Starting with the first US President, Washington was a loving owner of several animals. As a fox hunter, he had coon hounds. But he also owned a Dalmatian named Madame Moose. According to historians, she was by far his favorite and regularly doted on.

Adams served as the Vice President under Washington but then became the second President of the US. Not only did he have several mutts that were free to roam the lawn of the White House but he and his wife also owned a horse named Cleopatra.

Jefferson paid a slave owned by his father-in-law five shillings in exchange for a mockingbird. Interestingly, this same bird species still inhabits Monticello, which was Jefferson’s estate in Virginia.

Although there was a lot of controversy surrounding Madison’s presidency, there was no doubt he loved animals, especially the pet parrot. This bird became one of the most famous animals to ever reside in the White House.

Monroe, who served as the fifth President of the US, didn’t own any animals. Even so, he had a great appreciation for them. That came from the fact that his daughter, Maria, was tasked to care for a Spaniel. Seeing the joy that brought to his daughter made him happy.

Adams was a President who had a more exotic taste when it came to animals. He owned an alligator. And while some people swore that he kept it in one of the bathtubs at the White House, others said that was only a rumor. Either way, his pet wasn’t very well-liked, which is understandable.

Like a few of the other presidents on this list, Jackson took a liking to birds. His choice of pet…a parrot. Although we’re sure this is a tall tale, a story circulated that while at his father’s funeral, Jackson’s bird had to be removed due to its non-stop cussing.

Speaking of exotic pets, Van Buren went above and beyond the norm. As the eighth President of the United States, the Sultan of Oman gifted him with two tiger cubs. Although he loved them, Congress forced him to give the animals to a zoo.

Today, it’s not all that uncommon for someone to have a pet cow. But when Harrison was President, it was. Named Sukey, his cow was a beloved member of the family. While we know that Harrison died only a month after being sworn in as president, we’re not sure what happened to the cow.

As the 10th president, Tyler had a genuine passion for horses. But by far, his favorite was one named The General. He owned this horse its entire life…21 years.

While president, Polk made some bold moves, including taking large pieces of land from Mexico and Britain for the US and developing a more contemporary treasury system. Although he didn’t have any animals in the White House, he was a huge fan of horses.

In comparison, Taylor, who many referred to as “Old Rough and Ready,” rode into battle on Old Whitney, his beloved horse. Taylor was a war hero so when he died while serving as the President, his faithful horse took part in the funeral procession. Today, we know this as the “riderless horse” often associated with military parades to symbolize fallen soldiers.

The Mason Dixon Line was named after Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, the two surveyors who created the border between the Southern and Northern states. To pay homage to this divide, Fillmore named his horses Mason and Dixon.

When deciding on a name for his black Newfoundland puppy, Garfield chose Veto. For those of you who don’t know, the veto is by far the most authoritative power play that a President can use.

Although Pierce isn’t known for a lot, he did create a trade deal between the United States and Japan, which was brokered by Commodore Matthew Perry. When Perry returned home, he gifted President Pierce with seven teacup Japanese Chin dogs. These pups are also referred to as “sleeve dogs” because they easily fit inside a kimono’s sleeve.

Of all presidents to serve in the White House, Grant was considered the most prolific pet owner. He had several animals, including dogs, a gamecock, parrot, and multiple horses and ponies. While he loved all of them, his favorite was Rosie, said to be a black and tan mixed breed dog.

As the 19th President of the United States, Hayes was an avid animal lover. He owned several pets to include a goat, Jersey cows, canaries, and more. But during his time in the White House, Duke, a powerful yet gentle Mastiff, was his constant companion. At that time, this breed wasn’t even recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Not only was Lincoln loved by the people but he was also a prolific pet owner. Along with a dog named Fido, he had a white rabbit, pig, cats, and horses. His love for animals was so great that when his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, was asked if the President had any hobbies, she didn’t hesitate to answer, “cats.”

Although Johnson became President following the assassination of Lincoln, he didn’t fare well in office. Eventually, he was impeached. One day, he spotted a family of mice in a grain mill that he owned. Rumor has it that after adopting the mice, he’d sit with them in the White House during the impeachment proceedings.

As far as many people are concerned, Buchanan was the worst President ever. While he remained a bachelor, he found companionship in his 170-pound Newfoundland named Lara. As mentioned, this breed wouldn’t be recognized for some time. For that reason, it created a lot of intrigue.

Without question, President Roosevelt wins the prize for having the most animals while in office. He owned eight horses, two ponies, kangaroo rats, a piebald rat, barn owl, two parrots, a pig, five bears, a coyote, wildcat, lizard, zebra, hyena, a raccoon, guinea pigs, flying squirrel, two dogs, and a one-legged rooster. All that and he still had time to establish the country’s National Park system.

Similar to Teddy Roosevelt, Coolidge couldn’t seem to own enough animals. Along with his brood of dogs, a goose, donkey, thrush, wallaby, parrot, bobcat, and raccoons, this president had a pygmy hippo. Imagine all of that in the White House.

