AKC 2012 Stats and Trivia

George Washington helped create the American Foxhound breed, but his appreciation for dogs went far beyond their hunting ability. He valued their companionship too. In the midst of a Revolutionary War Battle, a dog wandered into Washington’s camp, with a collar that indicated it belonged to British General William Howe. Washington halted the battle and ordered the dog returned, with a note on its collar that read, “General Washington’s compliments to General William Howe, does himself the pleasure to return him a dog, which accidentally fell into his hands, and by the inscription on the collar, appears to belong to General Howe.” General Howe soon returned to England and expressed his support for the colonists’ fight for freedom.

Abraham Lincoln had a beloved yellow dog named Fido. Because Fido did not like crowds, the Lincolns decided to leave him in Springfield, IL, with his neighbors the Roll family, rather than taking him to the White House. Lincoln left strict instructions as to Fido’s care, specifying that he was to live in the house as a member of the family. When Lincoln was assassinated, John Roll brought Fido back to his original Springfield home to say goodbye.