Manchester Terrier Dog Names

Theodore Roosevelt is most known for his tenure in the White House as the United States’ 26^th President. What many people may not be aware of is how much Roosevelt and his family loved animals. That love was made apparent when they moved into the White House and brought a motley crew of pets with them; they also acquired a number more pets while residing in the White House. A few of the more notable pets that graced the Roosevelt’s home included Rollo the Saint Bernard, Pete the Bull Terrier, Sailor Boy the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Skit the Rat Terrier and Blackjack or Jack the Manchester Terrier. Jack is believed to have been Teddy’s favorite as well as his son, Kermit. There were several letters that are dated around 1902 written by Theodore Roosevelt. In these personal letters, Roosevelt’s affection for his animals was obvious. One such letter addressed to a Mrs. Fields indicates that Roosevelt sent a photo to her of Kermit and Jack. In the letter Roosevelt stated that Jack was absolutely a member of the Roosevelt family. During his stay at the White House, Jack was not far from either Kermit or Teddy and he even wiggled his way into the matriarch’s heart, Eleanor Roosevelt. Many times heads of state or world leaders were greeted by Teddy with Jack right on his heels. 

Jack was so special that he actually had two burials when he passed away. He was first buried at the White House under one of the rose bushes Eleanor lovingly tended in the famed rose garden. After the Roosevelt family left the White House and moved back to Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, New York, neither Teddy nor Eleanor could bear to leave Jack behind. Jack’s body was exhumed and moved to Sagamore Hill. He was given another burial ceremony and placed in a special place within their pet cemetery. He has a stone monument that marks his grave that simply states 1903 Jack. Photos of Jack adorn the halls of Sagamore Hill to this day and the love the family had for him is evident in the photos that were chosen to be displayed. Roosevelt pets graced the grounds of Sagamore Hill until Edith Roosevelt’s death in 1948; Edith was the daughter of Theodore and Eleanor Roosevelt. It has been stated that Jack was so special to the family that no other Manchester Terrier could ever live up to his memory. Until the day Edith died, there was never another Manchester Terrier owed by a Theodore or any of his children.