Welsh Terrier Dog Names

Despite his known allergy to pet hair of all sorts, John F. Kennedy encouraged his children to have pets to play with. Perhaps the best-known pet of the Kennedy household was Charlie, the family’s loveable Welsh Terrier. The Welsh Terrier was a perfect choice for the Kennedy household; the breed barely sheds, making it great for a household where some of the family members have allergies. 

Charlie was the family’s first dog — given to John by his wife, Jackie, as a gift — and JFK spoke about the Welsh Terrier as a member of the family. The Kennedys later adopted more pets as well, but none of them bonded with JFK as much as Charlie did. Charlie was also incredibly protective of his owner, and is remembered to have often growled when any other dogs came near JFK.

Charlie loved running and exercising, as many Welsh Terriers do; he even used to swim laps in the White House pool with JFK! Charlie only had one habit that the former president did not enjoy, and that was his fascination with sticks. He loved fetching balls and sticks, but this also extended past play time. The White House’s dog handler at the time, Traphes Bryant, remembers that Charlie would run and grab a stick at any time, often dropping it in JFK’s lap at often inopportune moments. According to Bryant, JFK once described this behavior as “aggravating.”

Bryant also remembers that John and Jackie would sneak off at night to walk Charlie in the dark streets of DC, unknown even to those around them. He remembers the three of them always looking happy together on these walks, more carefree than usual. 

Charlie loved his family and would always wait on the White House lawn to welcome them home when they returned. JFK was never too tired to pet Charlie when he came home, even after a long day. 

The Welsh Terrier has been a favorite among other royalty, too — Britain’s former prime minister, Clement Attlee, was a known lover of the dogs, and he even incorporated a Welsh Terrier into his family’s coat of arms. Edward VIII, former Prince of Wales, owned a Welsh Terrier named Gwen, who he was also known to have loved very much.