Finally, Bo and Sunny walked through the halls of the White House. In the USA, in addition to the President and the First Lady, at least one “First Dog” usually belongs in the house. Americans obviously love dogs. And so a dog is also good for your image.
Major and Champ are getting a lot of attention from the media. Photos of the first dogs are being posted on social media while they are walking or even when they are comfy on the presidential car with a dog car seat cover with quilted design. Joe and Jill Biden’s two dogs are the “First Pets” of the White House. The president of the USA is thus continuing the tradition of the presidential dog.
The First Dog tradition
George Washington, President number one of the United States, started this tradition with thirteen dogs. Since then, almost every president has done the same. However, there is currently no dog living in the White House. Because Donald Trump was the first US President in almost 120 years who did not bring a dog with him.
The fact that the “First Dog” tradition is mostly maintained is probably also due to the fact that dogs are popular in the USA. Around every second household has at least one dog. For comparison: In Germany, it is about every fourth household.
Read also: Politicians And Their Four-Legged Friends
Self-portrayal with pets
However, it was not just the American presidents who took advantage of the fact that dogs can convey an image. In the past, emperors and queens had their portraits taken with large and supposedly dangerous-looking dogs to represent their power. In the US, on the other hand, presidents and politicians seem to be hoping for the sympathy of their voters when they show themselves with a dog.
Dogs as internet stars
The animals are not just accessories, but sometimes lead their own lives in public: Herbert Hoover’s German Shepherd, US President from 1929 to 1933, appeared on election campaign posters, for example. And Barny, George W. Bush Jr.’s dog, had his own page on the web.
We have similar examples. Thuringia’s Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow has dedicated his dog Attila to his own account on Twitter. Politicians can show their closeness to the people with their dogs, says Deutschlandfunk-Nova reporter Henri Sarafov.
It is said that Dilyn, Boris Johnson’s Jack Russell Terrier, should also ensure more sympathy and closeness to the people during Brexit. However, Dilyn has to share the space at 10 Downing Street with Larry the cat. He has lived in the home of the British prime minister since 2011.
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