Laddie Boy was a beloved Airedale Terrier who captured the hearts of the American public during the 1920s. He was the pet of President Warren G. Harding.
Laddie Boy was a symbol of good fortune and prosperity for the Harding family. He even had his own doghouse on the White House grounds.
Laddie Boy was a fixture at the White House, often accompanying President Harding on walks and outings. He was a popular attraction among the public, who would often gather to catch a glimpse of the charismatic canine.
Laddie Boy's time in the White House was a brief but memorable one, lasting from 1921 until President Harding's death in 1923.
A different take: White Dog Names Boy
The Airedale Terrier
Laddie Boy was an Airedale Terrier, a breed known for its distinctive features and charming personality.
He was quite the celebrity, with reporters often quoting him in pretend interviews, and his popularity never waned even after President Harding's administration encountered financial problems and scandals.
Laddie Boy's love for retrieving golf balls on the White House Lawn was a testament to his energetic and playful nature.
Harding even gave Laddie Boy a hand-carved chair to sit in during cabinet meetings, showing how much he valued his loyal companion's presence.
Laddie Boy's fondness for retrieving the morning paper for his master was a sweet gesture that showcased his loyalty and affection for President Harding.
Description and Facts
Laddie Boy was a remarkable dog who attended President Warren G. Harding's Cabinet meetings. He even had his own chair.
Laddie Boy wore dog tag #1 and was known for responding to the president's name. He was a beloved member of the Harding family.
The statue commemorating Laddie Boy is 6.5" x 6.5" and features the dog holding a newspaper. The newspaper is clearly imprinted as the Marion Star, Harding's old newspaper.
The statue's base is inscribed with the message "Guarding Our President" on the topside and "Laddie Boy" on the side. The reverse side reads "Copyright 1921, by Elizabeth Swaffield."
19,134 pennies were collected by Louis Newman of the Newsboy's Association to cast the statue.
Sources
- "Thief takes dog collar from Harding home" (dispatch.com)
- the original (smithsonianmag.com)
- "The White House's First Celebrity Canine" (archive.today)
- the original (wordpress.com)
- Presidential dog collar stolen from Harding's home (liveauctioneers.com)
- "The White House's First Celebrity Dog" (smithsonianmag.com)
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) (reddit.com)
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) (linkedin.com)
- Laddie Boy (1920-1929) - Find a Grave Memorial (findagrave.com)
- Laddie Boy (heathervoight.com)
- Early 20th Century President Harding's Dog “Laddie Boy ... (chairish.com)
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