US Presidents as Dogs

I like dogs. I like presidents. In this semi-serious article, I compare each president to a dog breed.

George Washington- Bull Terrier

Bull Terriers are intelligent, work-oriented dogs who are simultaneously independent and friendly. Washington was known for being incredibly hard-working and serious in combat, but affable when needed and a respected family man. The Bull Terrier is a stoic figure, much like Washington, but is much more than their regal demeanour.

John Adams- Airedale Terrier

Airedale Terriers are intelligent, stubborn dogs, much like John Adams. They can be difficult with other dogs and are protective, similarly to how Adams was less than personable with his co-workers. They’re known for their stamina and drive- Adams fought for Independence with every breath and lived to a remarkable ninety years old.

Thomas Jefferson- Briard

Thomas Jefferson was a Francophile, so what better than a French breed? The Briard represents Jefferson- intelligent, loyal and needs to keep its brain stimulated. Jefferson was a family man, and the Briard is a family dog.

James Madison- Dachshund

At 5’4, James Madison was America’s shortest president. The Dachshund is a small breed, but it’s a mighty one, much like the Founding Father. Like Madison, the Dachshund can be aloof around strangers, but affable among friends. Both the dog and man are popular.

James Monroe- Irish Setter

James Monroe was a man of action, and the Irish Setter is a dog of action. Both man and dog are active, enjoy company, are unpretentious and sociable. James Monroe is perhaps the most obscure, if one can call him that, of the Founding Father, whilst the Irish Setter doesn’t crack the top ten of breeds.

John Quincy Adams- Poodle

Poodles are incredibly intelligent dogs but are perceived as stuck-up and cold. John Quincy Adams was perhaps the most intelligent of all the presidents, but was not the friendliness of men, even to his own family. This aloofness is of course a stereotype of poodles, and Quincy Adams was indeed more than his personality.

Andrew Jackson- Akita

The Akita is considered a dangerous dog breed in some countries, and is known for being fierce. Andrew Jackson was a man with a famously strong temper, an inclination to duelling and an affinity for swearing. Akitas are aloof with strangers but deeply loyal to its family, which fits Jackson perfectly, as he was an excellent friend and relation.

Martin Van Buren- Jack Russell Terrier

They called Martin Van Buren ‘the Little Magician,’ for his cunning and wily nature. The Jack Russell Terrier is a smaller dog, but a tenacious worker. Both Van Buren and the Jack Russell are great to have in your corner in any situation, but can be stubborn.

William Henry Harrison- Giant Schnauzer

William Henry Harrison was a man of noble bearing, of good family, loyal and powerful. Most of this can be also ascribed to the Giant Schnauzer. Much as Harrison was a long-serving soldier, the Giant Schnauzer was known as a military dog. Both are imposing workers.

John Tyler- Italian Greyhound

John Tyler was a tall, slender man known for his coldness towards most. This mirrors the Italian Greyhound, a dog he ironically bought for his spirited young wife Julia. The Italian Greyhound was associated with royalty, perfect for a man whose father had been a friend of Thomas Jefferson.

James K. Polk- Shiba Inu

If you want a dedicated but asocial dog, you get a Shiba Inu. If you want a dedicated but asocial president, you vote for James K. Polk. Polk was a workaholic who eschewed socialisation, mirroring the independent-minded Shiba Inu.

Zachary Taylor- Dutch Shepherd

You’ll find the Dutch Shepherd in the military, in harsh and tough conditions, working without complaint. Throughout his life, Zachary Taylor worked without complaint on the rough frontiers of the United States. His early death shocked many due to his hardiness. The Dutch Shepherd is a rare breed, and Taylor is one of the lesser-known presidents.

Millard Fillmore- Samoyed

Queen Victoria once described Millard Fillmore as ‘the handsomest man she’d ever seen.’ Samoyeds are, in my opinion, an absolute stunner of a breed. Both man and dog are intelligent, regal and self-determined. One might prefer to cuddle the fluffy Samoyed than Millard Fillmore though.

Franklin Pierce- Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherds are bright, eager to please, intelligent and sociable dogs. Like the Australian Shepherd, Franklin Pierce was an affable fellow whose charm lured many in. The Australian Shepherd’s name is a lie, as it was bred in America. Franklin Pierce’s image was a lie, as his sunny persona hid the hardships of his personal life. Australian Shepherds are also a beautiful dog, and Franklin Pierce was known for his good looks.

