The Free Press Journal

Finally, the return of pooches at WH

- NIKHILA NATARAJAN

On January 20, presidenti­al pooches Champ and Major Biden will mark the return of First Pets to the White House after four years of outgoing President Donald Trumps pet-free reign. A cat is also said to be in the running to join the furry sidekicks.

German shepherds Major and Champ will be rolling in with the Bidens as they move into 1600

Pennsylvan­ia Avenue, Washington, D.C. on Inaugurati­on Day. Major is 2, Champ 12.

The Bidens got Champ from a Pennsylvan­ia breeder in late 2008, postelecti­on.

The new pup was named Champ on Christmas Day.

Major joined the Biden family in 2018, 10 years after Champ. He was rescued with the help of the Delaware Humane Associatio­n (DHA) and will be the first shelter dog to be called "First Dog".

Major got an early shot at the spotlight when his playdate with Biden ended with his master suffering a hairline fracture on his right foot.

Champ's a veteran at headline hunting. When Biden was Vice President, he used to hand out Champ soft toys to kids he met as part of his official tours.

Before Biden, Barack Obama was the most recent president to have pets on campus.

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