Political Dog Names

Pets, specifically dogs, have become somewhat commonplace at the White House. The most intriguing menagerie of pets to ever enter the White House has to belong to Theodore Roosevelt. When Teddy Roosevelt came to the White House he and wife Edith brought six children and over ten pets, including several dogs of various shapes, sizes and pedigrees.

President Roosevelt’s favorite dog was Skip. Skip is thought to have been a Rat Terrier that was found when Roosevelt was at the Grand Canyon participating in a bear hunt. It is claimed that Roosevelt related to the tenacious Terrier, claiming that the dog could stand up to anything, just as Roosevelt had to do in government. It was not uncommon to see Skip and Roosevelt’s then 7 year old son, Archie racing down the hallways of the White House.

Another favored dog of Theodore Roosevelt was a smooth coated Manchester Terrier named Blackjack, or Jack for short. It has been reported that Jack was terrified of cats, especially Tom Quartz, the family cat. Jack was absolutely a part of the family and was the first of their dogs to be allowed to sleep with a family member. He slept with Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. every night. However, Jack was all Terrier and enjoyed finding things to destroy such as books and blankets.

Jack died while the Roosevelt’s still resided at the White House and he was buried behind the house. When the Theodore’s second presidential term ended and the Roosevelt’s left the White House behind, Edith Roosevelt did not want to leave Jack behind. His coffin was exhumed and he was moved to his final resting place at Sagamore Hill, the Long Island estate of Theodore and Edith Roosevelt.

There were several other dogs that stole the hearts of the Roosevelt family. These included a black Pekingese named Manchu. Manchu was a gift from the last empress of China to Roosevelt’s daughter, Alice. There was also the large, clumsy and friendly Saint Bernard named Rollo. A Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Sailor Boy also graced the White House. Then there was Pete the Bull Terrier; Pete was sent to live at Sagamore Hill after he nipped the ankles of one too many White House visitors. His exile started after he tore a hole in the pant leg of the French ambassador. Edith Roosevelt had her own personal pet, first a mixed breed named Tip and then another one named Mutt.