Joe Biden’s Dog Made US History—Everything to Know About the First Pets

Major

Major was adopted from the Delaware Human Association in November 2018, 10 years after the Bidens welcomed Champ. He is the first rescue dog to live at the White House. Major was born in January 2008, which made him 3 years old at the time Biden moved into the White House. He was rescued from a litter that was exposed to “something toxic” and his original owner was unable to afford veterinary care for him, according to NBC News.

It’s unclear the inspiration for Major’s name, but many believe it to be inspired by Biden’s late son, Beau Biden, who was a major in the Delaware National Guard. In November 2020, Biden revealed that he fractured his foot while playing with Major. I’m joking, running after him and grab his tail. And what happened was that he slid on a throw rug. And I tripped on the rug he slid on,” he told CNN at the time.

Three days before Biden’s inauguration, the Delaware Humane Association held a Zoom “indoguration for Major, which was attended by 7,400 people, featured a performance by Josh Groban and raised $200,000 in donations for the association.

Champ

Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, welcomed Champ, a German shepherd, into their family around Christmas 2008. He was born in October 2008 and was 12 years old at the time Biden moved into the White House as president. Champ also lived with the Bidens at the vie presidential residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory during Biden’s two terms with former President Barack Obama. He was purchased from a breeder in Pennsylvania.

Champ’s name is inspired from a nickname Biden’s father gave him when he was a boy. He was named by Biden’s granddaughters. In 2008 speech, Biden recalled how his father used to call him champ. “Any time you get knocked down, champ, get up!” he recalled of one of his dad’s quotes. Biden, who has owned German shepherds in the past, would also give children plush toys of Champ during his vice presidency.

On June 19, 2021, the White House announced that Champ had died in Wilmington, Delaware. “In our most joyful moments and in our most grief-stricken days, he was there with us, sensitive to our every unspoken feeling and emotion,” the statement read

Commander

Commander is a German Shepherd gifted to the Bidens as a puppy by the president’s brother and his wife James and Sara Biden.

He was removed from the White House after several biting incidents with Secret Service agents. In October 2023, he announced that Commander was moving out of the White House.

Willow

Willow is a tabby cat adopted by Joe and Jill Biden. The cat’s adoption was part of Bidens campaign promise to adopt him.