SportsJoe Biden Jill BidenGerman Shepherd

Joe Biden's Dogs, Champ And Major, To Make Appearance During Puppy Bowl

The two German Shepherds will appear alongside first lady Jill Biden in a public service announcement focused on mask-wearing.
Alexandra Jaffe

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s dogs will make an appearance during the Puppy Bowl this weekend.

The two German Shepherds, Champ and Major, will appear alongside first lady Jill Biden in a public service announcement focused on mask-wearing set to air during Puppy Bowl XVII.

The event, which features a group of rowdy puppies playing in a model stadium and airs as an alternative to the Super Bowl every year, is focused on raising awareness about adopting shelter pets — something the Bidens have experienced themselves. They adopted Major from the Delaware Humane Association, and he is the first shelter dog to move into the White House.

In the 30-second spot, Jill Biden sits with the family’s dogs before a fire at the White House and speaks about how, for many Americans during the coronavirus pandemic, “our pets have been such a source of joy and comfort.”

“The unconditional love from a dog is one of the most beautiful things on earth, and we owe it to them to keep ourselves healthy,” she continues. “So please keep wearing your masks, even when you’re out walking your dog, right guys?”

The ad closes with a bark, and directions to visit the Centers for Disease Control’s website for more information about preventing the spread of COVID-19.

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Before You Go

Presidential Pets
William Howard Taft's cow Pauline(01 of35)
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Pauline the cow in front of the State, War and Navy Building. This photo was published between 1909 and 1913. Pauline is reportedly the last cow to live at the White House, and provided Taft with milk. (credit:Library of Congress)
Bill Clinton with Buddy(02 of35)
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(credit:Alamy)
Abraham Lincoln's horse Old Robin(03 of35)
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Some sources identify the man holding the horse as Rev. Henry Brown, on May 04, 1865, the day of Abraham Lincoln's funeral. The horse is said to be dressed for mourning. (credit:Library of Congress)
Warren G. Harding's dog Laddie Boy, with a picture of himself(04 of35)
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The portrait was a gift to Mrs. Harding. July 31, 1922. (credit:Library of Congress)
John F. Kennedy and family with dogs (05 of35)
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August 14, 1963. President Kennedy, John F. Kennedy Jr., Mrs. Kennedy, and Caroline Kennedy with Pushinka's puppies Blackie and White Tips, and family dogs Shannon, Clipper, Wolfie, and Charlie. Hyannis Port, Squaw Island. (credit:WikiMedia:)
William Howard Taft's cow Pauline(06 of35)
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Pauline was the pet of President William Howard Taft and is seen here grazing on the south lawn of the White House. (credit:WikiMedia:)
Warren G. Harding with Laddie(07 of35)
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President Harding with pet dog Laddie, being photographed in front of the White House on June 13, 1922. (credit:Library of Congress)
Jimmy Carter's daughter Amy with her cat Misty Malarky Ying Yang (08 of35)
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February 03, 1978 (credit:WikiMedia:)
Warren G. Harding with Laddie Boy(09 of35)
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President Harding with pet dog, Laddie Boy, outside the entrance to the White House, in 1923. (credit:Library of Congress)
Theodore Roosevelt's horse Wyoming(10 of35)
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circa 1903 (credit:Library of Congress)
Theodore Roosevelt's dogs(11 of35)
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(credit:Library of Congress)
Barack Obama and Bo(12 of35)
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In this March 15, 2012 file photo, President Barack Obama pets the family dog Bo, a Portuguese water dog, outside the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (credit:AP)
Herbert Hoover's schnauzer Piney(13 of35)
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The dog is sitting on the medicine balls that Hoover used for exercise. 1929. (credit:Library of Congress)
Calvin Coolidge, his wife, their two sons and pet dog(14 of35)
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June 30, 1924 (credit:Library of Congress)
Andrew Jackson leaning on a horse(15 of35)
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published circa 1820 (credit:Library of Congress)
Herbert Hoover's opossum(16 of35)
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May 25, 1929 (credit:Library of Congress)
Herbert Hoover with his dog(17 of35)
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Published between 1929 and 1933. (credit:Library of Congress)
Herbert Hoover's dog King Tut(18 of35)
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April 11, 1929 (credit:Library of Congress)
Grover Cleveland with dog and boy(19 of35)
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Circa 1906 (credit:Library of Congress)
Theodore Roosevelt, in a cowboy outfit, with a horse(20 of35)
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Circa 1910. (credit:Library of Congress)
The Coolidges' cat Tige(21 of35)
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The caption on the photo tells the tale of a wandering cat: "Benj. Fink, guard at the Navy Dept. found Tige promenading around the Navy Bldg. and immediately returned him to the White House. "Tige's" disappearance was broadcasted by Wash. radio stations." March 25, 1924. (credit:Library of Congress)
Calvin Coolidge's wife Grace with her pet raccoon(22 of35)
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First Lady Grace Coolidge shows off her pet racoon, Rebecca, at the White House Easter Egg Roll April 18, 1927. The president built a little house for Rebecca. (credit:Library of Congress)
Herbert Hoover's dogs on the White House lawn with member of the White House police force(23 of35)
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1929 (credit:Library of Congress)
Herbert Hoover's possum(24 of35)
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May 6, 1929 (credit:Library of Congress)
Benjamin Harrison's son Russell with Harrison children, and a dog and a goat(25 of35)
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published between 1889 and 1893 (credit:Library of Congress)
Dwight Eisenhower with Heidi(26 of35)
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President Dwight Eisenhower walks by Heidi, his Weimaraner, as he returns to the White House following a press conference on March 11, 1959 at the Executive Office Building. (credit:whitehouse.gov)
Herbert Hoover's opossum(27 of35)
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The caption identifies the man holding the opossum as "Officer Snodgrass" May 6, 1929. (credit:Library of Congress)
Ronald and Nancy Reagan with Rex(28 of35)
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President Ronald Reagan (1981-89) and his wife Nancy receive a warm greeting from Rex, their King Charles spaniel. (credit:whitehouse.gov)
Warren Harding's pet squirrel named Pete(29 of35)
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October 10, 1922 (credit:Library of Congress)
Woodrow Wilson's sheep(30 of35)
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1919 (credit:Library of Congress)
Lyndon B. Johnson with Yuki(31 of35)
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1968 (credit:Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library)
Theodore Roosevelt's son with Eli the macaw(32 of35)
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Theodore Jr., son of President Theodore Roosevelt, with his macaw, Eli, in the conservatory, 1902 (credit:Library of Congress)
George W. Bush with Barney(33 of35)
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George W. Bush with Barney on the South Grounds of the White House, 2001. recently Barney died in early 2013, at age 12. (credit:George W. Bush Presidential Library)
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, his dog Fala And Ruthie Bie(34 of35)
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Franklin Delano Roosevelt in his wheelchair with Fala and Ruthie Bie, the granddaughter of Top Cottage's caretaker, at Top Cottage, Hyde Park, New York. February, 1941. (credit:National Archives)
George Washington at Mount Vernon with man women, children and dogs(35 of35)
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This print, from around 1870, shows George Washington at Mount Vernon, his home in Alexandria, Va. It's unclear if the dogs in the print are Drunkard and Sweet Lips. (credit:Library of Congress)
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