Do You Know the President's Pet, the 'First Dog'?

[FAM Times=Reporter Woo Ji-young] A “First Dog” is a pet dog kept by a president while in office. The term is modeled after “First Lady,” the title for a president's spouse.

When Donald Trump was elected the 45th president of the United States, pet owners around the world focused their attention on what kind of dog would become the next First Dog. U.S. presidents regard having a First Dog as almost essential: 25 presidents throughout U.S. history have had pet dogs.

Presidents generally receive their First Dogs as gifts. Former U.S. President Barack Obama received Bo, a Portuguese Water Dog, from Senator Edward M. Kennedy, with whom he had a personal connection. Russian President Vladimir Putin received Buffy, a Bulgarian Shepherd, from Bulgarian Prime Minister Borisov in 2010. In 2012, former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda gave him an Akita, a Japanese dog, which Putin named Yume.

South Korean presidents have also raised dogs received as gifts. Shortly after her election, former President Park Geun-hye received two Jindo dogs, Huimang and Saerom, from residents of Samseong-dong. Former President Kim Dae-jung raised both the dogs he already owned and dogs given to him by North Korea. He received two Pungsan dogs, Dan-gyeol and Jaju, from National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il. Former President Roh Moo-hyun raised a Sapsal dog given to him by former President Kim Dae-jung.

First Dogs keep schedules as busy as those of presidents. Former President Obama's First Dogs accompanied him during a variety of official functions, such as welcoming guests on the anniversary of his inauguration and visiting a hospital with First Lady Michelle.

A First Dog's term ends when the president leaves office. When the president vacates the official residence, the First Dog also moves to a new home. Presidents generally take their First Dogs with them. Former President Lee Myung-bak lives with his First Dog, Cheongdori, at his private residence in Nonhyeon-dong.

Reporter Woo Ji-young wjy@famtimes.co.kr