For over a century, nearly every U.S. president brought a furry (or feathered) companion to the White House. From Roosevelt’s pony to Obama’s Portuguese Water Dogs, presidential pets have been part of American tradition — offering charm, relatability, and sometimes comic relief. That is, until Donald Trump took office.
Trump became the first president in more than 100 years to not have a pet during his time in the White House. So why did he break this long-standing tradition?
“It Would Feel a Little Phony”
Trump addressed the topic publicly a few times, making it clear he didn’t see a pet as something that fit his image. In a 2019 rally, he said, “I wouldn’t mind having one, honestly, but I don’t have any time. How would I look walking a dog on the White House lawn?”
He added that while many people encouraged him to get a dog — mostly for appearances — he felt it would be fake. “It feels a little phony to me,” he said, suggesting he didn’t want to get a pet just to meet expectations or follow tradition.
Not a “Pet Person”
Throughout his life, Trump has rarely been seen with animals. Unlike presidents like George W. Bush, who had a Scottish Terrier named Barney, or Joe Biden with his German Shepherds, Trump never showed a strong personal interest in pets.
This wasn’t a surprise to his supporters either. Many saw it as just another way he broke the mold of what’s “expected” of a president.
A Break in a Wholesome Tradition
Presidential pets have often been more than just companions — they’ve been public figures in their own right. Fala, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Scottish Terrier, had a fanbase. Socks the cat and Buddy the dog helped soften Bill Clinton’s image. Even Theodore Roosevelt’s small zoo of pets (including a badger) became part of his public persona.
By skipping the tradition entirely, Trump stood out not just politically but personally. Whether it was for practicality, image, or simply lack of interest, the absence of a pet was one of many ways his presidency differed from those before him.
A Return to the Tradition
When Joe Biden took office in 2021, he brought two German Shepherds — Champ and Major — back into the White House. Major even made history as the first rescue dog to live there.
While a president’s ability to lead doesn’t depend on having a dog or cat, pets have always added a human touch to the office — a bit of warmth and relatability. Trump may not have needed or wanted that — and for better or worse, it was one more way he set himself apart.
Presidential Pets Through the Years: A Quick Breakdown
Here’s a look at some of the most notable pets U.S. presidents have had over time. From loyal dogs to exotic animals, the White House has hosted quite the variety.
George Washington (1789–1797)
- Pets: American Foxhounds, Black and Tan Coonhounds, horses
- Washington bred and trained hunting dogs and was deeply interested in animals.
Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809)
- Pets: Mockingbirds, bear cubs, horses
- He received bear cubs as a gift from Lewis and Clark, though they were later given to a museum.
Abraham Lincoln (1861–1865)
- Pets: Dog (Fido), cats, goats, rabbits
- Lincoln was famously fond of cats and often brought strays into the White House.
Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909)
- Pets: Dogs, cats, guinea pigs, snakes, a badger, a macaw, a pony
- Arguably the president with the most pets — his household resembled a small zoo.
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933–1945)
- Pet: Fala (Scottish Terrier)
- Fala was extremely popular and even accompanied Roosevelt on trips and speeches.
John F. Kennedy (1961–1963)
- Pets: Dogs, horses, parakeets, hamsters, a rabbit
- The Kennedy family had a wide array of pets, many of which were gifts from other nations.
Richard Nixon (1969–1974)
- Pet: Checkers (Cocker Spaniel)
- Though Checkers passed away before Nixon became president, the dog played a key role in his early political career through the famous “Checkers speech.”
Ronald Reagan (1981–1989)
- Pets: Dogs, horses
- Reagan and his wife Nancy were fond of their dogs, especially at their California ranch.
George H. W. Bush (1989–1993)
- Pet: Millie (English Springer Spaniel)
- Millie was so famous she had a bestselling book attributed to her.
Bill Clinton (1993–2001)
- Pets: Socks (cat), Buddy (dog)
- Their rivalry was well-known; they were rarely photographed together.
George W. Bush (2001–2009)
- Pets: Barney and Miss Beazley (Scottish Terriers), India (cat)
- Barney starred in “Barney Cam,” a holiday video series from the White House.
Barack Obama (2009–2017)
- Pets: Bo and Sunny (Portuguese Water Dogs)
- Chosen due to Malia Obama’s allergies, both dogs became White House favorites.
Donald Trump (2017–2021)
- No pets
- First president in over 100 years to not have a pet in the White House, citing time and image reasons.
Joe Biden (2021–present)
- Pets: Champ and Major (German Shepherds), Commander (German Shepherd), Willow (cat)
- Major was the first rescue dog to live in the White House; Willow the cat joined later.