Major was a rescue from a litter that had been exposed to "something toxic" in their home,[1] and their owner was unable to afford the expense of veterinary care for them.[4][6] He was fostered by the Bidens earlier that year from the Delaware Humane Association's shelter and has been with them since late 2018. On the day Joe Biden adopted the dog from the shelter, he stayed "telling stories and taking selfies with staffers" for over an hour.[4] The origin of Major's name is not publicly known, butBeau Biden, Joe Biden's son, was a major in theDelaware National Guard.[6][7][8]
On November 28, 2020, then-President-elect Bidenfractured his foot while playing with Major.[9] Biden said in an interview that Major was waiting to play after the president-elect emerged from a shower: "I'm joking, running after him and grab his tail. And what happened was that he slid on a throw rug. And I tripped on the rug he slid on."[10]
On March 8, 2021, Major andChamp, Biden's other German Shepherd, were temporarily moved to live with a family friend in Delaware after a minor incident in which Major nipped a security guard.[11] Major has been known for displaying agitated behavior on multiple occasions, in the past including "jumping, barking, and charging" at staff and security. Joe Biden noted in an interview that the bite did not penetrate the skin.[12][13] They returned to theWhite House on March 24 after Major received some training,[14] including training on how to live witha future cat that the Bidens adopted in the White House.[15][16] On March 30, Major was involved in a second biting incident at the White House, having bitten aNational Park Service employee during a walk.[17]
In July 2020, Biden's granddaughter, Naomi, posted a tweet showcasing Champ and Major fighting over a Donald Trump chew toy. Though the tweet was subsequently deleted, the photo resurfaced on social media before the2020 United States presidential election.[26]
Champ and Major both appeared in advertisements for Biden in his2020 presidential campaign against PresidentDonald Trump who had no pets in the White House.[6] During the campaign Biden tweeted that "Some Americans celebrate #NationalCatDay, some celebrate #NationalDogDay...President Trump celebrates neither. It says a lot. It's time we put a pet back in the White House."[4]
Three days before theinauguration of Joe Biden, the Delaware Humane Association held an "indoguration" for Major. More than 7,400 people attended viaZoom and it featured a performance byJosh Groban. The event raised $200,000 in donations for the association.[27]
In December 2021, on the day the Bidens announced a new puppy,Commander, was to move into the White House, it was announced that Major would no longer be a resident there, after experts recommended that it would be safer for him to live in a quieter environment with family friends.[28]
Commander turned out to have biting problems as well. He was involved in at least two dozen such incidents before he was removed from the White House.[29]
