Biden family dogs sent back to Delaware after Major bites White House guard
Dave Goldiner
The “First Dogs” have been sent to the dog house.
Major and Champ, the pet pooches of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, were taken back to their home in Delaware after one of them bit a White House guard, officials said.
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki initially declined to comment on the biting incident, but conceded Tuesday afternoon that Major was “surprised by an unfamiliar individual” and “reacted in a way that resulted in a minor injury to the individual.”
“I don’t have any updates on reports about an incident but what I can tell you…is that Major and Champ are part of the Biden’s family. They often go to Delaware when the first lady is traveling. And they’re adjusting to their new home," says @PressSecpic.twitter.com/LWu4c2v0Ms
Psaki previously told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” that the two German shepherds were being shipped off to the Bidens’ hometown of Wilmington because the First Lady was traveling for three days.
“Major and Champ ... are adjusting to their new home,” Psaki said Tuesday morning. “They are beloved members of the family (and) of course of the White House family too.”
Major, a 3-year-old German Shepherd, made history as the first rescue dog ever to live in the White House.
First dogs Champ and Major Biden, the family’s pair of German Shepherds, have officially moved into the White House, Jill Biden announced on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021.
President Biden's dog, Major
Major is the same dog who sprained Biden’s foot during a bout of horseplay during the presidential transition.
The Bidens adopted Major from a shelter in 2018. They already had Champ, a 13-year-old German Shepherd.
The dogs moved into the White House the weekend after Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20. Since then, they have been given the run of the place and are even known to bound into the Oval Office.
First dogs Champ and Major Biden are seen on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 25, 2021. As Joe Biden's German shepherd, Major, becomes the first rescue dog in the White House (he will be joined by his brother Champ), take a look at presidential pets over the years. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
Major Russell Harrison, son of President Benjamin Harrison, with his and nephew and niece on a cart pulled by the presidential pet goat "Whiskers" at the White House, Washington DC, between 1889 and 1893. (Getty Images)
Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, with his dogs at a farm, 1905. (Getty Images)
Warren G Harding and Florence Harding on a balcony with their pet dog, Laddie Boy, Washington DC, circa 1922. (Getty Images)
First Lady Grace Coolidge holds up her pet raccoon, Rebecca, for a crowd of children at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, Washington DC, April 18, 1927. (Getty Images)
Along with a raccoon named Rebecca, Calvin Coolidge kept a number of dogs. (Library of Congress/Getty Images)
In this Nov. 5, 1924, file photo President Calvin Coolidge and first lady Grace Coolidge are shown with their dog at the White House portico in Washington. The arrival of the Biden pets will also mark the next chapter in a long history of pets residing at the White House after a four-year hiatus during the Trump administration. “Pets have always played an important role in the White House throughout the decades,” said Jennifer Pickens, an author who studies White House traditions. (AP Photo, File)
Herbert Hoover poses with his pet dog King Tut, 1930s. (Getty Images)
Portrait of American President Franklin Delano Roosevelt behind the wheel of his car outside his home in Hyde Park, New York, mid 1930s. (Getty Images)
In this 1939, file photo President Franklin D. Roosevelt pets Fala, his Scottish terrier in Washington. The arrival of the Biden pets will also mark the next chapter in a long history of pets residing at the White House after a four-year hiatus during the Trump administration. (AP Photo, File)
In this March 20, 1962 file photo, President John F. Kennedy's daughter Caroline Kennedy rides her pony, Macaroni, on the south grounds of the White House in Washington. An unidentified handler runs along to keep pace. The arrival of the Biden pets will also mark the next chapter in a long history of pets residing at the White House after a four-year hiatus during the Trump administration. (AP Photo/File)
In this April 12, 1962, file photo first lady Jacqueline Kennedy gives a guided tour of the White House grounds to Empress Farah Pahlavi of Iran in Washington. Kennedy leads her daughter Caroline's pony, Macaroni, which had been nuzzling the empress, attracted by the daffodils she was carrying. In the background is the first lady's press secretary, Pamela Turnure. (AP Photo/Pool, File)
The Kennedy family on Christmas Day at the White House, Washington, D.C., December 25, 1962. (Getty Images)
President Lyndon Baines Johnson pets his pet beagle, named 'Him,' as reporters look on on the White House lawn, Washington, DC, 1964. (Getty Images)
In this April 27, 1964, file photo President Lyndon B. Johnson holds his dog "Her" by the ears as White House visitors look on the White House lawn, Washington. At left is President Johnson's other dog, "Him." This picture raised criticism from dog lovers. The arrival of the Biden pets will also mark the next chapter in a long history of pets residing at the White House after a four-year hiatus during the Trump administration. (AP Photo/Charles P. Gorry, File)
Richard Nixon pets his dogs (L-R) Irish Setter 'King Timahoe,' Yorkshire Terrier 'Pasha' and French Poodle 'Vicky,' outside the White House, Washington, DC, April 30, 1970. (Getty Images)
In this Feb. 5, 1969, file photo President Richard Nixon smiles as he shows off one of the White House pets tiny Yorkshire terrier Pasha to two junior visitors in his office in Washington. His guests are five-year-old Tracy Greenwood, the March of Dimes National Poster Child, and his 7-year-old brother Jamie. The arrival of the Biden pets will also mark the next chapter in a long history of pets residing at the White House after a four-year hiatus during the Trump administration. “Pets have always played an important role in the White House throughout the decades,” said Jennifer Pickens, an author who studies White House traditions. (AP Photo, File)
President Gerald Ford sits with his daughter Susan on the floor of the White House's Great Hall, watching their pet golden retriever 'Liberty,' Washington, DC, c. 1978. ( Pictorial Parade/Getty Images)
