Laddie Boy, Warren Harding’s Dog

Laddie Boy was an Airedale belonging to Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States (1921-23). Harding was a newspaper man from Ohio and was viewed as an “ideal American.”

As a Republican, Harding came into office and implemented a pro-business agenda. Unfortunately, he was not a great judge of character. Many of the men he placed in his administration introduced corruption into the government, resulting in many forms of misconduct including the Teapot Dome scandal.

Harding died while in office, but had he served his full term, Laddie Boy might be as well-remembered as Franklin Roosevelt’s dog Fala or LBJ’s beagles.

Born to be a Star

No dog before or after Harding received as much press coverage as Laddie Boy. Harding  started his career as a newspaper man, eventually becoming full owner of the Marion Daily Star in Ohio. Perhaps for that reason, he was willing to provide press access to Laddie Boy that most presidents do not give.

Laddie Boy was born July 26, 1920, at Caswell Kennels in Toledo, Ohio. His father was a champion Airedale Tintern Tip Top.

Life at the White House

The day after President Harding’s inauguration, Laddie Boy was delivered to the White House (March 5, 1921). Harding was so excited about the arrival of his new dog that he asked to be told as soon as the six-month-old puppy arrived. Indeed, the White House staff interrupted a cabinet meeting so that Harding could come meet his new companion.

Training the dog for special chores must have begun immediately. Seven days later, a reporter for The New York Times wrote that Laddie Boy had learned to carry the paper to the breakfast table to deliver to the President. “The Airedale has been working on the ‘stunt’ for several days but this was the first time he got through it without a hitch…” (The New York Times, 3-12-1921)

The White House has kennels for the pets of first families if they prefer to keep their dogs near the groundskeeper. The Hardings kept Laddie Boy in the Executive Mansion with them as much as possible. The dog was very much a part of the family and participated in the logical “photo op” events such as the White House Easter Egg roll. Laddie Boy also had his own chair to sit in during cabinet meetings.

Laddie Boy’s Birthday

On Laddie Boy’s first birthday at the White House, the press corps was given photo access for the festivities. The First Dog’s former kennel and his champion father sent a dog biscuit birthday cake for Laddie Boy’s big day. The reporters were told that Laddie Boy’s sire, Tintern Tip Top, penned an encouraging letter to his famous son “whose pictures appear so often in the newspapers and magazines…”

Along with the cake, the kennel enclosed some invitations for Laddie Boy to send out to his favorite canines or humans so that they could be invited to attend his party. (The New York Times 7-24-1922)

Many press photos and stories resulted.

Laddie Boy’s Opinions Published

Harding also wrote opinion pieces to the press in Laddie’s voice. In one letter, Laddie Boy wrote of life in the White House: “So many people express a wish to see me, and I shake hands with so many callers at the Executive Mansion that I fear there are some people who will suspect me of political inclinations. From what I see of politics, I am sure I have no such aspirations.” (The New York Times, 2-8-1922)

Harding Trip West

In July of 1923, the press corps was working overtime trying to track down some details about the newly discovered scandals occurring in the administration. President and Mrs. Harding decided this was a good time for a trip. They embarked on their “Voyage of Understanding” in an effort to connect with voters. No president had ever visited the Alaska territory, so President and Mrs. Harding were well-received when they visited several towns and visited Mt. McKinley. From there they went on to Seattle and eventually reached San Francisco.

They were staying at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco when the president became sick with a respiratory illness. Then on August 2, 1923, Harding died from what was thought to have been a heart attack.

Newspaper reporters were so accustomed to Laddie Boy being part of the president’s life, that several articles noted that Laddie Boy had not made the trip.  There would be no way to explain to Laddie Boy why his master did not come home.

A Fitting Tribute

Louis Newman, President of the Roosevelt Newsboys’ Association, hit upon a way to create a unique tribute to President Harding. He asked newsboys across the nation to donate one penny in memory of the president.

The plan was to melt down the pennies so that they could be sculpted into a statue of Laddie Boy.  The association eventually had 19,134 pennies from boys from all over the nation.

Laddie Boy sat patiently for some 15 sittings so a sculptor could capture his image. (Laddie Boy was a good dog!) The sculpture was completed and now belongs to the Smithsonian Institution (copies are rare but can sometimes be found on eBay).

A Home for Laddie Boy

After the president’s death, Mrs. Harding felt Laddie Boy should live with one of the people he loved. She asked Secret Service agent Harry L. Barker, if he would like to take the dog. Barker was honored to do so. With Calvin Coolidge and his own security moving into the White House, Barker was transferred to a Secret Service office in Boston. Laddie Boy lived out the rest of his life with the Barker family there.

 Later that year, Florence Harding died of renal failure. It was fortunate that Laddie Boy was placed in a loving home.

In 1930, the newspapers took note of the dog’s death from old age.

About two years ago, I heard from a reader who was the grandson of Harry Barker. He noted that his father talked about Laddie Boy being a member of their household. The reader noted that Laddie Boy is buried in Marshfield, Massachusetts.   

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