Former President Joe Biden and Jill Biden Adopt Pair of Black Lab Rescues in Tennessee

Former President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden welcome two black lab mixes from a Tennessee rescue to their Delaware home, years after their German Shepherds moved out.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 9:27 AM EDT

Source: People

A New Chapter in Delaware

On Wednesday, March 25, the Rescue DOG & End of Life Sanctuary in Mountain City, Tennessee, confirmed that the Biden family had adopted two "Johnson County pups" together. According to a statement from the shelter, the dogs were transported to Delaware to join the former first couple. A social media post from the sanctuary featured a photo of the Bidens posing with the energetic new additions, noting that one of the pups was already proving to be "ready to run and play."

Learning from the Past: From Shepherds to Labs

The adoption of Labrador mixes represents a shift for the Bidens, who previously owned three German Shepherds—Champ, Major, and Commander. The family’s experience with the Shepherd breed at the White House was marked by several difficulties. In 2021, Major became the first rescue dog to live in the White House, but he was eventually rehomed following "aggressive behavior" and a biting incident involving a security member. Similarly, Commander was removed from the executive mansion in October 2023 after multiple biting incidents.

TRANSFORMATIVE ANALYSIS: The decision to adopt a pair of Labs rather than a high-drive working breed like a German Shepherd suggests a calculated shift in lifestyle management for the former first family. While Shepherds are prized for their protective instincts, they often struggle in the high-stress, revolving-door environment of public life. Labradors, conversely, are statistically ranked among the most gregarious and adaptable breeds. By adopting older or mixed-breed Labs from a "End of Life Sanctuary," the Bidens are also reinforcing their commitment to senior dog advocacy, a growing trend in 2026 animal welfare that prioritizes giving "unadoptable" or older dogs a peaceful retirement.

The Legacy of the "First Dogs"