The most iconic photos of White House pets throughout history

Talia LakritzMay 12, 2021, 23:56 IST

President Barack Obama runs alongside Bo in 2009.White House/Pete Souza

Dogs are the most popular presidential pets, but some leaders have also had cats and raccoons.
The Obamas' dog Bo died from cancer, the family announced on Saturday.
The Bidens have two German shepherds, 13-year-old Champ and 3-year-old Major, who is a rescue.

First lady Grace Coolidge brought the family's pet raccoon, Rebecca, to the White House Easter Egg Roll in 1927.

First lady Grace Coolidge displays her pet raccoon, Rebecca, for a crowd of children at the 1927 White House Easter Egg Roll. Herbert French/PhotoQuest/Getty Images

John F. Kennedy had a total of eight White House dogs.

The Kennedy family dogs Charlie and Pushinka, at the White House in 1961. CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Lyndon B. Johnson's beagles, Him and Her, became national celebrities thanks to a spread in Life magazine in 1964.

Him and Her, pet Beagles of President Lyndon B. Johnson, sitting together on lawn of White House. Francis Miller/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images

Johnson was criticized for the way he frequently pulled his beagles up by the ears.

President Johnson playfully pulls on the ears of his pet beagles. Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images

President Richard Nixon greeted visitors with his Yorkshire terrier Pasha in 1969.

President Richard Nixon and Pasha with visitors in 1969. File/AP

Harry Truman's cocker spaniel, Feller, posed outside the White House in 1947.

Feller sitting outside the White House. Thomas D. Mcavoy/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images

President Gerald Ford was photographed with his golden retriever, Liberty, in the second story family room of the White House executive residence in 1975.

President Gerald Ford with Liberty. David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images

President Ronald Reagan's dog, Lucky, yanked him through the White House Rose Garden in 1985.

President Ronald Reagan is pulled along by his pet dog Lucky while he and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher take a stroll in the White House Rose Garden. AP

Lucky, a bouvier des Flandres, had calmer moments as well.

President Ronald Reagan petting his dog Lucky outside the White House. Bill Fitzpatrick/White House/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images

President George Bush and first lady Barbara Bush's dog Millie had a litter of puppies during their time in the White House.

Barbara Bush and her granddaughter, Marshall Lloyd Bush, with first dog Millie and her six newborn puppies. David Valdez/White House/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images

Bush played with the puppies on the White House lawn in 1989.

President George Bush sitting on the White House lawn with springer spaniel Millie and puppies. © CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

First lady Barbara Bush sat with her granddaughter, also named Barbara, and Millie on the steps of the White House in 1991.

First lady Barbara Bush, her granddaughter Barbara, and Millie. Barry Thumma, File/AP

The Clintons had two pets, a cat named Socks and a dog named Buddy.

Socks the cat and Buddy the dog. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

Socks perched on the backseat of the White House van in 1993.

Socks the cat in 1993. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

A White House staffer lifted Socks up to the podium in the briefing room in 1994.

Socks, the Clintons' cat, peers over the podium. Marcy Nighswander/AP

In addition to Spot, one of Millie's puppies, President George W. Bush had two Scottish terriers named Barney and Miss Beazley.

President George W. Bush's dogs, Spot (right) and Barney (left). Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty Images

Spot was pictured running on the South Lawn with a tennis ball in his mouth in 2001.

Spot plays on the South Lawn in 2001. PAUL MORSE/AFP via Getty Images

The Obamas' puppy Bo was a gift for Sasha and Malia when Barack Obama won the presidency in the 2008 election.

Malia Obama runs with Bo, followed by President Barack Obama and Sasha. Ron Edmonds, File/AP

White House photographer Pete Souza captured Bo running after Obama in the East Colonnade in 2009.

Bo and President Barack Obama. White House/Pete Souza

Bo rode in the presidential limousine on a trip to PetSmart in 2011.

President Barack Obama and Bo in 2011. Barack Obama Presidential Library

Sunny joined the Obamas in the White House in 2013.

Bo and Sunny. White House photo

White House photographer Adam Schultz photographed President Joe Biden in the Oval Office with his two German shepherds, Champ and Major.

President Joe Biden poses with the Biden family dogs Champ and Major. Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz

Biden leaned down to pet Champ in the Oval Office in February.

President Joe Biden pets the Biden family dog Champ in the Oval Office. Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz

Major was photographed eyeing a tennis ball on the Resolute Desk.

Biden family dog Major sees a tennis ball next to President Joe Biden on the Resolute Desk. Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz

I flew America's leading mid-tier airlines, JetBlue and Alaska, and saw some of the best options for pandemic flying

Cookies on the Business Insider India website