pups lounged in high-security meetings and occasionally sparked public drama all on their own. They’ve greeted foreign leaders, survived political scandals, and sometimes upstaged the presidents themselves. Every dog on this list earned a spot through unforgettable White House moments.
Fala (Franklin D. Roosevelt)
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Fala didn’t need a campaign manager to clinch his spot in the Oval Office. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s little Scottish Terrier went everywhere with him, from press conferences to top-secret wartime meetings. Crowds would cheer when they saw the dog, knowing FDR was close behind. Fala even made it into movies and helped raise morale during WWII.
Laddie Boy (Warren G. Harding)
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Laddie Boy was front-page material. No pup got the star treatment quite like he did. This Airedale Terrier had his own custom chair for cabinet meetings and even “hosted” the White House Easter Egg Roll when the Hardings were away. Reporters covered his life as if he were part of the administration, and Harding fans sent him hand-carved toys.
Rob Roy (Calvin Coolidge)
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This elegant white collie strolled the White House halls with First Lady Grace Coolidge and even posed for Howard Chandler Christy’s famous 1924 painting. He was front and center in official portraits. You’d think he was aware of his high-class status with the calm, regal vibe he gave off.
King Tut (Herbert Hoover)
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Herbert Hoover had a stiff personality, and many are convinced his rocky campaign was saved by King Tut. The Belgian Malinois looked sharp in every photo and helped soften his public persona. Advisors noticed voters reacted warmly to shots of them together, so they doubled down. King Tut even trained with the White House police and became the president’s most reliable wingman.
Liberty (Gerald Ford)
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This golden retriever was a gift from his photographer to President Gerald Ford. She lived like royalty in the White House and even gave birth to a litter of puppies during Gerald’s presidency. One of them became a guide dog, but Liberty remained the star, often seen lounging in the Oval Office or accompanying the president on walks around the White House grounds.
Bo (Barack Obama)
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Bo was a promise fulfilled by Barack Obama to his family. In no time, he became a nationwide obsession. Given by Senator Ted Kennedy, this Portuguese Water Dog made waves as the official greeter during White House events. Hypoallergenic and handsome, Bo enjoyed snow days, Easter Egg Rolls, and plenty of press. He even took big-brother duty seriously when Sunny joined later.
Checkers (Richard Nixon)
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Checkers never actually lived in the White House, but he saved Richard Nixon’s career. In 1952, Nixon gave a televised speech denying a financial scandal, but admitted to accepting one gift: a black-and-white cocker spaniel named Checkers. That moment humanized and kept him on the presidential ticket. Checkers became a cultural icon. Who knew a single dog could change political history in under 30 minutes?
Millie (George H. W. Bush)
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Have you ever met a dog who’s also a best-selling author? This English Springer Spaniel didn’t just win hearts, she wrote a best-selling book (with a little help from Barbara Bush). Millie’s Book raised nearly $1 million for literacy programs and made her the literary top dog of 1990. Her puppy Spot went on to live at the White House again under George W. Bush.
Buddy (Bill Clinton)
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Buddy came along during Bill Clinton’s second term and quickly became the star of the show. A chocolate Lab with a lovable grin, he was the First Dog to rival Socks the cat for attention. The two didn’t get along at all and were kept in separate quarters. Still, Buddy’s playful charm helped lighten the mood during politically tense years.
Him and Her (Lyndon B. Johnson)
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These beagles caused a full-blown press frenzy when Johnson lifted them by their ears during a photo op. While he saw it as harmless fun, critics howled. Him and Her were often seen romping around the Rose Garden, completely unfazed by the controversy. Her even had a litter at the White House. One can only imagine the big political moments witnessed by the tiny pups.
Barney (George W. Bush)
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“Barney Cam” was a yearly tradition for those who remember George W. Bush’s tenure. Outfitted with a tiny cam on his collar, this Scottish Terrier gave Americans a dog’s-eye tour of White House Christmas décor. He became an internet legend long before viral pets were a thing. Fiercely loyal and not exactly a fan of strangers, Barney preferred the Bush family and holiday pageantry over the press corps.
Rex (Ronald Reagan)
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Gifted by conservative commentator William F. Buckley, this Cavalier King Charles Spaniel brought a royal air to Ronald Reagan’s presidency. Rex disliked the Lincoln Bedroom. His refusal to enter made headlines. When Nancy Reagan was away, the president often wrote in his diary that “Rex and I are lonesome.” It was clear this little pup offered big comfort during long stretches of White House life.
Major (Joe Biden)
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Major made history as the first shelter dog to move into the White House. Adopted in 2018, he initially won hearts as a rescue success story. Life among Secret Service agents proved tough, though—multiple biting incidents led to his quiet exit in 2021. Despite the early send-off, Major’s moment marked a milestone for shelter animals and raised visibility for pet adoption in a big way.
Charlie (John F. Kennedy)
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Cold War politics? Hard pass. Playing in the Rose Garden? That’s all Charlie lived for. The Welsh Terrier was one of the few dogs brave enough to keep pace with the Kennedy kids. He darted through halls, napped in the sunroom, and fathered a litter with Pushinka, the Soviet gift dog. His pups became known as “pupniks,” thanks to their high-profile canine parents.
Spot Fetcher (George W. Bush)
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Spot was born at the White House during the George H. W. Bush years and returned under his son’s presidency. She was the only known dog to live at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue during two administrations. The gentle English Springer Spaniel enjoyed quiet walks, and some would say she also enjoyed official duties.