President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden moved into the White House in 2021 with two German Shepherds: 13-year-old Champ and 2-year-old Major. After a presidential term without any pets in the Executive Mansion, the Bidens brought a renewed sense of four-legged vitality to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. (Throughout history, most presidents have had pets of some kind during their time in office.)
The Bidens have always been “dog people.” However, with the demanding schedule of politics, having a pet wasn’t always feasible. In many ways, the Bidens’ story with Champ mirrors that of the Obama family. After months of campaigning, President Barack Obama made a promise in one of his early speeches that his daughters would soon be getting the puppy they had longed for.
Similarly, once Joe and Jill Biden settled into the Naval Observatory—the official residence of the vice president—Dr. Biden agreed that they, too, could have a pet. It was then that Champ became part of their family.
Joe Biden’s First Dogs
Joe Biden grew up in a household surrounded by large dogs. He once shared with an audience that the family home was graced by a variety of breeds over the years, including Labs, a Great Dane, and German Shepherds.
Biden developed a deep admiration for the strength and intelligence of German Shepherds. While attending law school at Syracuse University, he had a German Shepherd named Senator. During his time there, Biden trained Senator and even showed him in obedience trials when his schedule allowed.
Given his affinity for the breed, it was no surprise that when the Bidens decided to adopt a puppy, they chose a German Shepherd. In 2008, however, there was significant public backlash when the newly elected vice president chose to adopt a puppy from a breeder, especially when animal shelters were full of dogs in need of homes. Despite the controversy, one glance at Joe Biden holding the puppy made it clear why he chose to bring a new companion into his life.
Champ quickly became a favorite of the Biden granddaughters, who were also responsible for choosing his name. The family often shared stories about their grandfather, which typically concluded with the advice Joe had received from his own father: “When you get knocked down, Champ, get right back up!”
The grandchildren knew that “Champ” was the perfect name for a Biden dog. Champ became a familiar presence around the Naval Observatory, especially known for his love of chasing golf balls across the front lawn.
During the years Joe Biden served as Vice President from 2009 to 2016, visitors who brought their children to the Vice President’s office were often sent home with a plush toy modeled after Champ.
Major Comes to Town
Major joined the Biden family in 2018. After the public backlash over adopting Champ from a breeder, Ashley Biden, Joe and Jill’s daughter, came across a notice from the Delaware Humane Association. The shelter had received a litter of German Shepherd puppies, but the pups had arrived in poor health. They were cared for by the shelter’s veterinarian before being placed in foster homes while their future was sorted out.
Joe and Jill contacted the shelter with the intention of fostering one of the puppies. As it became clear that none of the dogs would be returning to their original owner, the Bidens decided to adopt one of the pups, who grew up to be Major.
Major Has a Tough Adjustment
In the days following the inauguration, the Bidens initially kept the dogs at their home in Delaware. They planned to bring them to the White House after the excitement settled down.
At 13 years old, Champ was content simply being with his family, and he often wandered into the Oval Office, even making an appearance at a couple of cabinet meetings. Jill Biden maintained a strict “no dogs on furniture” rule in their home, a policy that was to be upheld at the White House as well.
Major’s Tougher Adjustment
Major faced a more challenging adjustment to life at the White House. Due to the size and layout of the mansion, it was difficult to establish boundaries that helped him feel at ease. On March 8, 2021, Major nipped one of the security guards. Though the injury was minor, having a First Dog known for biting was unacceptable. As a result, both dogs were temporarily sent to stay with friends in Delaware while Major underwent additional training.
The dogs returned to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on March 24, but unfortunately, Major nipped again. This time, it was a National Park Service employee assigned to walk him. The employee received medical attention from the White House medical team and returned to work.
That weekend, the First Lady was heading to Delaware, so she took both dogs with her. It’s presumed that during this time, Major continued his training. Shortly afterward, the dogs were back at the White House.
The “First Shelter Dog”
Major is often referred to in the press as the “first shelter dog” to live in the White House. While this is technically true, many past presidents have also welcomed mutts and stray dogs into their homes. For instance, President James Garfield adopted a dog named Veto, who often followed him home. Similarly, the Lincoln family had a dog named Fido, a street dog that found a loving home. However, Fido never moved to Washington, D.C., as he was frightened by the loud noises and chaos of the city.
Another Major Causes Chaos
This wasn’t the first time a dog named Major caused a stir at the White House. When Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt moved into the mansion, they brought two dogs with them: Meggie, their first Scottish Terrier, and Major, a German Shepherd. Major was gifted to Governor Roosevelt by the Albany Police Department when the dog was ready to retire.
Eleanor Roosevelt herself drove Meggie and Major from New York to Washington, D.C., as Franklin was preparing to take office. This Major, too, struggled with boundaries. On one occasion, he bit a citizen who put their hand through the White House fence, and he sometimes disrupted social events and parties.
On April 29, 1933, Major made headlines when he nipped a senator. Eleanor Roosevelt was hosting an event for Frances Perkins, FDR’s newly appointed Secretary of Labor and the first woman to hold a cabinet position. As the honored guests were introduced, Major barked excitedly for each one. The ladies present laughed and clapped at the dog’s enthusiasm. But by the time Senator Hattie Wyatt Caraway was introduced, Major became overly excited and nipped her. Caraway was not seriously hurt, but Major was promptly evicted from the party.
Senator Caraway had been appointed to fill her late husband’s seat in 1931 and had won the seat on her own in 1933. She would serve in the Senate until 1945.
Announcement of Champ’s Death
On June 19, 2021, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden shared the news of the passing of their beloved German Shepherd, Champ. They described him as a “constant, cherished companion” who had been a part of the Biden household for 13 years.
“In both our happiest moments and our most sorrowful days, Champ was there with us, always attuned to our every unspoken feeling and emotion. We love our sweet, good boy, and we will miss him forever,” the Bidens said in a statement.
“Even as Champ’s strength diminished in his final months, he would always gather himself, tail wagging, whenever we entered a room. He’d nuzzle us, seeking an ear scratch or a belly rub,” the White House release added.
