Types of Dogs President Kennedy Owned

John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, loved dogs. While living in the White House from 1961 to 1963, Kennedy's pack of dogs included Charlie, a Welsh terrier; Shannon, a cocker spaniel; Clipper, a German shepherd; Wolf, an Irish wolfhound; and five mixed-breed dogs: Pushinka, Butterfly, White Tips, Blackie and Streaker, according to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

  1. Role

    • JFK reportedly had high regard for his dogs. He was the first president to have his dogs trained to greet the presidential helicopter after it landed at the White House. Since then, the canine greeting ritual has remained a White House tradition. Some of Kennedy̵7;s dogs are linked to other notable moments in history, as well.

      The Kennedy dogs were doted on and treated as if they were part of the family, according to written reports and recordings by Traphes L. Bryant, whose role at the White House included training and taking care of the dogs.

    Calming Effect

    • Kennedy seemed to understand the calming and therapeutic effect of dogs. In 1962, while contending with the Cuban missile crisis, Kennedy called Charlie into the Oval Office as a source of comfort, the Christian Science Monitor reported. At the time, nuclear war was threatening to break out after Kennedy discovered that Russia was storing missile warheads in Cuba, according to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum and Library. After petting Charlie for a while, the president seemed to calm down. Kennedy then told Bryant he was ready to decide how to proceed, according to the Christian Science Monitor.

      On a more lighthearted note, Bryant recalled a time when Kennedy called for Charlie while playing on the golf green with his son, John. According to a White House recording of the account, "The President asked me, ̵6;Where is Charlie?̵7;" Bryant said. "I said, ̵6;Mr. President, Charlie is chasing squirrels on the East Side.̵7; I brought Charlie to the President.̶1;

      The Welsh terrier was a gift from Joseph P. Kennedy, JFK's father. Welsh terriers are known for being high-energy sporting dogs, according to the American Kennel Club. They have a wired-hair, black and tan coat.

    Gift from Russia

    • As a gesture of peace in 1961, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev gave Kennedy a mixed-breed, white dog named Pushinka. She received attention for being the offspring of Strelka, one of two dogs sent into space on Russia's Sputnik 5.

      Charlie took a liking to Pushinka, and they had four puppies: White Tips, Blackie, Streaker and Butterfly. According to the JFK Presidential Library and Museum, the puppies were eventually given away.

    Last Memories

    • The last time Bryant saw President Kennedy was shortly before he left for a trip to Dallas, Texas, in 1963, according to Bryant's White House recording. Bryant talked to Kennedy after he came out of the Bouquet Room at the White House. Kennedy's Irish wolfhound, Wolf, growled at Clipper, the German shepherd, and attempted to lunge at him. Kennedy observed that Wolf was upset with Clipper, as the two hadn't been getting along. Then the president went to his room to change for the evening meal, according to Bryant's account.

      "I had many fond memories but this was to be the last," said Bryant during the recording. JFK was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald on Friday, Nov. 22, 1963, while riding in a presidential motorcade at Dealey Plaza in Dallas.