The Bidens, who described Champ as their “adoring” German Shepherd, have announced his passing

According to the Bidens, Champ, a German Shepherd who had been a member of their family since 2008, died on Saturday.

According to a White House spokesman, Champ passed suddenly at the Biden family residence in Wilmington, Delaware.

In a statement, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden wrote, “Our hearts are heavy tonight as we notify you that Champ, our beloved German Shepherd, died quietly at home.” He had been our devoted companion for the preceding 13 years, and the entire Biden family adored him.

The Bidens stated that he enjoyed nothing more at the end of the day than cuddling up at our feet in front of a fire, sitting next to us in meetings to provide comfort, or tanning himself in the White House garden.

He preferred to chase golf balls on the grass of the Naval Observatory or try to catch our grandchildren as they ran through our Delaware backyard.

Champ joined the Biden family for the presidential transition a few weeks after Biden was named Vice President-elect in December 2008. On Saturday, the Bidens claimed that Champ had been by their sides on their “most joyful occasions” and “most bereaved days.”

Champ’s health had recently gotten worse due to his advanced age.

When the German Shepherd was a month old, Biden chose him from a litter at a breeder in Spring City, Pennsylvania.

Champ bought the dog, fulfilling Jill Biden’s promise to do so if he and Barack Obama won the election.

The Biden grandchildren assisted in naming the new puppy Champ during the 2008 holidays as a tribute to the name Joe Biden’s father gave his son, according to Biden’s press secretary at the time.

Shortly after acquiring Champ, Biden remarked, “I’ve owned German Shepherds since I was a kid.

The Bidens obtained Major, a 3-year-old German Shepherd puppy, through the Delaware Humane Association in November 2018. In order to keep Champ busy and active, Biden told reporters earlier this year that he partially adopted Major.

The two puppies were the faces of Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign advertisements. Less than a week after taking office, Biden moved Champ and Major, restoring the presidential tradition of bringing dogs to the White House.

Our hearts are heavy as we tell you that Champ, our cherished German shepherd, passed away peacefully at home today. The entire Biden family admired him, and he has been a steadfast, beloved friend for the last 13 years.

Champ would quickly pull himself up, tail wagging, and nuzzle us for an ear scratch or a belly rub even as his strength diminished in his final months.

He was drawn to be wherever we were, and his presence made everything feel better. Nothing made him happier than curling up at our feet by the fire at the end of the day, being a calming presence in meetings, or taking a self-tan in the White House lawn.

His favourite activities included chasing golf balls on the Naval Observatory’s front lawn and sprinting to catch our grandchildren as they ran through our Delaware backyard.

He was there for us in both our best and darkest moments, paying close attention to every unsaid feeling and emotion. We cherish and will always remember our sweet baby.