President-elect Joe Biden is facing the prospect of a divided Congress when he takes office in January. He also will have some loyal friends in the White House. Not only will Biden and his wife move into the White House, but so will Biden’s two pet German Shepherds. The two dogs are 12-year-old Champ and 2-year-old Major.
The Bidens got Champ as a puppy in the year 2008, shortly before they moved into the vice president’s official residence at the Naval Observatory. The name had emotional significance for the then-vice president-elect. For Joe Biden, his father would tell him “Get up, champ” every time when he was feeling down. Major will be the first shelter dog to enjoy life in the White House.
Keeping pets has been a longstanding tradition for the Presidents in the White House. Trump was noticeably the first U.S. President in a century without a pet. Before Trump, former President Barack Obama had Bo and Sunny, Portuguese Water Dogs, by his side. Trump, however, had previously explained that he did not have the time to care for a dog.
Sources: Twitter Champ & Major Biden.