In this Oct. 7, 1974, file photo President Gerald Ford and his daughter, Susan, are seen on the South Lawn of the White House with their dog, Liberty, in Washington. The arrival of the Biden pets will also mark the next chapter in a long history of pets residing at the White House after a four-year hiatus during the Trump administration. (AP Photo, File)
This December 1986, file photo shows first lady Nancy Reagan holding the Reagans' pet Rex, a King Charles spaniel, as she and President Reagan walk on the White House South lawn. The arrival of the Biden pets will also mark the next chapter in a long history of pets residing at the White House after a four-year hiatus during the Trump administration. “Pets have always played an important role in the White House throughout the decades,” said Jennifer Pickens, an author who studies White House traditions. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook, File)
In this Feb. 8, 1989, file photo on a sunny but cold day first lady Barbara Bush strolls on the White House South Lawn in Washington with the family dog, Millie. The arrival of the Biden pets will also mark the next chapter in a long history of pets residing at the White House after a four-year hiatus during the Trump administration. (AP Photo/Barry Thumma, File)
In this Sept. 13, 1991, file photo, first lady Barbara Bush, her granddaughter Barbara, and Millie wait on the steps of the White House for President George H.W. Bush to return from his check-up at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Washington. The arrival of the Biden pets will also mark the next chapter in a long history of pets residing at the White House after a four-year hiatus during the Trump administration. “Pets have always played an important role in the White House throughout the decades,” said Jennifer Pickens, an author who studies White House traditions. (AP Photo/Barry Thumma, File )
In this March 2, 1989, file photo a "Beware of Dog!" sign hangs outside the Oval Office at the White House during the administration of President George H.W. Bush. The arrival of the Biden pets will also mark the next chapter in a long history of pets residing at the White House after a four-year hiatus during the Trump administration. “Pets have always played an important role in the White House throughout the decades,” said Jennifer Pickens, an author who studies White House traditions. (AP Photo/Doug Mills, File)
President Clinton throwing a tennis ball for his pet, Buddy the Dog on July 11, 1998. (Getty Images).
Socks the Cat in Washington, DC, on December 5, 1993. (Getty Images)
In this Dec. 20, 1996, file photo President Clinton holds Socks the cat as he and first lady Hillary Clinton host Washington area elementary school children at the White House where the president read "Twas the Night Before Christmas." The arrival of the Biden pets will also mark the next chapter in a long history of pets residing at the White House after a four-year hiatus during the Trump administration. “Pets have always played an important role in the White House throughout the decades,” said Jennifer Pickens, an author who studies White House traditions. (AP Photo/Ruth Fremson, File)
Press photographers surround Socks, the Clinton family cat, November 17, 1992, outside the governor's mansion in Little Rock. (Mike Nelson/AFP via Getty Images)
In this March 19, 1994 file photo, President Bill Clinton's cat Socks peers over the podium in the White House briefing room in Washington. The arrival of the Biden pets will also mark the next chapter in a long history of pets residing at the White House after a four-year hiatus during the Trump administration. “Pets have always played an important role in the White House throughout the decades,” said Jennifer Pickens, an author who studies White House traditions. (AP Photo/Marcy Nighswander, File)
George W. Bush picks up his dog Barney as he walks on the South Lawn of the White House on April 4, 2002, in Washington, DC. (Mike Theiler/Getty Images)
This Nov. 11, 2000 file photo shows then-Republican presidential candidate Texas Gov. George W. Bush and running mate Dick Cheney walk down a dirt road to meet with reporters, followed by Bush's dog Spot, near Crawford, Texas. The arrival of the Biden pets will also mark the next chapter in a long history of pets residing at the White House after a four-year hiatus during the Trump administration. (AP Photo/Eric Draper, File)
Barack Obama runs down a corridor with the family's new dog, Bo, at the White House in Washington, DC, in 2009. (Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Images)
This Aug. 4, 2010 file photo shows presidential pet Bo climbing the stairs of Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. for a flight to Chicago with President Barack Obama. The arrival of the Biden pets will also mark the next chapter in a long history of pets residing at the White House after a four-year hiatus during the Trump administration. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)
Barack Obama runs with his family's new dog, a Portuguese water dog named Bo, on the South Lawn of the White House on April 14, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
In this April 14, 2009, file photo President Barack Obama is almost jerked off his feet as he shows off their new dog Bo, a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog with his daughters Malia, left, and Sasha Obama, right, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. The arrival of the Biden pets will also mark the next chapter in a long history of pets residing at the White House after a four-year hiatus during the Trump administration. “Pets have always played an important role in the White House throughout the decades,” said Jennifer Pickens, an author who studies White House traditions. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, File)
This Nov. 16, 2018, photo, file provided by the Delaware Humane Association shows Joe Biden and his newly-adopted German shepherd Major, in Wilmington, Del. President-elect Biden will likely wear a walking boot for the next several weeks as he recovers from breaking his right foot while playing with his dog Major on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, his doctor said. (Stephanie Carter/Delaware Humane Association via AP)
Jill Biden suggested it hasn’t been all kibbles for the pair as she’s had to ease them into to their new lifestyle.
“They have to take the elevator, they’re not used to that, and they have to go out on the South Lawn with lots of people watching them,” the First Lady said in an appearance on the “The Kelly Clarkson Show” in February.
“So that’s what I’ve been obsessed with, getting everybody settled and calm,” she said.
