Paying tribute to Champ, the US president and first lady say "everything was instantly better when he was next to us".

One of President Joe Biden's two dogs in the White House has died, the president and first lady have said in a statement on Saturday.

Champ, a German shepherd and the first rescue dog to live in the White House, "passed away peacefully" at home after 13 years with the Biden family.

"He was our constant, cherished companion during the last 13 years and was adored by the entire Biden family," Mr and Mrs Biden said in a statement.

"Even as Champ's strength waned in his last months, when we came into a room, he would immediately pull himself up, his tail always wagging, and nuzzle us for an ear scratch or a belly rub.

"Wherever we were, he wanted to be, and everything was instantly better when he was next to us. He loved nothing more than curling up at our feet in front of a fire at the end of the day, joining us as a comforting presence in meetings, or sunning himself in the White House garden.

"In his younger days, he was happiest chasing golf balls on the front lawn of the Naval Observatory or racing to catch our grandchildren as they ran around our backyard in Delaware.

Poster Comment:

Poor thing, I couldn't imagine a worse life for a dog. I don't know if it's possible, but I'd guess it committed suicide from abuse and embarrassment.