Question: Is Bush's dog the same breed as FDR's was?

[Larkspur]

In news reports of Bush, I've seen him pick up a black long haired terrier of some kind, I think Scottish terrier? Is this the same kind of dog that FDR had? If so, is this another subliminal message from Bush/Rove to equate shrub with FDR and great presidents?

[slappypan]

1. yes, and I have often wondered about that

Did they choose poor Barney as a prop? The Bushes have another dog, some sort of spaniel, which is photographed for less often.

[El Supremo]

7. Spot passed away.

He was Millie's pup (remember - she wrote a book). They were Springer Spaniels.

[MasonJar]

2. Yes, FDR had a Scottie too. I believe his name was Fallah. The

Bush Scotch Terrier seems pretty smart; it runs away when Dubya tries to pick it up....lesson learned.

[RobertSeattle]

3. I believe FDR's dog was a Scottish Terrier Also and name was "Fella"

[shrub chipper]

4. fdr's scottie was 'fala'

[RobertSeattle]

11. I say fella, you say Fala, let's call the whole thing a dog!

Thanks for the correction!

[gardenista]

5. I heard that Barney is descended from the dog of

Alice Roosevelt Longworth.

[wicket]

9. Really?!

Whoa... (sorry I'm a huge Roosevelt clan fan :) )

[NYCGirl]

6. Here's a pic of FDR and Fala

[tom22]

41. I believe what FDR was protesting

in his famous speech was the false rumor being spread by the GOP that FDR had sent a warship to retrieve Fala when he had been left behind on a presidential trip, I think it may have been in Alaska.

[NYCGirl]

8. And even back then, the Republicans were smearing Fala!

The 'Fala Speech'
"These Republican leaders have not been content with attacks on me, or my wife, or on my sons. No, not content with that, they now include my little dog, Fala. Well, of course, I don't resent attacks, and my family doesn't resent attacks, but Fala does resent them. You know, Fala is Scotch, and being a Scottie, as soon as he learned that the Republican fiction writers in Congress and out had concocted a story that I had left him behind on the Aleutian Islands and had sent a destroyer back to find him--at a cost to the taxpayers of two or three, or eight or twenty million dollars--his Scotch soul was furious. He has not been the same dog since. I am accustomed to hearing malicious falsehoods about myself--such as that old, worm-eaten chestnut that I have represented myself as indispensable. But I think I have a right to resent, to object to libelous statements about my dog."--Sept. 23, 1944, address to the Teamsters Union

http://www.thedogguide.com/historical_fala.htm

[Feanorcurufinwe]

10. 'not...content with attacks on me... they now include my little dog, Fala'

"These Republican leaders have not been content with attacks on me, or my wife, or on my sons. No, not content with that, they now include my little dog, Fala. Well, of course, I don't resent attacks, and my family doesn't resent attacks, but Fala does resent them. You know, Fala is Scotch, and being a Scottie, as soon as he learned that the Republican fiction writers in Congress and out had concocted a story that I had left him behind on the Aleutian Islands and had sent a destroyer back to find him--at a cost to the taxpayers of two or three, or eight or twenty million dollars--his Scotch soul was furious. He has not been the same dog since. I am accustomed to hearing malicious falsehoods about myself--such as that old, worm-eaten chestnut that I have represented myself as indispensable. But I think I have a right to resent, to object to libelous statements about my dog." -- FDR, Sept. 23, 1944, address to the Teamsters Union

[OHswingvoter]

13. I can't tell from the

pics what color was Fala? does anyone remember? It seems like (memories of high school) that he was more than color mixed up? But in the pictures he looks dark like Barney. I am wondering if Bushie tried to get a dog that would look as much like Fala as possible?

[dflprincess]

23. I don't remember every seeing a color picture of Fala

I think Scotch Terriers are black (though there is the West Highland White terrier that looks a lot like a Scottie). Every year when I watch the Westminster Dog Show, one of the comments always made about Scotties is that they are intelligent and fiercely loyal to their owners.

Barney appears to be an intelligent dog.

Unlike Barney, Fala enjoyed the company of his master. I read in one biography of FDR that Fala was at his bedside when he died and when FDR drew his last breath Fala raced from the house and up a hill where he stood barking at the sky for some time.

