11 Photos of the Kennedy Family with Some of Their Dogs Over the Years

Mar. 15, 2025

Robert F. Kennedy with Freckles.Photo:Bettmann/Getty

“Freckles”, the Spaniel who is becoming somewhat of a celebrity as he follows is master, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, on the campaign trail, puts on his best “it’s time you remembered me” look as Sen. Kennedy offers him a drink of water. Temperatures soared to 87 degrees in Sacramento where the Senator spent the afternoon campaigning.

Bettmann/Getty

TheKennedy clanis a family of dog lovers.In a tribute to his beloved motherEthel Kennedywho diedon Oct. 10,Robert F. Kennedy Jr.revealed that she owned a lot of dogs in her lifetime — 16 of which were all Irish setters named Rusty.Ethel was hardly the only family member who had an affection for canines, however. In fact, her brother-in-law,John F. Kennedyand wifeJackie Kennedyas well as several other family members often kept close to their four-legged pals — taking them on campaign trails, including them in family portraits, etc.Below, check out these 11 photos of members of the Kennedy family with their beloved dogs throughout the years.

TheKennedy clanis a family of dog lovers.

In a tribute to his beloved motherEthel Kennedywho diedon Oct. 10,Robert F. Kennedy Jr.revealed that she owned a lot of dogs in her lifetime — 16 of which were all Irish setters named Rusty.

Ethel was hardly the only family member who had an affection for canines, however. In fact, her brother-in-law,John F. Kennedyand wifeJackie Kennedyas well as several other family members often kept close to their four-legged pals — taking them on campaign trails, including them in family portraits, etc.

Below, check out these 11 photos of members of the Kennedy family with their beloved dogs throughout the years.

01of 11Joseph P. and Rose KennedyJoseph P. and Rose Kennedy pose with their kids and dog.CORBIS/Corbis via GettyThe love for puppies spans generations. Joseph and Rose Kennedy posed with their eight kids and a four-legged pal while at their family home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

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Joseph P. and Rose Kennedy

Joseph P. and Rose Kennedy pose with their kids and dog.CORBIS/Corbis via Getty

Joseph P. and Rose Kennedy pose for a picture on the beach at Hyannis Port, Massachusetts with their eight children.

CORBIS/Corbis via Getty

The love for puppies spans generations. Joseph and Rose Kennedy posed with their eight kids and a four-legged pal while at their family home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

02of 11Caroline Kennedy’s Dog, CharlieCaroline Kennedy with Charlie.Bettmann/GettySometime in the early ’60s, President John F. Kennedy and wife Jackie Kennedy got their daughter Caroline a Welsh terrier named Charlie. Above, young Caroline is pictured trying to wrangle the pup after it got loose.

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Caroline Kennedy’s Dog, Charlie

Caroline Kennedy with Charlie.Bettmann/Getty

When President Kennedy and his family returned here January 8th from their holiday vacation in Florida, Caroline’s Welsh terrier, “Charlie,” broke away from her. Caroline gave chase and finally caught up with him. With a crew member of the helicopter that took the First Family back to the White House ready to lend a hand, Caroline slipped a little during the chase.

Sometime in the early ’60s, President John F. Kennedy and wife Jackie Kennedy got their daughter Caroline a Welsh terrier named Charlie. Above, young Caroline is pictured trying to wrangle the pup after it got loose.

03of 11President Kennedy and CharlieJohn F. Kennedy with Charlie.Bettmann/GettyCharlie was clearly a runner. President Kennedy chases after his daughter’s little pup in this classic shot from 1963.

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President Kennedy and Charlie

John F. Kennedy with Charlie.Bettmann/Getty

President John F. Kennedy chases Charlie, his daughter’s Welsh terrier, as it runs away. The Kennedys are visiting the First Lady, while she is in the hospital, after giving birth to a son who lived only two days. | Location: Otis Air Force Base, Massachusetts, USA.

Charlie was clearly a runner. President Kennedy chases after his daughter’s little pup in this classic shot from 1963.

04of 11John F. Kennedy Jr. with CharlieJFK Jr. with Charlie.Bettmann/GettySkittish as he may have been, Charlie managed to stay put for this snap with John F. Kennedy Jr., taken on the White House grounds.

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John F. Kennedy Jr. with Charlie

JFK Jr. with Charlie.Bettmann/Getty

President’s Son. Washington: This is the young son of the President, John F. Jr., standing in his carriage on the white House grounds today. In foreground is the Kennedy dog, Charlie-a Welsh Terrier. Picture was made when Mrs. Kennedy was taking the Empress Farah of Iran on a tour of the White House grounds.

Skittish as he may have been, Charlie managed to stay put for this snap with John F. Kennedy Jr., taken on the White House grounds.

