Gracie's Bark | Pet Friendly Resource

Richard Nixon and his dogs Vicky and Checkers

The cocker spaniel that served as the subject of former president Richard Nixon's most famous speech was joined in later years by a poodle named Vicky. Checkers, alas, never made it to the White House, as she died in 1964, around the time that this photo was taken. After Nixon's election to the presidency, Vicky was joined by a terrier named Pasha and an Irish setter named King Timahoe.

Lyndon B. Johnson and his singing dog Yuki

Found by former president Johnson's daughter Luci at a gas station in Texas, Yuki, a mixed breed, liked to perform in the Oval Office. In this photo, she sings with Johnson for the U.S. ambassador to Great Britain, David K.E. Bruce. She was one of the President's favorite dogs. President Johnson also had two beagles which he named Him and Her!

John F. Kennedy with Shannon, Clipper, Charlie, Wolf and many more!

The Kennedys built a special play area near the West Wing for their children and the family pets. J.F.K. was the first President to request that his dogs come out to meet the presidential helicopter when he arrived at the White House.

In addition to his dogs Shannon, Clipper, Charlie and Wolf, former president Kennedy had: Pushinka the dog, Tom Kitten the cat; Robin the canary; Zsa Zsa the rabbit; Sardar the horse; ponies named Macaroni, Tex, and Leprechaun; parakeets named Bluebell and Marybelle; hamsters named Debbie and Billie.

Plus Pushinka and Charlie had pups: Blackie, Butterfly, Streaker, and White Tip (seen in picture above).

Wow. Now that's a lot of pets! No wonder they built a special play area near the West Wing.

Franklin D. Roosevelt and his famous Scottie Fala

One of the most iconic first dogs, former president Franklin D. Roosevelt's Scottish terrier named Fala starred in a movie, was named an honorary Army private and had his own press secretary.

Fala accompanied the president everywhere, eating his meals in Roosevelt's study, sleeping in a chair at the foot of his bed. Within a few weeks of his arrival, the puppy was sent to the hospital with a serious intestinal disturbance. He had discovered the White House kitchen, and everyone was feeding him. When he came home, Roosevelt issued a stern order to the entire White House staff: 'Not even one crumb will be fed to Fala except by the President.' From then on, Fala was in perfect health.

Gracie and I have a bit of a soft spot for Scotties. We've both been around them all our lives. Gracie has played with my parent's Scotties since she was 8 weeks old and I was born into a Scottie household. I grew up with a Scottie by my side my entire life until little miss Gracie came along. Now she ends up with a Scottie on each side of her every time she visits my parents!  

Meet Gracie's Scotties: Kody & Katie

Herbert Hoover and his dog King Tut

A German Shepherd dog named King Tut helped to get former president Herbert Hoover elected.  Pictured with the candidate, the dog made Hoover appear warm and friendly.  The autographed image was sent to thousands of voters. Once in the White House, King Tut remained in the public eye, every night patrolling the White House fences, and became known as "the dog that worried himself to death." 

In addition to this German shepherd, the 31st President owned two fox terriers named Big Ben and Sonnie, an elkhound named Weejie and an Irish wolfhound named Patrick.

Calvin Coolidge and his pair of Collies

Former President Calvin Coolidge and his wife Grace kept an unusual collection of wild animals at their White House. In addition to a pair of white collies, Rob Roy and Prudence Prim, they kept numerous other dogs, plus raccoons, a donkey, a bobcat, canaries, a goose and a mockingbird.

 Mrs. Calvin Coolidge, holding her pet raccoon. Between 1921 and 1923. (Library of Congress)

 

Gracie and I just love the names Rob Roy and Prudence Prim! 

Warren G. Harding and his lovable dog Laddie Boy

Warren G. Harding, the 29th President, not only gave his Airedale Terrier a hand-carved cabinet chair to sit in on high-level meetings, but also threw a birthday at the White House inviting all the neighborhood dogs, where they dined on dog biscuit birthday cake.

Though there were many presidential pets before him, Laddie Boy was the first to receive regular coverage from newspaper reporters. He was quite possibly the most popular presidential pet ever!

Abraham Lincoln and his floppy-eared Fido

"I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being" ~Abraham Lincoln

Many people don't know that Abraham Lincoln and his family owned a pet dog while they lived in Springfield, Illinois. Fido was born in circa 1855 and lived with the Lincoln family for five happy years. The dog was of uncertain ancestry, but closely resembled a retriever/shepherd mix and was roughly the color of mustard.

Although Fido did not follow Lincoln to Washington, he was still living at the time of Lincoln's assassination and his new owners brought the dog to greet mourners at the Lincoln family home in Springfield.

George Washington the father of our nation and the father of American Foxhounds

In celebration of President's Day, Gracie has decided to spotlight all the presidential dogs starting today with George Washington of course!

In 1770, former President Washington imported a number of hounds from England and in 1785, he received a number of French foxhounds from the Marquis de Lafayette. These hounds, carefully bred and maintained by Washington, are the founders of today's American Foxhound. More than 30 hounds were listed in Washington's journals, including "Drunkard," "Tipler," and "Tipsy."

"The American Foxhound was bred to run, so they are an ideal pet for those who live in rural areas or on large farms. They can do well in smaller areas, however, with owners who provide them with adequate exercise. Hounds raised in the home tend to be mild tempered and easy going, getting along with children and most other pets. Their short coat is easy to care for, but owners will need patience and persistence in training, as the breed can be stubborn and independent." (American Kennel Club)