Presidential pets: First Dogs through the years

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President George H. W. Bush and his wife Barbara were definitely dog lovers. Here, the President is seen on the South Lawn of the White House with his gorgeous English Springer Spaniel Millie in 1992 (r.), while the First Lady sits on the White House steps with Millie (bottom) and Millie's puppy, Ranger in 1991.

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Gerald Ford and his Golden Retriever Liberty made a great team during his term in office in the 1970s. It looks like Ford even taught the presidential pooch how to shake!

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President Harry Truman received Feller, a 5-week-old Cocker Spaniel puppy, as a present in 1947 ... but he later gave the tiny pup away to a new owner.

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President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Scottish Terrier Fala was perhaps the most famous canine to ever roam the halls of the White House. A Christmas present from his cousin, Fala quickly won over the hearts of not just the President, but Americans everywhere.

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Man's best friend! It doesn't get much cuter than Bill Clinton's chocolate Labrador Retriever Buddy. The First Family also had a cat named Socks -- but the two pets didn't exactly get along. They had to be kept in separate living quarters during their stay in the White House.

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The Reagan family had six dogs during their time at the White House. Here, the President and his wife Nancy go for a casual walk with their Bouvier des Flandres named Lucky ... not to mention plenty of secret servicemen.

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Jimmy Carter and his family had a Border Collie named Grits, a gift given to his daughter Amy. Unfortunately for Grits, his time in the White House was short. The dog was later returned for reasons unknown.

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Bo has been America's favorite First Dog since he first arrived at the White House in 2009. His official duties include visiting Walter Reed and Children?s National Medical Center, inspecting holiday decorations at the White House, greeting guests during tours and, of course, the annual Easter Egg Roll. Here, he is seen outside the Oval Office spending some quality time with the President.

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What did President Herbert Hoover and Lyndon B. Johnson have in common? They both shared a soft spot for cuddly pets. Hoover, who was president throughout the Great Depression, was the proud owner of nine dogs, including his Belgian Shepherd King Tut (l.). Johnson counted two adorable Beagles, Him and Her, among his family members.

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Before there was Bo, there was Barney Bush. The adorable Scottish Terrier was never far away from the President's side, sometimes hitching rides on Air Force One when he wasn't too busy frolicking along the South Lawn of the White House. Sadly, Barney died of lymphoma in 2013.

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Richard Nixon can thank his dog Checkers for his seat in the Oval Office. Although the Cocker Spaniel died before Nixon officially took office, the former president's now famous "Checkers" speech played a huge role in helping him win over voters.

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President John F. Kennedy made sure all his family members were around on Christmas morning in 1962 -- including the pets! The Kennedys also had three ponies, a pair of parakeets, a rabbit named Zsa Zsa and a couple of hamsters.

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President Reagan also had a popular Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Rex, seen here in 1987.

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While in office, President George W. Bush was also the proud parent of another Scottish Terrier, Miss Beazley. The adopted pup was a birthday present from the President to Laura Bush in 2005. Here, Barney (l.) and Beazley (r.) catch a ride with the First Couple as they make their way to their ranch in Crawford to spend the holidays in 2005.