Hounds of State: Canine Sidekicks of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

In this podcast episode, we tour a couple of centuries of presidential dogs, the canine confidants of our Commanders-in-Chief.

America truly is the land of opportunity. Just ask the lucky dogs who went from rags to riches solely from being in the right place, on the side of the road, at the right time. Dogs have been a welcome presence in the White House since the time of George Washington.

For an in-person tour through Presidential pups, visit the AKC Museum of the Dog in New York. The Museum’s Presidential Dogs exhibit opens to the public on September 8, 2020.

Bonafide Bits:

George Washington was a dog lover and a serious breeder Warren G. Harding’s Airedale Terrier, Laddie Boy, was featured in thousands of press stories Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Scottish Terrier, Fala, was mentioned in the President’s speech to labor leaders George H. W. Bush’s English Springer Spaniel, Millie, became a best-selling author Barack Obama gifted his daughters a Portuguese Water Dog puppy after winning the Presidential election

Featured Breeds:

American Foxhound

American Foxhounds are good-natured, low-maintenance hounds who get on well with kids, dogs, even cats, but come with special considerations for prospective owners. They are closely associated with Revolutionary heroes and the rolling estates of old Virginia. Discover more about American Foxhounds at AKC’s American Foxhound Breed Biography.

Briard

The Briard packs so much loyalty, love, and spirit into its ample frame that it’s often described as a "heart wrapped in fur." The dashing good looks of these muscular Frenchmen radiate a distinct aura of Gallic romance and elegance. Discover more about Briards at AKC’s Briard Breed Biography.

Airedale Terrier

His size, strength, and unflagging spirit have earned the Airedale Terrier the nickname “The King of Terriers.” The Airedale stands among the world’s most versatile dog breeds and has distinguished himself as a hunter, athlete, and companion. Discover more about Airedale Terriers at AKC’s Airedale Terrier Breed Biography.

Bullmastiff

Fearless at work, docile at home, the Bullmastiff is a large, muscular guarder who pursued and held poachers in Merry Old England—merry, we suppose, for everyone but poachers. Bullmastiffs are the result of Bulldog and Mastiff crosses. Discover more about Bullmastiffs at AKC’s Bullmastiff Breed Biography.

Irish Setter

The Irish Setter is a high-spirited gundog known for grace, swiftness, and a flashy red coat. They are famously good family dogs: sweet-tempered companions for the folks, and rollicking playmates and tennis-ball fetchers for the children. Discover more about Irish Setters at AKC’s Irish Setter Breed Biography.

English Setter

The English Setter is a medium-sized sporting dog of sweet temper and show-stopping good looks. It is one of the AKC’s four British setters created to work on the distinctly different terrains of England, Ireland, and Scotland. Discover more about English Setters at AKC’s English Setter Breed Biography.

German Shepherd Dog

There are many reasons why German Shepherd Dogs stand in the front rank of canine royalty, but experts say their defining attribute is character: loyalty, courage, confidence, the ability to learn commands for many tasks, and the willingness to put their life on the line in defense of loved ones. German Shepherd Dogs will be gentle family pets and steadfast guardians, but, the breed standard says, there’s a “certain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships.” Discover more about German Shepherd Dogs at AKC’s German Shepherd Dog Breed Biography.

Great Dane

The easygoing Great Dane, the mighty “Apollo of Dogs,” is a total joy to live with—but owning a dog of such imposing size, weight, and strength is a commitment not to be entered into lightly. This breed is indeed great, but not a Dane. Discover more about Great Danes at AKC’s Great Dane Breed Biography.

Scottish Terrier

A solidly compact dog of vivid personality, the Scottish Terrier is an independent, confident companion of high spirits. Scotties have a dignified, almost-human character. Their terrier persistence has earned the breed the nickname “the Diehard.” Discover more about Scottish Terriers at AKC’s Scottish Terrier Breed Biography.

Cocker Spaniel

The merry and frolicsome Cocker Spaniel, with his big, dreamy eyes and impish personality, is one of the world’s best-loved breeds. They were developed as hunting dogs, but Cockers gained their wide popularity as all-around companions. Discover more about Cocker Spaniels at AKC’s Cocker Spaniel Breed Biography.

Beagle

Not only is the Beagle an excellent hunting dog and loyal companion it is also happy-go-lucky, funny, and—thanks to its pleading expression—cute. They were bred to hunt in packs, so they enjoy company and are generally easygoing. Discover more about Beagles at AKC’s Beagle Breed Biography.

Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever, an exuberant Scottish gundog of great beauty, stands among America’s most popular dog breeds. They are serious workers at hunting and fieldwork, as guides for the blind, and in search-and-rescue, enjoy obedience and other competitive events, and have an endearing love of life when not at work. Discover more about Golden Retrievers at AKC’s Golden Retriever Breed Biography.

English Springer Spaniel

The English Springer Spaniel is a sweet-faced, lovable bird dog of great energy, stamina, and brains. Sport hunters cherish the duality of working Springers: handsome, mannerly pets during the week, and trusty hunting buddies on weekends. Discover more about English Springer Spaniels at AKC’s English Springer Spaniel Breed Biography.

Portuguese Water Dog

The bright and biddable Portuguese Water Dog was bred to be an all-around fisherman’s helper. The robust, medium-sized body is covered by a coat of tight, low-shedding curls. They are eager and athletic companions built for water work. Discover more about Portuguese Water Dogs at AKC’s Portuguese Water Dog Breed Biography.

For more information about a specific breed visit the breed’s parent club or AKC.org.

Shareables:

Presidential pups have had popularity ratings their Commanders-in-Chief could only dream of.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt had a Scottish Terrier named Murray the Outlaw of Falahill, popularly known as Fala.

From bed to shed, America is the land of canine opportunity.