According to the Bidens, Champ, their “loving” German Shepherd who had been with them since 2008, passed away on Saturday.

Champ passed away at the Biden family residence in Wilmington, Delaware, a White House spokeswoman said.

“Our hearts are heavy tonight as we notify you that Champ, our beloved German Shepherd, died gently at home,” said President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. He had been our devoted companion for the preceding 13 years, and the entire Biden family adored him.

The Bidens stated that he enjoyed nothing more at the end of the day than cuddling up at our feet in front of a fire, sitting next to us in meetings to provide comfort, or tanning himself in the White House garden.

He preferred to chase golf balls on the grass of the Naval Observatory or try to catch our grandchildren as they ran through our Delaware backyard.

Several weeks after Biden was named Vice President-elect in December 2008, Champ joined the Biden family for the presidential transition. The Bidens said on Saturday that Champ had been by their side during their “most joyful occasions” and “most bereaved days.”

Champ’s senior age had caused his health to worsen recently.

Biden picked the German Shepherd from a litter at a Spring City, Pennsylvania breeder when he was a month old.

Champ fulfilled Jill Biden’s pledge to buy a dog if he and Barack Obama won the election by making the purchase.

According to Biden’s press secretary at the time, the Biden grandchildren helped name the new puppy Champ during the 2008 holidays as a tribute to the name Joe Biden’s father gave his son.

Shortly after acquiring Champ, Biden remarked, “I’ve owned German Shepherds since I was a kid.

In November 2018, the Bidens adopted Major, another German Shepherd, a 3-year-old puppy, from the Delaware Humane Association. Biden revealed to reporters earlier this year that he partially adopted Major in order to keep Champ occupied and active.

The two puppies starred in advertising for Biden’s 2020 bid for president. Less than a week after entering office, Biden reinstated the presidential custom of bringing dogs to the White House by moving Champ and Major.

Our hearts are heavy as we tell you that Champ, our cherished German shepherd, passed away peacefully at home today. The entire Biden family admired him, and he has been a steadfast, beloved friend for the last 13 years.

Champ would quickly pull himself up, tail wagging, and nuzzle us for an ear scratch or a belly rub even as his strength diminished in his final months.

He was drawn to be wherever we were, and his presence made everything feel better. Nothing made him happier than curling up at our feet by the fire at the end of the day, being a calming presence in meetings, or taking a self-tan in the White House lawn.

His favorite activities included chasing golf balls on the Naval Observatory’s front lawn and sprinting to catch our grandchildren as they ran through our Delaware backyard.

He was there for us in both our best and darkest moments, paying close attention to every unsaid feeling and emotion. We cherish and will always remember our sweet baby.