While it is true that Trump is the first president in more than 100 years to not have a dog in the White House, this fact has been exaggerated into headlines that state, without sufficient evidence, that “Donald Trump hates dogs.” In 2018, we examined this issue in closer detail after we encountered a fake quote that falsely portrayed the president saying that he found dogs “disgusting.” You can read more about Trump and his relationship with dogs here.
The last president who did not have a dog was William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States, who was assassinated in 1901. McKinleys successor, Theodore Roosevelt, had a dog named Skip. The Roosevelt family also had some exotic pets, including a lizard, pig, badger, blue macaw, rooster, hyena, barn owl, rabbit, pony, pig, and a small bear named Jonathan Edwards.
When it comes to animals, the Wilson administration was known for one thing: sheep grazing on the White House lawn. The flock served as a reminder of the war effort—not only did they save the government money by cutting the grass, but an auction of their wool also benefited the Red Cross. In addition to the lambs, Wilson also kept a ram (who reportedly chewed tobacco), songbirds, several dogs, and a cat named Puffins.
President Kennedys Welsh Terrier, Charlie, was constantly by his side during his time in the White House. Here, the President plays fetch with his companion, while on a walk at his Virginia estate, Glen Ora.
Gerald Fords Golden Retriever Liberty was a frequent guest in the Oval Office. Ford also had a Siamese cat named Shan.
Several dogs lived in the White House during Hoovers tenure including a Belgian Shepard named King Tut. His son also owned alligators that could sometimes be seen on the White House grounds. The Hoovers werent the first to bring the reptile along—read on for more about John Quincy Adamss unconventional pet.
Warren Harding had two dogs: Laddie Boy, an Airedale Terrier, and Old Boy, an English Bulldog, and his wife kept canaries, but his familys most notable pet would have to be a squirrel named Pete.
Thomas Jefferson bought his dog, Bergere, in France. She had two puppies onboard the ship heading back to the United States.
The parrot that lived in the White House actually belonged to First Lady Dolley Madison, not James.
Over 100 dogs have lived in the White House — but which President had the most?
Fido, Abraham Lincolnâs dog, didnât get to live in the White House. Instead, he stayed in Springfield, Illinois.
Herbert Hooverâs wirehaired Irish wolfhound, Cragwood Seamrog, became too aggressive around strangers and even bit one of the Marine guards at Camp Rapidan. A soldier at Fort Myer volunteered to take him.