 Rex in 1986 | |
| Species | Canis familiaris |
|---|---|
| Breed | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
| Sex | Male |
| Born | (1984-12-16)December 16, 1984 Greenwich, Connecticut |
| Died | August 31, 1998(1998-08-31) (aged 13) Santa Barbara, California |
| Cause of death | Euthanasia |
| Resting place | Rancho del Cielo |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Pet of theFirst Family of the United States |
| Predecessor | Lucky |
| Successor | Millie |
| Owners | Ronald Reagan andNancy Reagan |
| Appearance | Blenheim (Ruby and white fur) |
| Named after | Rex Scouten |
Rex (December 16, 1984 – August 31, 1998) was aCavalier King Charles Spaniel owned byRonald Reagan and his wifeNancy during his second term asPresident of the United States.
Rex was bred by dog breeder Irene Murphy of Greenwich, Connecticut. His registered name was Martlet-Or Worcester. Conservative commentatorWilliam F. Buckley, Jr. purchased littermate brother Freddy from the breeder and later arranged for President Reagan to purchase one-year-old Rex and give Rex as a Christmas present to his wife Nancy on December 6, 1985. TheWhite House's previous canine occupant, the Reagans'Bouvier des Flandres named Lucky, had grown too large and had been moved to Reagan'sRancho del Cielo estate in California the preceding Thanksgiving.[1] Rex was named afterRex Scouten,White House Chief Usher.[2] One of Rex's first acts that week was helping to throw the switch that lit the NationalChristmas Tree.[3]
Rex lived in the White House from that Christmas until Reagan left office in 1989, once gaining headlines when he underwent atonsillectomy at an undisclosed veterinary hospital.[4] Rex was treated to a lavishly decorateddoghouse built by the Washington Children's Museum, which included framed portraits of Ronald and Nancy and red window draperies.[5] It was designed by Theo Hayes, and actressZsa Zsa Gabor reportedly conducted a dedication ceremony for the new structure.[6]
Nackey Loeb, wife of publisherWilliam Loeb III, advised the Reagans to hire adog trainer for Rex, as she felt it was detrimental to Nancy Reagan's image to have the dog pull her around in front of the press. The President responded to Loeb, stating that Rex was still young and got easily excited whenhelicopters land on the White House lawn to the extent that "he believesMarine I is his personal dog basket".[7] Rex was ultimately seen as being calmer than his predecessor Lucky, who is remembered for dragging Nancy Reagan across the White House lawn, while Rex was seen as being better behaved.[8]
Reportedly, Rex took a disliking to theLincoln Bedroom in the White House. Thought to possibly be haunted bythe ghost ofAbraham Lincoln, the dog would refuse to enter the room and sometimes would stand outside and bark through the doorway.[9]
Rex's high-profile led in part to the sudden popularisation of the breed in America in the years following Reagan's presidency.
As a leaving gift when Reagan departed, Rex was given a dog house resembling the White House, complete with a patch of carpet fromCamp David.[10]
After Reagan left office, Rex lived to the age of 13 with the Reagan family before beingeuthanised after developing an enlarged heart due tomitral valve disease. He is interred atRancho del Cielo.
rex ronald reagan.
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| Preceded by | White House pet dog December 6, 1985 – January 20, 1989 | Succeeded by |
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