Buzz
While royals and politicians around the world may not always find common ground, many of them share the belief in the joys of having a pet. Numerous world leaders dedicate their rare moments of leisure to their beloved animals. These fortunate pets often enjoy a pampered life, living in the glow of their famous owners' fame.
10. Purebred Dogs - Kim Jong-un
North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un has amassed a vast collection of purebred dogs of different breeds, who likely enjoy a much better life than many of his country's impoverished citizens. This practice follows the example set by his father, Kim Jong-il, who would purchase dozens of European dogs annually, along with expensive foreign pet foods and luxury items. The dogs even had their own personal imported veterinarians.
Another defining characteristic of Kim Jong-un is his ruthless grip on power. It’s to be hoped that none of his personal pets end up in bosintang, or dog stew, a traditional dish in Korea. Disturbing rumors have circulated that Kim had his politically rebellious uncle executed, allegedly feeding him to 120 fierce dogs (a story that is most probably untrue).
9. Welsh Corgis - Queen Elizabeth II
Her Majesty has an enduring passion for corgis. Over the course of her 62-year reign as Queen of the United Kingdom, she has owned more than 30 of these lovable dogs. As a young princess, Elizabeth developed a deep affection for the breed, influenced by her mother's collection. At 18, she was gifted a corgi of her own. The Queen also enjoys her ‘dorgis’ (a crossbreed between corgis and dachshunds). Presently, she has two corgis, named Willow and Holly, as well as two dorgis, named Candy and Vulcan.
The royal dogs enjoy a life of luxury. They have free reign of Buckingham Palace and have developed a taste for both green vegetables and venison. The Queen personally serves them their meals, often adding a touch of gravy to their dinner. She also takes on the responsibility of housetraining the puppies, a task familiar to any dog owner, though certainly not a royal one.
8. Camel - Francois Hollande
In early 2013, French forces assisted the government of Mali in pushing back a terrorist insurgency in the northern region of the country. As a gesture of gratitude, the Malian government gifted French President Francois Hollande a dromedary camel. However, unable to accommodate a noisy camel at the presidential residence, Hollande arranged for the animal to stay with a local family until it could be vaccinated and sent to a zoo in Paris. Unfortunately, the family misunderstood the plan and ended up slaughtering the camel, cooking it in a stew.
The Malian government was left red-faced and promised to send an even finer camel to Paris. This replacement would not end up in a stew, but would instead be displayed at the zoo. Perhaps President Hollande will even take his new gift out for a public stroll, riding it along the Champs-Elysees.
7. Larry - David Cameron
David Cameron, in his role as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, continues a longstanding tradition of keeping a prominent feline. Larry, the current cat residing at Number 10 Downing Street, holds the prestigious title of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, an official British governmental role. Larry is always on the lookout for the rats and mice that skulk through the corners of London.
Somewhat controversially, George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, shares the role of Chief Mouser with his family cat, Freya. Having spent years as a stray, Freya is considered the muscle of the pair, the more dominant rodent hunter. Larry, in contrast, has often been reprimanded for falling asleep on the job.
In true political fashion, the relationship between the two cats has seen its fair share of tension. Larry and Freya were even spotted fighting outside Cameron's residence in October 2012, an altercation that had to be broken up by police. Since then, the pair has maintained a fragile peace.
6. Koni - Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin is known for his larger-than-life persona, and his black Labrador, Koni, plays a humble yet significant role in it. Putin received Koni as a puppy in 2000 from his General of the Russian Army. Since then, the two have become inseparable, with Koni often barging into political meetings and press conferences, much to the frustration of Putin’s security team. At 14, Koni is in good health but avoids media events these days, as the press tends to make her nervous.
Koni has even been used as part of a political strategy. In 2007, she was present when German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with Putin. Merkel, who has a known fear of dogs due to a childhood bite, appeared visibly uncomfortable as Koni approached her. Putin could hardly contain his amusement at Koni’s apparent intimidation tactics aimed at his political rival.
