According to CNN, it was the Biden's grandchildren that named Champ. They chose Champ after the nickname President Biden's father called him as a young child.
In 2018, the Biden's adopted Major, a rescue dog from the Delaware Humane Association, partly to be a companion for Champ. Both dogs featured heavily in Biden's presidential campaign. When the family moved to the White House, they also brought back the tradition of presidential pets. At the time, the First Lady said she is focused on acclimating both dogs to the rigors of living in the White House, including the constant presence of Secret Service and taking the elevators instead of stairs.
The New York Times wrote Champ and Major spent a couple of months back in Delaware following a biting incident from Major.
"In our most joyful moments and in our most grief-stricken days, he was there with us, sensitive to our every unspoken feeling and emotion. We love our sweet, good boy and will miss him always," the Bidens said.
