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Richard Nixon through Ronald Reagan
The 70s and 80s president’s dogs saw the end of the Vietnam war, the launch of reusable shuttles to space and the worst stock market crash since the Great Depression. There were many events that altered our way of life and set the course for our future during this time, in addition to the three previously mentioned. Among these events are the voting age was lowered to 18, Watergate, the first personal home computers and the Atari 2600 were released, the Three Mile Island incident, John Lennon was killed, a global recession, Sandra Day O’Connor was seated as the first female Supreme Court Justice, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded and Americans awareness of world hunger, drug trafficking, missing children and drunk driving become epidemic.
Between the rise of America’s technological advancements and it’s increasing global awareness, dogs remained the most popular pets in the country. They provided loyalty and comfort amid presidential scandals and assassination attempts. In fact, Ronald Reagan (1981 – 1989) had a Bouvier des Flandres named Lucky that may have helped him pull through the attempt on his life in 1981.
More interesting facts on the 70s and 80s President’s dogs…
- The award to the president with the “most” dogs goes to Ronald Reagan with six. In addition to the Bouvier, he had a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a Golden Retriever, an Irish Setter, a Siberian Husky, and a Belgian Sheepdog. However, only the Bouvier, Lucky, and the Spaniel, Rex, lived at the White House. The rest stayed on his ranch in California.
The “most popular breed” was the Golden Retriever. Gerald Ford (1974 – 1977) had two, a mother and daughter named Liberty and Misty respectively.
- The “most unpopular breed” was the Border Collie. Jimmy Carter’s (1977 – 1981) daughter, Amy, was given a Collie mix, Grits, by her teacher, but it was returned as it was biting visitors.
- The “most presidential” dog, based on her name, was Gerald Ford’s Golden Retriever, Liberty.
- The “smallest dog” in the White House was Richard Nixon’s Yorkshire Terrier, Pasha.
- Nixon was also accompanied by a French Poodle, Vicki, and an Irish Setter, King Timahoe.
- Both Reagan and Ford had dogs with the name Lucky. While Reagan’s was the afore mentioned Bouvier, Ford’s dog was a mixed breed.
- Jimmy Carter had a very trendy breed of the time period, an Afghan Hound named Lewis Brown.
During the 20 years these four presidents were in office, only 8 dogs of their dogs lived in the White House. The 70s and 80s president’s dogs were a varied lot, ranging in size from a Yorkie to a Golden Retriever and Irish Setter. Had there been a PlexiDor Dog Door at 1600 Pennslyvania Avenue, they would have needed a large size door. Smaller dogs can use the larger door just fine. To find out more about the PlexiDor Dog Door contact us or call 888-PET-DOOR today!
