First Dogs: American Presidents and Their Best Friends [Hardcover]

Roy Rowan (Author), Brooke Janis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 8, 1997

If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog," Harry Truman once said. Maybe that's why, for many of our Republic's 220 years, there have been two top dogs at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue--one with two legs and one with four. FIRST DOGS, by veteran journalist Roy Rowan and photo researcher Brooke Janis, tells the whole doggone story, from the days before there was a White House to the dog days of Bill Clinton's presidency. FIRST DOGS is packed with drawings and paintings from early American history, plus photographs of canines from Abraham Lincoln's Fido to Zeke, the cocker spaniel that the Clintons owned in Arkansas. Laddie Boy, Fala, Pushinka, King Timahoe, and Liberty are just a few of the four-footed goodwill ambassadors who have left their mark on the American consciousness (and not just the East Lawn). "FIRST DOGS is a doggone delight that will leave you sitting up and begging for more. I give it four paws up."--Dan rather, CBS Evening News; "Intriguing information and fascinating trivia."--Chattanooga Times.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

From Washington's foxhound to Clinton's Labrador--and every imaginable breed in between--the presidential pooches have faithfully stood by their masters through good times and bad, successfully endearing themselves to millions of people along the way. In First Dogs: American Presidents and Their Best Friends, Roy Rowan (correspondent for Life, Time, and Fortune) and photojournalist Brooke Janis take an entertaining look at presidential history from a dog's point of view. Highlighting the "four-footed goodwill ambassadors" who have, over the years, not only humanized their distinguished masters, but also played political roles--both in gaining votes and boosting their bosses' popularity--this "lighthearted romp through American history" introduces such memorable characters as FDR's Scottie, Fala, who attended the signing of the Atlantic Charter aboard the cruiser Augusta; Millie, Bush's springer spaniel, who dictated her own bestselling memoir; and Lincoln's mongrel, Fido, who sadly suffered the same fate as his master.

Charming historic and contemporary photographs as well as numerous line drawings accompany the engaging anecdotes, making this a perfect choice for both dog and history lovers alike. Guaranteed to be more fun than you can shake a stick at! --Stefanie Hargreaves

From Booklist

The Clintons don't have one, which makes them one of the few presidential families not to have canine companions in the White House. Readers will be amazed at how dog crazy most of our chief executives have been. "Since the first days of the Union, our presidents have been measured in part by the canine company they keep," insist the authors of this string of heartwarming anecdotes about first dogs. Of all the engaging stories told here, perhaps the most poignant is the one about the time FDR's Scottie, named Fala, attempted to accompany his master to the third inaugural ceremonies; banished by the Secret Service, Fala sulked for a few days and then ran away (but he was found and brought back). Some White House dogs could never fit into the manners of official life, but others, such as Harding's Airedale, Laddie Boy, became out-and-out White House celebrities. Not an essential library purchase, but an enjoyable one for dog lovers. Smithsonian will run an excerpt in its June issue. Brad Hooper

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Algonquin Books; 1st edition (January 8, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565121430
• ISBN-13: 978-1565121430
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,376,301 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What fun..., December 28, 2008

By 

happy reader "d/mil" (Harrison, AR USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: First Dogs: American Presidents and Their Best Friends (Hardcover)

My whole family has enjoyed this book. My grandchildren pick it up every time they're here. I leave it on the coffee table so that friends who stop by can see it. It makes a hit with everyone. It's even more fun right now while our new president and his little girls are (as this is written)trying to decide on a dog to move into the White House ....

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dog Lovers, August 18, 2009

By 

Brandy (Charleston, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Dogs: American Presidents and Their Best Friends (Paperback)

Calling all dog lovers--you know who you are!! Find your favorite easy chair and have your best friend fetch your slippers, then sit back and enjoy a wonderful read. Great fun for all ages with a little bit of history thrown in. Highly recommend this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Expanded Edition of "First Dogs" Delights, August 12, 2009

By 

Norman Ritter - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Dogs: American Presidents and Their Best Friends (Paperback)

Everything's up to date in White House dogdom now that Roy Rowan and Brooke Janis have updated their celebrated history of American presidents' canine pets. Prime examples of four-legged fealty to chief executives (most of the time), beginning with George Washington's hunting hounds, have been supplemented by George W. Bush's Scottish terrier Barney, whom the 43rd president called "the son I never had," and the Obamas' Bo. The incumbent presidential dog was the subject of an unprecedented search. "At first," the authors wrote, the president "seemed to favor an underdog. He mentioned the possibility of canvassing canine shelters for a mixed breed or, as he put it, for a 'mutt like me.'"
Because of daughter Malia's allergies the Obamas narrowed the field to non-shredders, a Labradoodle (part Labrador retriever, part poodle) and a Portuguese water dog. "This has been tougher than finding a commerce secretary," Obama said. If such humor seemed questionable to some, the authors did not agree. "Let's face it, all the speculation provided a little doggone fun at a somber period when it was badly needed." After the Obamas decided on a Portuguese water dog--a strong, smart and loyal breed that the American Kennel Club says can "swim all day"--Senator Ted and Victoria Kennedy purchased a six-month-old brother of their own"Portie" for Malia and her sister, Sasha. Originally named Amigo's New Hope, the dog was sensibly rechristened Bo by the girls.
"Remember what Cal Coolidge said," the authors concluded: 'Any man who does not like dogs,' and then he specifically added, 'and want them about, First Dogs American Presidents and Their Best Friendsdoes not deserve to be in the White House.'" Norm Ritter