White House Pets: A President's Best Friend

Gallery

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President Franklin D. Roosevelt drives around Hyde Park with his dog Fala.
Library of Congress
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President Dwight D. Eisenhower walks outside with his pet dog, Heidi, alongside him behind the fence.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum/NARA, National Park Service
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Lyndon Johnson attends to business while holding mixed breed Yuki and cooling off in the swimming pool with his grandson, Patrick Lyndon, 1968.
Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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Gerald Ford with Liberty in the Oval Office, 1975.
White House Historical Association
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Ronald Reagan and Rex, his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, in the Diplomatic Reception Room, 1986.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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George Bush enjoys a walk with Millie and Ranger at Camp David, Maryland, 1991.
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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Bill Clinton with his new Labrador puppy, Buddy, 1997.
William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush exiting Marine One. Mrs. Bush is carrying Barney while President Bush walks Spot.
George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum/NARA
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Bo, left, and Sunny, the Obama family dogs, on the South Lawn of the White House, August 19, 2013.
White House photo by Pete Souza
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For President Biden's 79th birthday, his brother and sister-in-law, James & Sara Biden, gifted him a new puppy, a pure-bred German Shephard named Commander. The photo is an Official White House photograph by Erin Scott.
Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz

About this Gallery

"If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog," said Harry Truman. Portraits of presidents with their dogs in quiet moments of reflection or boisterous fun have played a role in forming perceptions of the character and personality of our presidents in recent years.