Biden promised his wife he would purchase a dog after the
2008 presidential election, irrespective of whether he and
Barack Obama won the race. Jill Biden taped different pictures of dogs on seats of Biden's campaign plane for him to see. He purchased the dog as a puppy from a breeder in
Pennsylvania, born November 11, 2008. It was named Champ by his granddaughters. Champ's name reminded Biden of advice given to him by his father, who said, "Any time you get knocked down, champ, get up!" Biden has an affinity for German Shepherds, having trained them in the past. Champ lived at
Number One Observatory Circle during Biden's tenure as vice president. On January 24, 2021, four days after Biden's
inauguration as president, Champ and
Major, the Bidens' younger German Shepherd, moved into the
White House. On June 19, 2021, the
White House announced that Champ had died in
Wilmington, Delaware. "In our most joyful moments and in our most grief-stricken days, he was there with us, sensitive to our every unspoken feeling and emotion". the statement read. "We love our sweet, good boy and will miss him always." According to the White House statement, Champ "passed away peacefully at home". ==See also==