Commander (dog)

Commander is the official First Dog of the United States, a German Shepherd owned by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. He arrived at the White House on December 20, 2021, as a puppy, a gift from the President's brother, James Biden, and sister-in-law, Sara Biden. Commander joined the Biden family after the passing of their previous German Shepherd, Champ, and was intended to provide companionship to the Bidens following Champ's death and to fill the void left by their older German Shepherd, Major, who was rehomed due to adjustment challenges in the White House environment, including reported biting incidents. Commander’s presence reflects the Biden's long history of owning German Shepherds and their affection for the breed. While at the White House, Commander's activities, such as playing on the South Lawn and participating in White House events, have frequently been covered by the press. As of October 2023, Commander was reportedly involved in a number of biting incidents, leading to discussions about his future role and training.