Prime Minister Andy Burnham Keeps Rescue Dog Axel Away from Larry the Cat at Downing Street

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has decided his pet dog Axel will remain in the north of England rather than move to Downing Street, citing incompatibility with Larry, the residence's longtime resident cat. The bichon-poodle cross, adopted approximately a decade ago, would not thrive in the same household as the famous feline, Burnham explained during his first major broadcast interview.

During an interview with the BBC, Burnham addressed whether his family pet would accompany him to No 10. He described Axel affectionately as having "that angry little man thing going on" and noted the dog's poodle heritage makes cohabitation with Larry unlikely. "I don't think the nation would thank me if I brought Axel down to disturb Larry's world," he said, explaining his reasoning for keeping the dog in Greater Manchester.

The Dog's Background

Axel arrived at Dogs Trust Shrewsbury as a rescue animal, spending just 12 days at the facility before Burnham and his wife adopted him around 10 years ago. The bichon-poodle cross, sometimes referred to as a "bich-poo" or "poochon," has remained part of the family during Burnham's political career. Larry, by contrast, has been a fixture at Downing Street for 15 years and holds the official title of chief mouser to the Cabinet Office, a position that has made the cat internationally recognized.

A Personal Moment

During the same interview, Burnham reflected on his mother greeting him at Downing Street following his appointment as prime minister. He described the encounter as bittersweet, noting that his father, who has Alzheimer's disease, was unable to attend. Burnham characterised his family's contributions and the support of his community as integral to his rise to leadership, acknowledging both the emotional difficulty and beauty of the moment.