Does Donald Trump Have a White House Dog?
When you think of U.S. presidents, one of the first things that often comes to mind is the "First Dog." From George H.W. Bush's English Springer Spaniel to the Obamas' Portuguese Water Dogs, having a dog in the White House has been a long-standing tradition. But did Donald Trump, the 45th president, have a dog during his time in office? The answer is no—Trump did not have a dog in the White House, and here's why.
While it’s common for U.S. presidents to be seen with their dogs, Trump was the first president in recent history to live in the White House without a canine companion. His decision not to adopt or bring a dog to the White House was unusual,
Donald Trump was one of the few U.S. presidents who hasn’t had a “First Pet” while serving in the White House. This was a noticeable break from the tradition of having presidential pets, especially dogs, which have often been seen as a symbol of warmth and approachability.
Trump’s decision not to have a dog seems to come down to personal preference. In a 2019 interview, he explained that he would feel "a little phony" owning a dog, suggesting that having a pet didn’t align with his personality. While many people see dogs as loyal companions that bring joy to their homes, Trump simply didn’t feel the need to have one.
For Trump, owning a dog wasn’t a part of the image he wanted to project, unlike other presidents who used their pets to show a more caring and human side to the American public.
Having pets, particularly dogs, in the White House is a tradition that dates back to the early years of the U.S. presidency. Many U.S. presidents have had dogs that became beloved figures in American culture. Some notable examples include:
George H.W. Bush’s Millie: Millie was an English Springer Spaniel who became famous during Bush's presidency. She even "wrote" a book!
Barack Obama’s Bo and Sunny: The Obamas had two Portuguese Water Dogs, Bo and Sunny, who were adored by the public and often made appearances with the family.
Joe Biden’s Champ and Major: The Bidens’ two German Shepherds returned the tradition of having a presidential dog after Trump’s pet-free White House years.
While these pets were cherished by their families and the public, Trump’s White House remained pet-free.
Trump’s choice not to have a dog in the White House puts him in a small group of presidents who didn’t have pets. Other presidents who didn’t own dogs during their time in office include James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson. While owning a dog is a well-known tradition, it is not mandatory, and some presidents simply didn’t share the same affinity for pets.
Although Trump did not have a personal dog, he did recognize a canine during his presidency. In 2019, Trump honored Conan, a Belgian Malinois military working dog who played a critical role in the operation that led to the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Conan was injured in the operation but continued to serve.
Trump invited Conan to the White House in a ceremony to celebrate the dog's bravery. The military dog was praised for its contribution to the success of the mission and the safety of the soldiers involved. While Conan was not a White House pet, the recognition of military dogs brought attention to the important role these animals play in national security.
Trump’s decision was based on personal preference, as he did not feel owning a dog was authentic to his image. While this was a rare choice in modern presidential history, the tradition of having pets returned with the Biden administration. Trump’s presidency marked a distinct absence of the "First Dog," but this choice reflects his personal approach to public life.
