Joe Biden to bring first rescue dog to White House

Champ, one of Joe Biden's dogs, with Michelle Obama and Jill Biden in 2012

Credit: Saul Loeb/AFP

When Joe Biden moves into the White House in January, it won’t just be Kamala Harris breaking new ground. The president-elect will bring two new canine residents with him to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, including the building’s first rescue dog.

Major and Champ, both German Shepherds, will be the first dogs in the White House since Barack Obama’s Portuguese Water Dogs Bo and Sunny moved out in January 2017. 

Major, the rescue dog (left), and Champ with Jill Biden

Credit: Instagram

Major was adopted from the Delaware Humane Association in 2018, ten years after Mr Biden and his wife Jill acquired Champ, and, according to NBC News, will be the first rescue dog to live at the White House.

There is a long tradition of White House pets, including one raccoon, but it was eschewed by Donald Trump. At a 2019 rally he mocked the idea of owning a dog, saying “I don’t see it”.

Mr Biden’s social media used the clip in a light-hearted campaign message to “put dogs back in the White House.”