How many dogs does Joe Biden have and what breed are they?

JOE Biden and his wife Jill had two dogs when they first moved into the White House in 2021.

German Shepard Major made headlines when he bit a White House employee in early 2021.

How many dogs does Joe Biden have?

Major and Champ were the two German shepherds owned by Joe Biden when the president moved in to the White House.

Champ has been with the family since 2008, when Biden was elected vice president. The 13-year-old German Shepard passed away on June 19, the White House wrote in a statement.

"Our hearts are heavy today as we let you all know that our beloved German Shepherd, Champ, passed away peacefully at home. He was our constant, cherished companion during the last 13 years and was adored by the entire Biden family," the statement said.

"In our most joyful moments and in our most grief-stricken days, he was there with us, sensitive to our every unspoken feeling and emotion. We love our sweet, good boy and will miss him always."

Earlier this year, Major became the first shelter dog to reside at the White House after Biden adopted him from the Delaware Humane Association (DHA).

"Today is Major’s lucky day!" the DHA wrote in a Facebook post on November 17 2018.

"Not only did Major find his forever home, but he got adopted by Vice President Joe Biden & Dr. Jill Biden!

"The Bidens have gotten to know Major while fostering him and are now ready to make the adoption official.

"Best of luck and thank you for being one of our Friends for life!"

According to People, the Bidens said in a statement at the time that “we are so happy to welcome Major to the Biden family, and we are grateful to the Delaware Humane Association for their work in finding forever homes for Major and countless other animals.”

Both Major and Champ have starring roles on Biden's social media pages.

"No ruff days on the trail when I have some Major motivation," Biden captioned one photo.

On December 20, 2021, Biden shared on his Twitter account that he and Jill welcomed their latest canine to their family, Commander.

The president was spotted in the clip playing with what appears to be a German Shepherd, though his breed has yet to be confirmed.

What did the Bidens say about Champ's passing?

The president and first lady released a heartbreaking statement saying the 13-year-old pup passed away "peacefully at home."

"He was our constant, cherished companion during the last 13 years and was adored by the entire Biden family," the statement said.

"Even as Champ's strength waned in his last months, when we came into the room, he would immediately pull himself up, his tail always wagging, and nuzzle us for an ear scratch or a belly rub."

The statement goes on to remember the pooch's younger days, playing with the Biden family at their home in Delaware.

"We love our sweet, good boy and will miss him always," the statement concludes.

Champ had been a part of the Biden family since 2008, which the now-president was first elected VP.

The president and first lady have another dog, Major, who joined the family in 2018.

Major is the first rescue dog to ever reside at the White House.

Did Donald Trump have any dogs in the White House?

Trump was the first president not to have a pet in more than a century, according to The New York Times.

The president said in 2019 that he does not have time for dogs.

“I wouldn’t mind having one, honestly, but I don’t have any time," Trump said at a rally, according to The Times.

"How would I look walking a dog on the White House lawn?”

Trump had faced pressure from his White House team to get a dog as it was thought it would improve his profile.

But he said – part-way through a speech on immigration – he thought the idea “phony”.

Did Barack Obama have dogs in the White House?

Bo and Sunny, a pair of Portuguese water dogs, were the last canines to reside at the White House.

Bo, a male, joined the family at the White House in April 2009.

Sunny, a female, arrived four years later.