President Biden’s German shepherds moved from White House following a minor incident
When President Joe Biden took office, he returned to the White House a time-honored tradition. Along with him, he brought two German shepherds who were the first White House dogs in four years. Unfortunately, a recent incident almost put a damper on the return of this tradition.
The nation’s first shelter dog
When Major and Champ came to the white house, Major, the youngest of the two, became the first-ever shelter dog to fill the position. Major was adopted by the Biden’s in 2018 from the Delaware Humane Association. Champ, on the other hand, had been given to President Biden in 2008 by his wife, first lady Dr. Jill Biden.
A minor incident
Problems arose when an incident occurred between Major and a White House staffer. In the incident, Major had nipped the hand of a Secret Service agent. The injury was deemed extremely minor by the agency with the skin not broken. The agent was able to continue their duties following the incident.
The injury to the Secret Service agent was handled by the White House medical unit and no further treatment was needed. According to Psaki, the dogs were still getting used to their surroundings and the new people they were being exposed to as a result of the Biden’s move into the White House.
Sent back to Delaware
At the time, Major and Champ were sent back to the Biden’s home in Wilmington, Delaware, and were being watched by family friends. According to White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, this move had already been planned because of the first lady’s travel plans for the week.
“It had been previously planned already for the dogs to be cared for by family friends in Delaware during Dr. Biden’s travels to military bases this week,” Psaki said in a White House briefing. “She has a three-day trip this week, and the dogs will return to the White House soon.”
Previous aggressive behavior
According to White House staff, Major had shown some previous agitated behavior, including charging at staff members, jumping, and barking. Chances are this is due to the protective nature that German shepherds are known for, and Major’s desire to guard his owners against strangers.
Not the first Major in the White House
Major is not the first German shepherd with the sane name to live in the White House. President Franklin D. Roosevelt also had a German shepherd named Major who live in the White House during his tenure. And just like the current Major, Roosevelt’s Major was known for his aggressive behavior, chasing the White House maids while they cleaned.
In addition to the maids, Roosevelt’s Major also attacked the British Prime Minister at the time on a visit to the White House, among other incidents. Eventually, that Major too was removed from the White House, but, unlike Biden’s Major, never returned.
For more on White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki’s briefing on the matter, check out the video below.
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