American presidents have usually been dog people. Even the ones who might not have been that fond of dogs have often found it convenient to keep a mutt or two in the White House for appearances’ sake, and to project a wholesome image. However, few American presidents were as fond of Man’s Best Friends as America’s first president. As seen below, Washington liked dogs so much, he put America’s War of Independence on hold to return a lost dog to its owner – an enemy general.
George Washington Loved His Dogs
America’s first president really liked dogs, and had pooches from just about every group recognized by the American Kennel Club. Terriers, spaniels, French hounds, greyhounds, Briards and Newfoundlands were just some of the breeds that Washington kept at one time or another. He housed a foxhound pack in a well-maintained kennel, with a spring that ran through it to supply them with fresh water. Washington dropped by twice a day to check on his beloved hounds, and personally inspect the kennel twice.
Washington’s love of dogs even led him to call an unexpected truce amidst the Revolutionary War, in order to return an enemy’s lost dog. Although a great leader, Washington was only a so-so general, and he lost more battles than he won. Fortunately, the ones that he won include the American Revolution’s most important engagement: the Siege of Yorktown, that concluded with the surrender of a British army and effectively brought the American War of Independence to an end.
A Lost Dog in a Battle
The battles that George Washington lost include the Battle of Germantown, near Philadelphia on October 4th, 1777. In that engagement, a British army led by Sir William Howe defeated Washington and his forces. As they retreated after their loss, the American soldiers discovered that their ranks included an unexpected addition: an unknown but clearly well-kept terrier. When they inspected the dog’s collar, the soldiers discovered that it belonged to Sir William Howe.
The British commander’s dog had wandered into the battlefield, and amidst the din, chaos, and confusion, it attached itself to the Americans. The Patriots wanted to keep it in order to taunt Howe and the British, but their commander was too classy to keep another man’s dog. George Washington resisted his men’s calls to keep Sir William Howe’s prized terrier. Instead, he sent the dog with a messenger under a white flag of truce, across the lines to the British commander.
When George Washington Paused the War to Return His Enemy’s Dog
The messenger delivered the dog to Sir William, along with a note that read in relevant part: “General Washington’s compliments to General Howe. He does himself the pleasure to return to him a dog, which accidentally fell into his hands, and by the inscription on the Collar appears to belong to General Howe”. The British commander was impressed by the unexpected gesture from his enemy.
Howe expressed his gratitude to Washington, and described the incident as “the honorable act of a fine gentleman”. The episode did not end the war, which continued unabated for years. Nor did it end Howe’s participation in the conflict. However, although he continued to fight and win battles against the Americans, Sir William Howe did so with less enthusiasm than he had exhibited before Washington interrupted the war to return his dog.
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Some Sources & Further Reading
Burns, Patrick – American Working Terriers (2006)
History Halls – American Presidents: Abraham Lincoln, Hall of Fame Wrestler
Psychology Today – George Washington: President, General, and Dog Breeder
