'I will miss him': Biden's family dog Champ has died

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden announced on Saturday that one of their German Shepherds, Champ, had died. 

Champ had been with the family for 13 years and passed away peacefully at home, a statement from the White House said. 

"Even as Champ’s strength waned in his last months, when we came into a room, he would immediately pull himself up, his tail always wagging, and nuzzle us for an ear scratch or a belly rub," the statement read. 

"Wherever we were, he wanted to be, and everything was instantly better when he was next to us."

"RIP to our sweet, good boy, Champ. We will miss you always," Jill Biden tweeted. 

Champ, who was purchased from a Pennsylvania breeder, has been with the Bidens since 2008. The pooch was welcomed into the family on Christmas Day and named Champ by Biden's granddaughters.

The Bidens have a second German Shepherd, Major, who has been involved in several biting incidents since Biden took over in the White House. 

RELATED: The Obamas announce death of beloved dog, Bo, after battle with cancer

Major joined the family in 2018, 10 years after Champ. Major made history as the first rescue dog to reside in the White House. 

Champ and Major were frequently featured on Biden’s social media accounts during the 2020 presidential election cycle. During Biden’s campaign, he signaled the desire to bring dogs back to the White House.

The last time pooches set their paws in 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. was when former President Barack Obama’s two Portuguese water dogs, Bo and Sunny, resided there. Obama famously promised his daughters a dog during the presidential election in 2008.

Presidents owning dogs is an American political tradition that dates back to the first U.S. President George Washington, who was also a dog lover and breeder. Washington even coined his own unique breed, according to History.com.

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