The Coolidge Dogs (and Other Animals)

Calvin and Grace Coolidge had many pets throughout their lifetimes, but not all of them were suited for life in Washington, D.C.

When President Warren G. Harding died of a heart attack in the summer of 1923, Vice President Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as president on August 3, 1923. The Coolidge family’s move into the White House happened quickly.

As any family would, they moved with the pets they had. For those that were not suited to life in the presidential residence, the Coolidges found other homes.

The American public soon learned that the Coolidges were “pet people,” and from 1923-1929, various animals were presented, delivered, and dropped off to live at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

As for Coolidge’s term in office—the public welcomed him as a breath of fresh air. Warren Harding’s administration was plagued by scandal (the Teapot Dome Scandal among them).

Coolidge brought in a sense of propriety. He was a quiet man, and he oversaw a time of rapid and expansive economic growth (the “Roaring Twenties”). He also signed into law the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, which granted U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans.

The Early White House Dogs

Peter Pan, a terrier, came with the Coolidges to the White House. He did not like the hustle and bustle of Washington life, so the Coolidges found a quieter home for him.

Paul Pry, an Airedale, was the next dog to arrive, and he was fiercely loyal to the Coolidges. He was so protective that he would not permit the housekeepers to enter a room where the President was. This clearly didn’t work.

The animals that had staying power were two white collies named Prudence Prim and Rob Roy. Both were acquired during the presidency and were frequently photographed with the President or First Lady.

The White Collies

Prudence Prim was acquired first from Shomont White Collies, a kennel in Monticello, Iowa. About a year later, the Coolidges wanted another dog from the same breeder. This time, they obtained a male collie who had been working on a farm in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Known as Oshkosh to the farmer, the dog helped herd the cows as needed.

When the collie arrived at the White House, Grace Coolidge gave him a new name: Rob Roy, inspired by the popular cocktail. Since the the Prohibition era continued, this was perhaps a playful nod to the times. Rob Roy quickly adjusted to his new life and became a favorite of President Coolidge.

Many of the photos of the Coolidges show them with a white collie. Research accompanying the photos most often specify Rob Roy as the dog pictured. But perhaps Prudence Prim was sometimes the white collie in question. She was said to be constantly by Grace Coolidge’s side.

Still More Dogs

After the white collies were in place, the Cooldiges acquired Beans, a Boston bulldog. Beans had the temperament of a top dog, and this caused friction with Rob Roy who felt that he was in charge. The Coolidges soon sent Beans to Mrs. Coolidge’s mother who lived in Northampton, Massachusetts.

A chow whom Grace Coolidge called Tiny Tim moved in for a time, but the President found him to be more aptly titled “Terrible Tim.” He too was given to a good home.

King Cole, an all-black Belgian Groenendael, was a gift to the Coolidges. However, King Cole was skittish around new people. A schoolteacher in Kentucky was chosen to be the new owner of the Belgian sheepdog.

A Trip to the Black Hills with Pets

In 1927, when the Coolidge family planned a summer journey to the Black Hills, both Rob Roy and Prudence Prim were chosen to go along. During the trip, the family acquired yet another dog—this one was an all-black chow they named Blackberry. When they arrived in Washington, they presented Blackberry to the woman their son John planned to marry.

Sadly, Prudence Prim became ill during the trip and died. The press wrote of Mrs. Coolidge’s sadness.

One family responded by sending their white collie to the Coolidges. They somehow arranged for the dog to travel on an airplane (this was 1927). Air transport for pets must have been even worse then than it is today. The dog—named Calamity Jane—and later called Diana, was covered in grease. According to The New York Times (8-28-1927), early photos of the dog revealed a spotted collie. When the grease was washed out of her coat, she was indeed a white collie.

Rebecca the Raccoon

In 1926, a live raccoon—later named Rebecca—was sent to the White House from Nitta Yuma, Mississippi. The sender hoped it would be served for Thanksgiving dinner at the White House.

Before the animal could be taken to the kitchen, Grace Coolidge stepped in. She felt the raccoon was docile and seemed affectionate. Though Rebecca often had the run of the White House, they also created an outdoor pen around a tree for her. Reuben, another raccoon was acquired as a companion, but he soon escaped.

This loss of Reuben did not dampen their commitment to Rebecca. The President was said to sometimes walk with Rebecca around his neck. Grace Coolidge was frequently photographed with Rebecca in her arms. (Rebecca was less popular with the staff. She sometimes used her long claws to shred furniture and even ladies’ stockings.)

When plans were made for the family to visit the Black Hills, Rebecca was included along with Roy Roy and Prudence Prim.

When they returned, Rebecca seemed restless and left the White House grounds a time or two. The family eventually decided she needed to be placed at the zoo.

Cats That Came and Went

Felines came and went in the White House. Then, as now, it’s not easy to keep track of a cat’s whereabouts. The two cats who began in the White House, Tige and Blacky, were not “keepers.” Tige liked to wander and when he was eventually found, he had gone as far as the Lincoln Memorial.

The President decided Tige should wear a collar with a brass label engraved with “White House” on it. However, this may have just been an attraction for someone. The next time Tige disappeared, he never came back.

Blacky lasted for a couple of years but was prone to hunting and bringing home his catch. That soon became tiresome for Grace Coolidge and White House staff.

Birds Came, Too

During the early part of the twentieth century, birds were common household pets. Wealthy families kept their birds in elaborate cages, and everything from canaries to parrots and more exotic pets were treasured.

The Coolidge family had at least two canaries at the White House. There may also have been a mockingbird and a blue and yellow bird that was brought to  them from South Africa. This bird was also a favorite of the First Lady.

Other Animals

In addition, the Coolidges received a wallaby, a bobcat (“Smoky Bob”), a black bear, a donkey, a duiker (small antelope) and two lion cubs (named Tax Reduction and Budget Bureau). The President hoped the cubs could be kept at the White House for a time. However, when they arrived, they were half-grown. He quickly saw they belonged at the zoo.

Billy, the Pygmy Hippo

Billy the pygmy hippo was a gift from Harvey Firestone in 1927. Firestone had a rubber plantation in Liberia. When he came upon a pygmy hippo, he thought it would be a perfect gift for Coolidge.

Pygmy hippos are actually not so “pygymy.” Billy was 6 feet long and weighed about 600 pounds. There were only eight other pygmy hippos in the country at the time, so the zoo was delighted. Not only was Billy famous as an exotic presidential pet, he proved to be a wonderful mate for Hannah, a hippo acquired for Billy. Together they had fifteen calves. Billy fathered a few more with another mate at the zoo. 

Make Room for Ducklings

During his presidency, Coolidge received 13 Pekin ducks (a type of domestic duck from Long Island). The Coolidges loved all sorts of animals and thought they might have some luck at raising the ducks.

They dedicated one of the White House bathrooms to the ducks so they could paddle in the tub and still be easily fed. However, they soon became too large and were sent off to the zoo.

Calvin and Grace Coolidge loved walking through the National Zoo, so they often visited their former pets as well as all the other animals.

The other presidential household that provided homes for many pets was Teddy Roosevelt’s. Click here for the story.

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