Commander (dog) facts for kids
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Commander in 2022
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| Breed | German Shepherd |
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| Sex | Male |
| Born | September 1, 2021 |
| Known for | United States presidential pet |
| Term | December 20, 2021 – October 5, 2023 |
| Predecessor | Champ and Major |
| Owner | Biden family |
Commander (born September 1, 2021) is a German Shepherd dog. He was owned by former President of the United States Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden.
Commander's Life
Commander was a special birthday gift for Joe Biden. His brother, James Biden, and sister-in-law, Sara Biden, gave him the puppy. Commander first arrived at the White House on December 20, 2021.
On the same day, another dog owned by the Biden family, named Major, left the White House. Major had been involved in a few incidents where he bit people.
Commander made his first appearance on television on February 13, 2022. He was featured in a fun program called Puppy Bowl XVIII.
Life at the White House
Living in the White House is very exciting for a dog. Commander got to spend time with the President and First Lady. He was often seen walking with President Biden.
However, Commander also had some challenges. He was involved in several incidents where he bit people. These incidents mostly involved members of the Secret Service. The Secret Service protects the President and his family.
One incident happened on June 15, 2023. Commander ran towards a Secret Service agent and bit their arm. This bite was serious enough to need stitches. Records later showed that Commander bit Secret Service agents at least 10 times between October 2022 and July 2023.
Commander was involved in another biting incident on September 26, 2023. He also bit the White House superintendent, Dale Haney, on September 13, 2023. Mr. Haney has been responsible for walking presidential dogs for many years. A tourist even took a photo of this incident, and it was shared in the news.
Why Commander Left the White House
Because of the many biting incidents, it was announced on October 5, 2023, that Commander would be moving out of the White House. News reports later said there were at least 24 such events.
Commander moved to a different location to live with other family members. This decision was made to ensure the safety of everyone at the White House.
See also
