Quiz: How well do you know the top dogs of politics?
Take a break from the horse race and match these dogs to their political owners.
Even by the standards of American elections, it has been an absolutely bonkers few weeks. A gunman attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump during a stump speech, prompting him to sport an ear bandage at the Republican National Convention the following week and deliver a half-gripping, half-rambling, record-setting 90 minute speech. Then President Joe Biden announced he was dropping out of the presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, in a move that is unprecedented in modern politics and kicked off a week of breathless veepstakes, coconut memes, and just, so, so much money. If your head is spinning, you’re not alone. So, after a week of living through ever-more interesting times, we thought a little silliness might be appreciated, which is why we’ve created the 538 political dogs (or “polidogs”) quiz! Along with being faithful friends, politicians’ dogs can play a genuine political role, acting as a four-legged surrogate or convenient campaign asset for their owners. During his 1944 reelection campaign, former President Franklin Roosevelt scolded Republicans for invoking his Scottish terrier Fala in their attacks against his administration, getting the public on his (and Fala’s) side. While running for vice president in 1952, former President Richard Nixon used a similar tactic to defend himself from allegations of receiving improper gifts — including his “little cocker spaniel dog,” Checkers. And it’s no wonder why the power of the dog in U.S. politics is significant. The vast majority of Americans (82 percent) said they liked dogs in a recent YouGov survey, and a majority of dog owners said they consider their pet part of their family, see themselves as their dog’s parent and have talked to their dog “at length” in a survey from 2022. In fact, earlier this year, an anecdote from South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s biography that detailed the story of her shooting her dog in a gravel pit single-handedly torpedoed any talk of her becoming Trump’s running mate. It also inspired the creation of the bipartisan Congressional Dog Lovers Caucus, an informal group that doesn’t pursue legislation — they just share a love of dogs. So dogs are not just a silly sideshow; they can hold real political significance. But given the heavy last few weeks, we thought we would lighten the mood with a bit of fun and pay homage to America’s storied history of political pooches with this quiz. Try your paw at matching up these current politicians’ dogs with their owners and reflect a bit on the outsized role our furry friends can play in our politics.
This German shepherd got in hot water for biting some of his handlers.
Which politician makes his tail wag?
That's right! You must be a dog whisperer.
Commander is one of President Joe Biden's German shepherds. Following his behavioral issues at the White House, he was relocated to the family home in Delaware.
Babydog, an English bulldog, has become an unofficial state symbol and recently appeared on stage at the Republican National Convention.
Which governor does she answer to?
Hot dog! That's right!
Babydog has become a prominent member of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice's team, joining him on the campaign trail and being the face of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine initiative. She's even been added as a feature in a new mural at the state capitol!
Deco the French bulldog joined his owner shortly after she took office.
Which member of the Squad does he call mom?
Bow WOW, you know your political pooches!
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's pup Deco is a star on her social media accounts. In 2022, Deco even dished out election endorsements for Ocasio-Cortez’s allies.
This rescued mutt had his own section on his owner's campaign website.
Who gives his ear scratches?
Yes! You deserve a round of a-paws.
Levi is just one of Sen. John Fetterman's two dogs, but he is the main star of the Pennsylvania pups' social media accounts, which have been known to interact with other polidogs and advocate for dog-friendly policies.
Libby (short for Liberty) once joined her owner on the floor of Congress for a vote.
Who brought their pooch to work?
You must be a real Sherlock Bones!
Libby's owner, Rep. Nancy Mace, is one of the members of Congress responsible for the new bipartisan Congressional Dog Lovers Caucus. The CDLC was formed in the wake of the controversy following Noem's confession of shooting a family dog.
It allegedly took this dog owner's wife 18 years to convince him to get a pooch.
Who finally caved?
You're paw-sitively amazing at this!
Chief is Rep. Byron Donalds's dog. And while it may have taken Donalds a while to agree to dog ownership, he seems to have come around and even shared a post celebrating his pup on National Pet Day in 2023.
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