[shrub chipper]

25. Scotties are either black, brindle or wheaten in color.

[Hepburn]

43. Most are black, but....

...there are also brindles and wheatens. A brindle is a mix of black and dark brown. A wheaten Scottie is a "beige" colored Scottie. Although light in color, a wheaten Scottie is not a Westie. Some times people get Westies confused with wheaten Scotties, but they really do look a lot different.

Here is a wheaten Scottie:



and here is a Westie (West Highland Terrier):



BTW: You sure know your Scotties. Have you ever had one?

[foo_bar]

45. so that's where Nixon got his Checkers speech

[SnohoDem]

12. Poor Barney was a gift

to the Bushes from Christie Todd Whitman, I believe. Poor little guy. It's not his fault.

[Hepburn]

14. Yes....

....Bush and FDR both have the same kind of dog - a Scottish Terrier. FDR's dog, nicked Fala for short, was officially named Fala of Valhala. (Not sure on the spelling, but I think I have it correct.) He was probably the best know dog, at least in my opinion, in the WH and he was FDR's constant companion. He is buried at the foot of his master's grave at Hyde Park.

So...here's Fala:






Fala’s Leash, Collar, Blanket, and Navy Coat
Beloved Roosevelt family dog and famous throughout the world, Fala (1940-1952) lived with Eleanor at Val-Kill after FDR’s death in 1945.



And here is Barney Bush:



As you can see, Scotties are VERY smart!

[gardenista]

15. Barney is a Black Dog Democrat!

This is a Democrat who is trapped among Republicans!

[Toucano]

17. We must rescue Barney! n/t

[goclark]

29. I wrote to the ASPCA

and told them to rescue Barney from his horrible masters.
It is so dangerous for the Chimop to hold Barney under his arm when he exits AF1.

It is clear that Barney hates him and so Barney refuses to follow any command given by Pickles or Chimp. That is a BIG clue.

I am serious, Barney is in real danger! My dog is 10 lbs. and I would never hold him under my arm and exit a plane.

There are lots of pictures here at DU of the chimp saluting with his right hand and holding Barney on the left!

If anyone has any ideas on how we can get the Media to help us rescue Barney, please let me know.

Now Fala loved his master. And, his master loved him equally.

I saw a verse the other day...

Lord, help me
become
the person
my dog thinks I am.

- Dawn Ewing

[gardenista]

34. You're right! poor Barney! Chimp has dropped him at least once

and then he blamed Barney for it.

I love the verse. Sadly, Chimpy is the person Barney thinks he is. An asshole who smells funny when he comes back from Crawford.

[DemBones DemBones]

16. Barney, Fala, and Toto are/were all Scotties.

There is a statue of Fala as part of the FDR statue on the Mall.

Don't know what ever happened to Toto!

Scotties are fierce little beasts. I know of one that opened a can of food with its teeth.

[shrub chipper]

18. Actually, Toto was a Cairn Terrier

[theHandpuppet]

22. Only in the movie version

The original Toto of Baum's books was a Scottie, but movie execs at the time couldn't find a trained Scottie for the film and settled for a Cairn (no insult to Cairns).

[A_Possum]

19. I know one who fought off a coyote!

Attacked in midday at the dog park, and held his own until he was rescued. Had deep bites all over him.

This Scottie, in fact, goes by the name of Henry...



(The big Pyr belongs to me, they've been best buddies since they were puppies.)

[Hepburn]

20. Fala and Barney are Scotties, but...

...Toto was a Cairn Terrier and not a Scottie.

"Toto was a Cairn Terrier whose real name was "Terry". And, even though Toto was referred to as a "he" in MGM's classic film, Toto was really a "she"."

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/6396/toto.htm&h=218&w=147&sz=37&tbnid=mGH68-H0RdAJ:&tbnh=100&tbnw=68&start=3&prev=/images%3Fq%3DToto,%2BWizard%2Bof%2BOz%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DG

They look very similar, but a Scottie has much shorter legs and sharper features.



Dorothy and Toto

[Hepburn]

21. Scotties can be very fierce...

...they were originally breed to hunt "varments." They are VERY fast in a short run, have very large and powerful jaws for a dog of their size and will invade, for example, a badger hole and corner the animal. Scotties have an instinctive trait - because of going down holes after animals - that when they do not like something, they will lower their heads, shake the head (i.e., clears the dirt) and then will back away - as if backing out of a hole - with their head lowered and shaking. Watch Barney sometime. It is clear the way he backs away from Bush, that he does not like GWB. Scotties do not turn their backs and run away from something they do not like - they go backwards with their heads down and shaking. Note the picture above of Barney and his posture towards Bush. To anyone who has Scotties for a lifetime as I have, it is clear that the wee beastie Barney, does NOT care for GWB in any manner whatsoever. Like I said, Scotties are VERY smart little dogs! And, notice another trait of Barney when Bush holds him, Barney keeps his head away from GWB. That is another indication, at least to me, that wee Barney does not care for Bush. Scotties by their nature are very stand-offish and will usually only "bond" to someone with whom they are very secure and feel loved. Then and only then will you see a Scottie put his or her head close to the master he or she trusts.

