Theodore Roosevelt had the most animals, turning the White House into a massive menagerie with over 40 pets, including bears, a badger, guinea pigs named for historical figures, a one-legged rooster, and even a hyena, though Calvin Coolidge also had a huge collection with lion cubs and a pygmy hippo, and John Quincy Adams famously had an alligator.

What president had the most animals?

According to the above graph, US Presidents' estimated number of pets is about 298 animals. President Theodore Roosevelt had the most pets owned as a president at 48. He owned a few strange pets, including a black bear, a badger, a hyena, and even a three-legged rooster.

How many presidents had pets?

Most United States presidents have kept pets while in office, or pets have been part of their families. Only James K. Polk, Andrew Johnson, and Donald Trump did not have any presidential pets while in office (however, Johnson did take care of some mice he found in his bedroom).

Which president kept alligators at the White House?

🐊 Did you know that John Quincy Adams is rumored to have had an alligator as a pet in the White House? During his presidency, Adams received the alligator as a gift from the French ambassador. He famously kept it in a bathtub in the White House, where it would swim and entertain guests.

Which president had unusual pets?

Unusual First Pets

Outdoorsman Theodore Roosevelt also had bears among his pets, as well as snakes, pigs, an owl, raccoon, badger, hyena, zebra and lion. James Buchanan opened his home to an eagle. Martin van Buren received a gift of pet tiger cubs from the Sultan of Oman.

All the Presidents' Pets

Which president had a lot of dogs?

1. George Washington's Dogs - According to the Mount Vernon website, the first president was an avid dog owner. George Washington had various breeds at Mount Vernon and his hounds played a big role in one of his favorite pastimes: fox hunting.

What president had a cow as a pet?

Presidential Pets (1860-1921) President William Howard Taft's cow, Pauline, poses in front of the Navy Building, which is known today as the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Pauline was the last cow to live at the White House and provided milk for President Taft (1909-13).

Which president kept pet grizzly bears?

Thomas Jefferson received a pair of grizzly bears as a gift from Captain Zebulon Pike in 1807. The bears arrived at about the same time as Pike's letter (October 1807) explaining that he had acquired the male and female cubs in the southern region of the great Continental Divide.

Which president had a pet hippo?

Billy, also known as William Johnson Hippopotamus (before 1927 – October 11, 1955), was a pygmy hippopotamus given to United States President Calvin Coolidge.

Which president had a pet snake?

Theodore Roosevelt's Snakes - Presidential Pet Museum.

Did Barack Obama have a pet?

Bo (October 9, 2008 – May 8, 2021) was a pet dog of the Obama family, the first family of the United States from 2009 until 2017. President Barack Obama and his family were given the male Portuguese Water Dog as a gift after months of speculation about the breed and identity of their future pet.

Which president had a pet hyena?

In 1901, Theodore Roosevelt's White House became America's most elaborate pet sanctuary, hosting over 40 animals during his presidency. From a one-legged rooster to a friendly badger named Josiah, the menagerie included horses, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and even a hyena.

Which US president had a pet bear?

Our 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, began his Presidency in 1901, along with six children and more animals than the White House had ever seen. The Roosevelt children's family of pets included a small bear named Jonathan Edwards; a lizard named Bill; guinea pigs named Admiral Dewey, Dr.

What US president had a pet cow?

Summary. Pauline Wayne III was President William Howard Taft's celebrity cow. She grazed on the White House grounds. But en route to a guest appearance at a dairy show in Wisconsin, she went missing, setting off a comic turn of events.

Did Bill Clinton have a pet?

Buddy (August 7, 1997 – January 2, 2002), a male chocolate-colored Labrador Retriever, was one of two pets kept by the Clinton family while Bill Clinton was President of the United States. The Clintons' other pet was a cat named Socks.

What president kept alligators at the White House?

Did you know President John Quincy Adams had a pet alligator? He kept it in a bathtub in the East Room of the White House. But President Adams wasn't the only commander-in-chief with an unusual pet.

Which president had a pig?

Theodore Roosevelt's Pig. Theodore Roosevelt and family were not above calling barnyard animals their pets. They kept animals such as horses and chickens as close in their hearts as they did the family dogs and cats. One such Roosevelt pet was a white pig named Maude.

Which president had the most unusual pet?

While many have preferred typical household pets like dogs and cats, there have been some unusual additions over the years: Theodore Roosevelt's Menagerie: President Theodore Roosevelt's children brought a fascinating assortment of pets to the White House when they moved into the residence in 1902.

What president had a pet goat?

President Benjamin Harrison (1889-93) gave his grandchildren a pet goat named His Whiskers. One day, while pulling the president's grandchildren around in a cart, His Whiskers took off through the White House gates.

Which US president had a pet squirrel?

In honor of Presidents' Day, we've gathered some thoughts on the topic for you — prepare to be amazed! This (above) is President Warren Harding's pet squirrel Pete, being fed by Secretary of the Navy Edwin Denby in 1922.

Which president ate a 12 oz steak every morning?

That would be President William Howard Taft, the 27th U.S. President, known for his large appetite, who regularly ate a substantial 12-ounce steak for breakfast, often accompanied by oranges, buttered toast, and coffee with cream and sugar, though his doctor later prescribed leaner portions.

Which president had a pet horse?

President Washington was well known for his devotion to animals. At his home, Mount Vernon, he had many traditional farm animals. However, his favorite animal was his beloved horse, Nelson.

Which president had a pet zebra?

President from 1901-09, Theodore Roosevelt had a menagerie that included a badger, a macaw, guinea pigs, rabbits, five bears, a lizard, a pig, a pony, a zebra, a one-legged rooster and a hyena, among others.

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