5. Bo - Barack Obama
It has been famously said, 'If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.' Whether Bo is President Obama’s only friend is up for debate, but one thing is certain—he gets plenty of media attention.
Bo, the Portuguese Water Dog, was adopted by the Obamas in 2009. The family selected this hypoallergenic breed to accommodate daughter Malia, who suffers from pet allergies. The breed’s popularity soared thanks to the high-profile adoption. Although the Obamas initially hoped to adopt from a shelter, they couldn’t find a suitable candidate of the right breed. As a compromise, they chose a purebred dog while donating to the Washington Humane Society.
In 2013, the Obamas welcomed Bo’s younger sister, Sunny, into the family. It didn’t take long for Sunny to make headlines—during a media event, she jumped on a toddler, knocking her to the ground. Fortunately, the child was unharmed, and Sunny survived her first political controversy.
4. Exyrias - Akihito - Emperor Akihito
This small goby fish is rarely seen as a pet, but its intriguing association with the Emperor of Japan secures its place on this list. Emperor Akihito, despite holding only a ceremonial role as Japan's monarch, has not abandoned his scientific endeavors. A skilled ichthyologist, he has authored numerous peer-reviewed studies on fish biology. To this day, the Emperor remains deeply involved with the collection of fish at his Palace Laboratory.
The Emperor is regarded as a leading expert in the classification of gobies and has exchanged rare specimens with various research institutions. His partnership with the Australian Museum resulted in the discovery of a new species. In recognition, the researchers named the species after the Emperor in 2006. The now-renowned fish is known for its distinct elongated dorsal fin and the yellow and brown spots on its head.
3. Thong Daeng - King Bhumibol Adulyadej
The King of Thailand is a well-known dog enthusiast, and one particular dog holds a special place in his heart. His beloved dog, Thong Daeng, was rescued from the streets of Bangkok as a young puppy. Her name, which means “copper” in Thai, is a nod to the color of her coat.
King Bhumibol enjoys immense popularity among his citizens, and it seems this affection extends to his royal dog as well. When the 74-year-old monarch penned a book about Thong Daeng’s journey, it quickly became a hit, with 100,000 copies flying off the shelves within hours of its release.
The king is a passionate advocate for adopting street dogs (a common sight in Thailand) over purchasing purebreds. In his book, he emphasizes that many street dogs “are typically humble and extraordinarily loyal to their owners, almost as if they are grateful for the care they receive.” Thong Daeng is a shining example of these virtues, offering her master unwavering respect and gratitude.
2. Stanley And GypsyStephen Harper
During his tenure in office, Harper and his family have opened their home to a staggering 87 different cats. The Harpers have demonstrated their commitment to animal welfare not only through their personal pets but also by promoting animal adoption. The Prime Minister’s official website offers information on how to adopt pets, and they are also active supporters of the Ottawa Humane Society. With such a track record, Harper's political journey has been quite successful—perhaps aided by his feline-like knack for survival in the ever-shifting landscape of party politics.
1. HorsesKing Abdullah Of Saudi Arabia
For centuries, Saudi monarchs have cultivated a remarkable tradition of raising exceptional horses, with horse racing standing out as one of the country's most beloved sports. King Abdullah, a passionate equestrian, proudly owns over 1,000 horses, all housed at his Janadira Farm in Riyadh. The king enjoys retreating to his weekend residence within the farm complex, often strolling through the stables to observe his horses in their natural environment.
Annually, the farm breeds around 100 thoroughbreds and houses approximately 300 purebred Arabian horses. The majestic bloodlines of these horses stretch back over millennia to the Nejd dynasty. Notably, the farm is home to three world champion stallions, further solidifying its elite status within the equine world.
The king's grandson, a talented equestrian, oversees a division dedicated to prize-winning show jumping horses. King Abdullah also takes great pride in hosting a show jumping festival that attracts horses and riders from all corners of the region and beyond. If horses are involved, King Abdullah is certain to be engaged in every aspect of the sport.
