An unofficial part of running for president of the United States is the character debate. Voters want to elect someone who is likable, which often involves having a dog. Presidential dogs have a long history with Warren G. Harding's pup Laddie Boy setting the example. In 1944, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s dog Fala helped him win reelection. More recently, Barack and Michelle Obama promised their daughters they could get a dog if dad won the election. When he did, Bo and Sunny joined the family.
When looking to name your canine companion why not think presidential? The seven names on this list are sure to get you elected to something. But we can’t promise what you'll be elected to.
Captain
Let’s start at the very beginning. George Washington loved fox hunting. To help him out in this endeavor he had hounds. One of these was named Captain. It’s a perfect name for a pooch.
Duke
A lesser known one-term president, Rutherford Hayes, served from 1877 to 1881 making him number 19. He was a brevet major general in the Union army before getting the gig. He had three dogs while in office. One of them was an English mastiff named Duke.
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Major
Two presidents have used the name Major for their dogs, so it’s a winner for sure. First, Franklin Delano Roosevelt had a German shepherd who used the moniker. Then Joe Biden followed suit. It’s two for the price of one.
Charlie
John F. Kennedy had his own wolf pack. Charlie was a Welsh terrier. He would go on to sire puppies with Pushinka, a dog given to first daughter Caroline from Soviet Union Premier Nikita Khrushchev. The puppies were named Butterfly, White Tips, Blackie, and Streaker.
Checkers
Before he was the 37th president of the United States, Richard Nixon had some trouble. He was accused of having a secret slush fund when running for vice president under Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952. Checkers, a cocker spaniel, helped. Richard gave a speech stating he did not take gifts except the dog and his daughter loved him so he wasn’t giving it back. Checkers saved the day.
Millie
This lovely name was used by George H.W. Bush. He was the 41st president and first Bush in the oval office. Millie was an English springer spaniel who would go on to have puppies. One of them was named Ranger.
Her
Lyndon B. Johnson is known for his many civil rights accomplishments and his escalation of the Vietnam War. He served as the 36th president after Kennedy’s assassination. He had many pups, which were mostly beagles. He chose simple names such as Him and Her.
