Get this: George Washington, the first President of the United States, was a massive dog nerd. And he gave his pack of 36 foxhounds the most unhinged names you can imagine. We're talking names like "Drunkard," "Tipsy," and "Sweet Lips." Yes, really. 💀
Washington wasn't just a casual dog owner; he was a serious breeder on a mission to create the perfect American hunting dog. But his naming convention was... something else. While he gave his female dogs sweet names like "Venus" and "Truelove," the boys got absolutely roasted. His pack included a dog literally named Drunkard, along with his buddies Tipsy, Tipler, and Taster. Can you even imagine yelling "DRUNKARD, GET BACK HERE!" across the fields of Mount Vernon? Wild.
So, how did he get so into dogs? Washington was obsessed with fox hunting and wanted to breed a faster, more athletic hound than the traditional English ones. His big break came after the Revolutionary War when his French ally, the Marquis de Lafayette, sent him a gift: seven massive French hounds. 🎁
These weren't just any dogs. They were huge, powerful, and a little chaotic. Washington said their barks sounded like "the bells of Moscow" and they fought so much over food that a servant had to supervise their meals. 😱 By breeding these French giants with his own "Virginia Hounds," he created a new breed: the American Foxhound, which is now the official state dog of Virginia!
Washington's life at Mount Vernon was basically all about the dogs. He was so dedicated that he would personally inspect his kennels every single morning and evening. He wasn't just a president; he was a hands-on dog dad. He treated his dogs like elite athletes, and it paid off. He created a legendary line of hunting dogs that were faster and had better endurance than anything seen in America before.
Here’s the craziest part. One of his dogs, the perfectly named Sweet Lips, might have accidentally helped kickstart the American Revolution. When Washington brought her to Philadelphia for the First Continental Congress, a powerful politician's wife saw them walking. She was so impressed by the "tall, exceedingly graceful dog" that she introduced Washington to her husband and all the major political players. These connections were crucial in getting him appointed as commander of the Continental Army. A dog. Changed. History. 🤯
So next time you think of George Washington, don't just picture a guy on a dollar bill. Picture him chilling with his 36 dogs, calling out for Sweet Lips and Drunkard. A true American icon. 🇺🇸
Dogs at Mount Vernon - George Washington's Mount Vernon
By George: A Founding Father and his American Foxhounds - American Kennel Club