BTW: If you have never had a Scottie and you are looking for fine wee pet, please consider one. They are best described as a big dog in a small dog's body. Not yippy or nervous and very fine companions.

[El Supremo]

24. A real Scottie Fancier!

What you say is very correct. I have owned (or been owned by) the other side of the Terrier spectrum for over 20 years. My Irish Terriers (Daredevils) are very trusting of people but death to other animals.

[Hepburn]

28. I may be a wee bit prejudiced...

...but I do just adore terriers. They have such great personalities. It is like they truly convey human emotions. Like I said, when I see wee Barney back away from Bush, it is as if I know exactly what Barney is thinking. And George just does not understand that in essence, Barney is giving him the Scottie middle finger!

I think Barney actually looks embarrassed in this picture!



LOL, and here is Barney in the WH limo with the late Spot - what an attitude which is apparent on his face!

[Hepburn]

33. Such cute puppies and such a beautiful dog.

Irish terriers are a fine, proud dog. Such wonderful faces!





Like with Scotties, I LOVE the eyebrows!

[SayitAintSo]

27. Ever since * dropped Barney on his head in front of those kids....

O'l Barney doesn't seem too happy around Bush ...IMO...

[SW FL Dem]

31. Great description!

I've lived with cairns for most of my life. I too have noticed Barney's body language. I truly feel sorry for him.

It's nice to see other terrier people here. Terriers are feisty and independent thinking dogs. They share a lot with us DUers.

[theHandpuppet]

38. You are spot on...

...regarding Barney's body language and the obvious dislike for GWB. I suspect Barney's affections are for someone else -- perhaps Laura Bush, with whom Barney seems comfortable -- or even a handler or someone who looks after him. But this little dog isn't hiding his disgust at his lot in life. Compare the pics of Fala and FDR with those of Barney and GWB -- there's no doubt which dog truly loved his master.

Other residents of the White House who have been owned by Scotties include: Jackie Kennedy; President Eisenhower, who had two Scotties, Telek and Caacie; Ronald Reagan, who had two Scotties named Scotch and Soda; Eleanor Roosevelt had a Scottie named "Maggie" or "Meggie" after the deaths of FDR and Fala; and Theodore Roosevelt, who had a Scottie named Jessie. One might say the Scottie is the dog of Presidents!

[Hepburn]

46. Hey, thanks for the info...

...on all the presidential Scotties. And, from the pics I have seen of Barney and Laura Bush, I would say that Barney is comfortable with her. His body language is so much different around her than when he is around the Chimp. Very smart dog....however, it probably does not take that much brain power to get the picture that GWB is a totally evil being.

[SW FL Dem]

26. Toto (aka Terry) was a cairn terrier

Cairns are very closely related to westies and scotties but they are a distict breed. Gotta love the terriers. I have 3 cairns.

[Hepburn]

30. Those are great dogs!

The reason I have always had Scotties - from the time I was a small child, FDR was my hero and I wanted a dog just like Fala. Well, once I got my first Scottie, I was hooked! My latest Scottie is curled at my feet right now on a blanket.

[DemBones DemBones]

32. I stand corrected that Toto was played by a Cairn terrier in

the movie, though he was a Scottie in the book. I got my info from a proud owner of Scotties . . .

How are those little terriers as far as maintenance goes?

[Hepburn]

35. Scottie maintenance...

...if they have problems, it is usually with their skin - exzema. Their coats, like with most long haired terriers, take a lot of care. But it is worth it. They have that undercoat - guard hair - and you just have to brush them a lot and get them trimmed up when needed. Otherwise, they are low maintenace - do not have to be the center of attention and they usually are content to sit quietly by and close to their master. Any dog needs exercise, but with a Scottie, a very small yard will do. I have to tell you, that if you have not had a terrier, you are in for a wonderful surprise. They have the most distinctive personalities. It's like they are human.

