Why Dogs Have Been So Important to Presidents
A historian’s view of how a pet’s loyalty transforms the White House
--
Today is #LoveYourPetDay. Also known as every day that ends in “y” in my house. But I’m not alone. Most American presidents have surrounded themselves with dogs and citizens have been fascinated by presidents’ furry friends.
And for good reason! Politics is hard under the best of circumstances, but leading a nation is a nearly impossible task. The decisions, the burdens, and the power make for long, sometimes lonely days. Which is why the unfailing love and loyalty of dogs is so welcome. Similarly, it’s all too easy to see the president as unhuman or simply the office. That’s why Americans love to see presidents and their dogs. It shows that they are still human, that they are capable of love, joy, and humor. Something we all need from time to time.
Here are a few of my favorite examples in U.S. history. Up first, George Washington loved dogs. He named them after Roman and Greek gods (like Vulcan the hound), but he also had fun with the names (like Sweet Lips the spaniel). He even created the American Foxhound breed by breeding French hounds and English hounds.
The James A. Garfield NPS site shared this amazing picture about Garfield’s Newfoundland, Veto. One of the best dog names ever (and they are an amazing Twitter follow):
Theodore Roosevelt also had a huge pup, Rollo, the Saint Bernard. Roosevelt had a ton of other pets at the White House, really a zoo: parrots, cats, lizards, dogs, horses, cows, etc.
The Coolidges had two beautiful white collies, Prudence Prim and Rob Roy. They were stars. Prudence Prim…
