President Joe Biden's German Shepherd, Major, was relocated to a farm in rural Mississippi in late 2021 after a series of biting incidents involving White House staff, according to reports. Major, the first shelter dog to reside at the White House, had bitten a Secret Service agent and also nipped a member of the National Park Service.
Following the incidents, Major underwent training at an outside facility, but the decision was ultimately made for him to leave the White House. He was then sent to live with Steve Patterson, a family friend who has known Joe Biden for 50 years. Patterson, who described Major as "sweetest thing in the world, very protective, very, very loving," stated that the dog simply "needed to be a dog" and required more space to roam freely.
Patterson and his son picked Major up from a Biden family member in Alabama. Patterson recounted an early experience driving Major to his Mississippi home, joking about the dog's initial "aggressive" behavior and the need to be cautious when interacting with him. Despite these challenges, Patterson noted that Major has since adapted well and has not bitten anyone since arriving in Mississippi over four years ago.
Major was adopted by the Bidens in late 2018 from the Delaware Humane Society. Before moving into the White House, President Biden fractured his foot in 2020 while playing with Major, a high-energy dog. At the time of the first biting incident on March 8, 2021, involving a Secret Service agent, Biden defended Major, calling him "a sweet dog" and explaining that the dog reacted out of protectiveness towards unfamiliar people. Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated that Major was still adjusting to the White House environment and new people.
After this initial incident, Major was sent to Delaware. However, he bit another individual, a member of the National Park Service, on March 29, 2021, while on a walk. Michael LaRosa, then-press secretary to Jill Biden, confirmed the nip and stated the individual was assessed by the White House Medical Unit and returned to work. Major was originally adopted as a companion for the Bidens' older German Shepherd, Champ, who passed away in June 2021.
The White House officially announced Major's departure in December 2021. A spokesman stated the decision was made after consulting with dog trainers, animal behaviorists, and veterinarians, who recommended a quieter environment. This decision was not in reaction to a specific new incident but was a result of months of family deliberation and expert consultations. On the same day Major's departure was confirmed, the Bidens introduced a new German Shepherd puppy named Commander.
Commander also exhibited biting behavior, reportedly biting U.S. Secret Service personnel on at least 24 occasions. The Biden family expressed remorse to those bitten, and Commander was removed from the White House in October 2023 to an undisclosed location.
Major was named after Beau Biden's military rank. Beau Biden, who died in 2015, served as a Major in the Delaware National Guard. Patterson described Beau as a "truly outstanding human being."
According to Patterson, Major is now living a happy life, chasing horses and playing with other dogs, and is reportedly good around children. He also noted that Major is fearful of fire and storms, seeking refuge in a shower during thunder. A request for comment from Joe and Jill Biden's office regarding Major's new life did not receive a response.