Labs and Goldens are America’s most popular dogs.
A New York Times piece, “Why Trump Will Lose in 2020,” said that “Although Mr. Trump may well win Ohio and perhaps even Florida again, it is not likely he will carry Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania in 2020….And his troubles with swing voters, whom he won in 2016, will put Arizona, North Carolina and perhaps even Georgia in play for Democrats….”
If early next year President Trump’s re-election chances are not looking good, a smart Republican, maybe his daughter Ivanka, will tell him, “Look, I know you don’t like dogs but we have to get one for the White House. Obama was pictured on the White House lawn with Bo, his Portuguese water dog. Bush 43 had Barney, a lovable Scottish Terrier. Clinton had Buddy, a chocolate-colored Labrador Retriever.
“A dog will humanize you and give people a reason to smile and like you.”
So what kind of dog would most help him win re-election in November?
In Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, and Arizona, the three most popular dogs are Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers. In Georgia and North Caroline, the three most popular are Labs, German Shepherds, and Beagles. And if Texas is in play, Labs, German Shepherds, and Bulldogs.
Would President Trump go for the tough guy look with a German Shepherd or Bulldog?
Or would Ivanka make him go with a dog—a yellow Lab or Golden Retriever—that might make him look nicer and friendlier?
A yellow Lab or Golden Retriever also would complement that Trump hair color. Then Ivanka could let the photo ops begin.
If you’re wondering about dogs in the nation’s capital, the top five breeds are Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, French Bulldogs, Bulldogs, and Poodles. I have a Golden Retriever, and in walks in our neighborhood, the most popular breed of dog is the Goldendoodle, a Poodle-Golden Retriever mix that causes fewer allergy problems than pure Goldens. But they also tend to be more high-strung than Golden Retrievers.
I should add that more people in our neighborhood have rescue dogs, often mixed breeds, than purebreds. Our family adopted a Golden Retriever puppy almost 40 years ago when a neighbor had Golden Retriever puppies. Lindy was such a great dog that we now live with Cruiser, our fourth Golden. But I greatly admire those, including one of our daughters, who have adopted a rescue dog, giving them love and a long life.
Dear Jack,
Dogs in the White House have been significantly important for almost all the presidents of the United States and, if not dogs, some warm-blooded species of animal life.
The two exceptions are James K. Polk and Donald J. Trump.
President Trump simply does not like dogs.
“Donald was not a dog fan,” wrote Trump’s first wife, Ivana Trump, in her memoir, “Raising Trump”.
Said Newsweek:
“When she brought a poodle named Chappy into their home, Trump fought back. But Ivana’s love of dogs would not be quashed: ‘It’s me and Chappy or no one!’ she told him. And he eventually acquiesced—but never seemed to grow all that fond of that poodle. The feeling was mutual: When the president went near Ivana’s closet, ‘Chappy would bark at him territorially.’ ”
The link below is to a totally comprehensive and enlightening Wiki post about American presidents and their non-human friends.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_pets
Interestingly, President Polk, not having to care about White House pets, is categorized by some historians as among the most effective pre-Civil War presidents. He reduced tariffs, he was instrumental in a war with Mexico and when he won he annexed to the United States most of the land that became Texas, California, and Oregon.
BTW
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, owns and clearly loves four dogs, who live at his residence in Moscow and often accompany him in business and personal situations. He works for the conservation of endangered Russian canine breeds.
Pasha (2019)
A Šarplaninac puppy from the Šar Mountains. Šarplaninac dogs are an ancient landrace breed native to Serbia and Macedonia.
Verni (2017)
An Alabai, a Turkmen-bred variety of the Central Asia shepherd dog. ‘Verni’, means ‘faithful’ or ‘loyal’ in Russian.
Yume (2012)
An Akita whose name means “dream” in Japanese.
Buffy (2010)
A caramel and white Bulgarian male shepherd.