05of 11Max Kennedy and David Kennedy with Ethel’s Dog BlarneyMax and David Kennedy with Blarney.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via GettyThe fact that Ethel Kennedy owned 16 Irish setters is a mere indicator of how deep her love for canines ran. Above, two of her sons — Max and David — are pictured hanging out with their family dog, Blarney who’s of a different breed.

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Max Kennedy and David Kennedy with Ethel’s Dog Blarney

Max and David Kennedy with Blarney.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Max Kennedy & David Kennedy with Ethel’s dog Blarney

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

The fact that Ethel Kennedy owned 16 Irish setters is a mere indicator of how deep her love for canines ran. Above, two of her sons — Max and David — are pictured hanging out with their family dog, Blarney who’s of a different breed.

06of 11John F. Kennedy Jr.’s Spaniel, ShannonJohn F. Kennedy Jr.Santi Visalli Inc./GettyA young John F. Kennedy Jr. takes a walk with his nanny and four-legged friend, Shannon, who was a spaniel circa 1970.

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John F. Kennedy Jr.’s Spaniel, Shannon

John F. Kennedy Jr.Santi Visalli Inc./Getty

Future American lawyer and magazine publisher John F. Kennedy Jr. (1960 - 1999) walks with his nanny and pet spaniel on a city sidewalk as a young boy, New York City.

Santi Visalli Inc./Getty

A young John F. Kennedy Jr. takes a walk with his nanny and four-legged friend, Shannon, who was a spaniel circa 1970.

07of 11Robert F. Kennedy with FrecklesRobert F. Kennedy with Freckles.Bettmann/GettySenator Robert F. Kennedy was pictured giving his sweet spaniel Freckles a drink of water as the two were on the 1968 campaign trail.

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Robert F. Kennedy with Freckles

Robert F. Kennedy with Freckles.Bettmann/Getty

Senator Robert F. Kennedy was pictured giving his sweet spaniel Freckles a drink of water as the two were on the 1968 campaign trail.

08of 11Ted Kennedy’s Dog, SplashSen. Ted Kennedy with Splash.Harry Hamburg/NY Daily News Archive via GettyMassachusetts senator Ted Kennedy stands in front of the U.S. Capitol with his Portuguese water dog, aptly named Splash.

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Ted Kennedy’s Dog, Splash

Sen. Ted Kennedy with Splash.Harry Hamburg/NY Daily News Archive via Getty

Sen. Ted Kennedy walks his dog Splash outside the U.S. Capitol on his way to a television interview. The Capitol complex has been virtually closed down due to continued testing for anthrax contamination

Harry Hamburg/NY Daily News Archive via Getty

Massachusetts senator Ted Kennedy stands in front of the U.S. Capitol with his Portuguese water dog, aptly named Splash.

09of 11Caroline Kennedy’s dog ChesterCaroline Kennedy with Chester.Adrian Edwards/GC ImagesLater in life, Caroline Kennedy adopted another dog named Chester.

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Caroline Kennedy’s dog Chester

Caroline Kennedy with Chester.Adrian Edwards/GC Images

Caroline Kennedy takes her dog for a walk on May 17, 2019 in New York City

Adrian Edwards/GC Images

Later in life, Caroline Kennedy adopted another dog named Chester.

10of 11Jack Schlossberg with ChesterJack Schlossberg.Jack Schlossberg InstagramCaroline’s son Jack Schlossberg immediately took to the dog, affectionately calling him his “little puppy brother.” Jack was also the one who named the sweet boy,telling PEOPLEthe dog “looks exactly like [former president] Chester A. Arthur.”

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Jack Schlossberg with Chester

Jack Schlossberg.Jack Schlossberg Instagram

Jack Schlossberg

Jack Schlossberg Instagram

Caroline’s son Jack Schlossberg immediately took to the dog, affectionately calling him his “little puppy brother.” Jack was also the one who named the sweet boy,telling PEOPLEthe dog “looks exactly like [former president] Chester A. Arthur.”

11of 11John F. Kennedy and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s Dog FridayJohn F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife Carolyn Bessette Kennedy with Friday.Evan Agostini/LiaisonIn 1995, John F. Kennedy purchased a Canaan dog named Friday. Above, the attorney and his wife Carolyn were seen walking the black and white pup while in New York in 1997. JFK also had a German shepherd in the ’90s.

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John F. Kennedy and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s Dog Friday

John F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife Carolyn Bessette Kennedy with Friday.Evan Agostini/Liaison

John F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife Carolyn walk with their dog January 1, 1997 in New York City. July 16, 2000 marks the one-year anniversary of the plane crash off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts that killed John F. Kennedy Jr., 38, his wife Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, 33, and her sister Lauren Bessette, 34

Evan Agostini/Liaison

In 1995, John F. Kennedy purchased a Canaan dog named Friday. Above, the attorney and his wife Carolyn were seen walking the black and white pup while in New York in 1997. JFK also had a German shepherd in the ’90s.

source: people.com