JD Vance's German shepherd may continue the beloved trend of dogs in the White House.

Presidential pups have been a long-standing and popular tradition in Washington, D.C.

Recently, President Biden's two German shepherds, Commander and Major, resided at the White House, despite their history of misbehavior, according to reports.

Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, the Republican vice-presidential candidate, could continue the trend of not having a canine attached to their ticket in the 2024 presidential race.

On August 16th, Vance and his wife were seen campaigning in Milwaukee with their 9-month-old German shepherd named Atlas.

According to New Life K9s, German shepherds, renowned for their loyalty, are frequently selected as police K9s owing to their intelligence, loyalty, and athleticism.

According to reports, Biden's German shepherds have reinforced the breed's reputation for being fierce.

According to internal documents obtained by Planet Chronicle Digital, the Commander allegedly attacked at least 24 members of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) between Oct. 2022 and July 2023, biting them during the incidents.

These incidents led to Commander’s removal from the White House.

Major, who had been previously removed for biting USSS and White House staff, was joined by his brother.

The right routines are needed

If another German shepherd accompanies Vance to D.C. this fall, celebrity dog trainer Chrissy Joy of Maryland emphasizes the importance of providing the breed with opportunities for exercise, proper training, and socialization.

According to the expert, dogs do well with routines and feeling secure and trusting in their surroundings, including the people in them.

"Consistently training, caring for, and exercising the dog can reduce and control any undesirable behaviors."

According to Joy, German shepherds have a history of being "notable war heroes," used for attacking, guarding, and sending messages.

The breed now continues to thrive in police and military tasks.

The key to the dogs' well-being in the White House is proper exposure and socialization, she emphasized.

Joy stated that teaching a dog to associate positively with a changing environment can prepare the dog for success in the future when asked to tolerate and thrive with different handlers, locations, and stimuli.

If a dog exhibits signs of fear or aggression, Joy advises seeking the assistance of a professional trainer who specializes in positive-based reward systems.

"The trainer can determine if the dog's reactivity is genuine aggression or a result of fear caused by the stressful environment," she stated.

History of presidential pups

President Theodore Roosevelt was the first to popularize presidential pets.

According to the White House Historical Association, Skip was a short-legged black-and-tan mongrel terrier owned by him.

Presidents of the 1920s continued the trend.

Warren G. Harding owned an Airedale terrier named Laddie Boy, while President Calvin Coolidge and first lady Grace Coolidge were fond of a white collie named Rob Roy. Additionally, President Herbert Hoover had a Belgian malinois named King Tut who assisted the White House police force as a patrol dog.

Franklin D. Roosevelt owned many dogs, including Fala, his most notable black Scottie, who often accompanied him to secret meetings and World War II conferences, according to the association.

While in office, many presidents had their own puppies, including first lady Jackie Kennedy's dog, Pushinka, who was a gift from Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.

According to the historical association, Pushinka, a Welsh terrier, became the father of four puppies after being taken a liking to the Kennedy family's Charlie.

Millie, the English springer spaniel owned by first lady Barbara Bush, became famous for giving birth to six puppies, landing her on the cover of Life magazine.

Eight puppies were born to President Gerald Ford's golden retriever, Liberty, who received her as a gift from photographer David Hume Kennerly.

Lyndon B. Johnson, the President, had a fondness for furry companions. He welcomed two beagles, Him and Her, into the White House, along with a stray dog named Yuki, who was discovered in Texas by his daughter, as per the association.

The most renowned pet of the President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan was Rex, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel.

The Nixon family's Irish setter, Yorkie and poodle trio, the Clinton family's chocolate lab puppy, Buddy, and President George W. Bush's Scottish terriers, Barney and Miss Beazley, are among the notable pooches known for their Christmas portraits.

While in office, the Obamas owned two Portuguese water dogs named Bo and Sunny, which caused a nationwide fascination with the dog breed, according to the White House Historical Association.

What to consider

Joy believes that before bringing a dog into the White House, it's crucial to consider whether it's a wise decision, despite the popularity of presidential pups.

The dog will seek a consistent routine, including the people in it, even though there may be plenty of people available to care for it, she told Planet Chronicle Digital.

"If the dog is constantly away from its owners and experiences frequent changes, it may develop inconsistencies in training and lack ideal development, resulting in a lack of confidence and happiness."

When bringing a dog into the home, including the White House, it is important to consider the breed's activity requirements, temperament, and traits to ensure a good fit.

Planet Chronicle Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed reporting.