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Barking Brackets
Welcome to Ballotpedia's first ever Barking Brackets Tournament!
Dogs have become one of the most pup-ular pets for presidents to have during their time in the White House, dating back to George Washington.
Our com-PET-ition was RUFF, and after a grrrr-ueling tournament, Bo has been voted as Ballotpedia's 2021 Barking Bracket Cham-paw-ion. He beat his o-paw-nent, Millie, by just 2 votes!
2021 Cham-Paw-ion
Administration: Barack Obama
PAW-litical office: Ballotpedia's Barking Brackets
BARKography: I was a gift to my family in 2009. During my time in the White House, I loved playing outside on the lawn, greeting visitors, and dressing up in fancy collars and bows for special events and holidays.[1] My sister and I became so pup-ular we ended up having our own schedules for appearances, but of course always made time to run up and down the halls with our dad.[2]
- I have a little sister named Sunny
- I'm a Portuguese Water Dog
Lost in the Cham-Paw-ionship
Administration: George H. W. Bush
PAW-litical office: Ballotpedia's Barking Brackets
BARKography: After my first year in the White House, I gave birth to six puppies! I soon became a media sensation and was even on the cover of Life magazine! Throughout my time as First Dog, I dictated a book, Millie’s Book, in which I detailed a typical day with my presidential pawrent.[3]
- One of my puppies, Ranger, stayed with me in the White House
- I am an English Springer Spaniel
Lost in the Final Four(legged) Round
Administration: George W. Bush
PAW-litical office: Ballotpedia's Barking Brackets
BARKography: I became famous for my "Barney Cam" adventures, where I would wander through the White House with a video camera attached to my collar. I especially loved showing off the decorations during Christmas time![4] You could find me playing around on the lawn.[5]
- I was joined in the White House by my niece, Miss Beazley
- I'm a Scottish Terrier
Administration: Joe Biden
PAW-litical office: Ballotpedia's Barking Brackets
BARKography: I was adopted in 2018, and was named after the last rank of my pawrent's son Beau. I am the first shelter dog to live in the White House![6]
- I have an older brother named Champ.
- I'm a German Shepherd
Lost in the Elite Eight
Administration: Bill Clinton
PAW-litical office: Ballotpedia's Barking Brackets
BARKography: I was named after my owner's great-uncle and came to the White house in 1997. I loved going for long walks on the lawn with my family, and was always sure to meet dad when he came home from important trips.[7] During my time as First Dog, people would write letters to me and Socks, which my mom made into a book![8]
- I was joined in the White House by Socks (cat), but we didn't get along too well
- I'm a Chocolate Labrador Retriever
Administration: Franklin D. Roosevelt
PAW-litical office: Ballotpedia's Barking Brackets
BARKography: I loved traveling all over the world and joining my pawrent at secret meetings and conferences. I was also the subject of two MGM films and gave my toys to promote a rubber collection drive during World War II.[9] There’s even a statue of me at the FDR memorial, pretty cool huh?![10]
- I had a brother named Major who was a German Shepherd (BI)
- I'm a Scottish Terrier
Administration: Herbert Hoover
PAW-litical office: Ballotpedia's Barking Brackets
BARKography: Dog on duty! I loved helping the White House police force and would patrol the gates on a nightly basis.[11] Rumor has it I helped my presidential pawrent get elected by appearing in a campaign photo with him in 1928.[12]
- I didn't live in the White House long
- I'm a Belgian Shepherd
Administration: John F. Kennedy
PAW-litical office: Ballotpedia's Barking Brackets
BARKography: I was a gift to the First Lady, Jackie, from Nikita Khrushchev.[13] My name means "fluffy" in Russian, and I am the daughter of Strelka, the first Russian dog in space.[14] According to BBC News, the White House electrician and kennel manager, Traphes Bryant, trained me with peanuts to climb up a ladder to Caroline Kennedy's playhouse and slide down the other side.[15]
- I was one of 8 dogs the Kennedy's had, one of which Charlie, a Welsh terrier, was the father of my "pupniks."
- My breed is unknown
Footnotes
- ↑ White House History, "White House Pets", accessed March 31, 2021
- ↑ Business Insider, "All the Presidents Dogs", accessed March 31, 2021
- ↑ White House History, "White House Pets", accessed March 31, 2021
- ↑ White House History, "White House Pets", accessed March 31, 2021
- ↑ Wikipedia, "Barney (dog)", accessed March 31, 2021
- ↑ Business Insider, "All the Presidents Dogs", accessed March 31, 2021
- ↑ Business Insider, "All the Presidents Dogs", accessed March 31, 2021
- ↑ White House History, "White House Pets", accessed March 31, 2021
- ↑ White House History, "White House Pets", accessed March 31, 2021
- ↑ Wikipedia, "Fala (Dog)", accessed March 31, 2021
- ↑ Business Insider, "All the Presidents Dogs", accessed March 31, 2021
- ↑ White House History, "White House Pets", accessed March 31, 2021
- ↑ Business Insider, "All the Presidents Dogs", accessed March 31, 2021
- ↑ White House History, "White House Pets", accessed March 31, 2021
- ↑ BBC News, "Pushinka: A Cold War puppy the Kennedys loved", accessed March 31, 2021
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