I remember covering Joe Biden adopting a rescue German Shepherd in 2018. Little did I know at the time that Major Biden would be moving into the White House in just a few short years! Handsome Joe and Dr. Jill adopted their first German Shepherd in 2008-09, when the Obama-Biden ticket won the 2008 election. That puppy’s name is Champ, and Champ is still a good dog. But in 2018, Ashley Biden (Jill and Joe’s daughter) heard of a litter of German Shepherd puppies up for fostering and adoption at a Delaware Humane Society, and she convinced her parents to foster, then adopt one of them. That puppy is Major. So Major will be the first rescue dog in the White House. Apparently, all of the previous First Puppies were dogs purchased from breeders or maybe even gifts.
Donald Trump was the first president in decades to not have a dog or any kind of animal. It’s because he’s a psycho who hates people and animals. People have been rejoicing for so many reasons about the Biden-Harris administration, and this is one of those reasons: we get dogs back in the White House!!
As for Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug, apparently they don’t have any dogs or cats right now, which isn’t surprising considering that Kamala was probably traveling back and forth between California and DC for the past four years, not to mention all of the travel for the campaign. Now that life is more stable and the Harris-Emhoffs will be moving into the Naval Observatory, I really hope they get a pet! They don’t *have* to get a dog, although apparently Kamala really loves dogs. SO GET A DOG!!
This is Major and Champ. They are the dogs of @JoeBiden and @DrBiden. Champ has already been to the White House, but Major hasn’t yet. Champ can’t wait to show him around. Both 14/10 would be an honor to pet pic.twitter.com/Zwqmx7X6FB
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) November 7, 2020
Let’s put dogs back in the White House. pic.twitter.com/7pBihksfXT
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 1, 2020
Joe Biden's German Shepard, Major, will make history as the first rescue dog to live in the White House. 🙌 https://t.co/blsuiZLbBg pic.twitter.com/yPLbTVZDvR
— People (@people) November 7, 2020
Meet the new first dogs of the White House, Major and Champ Biden! The two German Shepherds will be the first dogs to reside at the White House in four years. https://t.co/Qh9Yq3TpPN pic.twitter.com/j9I6Oz4Vxz
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) November 8, 2020
Photos courtesy of the Delaware Humane Society’s social media, the Bidens’ social media.
Major is a good boy! And Champ seems a Senior dog.
Dogs, cats, make everything better.
German shepherds will always have a special place in my heart , my Luna passed away in 2007 and she brought with her one piece of my heart.
Having said that: ADOPT don’t shop!
beautiful dogs!
Adopt OR shop RESPONSIBLY. Your pet, your choice.
I love all dogs, but the adopt, don’t shop mentality effectively encourages irresponsible, incompetent production of animals. Reputable, competent, caring breeders never knowingly allow their animals to end up in rescues or shelters. Only irresponsible producers allow this to happen, and they should not be rewarded for doing so.
Once an animal is purchased, the breeder cannot control where it goes. Unfortunately, plenty of shelter animals started out coming from “reputable” breeders. Some breeders screen, but ultimately, once that animal leaves them, they cannot control what the owner chooses to do. Remember, animals are chattel under the law. Take a walk around any shelter and you will eventually meet somebody who started out with a “reputable” breeder.
I agree. People should encourage responsible breeding. ESPECIALLY when it comes to German Shepherd Dogs. GSDs tend to suffer from hip dysplasia, which is inheritable. Responsible breeders will have their dogs x-rayed and certified by the OFA (Orthopedic Federation for Animals) on a scale. Other large breeds also suffer from hip dysplaisa; other breeds have their own genetic risks (slipped disks, eye problems, etc.). If we only had responsible breeders, dogs in America would be healthier. There is nothing wrong with adopting a shelter dog, but I do not like it when I hear people say you should ONLY adopt a shelter dog. It does a disservice to dogs.
AGREE, BearcatLawyer! The “adopt don’t shop” mentality is also leading to a lot of well-meaning people adopting dogs that are not suited to them, which just results in a cycle of dogs going in and out of shelters, becoming more damaged/unwanted with each go-round. Let inexperienced owners buy a well-matched from a reputable breeder, get some hands on knowledge of dog ownership, and then maybe after ten or fifteen years of experience, be capable of handling a more difficult shelter dog.