James Buchanan- Scottish Deerhound

James Buchanan is widely regarded as one of the worst presidents, considered indecisive and nervous. The Scottish Deerhound characterises the best of Buchanan- easy-going, loyal to family and dignified. That easy-going nature could also be a bad quality in a president, as Buchanan was too focused on keeping the peace to actually do it.

Abraham Lincoln- Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees is a force of nature, a large dog that protects its home and livestock with a tenacity and fierceness that you could not expect. The mild-mannered Abraham Lincoln proved up to the task of protecting the Union during the Civil War. He was tall in height, and like the Great Pyrenees, a known fighter.

Andrew Johnson- Saluki

Coming after the hero Lincoln, Andrew Johnson was a rigid, traditional and reserved man who clung to his ideals. This mirrors the Saluki, a breed known for its aloof and undemonstrative personality. They’re hard to train and bring around, much like Johnson.

Ulysses S. Grant- Newfoundland

Ulysses S. Grant owned a Newfoundland named ‘Faithful,’ which was a perfect example of a dog resembling the owner. Grant was a loyal soldier and brilliant commander, as well as a friendly and genial man. Newfoundlands are known for its loyalty, love of family and friendliness to all. Faithful was known to be a very active dog who loved being busy, much like his owner, who probably liked the fact that the breed was as large as the horses he loved so much.

Rutherford B. Hayes- Rough Collie
Rutherford B. Hayes was seen as an ideal man- steadfast and serious, but intelligent and dependable. One only has to look at the most famous Rough Collie of all time, the amazing Lassie, to see how this correlates with the breed.

James A. Garfield- Shetland Sheepdog

James A. Garfield sadly didn’t live long enough to be an important president, but what we know of his personality indicates a friendly, good-natured man who was astonishingly intelligent. The Shetland Sheepdog is one of the most intelligent and easy to train breeds, and is great with the family.

Chester A. Arthur-Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Chester A. Arthur started the presidency as one of the most distrusted and disliked men in the country, but ended it as a widely respected man. Arthur was a genuine and compassionate man. Meanwhile, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a bad reputation as a horrible breed, but is actually a very loving and bright dog if trained and cared for properly.

Grover Cleveland- Chow Chow

The Chow Chow is a grand breed, known for being independent and only to be handled by experienced owners. Grover Cleveland was a president who espoused the ideology of self-worth and individualism. Both man and dog are independent and have a rather regal bearing.

Benjamin Harrison- Afghan Hound

Benjamin Harrison was famous for his cold, unappealing personality. The Afghan Hound is hardly unappealing and is a beautiful, elegant dog, but tends to be aloof and antisocial compared to other breeds.

William McKinley- American Cocker Spaniel

The American Cocker Spaniel is a friendly, hard-working dog who is eager to please and loves people. This is just like William McKinley, a good-hearted man who loved nothing more than meeting the public and hated confrontation.

Theodore Roosevelt- Border Collie

Theodore Roosevelt was quite the all-rounder, a man of adventure who loved nothing more than exploring and the great outdoors. If any dog was bred for those things, it’s the wonderful Border Collie. Both man and dog are intelligent, athletic and popular.

William H. Taft- Dalmatian
I bet you expected a bulldog, didn’t you? William H. Taft was a deeply intelligent, loyal man whose large size hid a very shrewd mind and a dream of being a Supreme Court Justice. Meanwhile, the Dalmatian is a very bright dog, bred to run alongside firefighters’ carriages. Just as Taft is associated with the Supreme Court, the Dalmatian is associated with firefighters.

Woodrow Wilson- Borzoi

Woodrow Wilson was an intelligent and idealistic but very cold and arrogant man. The Borzoi is a beautiful and elegant dog, but aloof and not the best for cuddles. Whilst the Borzoi was bred to be an aristocrat’s pet, Wilson felt like he was put on Earth by God to be in charge.

Warren G. Harding- Great Dane

Scooby Doo was good at sniffing out a villain, but Warren G. Harding couldn’t do that in his administration. Even so, Warren G. Harding and the Great Dane have a lot in common. Harding was a popular and amiable man, though he seemingly lacked depth. Meanwhile, the Great Dane is a sweet-natured lap dog who is unfortunately not the sharpest tool in the shed.

