President Joe Biden’s German Shepherds Champ and Major are officially moved into the White House, five days after Biden was sworn into office.
Champ, 12, and Major, 3, were reunited with the Biden family on Sunday when the pooches officially arrived at the executive mansion, the New York Post noted. The dogs were previously staying at the family’s home in Wilmington, Delaware.
As the dogs adjust to their new home, Major has reportedly spent his time “running around on the South Lawn,” while Champ has been “enjoying his new dog bed by the fireplace.”
However, this isn’t the dogs’ first time in Washington. When Biden served as the Vice President, Champ lived at the vice-presient residence at the Naval Observatory for eight years.
Champ joined the Biden family in 2008, shortly before the family moved into their new home in Washington, NBC News reported.
Champ’s name hold has a sentimental meaning to Biden. In the past, his father would tell him “Get up, champ,” whenever he was feeling down.
Major joined the family toward the last months of Biden’s vice-presidential term. The pup was a part of a litter of puppies that were dropped off at the Delaware Humane Association in March 2018.
After the rescue posted pictures of the pups on Facebook, Biden’s daughter, Ashley, informed her father about the dogs. As a result, he reached out to the rescue to inquire about Major.
Since the puppy was too young to be adopted, Major was fostered by the Bidens until he was old enough to be adopted by the family.
German Shepherds are known to have a confident, courageous, and smart temperament, according to the American Kennel Club. The breed’s life expectancy is 12 to 14 years and male dogs typically weigh between 65-90 pounds.
Major made history as the first rescue dog to live in the White House.
Joe Biden’s dog Champ is pictured at the Vice President’s residence at the Naval Observatory May 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