Harding, the 29th President of the US, had his share of pets too, but nothing compared to Roosevelt and Coolidge. His animals consisted of a squirrel he named Pete, an English Bulldog, and his wife’s collection of canaries. But his favorite was Laddie Boy, a beautiful Airedale Terrier.

Presidents Taft and Harrison had one thing in common…their love of cows. While Taft also had a dog, he was especially fond of his two cows, Mooly Wooly and Pauline. Often, people would see them grazing on the grass in front of the White House. Servants would also use the cow’s milk to make butter that was a fixture in the Oval Office.

Although McKinley accomplished some great things while serving in office, he became the third President to be assassinated. But the one thing that few people knew about him was that he had a passion for raising exotic pets with unique names. Among his favorites were his angora cats.

If there was ever a President who loved dogs, it would be Cleveland. He had several, including a St. Bernard, Dachshunds, Collie, Foxhounds, Cocker Spaniel, and a Poodle that belonged to his wife. But he enjoyed other pets like mockingbirds, horses, canaries, and game chickens. He even had fish imported to the White House.

Harrison had a dog he called Dash. But while serving as President, he was known for his goat…Whiskers. While a lot of presidents had odd pets, we’re not sure any of them could top Mr. Protection and Mr. Reciprocity, Harrison’s two pet possums.

Arthur became the President of the US following the assassination of James Garfield. While he wasn’t fond of common pets like cats and dogs, he did have two horses that he adored. They were said to have been so beautiful that people from near and far admired them, especially when pulling his custom carriage.

Of all presidents, Reagan was perhaps the most respected of all. Move star turned politician, he did a lot of great things while in office. He was also the owner of several dogs, including a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bouvier des Flandres, Siberian Husky, Irish Setter, and Golden Retriever.

Carter started out as a peanut farmer who won the American people’s hearts to become the President of the United States. While in office, he owned a Border Collie, Afghan Hound, and a Siamese cat with a name unlike any other — Misty Malarky Ying Yang. Today, he still loves animals.

While Nixon will forever be known as the president who left the White House because of the Watergate scandal, people will also remember him for his love of animals. But the one that lived in the White House was his trusted canine companion, Checkers.

After Nixon resigned as President, then Vice President Gerald Ford became his replacement. While serving in office, his family had a Golden Retriever named Liberty. After she had a litter of puppies, they decided to keep one, which they called Misty.

Hoover served as the 31st President of the United States and oversaw the early part of the Great Depression. He had at a minimum eight dogs. But the two alligators he and his son took care of received the most attention since they were allowed to roam the grounds of the White House.

As for having a pet, Truman made no bones about it that he wasn’t interested in keeping an animal at the White House. He even got rid of an adorable Cocker Spaniel puppy gifted him from one of his supporters. Outraged animal lovers from around the country began sending him hate mail.

Not only was Roosevelt successful in leading the United States out of the Great Depression but he was also a great pet owner. He didn’t have just one dog but many. And historians state they all had interesting names, including President, Winks, and Major

Although Eisenhower didn’t have a lot of pets like many of the other presidents, he was incredibly fond of his parakeet named Gabby. After dying in 1957, his bird was buried in the southwest corner of the executive mansion where it remains today.

Unfortunately, Johnson’s time in the Oval Office was stained with remnants of the Vietnam War and the cultural upheaval experienced in America. But as for pets, he had several dogs. Included was a Collie, and mixed breed pups, two of them named Him and Her. Johnson also kept a hamster and lovebirds at the White House.

Kennedy was the most loved president of all time. When he and his family moved into the White House, they brought with them an Irish Cocker Spaniel, a Welsh Terrier, a German Shepherd, a French Poodle, and a good old-fashioned mutt. Even when the dogs had puppies, they stayed with the family.

Trump, who’s serving as our current president, is the first one in over 100 years to not have a pet. In a memoir written by his ex-wife, Ivana, she stated that he wasn’t fond of dogs, something she discovered with her Poodle. Even without an animal in the White House, he still respects and loves them.

Bush owned an English Springer Spaniel named Millie, which was often seen hanging around the president. After she had a litter of pups, he and his wife decided to keep one. They named that puppy Ranger.

As the 43rd president, this President Bush followed in his dad’s footsteps, George H W Bush, when it came to owning dogs. He too had an English Springer Spaniel named Spot, which was one of Millie’s puppies.

Clinton took office in between the two Bushes. Although his presidency was rocked due to the Monica Lewinsky scandal, he did have a passion for animals. Living with him and Hilary in the White House was his Chocolate Labrador named Buddy and his black and white cat named Socks.

Not only was Obama the first black President of the United States but he’s also an animal lover. In particular, he adores his two Portuguese water dogs, Bo and Sunny.

Unlike some presidents with exotic or unusual pets, Wilson kept things simple. His collection of animals included songbirds, a cat, a Greyhound, and an Airedale Terrier. His most unusual pets were sheep, which were often seen grazing on the White House lawn.

According to historians, Madison only had one pet while serving as the US President. That was a parrot he called, what else, Polly.