7. Laddie Boy (Warren G. Harding)
Laddie Boy, an Airedale Terrier, was a beloved companion to President Warren G. Harding and First Lady Florence Harding. Born on July 26, 1920, in Toledo, Ohio, Laddie Boy was presented to Harding by Charles Quetschke of Caswell Kennels. He quickly became a fixture in the White House, often seen sitting in his own hand-carved chair during Cabinet meetings. His popularity marked the beginning of media-friendly presidential pets, with newspapers publishing mock interviews and covering his birthday parties, where neighborhood dogs were invited to join and served dog biscuit cake. Laddie Boy’s presence endeared him to the American public, and he remains a symbol of the Harding administration’s connection with the nation (presidentialpetmuseum.com).