Calvin Coolidge- Basenji

Calvin Coolidge was famous as ‘Silent Cal,’ whilst the Basenji is famous for not barking. Both are independent, slightly aloof and reserved, yet can be very focused on the task at hand. Imagine Coolidge yodelling like a Basenji though.

Herbert Hoover- Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is a terrifically intelligent and athletic dog, but is only right in the hands of an owner who can handle it. Meanwhile, Herbert Hoover was excellent as an engineer and humanitarian, but not right as president.

Franklin D. Roosevelt- Scottish Terrier

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s beloved Fala was a Scottish Terrier, and he had more than a few things in common with the famous pooch. Scottish Terriers are famously feisty with personalities thrice the size of them. FDR didn’t let his paralytic illness define him, and was similarly bold and fun-loving.

Harry S. Truman- Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle dog herds farm animals through hot, tough farmland without complaint. Harry S. Truman was a down-to-earth, salt-of-the-earth president who took no prisoners, making him comparable to the Australian Cattle Dog. Both are low maintenance and independent.

Dwight D. Eisenhower- German Shepherd
What does Dwight D. Eisenhower have in common with the mighty German Shepherd? Both are military types, intelligent, athletic and generally popular. German Shepherds are the ultimate working breed and peerless leaders, much as Eisenhower was.

John F. Kennedy- Boston Terrier

A small but scrappy Boston lad- are we talking the Boston Terrier or John F. Kennedy? Both are inexplicably popular, but have lots of health problems. The Boston Terrier is known as the ‘American Gentleman,’ a persona that Kennedy would have probably liked to cultivate. They’re also both fans of people and sociable.

Lyndon B. Johnson- Rottweiler

Whilst Lyndon B. Johnson is associated with the Beagle, he is more like a Rottweiler. Both are large and in charge, not hesitating to stand their ground and piss on everything (I said what I said). That being said, they’re great to have in your corner- the Rottweiler will protect your home, and Johson will get your bill passed.

Richard Nixon- Vizsla

The Vizsla is a shy dog who prefers one person and is never the centre of attention. This is comparable with Richard Nixon, a famous introvert. They’re nevertheless both keen and hard workers.

Gerald Ford- Golden Retriever

Gerald Ford was famous for his beautiful Golden Retriever Liberty, and he has a lot in common with his furry pal. Both are popular, eager to please, kind and love to be around others. The Golden Retriever maintains a status as one of the most popular dog breeds around, whilst Ford was selected as Nixon’s Vice President because he could get through Congress easily.

Jimmy Carter- Labrador

Jimmy Carter is one of the most beloved presidents if one takes away his actual presidency. Kind, compassionate and popular, both Carter and the Labrador command a lot of respect, though both of course have their drawbacks.

Ronald Reagan- Saint Bernard

Saint Bernards are larger-than-life, friendly and great around everyone. Ronald Reagan also embodied these traits. They’re people dogs who rely on smiles as opposed to smarts, though neither was particularly stupid.

George H. W. Bush- English Springer Spaniel

George H.W. Bush and his wife owned Springer Spaniels, so it makes sense both man and dog are comparable. They’re both aristocratic in origin, intelligent and dependable.

Bill Clinton- Beagle

Beagles are known for their affability and love for people, which tracks with Bill Clinton’s legendary charisma. Once you get a Beagle on a scent, it doesn’t let go, whilst Bill Clinton didn’t let go of his ambition to get out of small-town Arkansas (or into any woman’s pants).

George W. Bush- English Bulldog

George W. Bush had an image of a kindly cowboy compared to the stiff Al Gore, and is often all smiles. The English Bulldog has a comparably laid back nature, though can be resolute in its attitude.

Barack Obama- Portuguese Water Dog

Barack Obama made the Portuguese Water Dog famous when he was given one in the White House. Like the Portuguese Water Dog, he’s intelligent and affable, but will definitely dig his heels in.

Donald Trump- Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky is a grand but unpredictable breed. Trump is a man of a similarly grand pedigree but unpredictable nature, someone who goes his own way. They’re not for everyone, but those who love them really do love them.

Joe Biden- Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound is a large dog with a shaggy look, a breed with an old soul. Joe Biden portrayed that sense of age in the White House, as well as that quirk that defines them both. The Irish Wolfhound is not particularly adaptable though, and Biden also had a stubborn streak.