Why a dog is a politician’s best friend

Is there a better way to boost a politician’s fortunes than a puppy? Everyone knows that dogs buy a certain degree of political capital. Boris knew this when he acquired not simply a puppy, but a rescue cross from across the Union in Wales. Joe Biden was well aware of their political potency when he brought dogs back to the White House after Trump’s four paw-less years. And Chancellor Rishi Sunak must also have bargained on their public appeal when he posted a picture of his new Fox Red Labrador puppy Nova sitting on his lap in his No.11 office last Wednesday. Twitter barked back but not necessarily in approval, with many commenting that the Chancellor should concentrate on the aftermath of the pandemic rather than massaging his image with dog pictures. Woof.

Like them or loathe them, dogs not only catch our attention but also convey substantive messages. Dogs remind the electorate of their elected representatives’ humanity and, their humility (think dog poo bags and abject disobedience).