I find the pushing of “adopt don’t shop” frustrating as well as someone who recently tried to adopt from SEVERAL rescues (in Canada), not wanting a pure bred dog. Not one of them was willing to deal with us as we had “young” kids (aged 6 & 8), despite my being a previous dog owner and the kids having grown up with a dog who pre-dated them and was very well trained, and trained to adapt to babies and toddlers as she aged. If shelters and rescues don’t think that families can be good adopters, what else are they supposed to do but end up at a breeder? We have several friends who have faced the same issue and ended up with pure bred dogs from breeders, and are made to feel guilty about it, although no one would let them adopt a dog.
first time seeing this ad “put dogs again in the WH”
the best 😀
Go take a look at their twitter account–it is so heartwarming! Their bio line is a treasure, and I quote:
“Hello, We’re The First Dogs Elect Of United States. Thank you for Voting For Dad
@JoeBiden. Me & Champ here we will be the First White House Pets in 4 Years”
https://twitter.com/FirstFamilyDogs/status/1325643205480763392
I kind of makes me tear up a little bit when I read that bio line. It’s just so sweet.
It will be good to have dogs in the White House again.
I’m relatively new to twitter, but I am following Champ and Major Biden (and Bailey Warren).
Not a rescue dog, but Socks Clinton was a stray, so the White House has had a rescue pet before (though as someone with a cat, it still annoys me that the Clintons gave him away after they adopted Buddy).
Socks was Chelsea’s cat. Bill is allergic to cats. When Chelsea went away to college, she couldn’t take Socks with her and Hillary was campaigning for the Senate. Hillary wouldn’t have been able to care for Socks going back and forth to DC and Bill was allergic to the cat so they did the right thing in giving Socks to someone who could take care of it. I believe they gave Socks to the WH Secretary.
I loved Socks!
I’m a cat person myself, but I love dogs too, and am SO HAPPY to see these 2 wonderful dogs going to the White House. The WH has been devoid of any animals, art, music, or joy for the last 4 years.
I follow them too. I loved the tweet they did acknowledging the other dogs they met on the campaign trail this year.
And I have met Bailey Warren who is a wonderful dog
“And I have met Bailey Warren who is a wonderful dog”
I am now the most jealous I’ve been about a celebrity meeting.
That clip of Bailey grabbing the burrito brings me joy every time.
I didn’t know they had their own Twitter account! I’m on it! Such good boys.
It just goes to show what little LOVE there was in the White House with Trump! We got. Dog 1.5 years ago, and it’s the best thing we ever did! He brings us all so much joy, and my kids absolutely adore him!
I’m a dog-cat person and agree. But also, I feel sad for Barron – if anyone could use some unconditional love, I feel like it’s that kid.
Aw! Can I just say that Biden has great casual style for his age. He looks great in both photos. And I did love his suit and tie Saturday night.
Strong agree.
But I have to admit that I didn’t notice until I read your comment and then scrolled back to look at the pictures again. I didn’t even notice him the first time I looked, there are beautiful dogs in those pictures grabbing all the attention.
The man knows how to dress well.
it’s also because he’s so fit.
45 is so…well…DUMPY, that he looks like sh*t in everything he wears. and you can be heavy and still look good but he doesn’t know how to dress for his body.
My boyfriend and I have a German Shepherd mix named Joey, and he’s such a smart, sweet floof ball! I told him yesterday that he was going to see dogs like him in the White House. He’s very excited!
We have a Belgian Malinois (rescue). And 2 Scotties (both rescues). And a Shitzu mix (rescue). And we had a Berner (not a rescue) until he passed away last year. Can’t imagine our lives without dogs.
It’ll be nice having pets back in the White House. Major will be fun to watch and I like that wise Champ will be there to guide him.
Major and Champ are such good dogs!! I’m so excited for dogs back in the White House. The White House over the past four years just seemed like a dark and depressing place, with no joy or happiness.
I am a cat person to be totally honest, but I grew up with dogs as well and love them too. It will be so nice to have pets in the WH again. I absolutely love the look on Major (?) face in that pic with President Biden!!!!
The head tilt one at the DHA? Me too! He’s like “Huh? I’m going home!? Yay!”
I hope we get some great photos and videos, like they did for the Obama dogs. And given his “rank”, I hope everyone salutes Major!
Major’s face in the photo at DHA is sooooo joyful! I love that picture.
I love dogs so much, and when you see a good match between human and dog, it really is a beautiful thing. Dogs are such good friends.
Dog people back in the White House y’all ! RESCUE DOG people. ❤❤ Have 2 rescues myself. Did not know Joe is a big dog person but totally not surprising.
Hey, that’s my new POTUS Elect with some excellent doggies in the photos!
Champ and Major look like they are well cared for, friendly, and full members of the family = I knew Joe was a decent guy. 🙂
Trump really is a nasty piece of work. It would help him if he had a lovely dog, because a dog would show him unconditional love. Dogs Rule! (Allergic to cats, myself)
Folks, do you think the SS guys and the entire WH staff are secretly as thrilled as I am to have Biden coming back to the WH?