And...I realize your are correct about the movie and book on what kind of dog Toto was.

[SW FL Dem]

36. Terrier Maintenance

My experience is limited to cairns, but I think they are very low maintentance. Cairns need to be brushed weekly and hand stripped twice a year (takes an hour). They are very intelligent and energetic, but can adapt well to an apartment.

[Hepburn]

37. Glad to hear you say "hand stripped"...

...because it just irks the heck out of me to see a body line between the coat on the top of the body and the skirt like someone took shears or clippers to to the dog.

I live in California, so my Scotties have had to have a bit more trimming down than just twice a year since the weather is warm just about all year round. I brush her probably about twice a week and she goes to the groomer every other week. Great groomer - she takes dogs by appointment and you leave your dog and pick your dog up about an hour later. No sitting in a kennel all day long.

[Cooley Hurd]

40. I'm an Airedale man, myself...

...hence, my avatar. Here's Chuckiemutt:

He's an Oorang Airedale (the super-sized kind, at 90 lbs) and is very energetic, and equally sweet and loyal. :)

[Hepburn]

42. Wow....

...he looks like a very fine fellow. You know, I think a lot of people don't realize that Airedales are terriers. They have such style about them and, of course, they have those great eyebrows!

Great dog and thanks for the picture of him!

[skygazer]

49. Always liked Airedales

And you don't see as many as you used to. When I was a kid (in the 60's), they were extremely popular.

Terriers are great. I like 'em all. They are smart and energetic dogs, always thinking. I like a dog that thinks - keeps me on my toes.

[Cooley Hurd]

39. Fala, FDR's dog, was a gift to FDR from his cousin...

...Margaret Suckley. Fala was born in 1941 and went everywhere w/ President Roosevelt. Minutes after FDR passed on the afternoon of April 12, 1945, Fala, who remained motionless in a corner while assorted doctors rushed in and out from FDR's bedroom, suddenly leapt to his feet and ran headfirst through the screen door of the Little White House and ran away, barking...

Miss Suckley asked Eleanor, who never seemed to be all that fond of the snarly Scottie, if she could take Fala after FDR's death, but Eleanor refused. Eleanor became very fond of Fala, so much so she bought another Scottish Terrier, Tamas, as a companion for herself and Fala.

Fala passed away in 1951 and is buried beneath the sun dial in the rose garden at Hyde Park (about 5 yards away from President & Mrs Roosevelt).


Eleanor, Fala and Tamas at Val-Kill, c. late 1940's

[Democrat 4 Ever]

44. Barney issues own political statement

Please, please tell me that someone else, besides me, caught Keith Oberman the other night on his Countdown show! One night this week.

Film clip being shown: Bush and his posse were all dressed up in their little cowboy outfits for the cameras (sorry Condi Rice just CAN"T pull that off!) and while Bush was rambling on about the Swift Boats and 527s, etc, Barney was taking a dump right behind Bush on camera. Hysterical. Bush was completely unaware but the film editor was nice enough to put a little highlight bubble around the editorializing canine - you couldn't miss it.

Keith even had to run it again and then made a really funny remark about it at the end of the show. I know I wasn't dreaming!

Barney quite clearly was sending a "subliminal" message to the American people what he thought of Bush's comments. Guess from now on I am going to have to watch the dog. There is a mole in the White House!

[Hepburn]

47. OMG!!!

Thanks for the story about Barney and the "dump." Funny thing, but my Scottie will do the same thing when she does NOT like something. Here's to Barney and the messages he is sending to the outside world!

[Hepburn]

48. Just looking around....

...and I see it got reported in the press. However, I am looking for a video of Barney's comments!

• Why we love Dubya's dog, Barney: He's a real party pooper. The lovable little Scottie left his own mark on President Bush's news conference yesterday in Crawford, Tex., when he appeared about 15 feet behind his master, squatted on the lawn and did his business. "This is perhaps why the president does not let him in the Oval Office," a witness in the press corps quipped."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A27098-2004Aug23.html

The article is near the bottom of the page. Also saw that CNN even reported this. LOL, I would LOVE to have a video of this!

[goclark]

50. That's why I love Barney so much!

It's as if he says "read my lips, watch me kick Chimp's butt."

They have pulled him across the lawn so many times and he stands his ground.

Barney HATES Bush and Pickles too.

Tell me, how many dogs do you know that HATE their masters?

[ellie]

51. Yes, I love Barney

He's the smartest one in the whole bunch!