Oh man, happier days ahead. An ADULT as POTUS.
Joe and Major looking mighty spiffy in the photo!
COMPLETELY. Regardless of whether they agree with him politically or not, the Bidens are NICE people. So many lovely stories about them, their thoughtfulness, and their kindness have surfaced in recent months, and the SS and WH staff must be overjoyed. They will once again be treated with respect and appreciation, and will be protected as much as possible from COVID. I imagine Joe already knows a good number of those people, and it will be a warm welcome.
Animals are one of the truest judges of character. Will be nice Eingabe someone with empathy, compassion, and character back in the Oval Office. Love Major‘s name as well. I am just praying we survive til Inauguration and Trump doesn’t destroy us completely by then.
Indeed – never forget that time when an eagle tried to bite Dump, have never seem him move so fast.
Aw, I love German Shepherds. They have such intelligent, soulful eyes.
Wasn’t it GW Bush that had a dog that hated him? Lol I remember it trying to bite his ass on camera. Animals KNOW. Dogs probably start snarling when Trump is around which is probably why he doesn’t have one even for show.
Lol I remember during an interview in the White House during Christmas you saw the two Bush dogs (they were small I remember), they seemed a bit annoying. I think one of them was known for biting people!
They had Barney, a Scottie (they are so cute with their short little legs!). Barney was a biter, I think.
Not surprising. Scotties are bred to fight.
Scotties are not bred to fight. Where did you ever hear that? They are bred to chase vermin. They are also loyal and tend to be pretty person specific. I have 2 Scotties and have had Scotties for quite some time. None of the Scotties I have had have been biters, but my friend’s dog will nip if you get too close to her kids without “permission.” They are stubborn as all get out and can be nippers, but not normally (unless a smaller animal like a mouse or a rat or mole is involved)
Bush had 2 Scotties. Barney and Mrs. Beasley. Barney bit a reporter, but up until then had been known as a sweet tempered dog. They are really good judges of people, though. There must have been something about the reporter that Barney didn’t like or something set him off (perhaps he wasn’t expecting the hand.) Of course, Scotties can also be brats, so there’s the possibility that he just wasn’t feeling it.
My husband and I are both thrilled to have a rescue dog in the White House!! We’ve had 4 rescue dogs. This story makes me SOOOO happy!
aww I love this! Adopt don’t shop!
You know I love all animals and happy that a rescued dog will be the First Dog but DAMMIT CATS RULE!!! They’ve been dominating Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, how can they NOT have a place in the White House???!!! Make America Love Cats Again (MALCA).
+1
We rescued an abandoned German Shepherd early last year, and she’s a Very Good Girl.
(Weirdly, there was a whole rash of abandoned German Shepherds around the same time in New Orleans, so there are now a LOT of rescued GSD’s sashaying around the neighborhood with their forever families.)
Fun Fact: First Dog Spot (Bush) was actually born IN the White House.
Welcome to the White House Champ and Major!
You can follow them on Twitter and Instagram. It’s pretty cute! Champ and Biden in the White House
Champ and major Biden official on Instagram
2nd rescue dog, first was LBJ’s. Biden’s is the first shelter rescue.
Look at Major’s expression in the DHA photo above, priceless. He’s so adorable and smart!
Beautiful dog, love the darker color of Major.
So happy to have them! 🐕🦺🐕🦺💙💙
I have 2 rescue kitties and had two rescue kitties before that. Rescues are the best. They are so happy to be in a home !!!
My two rescue cats are team Champ and Major Biden.
It will be nice to see family pets occupy the White House again after the animal hater monster leaves. It’s poetic justice. Animals know who the good people are and they know who is bad. The bald eagle that almost snatched Trump’s rug four years ago knew.
Hooray! So good to see German Shepherds and a rescue dogs in the White House. This warms my heart as a lifelong German Shepherd owner who also works with my local German Shepherd Rescue group. I’ve also fostered and rehabilitated many dogs over the years and I can attest to the fact, that German Shepherds are intelligent, protective and extremely loyal to their humans! Presidents John F. Kennedy and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt both famously had German Shepherds during their White House tenures. I love ALL dogs (and animals) but it will be great to see my favorite breed occupying the Oval Office. Looking forward to a lot of doggie tales!
I just followed them on Twitter….their bio also says “You can call us DOTUS-elect”!
Haha… I love it! Congrats to Major & Champ Biden!
I never knew that Americans were as soppy about household pets as we are here in Britain!!
Champ and Major Biden are warming my cynical old trump-thumped heart right now.
Bet the Eagle that attacked the Don years ago is all like ‘I did try and tell y’all he’d be a disaster!!!’
The footage of the bald eagle pecking at Trump will never get old. It is such a fitting visual.