By the time Harvey Picker Professor of International Relations Fred Chernoff starts talking about his corgis, it becomes clear that Percival — Percy — and Adeline are not just pets. They are characters, constants and in many ways, living footnotes to decades of teaching, mentoring and campus life. Chernoff has shared his life with corgis for nearly three decades. Percy and Adeline are the latest, and perhaps most contrasting, pair.
Adeline is five. Percy is 11 and a half — Chernoff noted that Percy joined the family when he was about a year old. Their ages tell only part of the story. In personality, the two could hardly be more different.
“They’re complete opposites,” Chernoff said.
Corgis are often thought of as small dogs, but Chernoff is quick to point out that this is misleading. With short legs and sturdy builds, corgis are actually medium-sized working dogs originally bred to herd cattle, a history that shows in their confidence and strong personalities. Percy fits the breed’s reputation almost too well with his intense and unmistakable self-assuredness. Adeline’s personality is a direct contrast.
“Adeline is very skittish, and that is not a corgi trait at all,” Chernoff said.
While Percy moves through the world with certainty, Adeline approaches it cautiously, taking her time to assess new spaces and new people. Despite their differences, the two share a close bond and coexist with remarkable ease. Their dynamic is less about similarity and more about balance — confidence paired with gentleness.
Although Percy and Adeline are not constant fixtures on campus, they have made many appearances over the years, following in the paw prints of several corgis before them. Chernoff has a long tradition of bringing his dogs to campus and even into the classroom. For him, it was never about distraction. It was about the atmosphere.
“It’s a wonderful thing having them in class. It just changes everything,” Chernoff said.
Students who experienced a Chernoff lecture accompanied by corgis tend to remember it vividly. The dogs shifted the energy in the room and made the space feel warmer and more relaxed. Chernoff joked that when the dogs are present, students often are not listening to every word of his lecture, but they are definitely engaged.
One of his most cherished memories comes from Lawrence 20, an auditorium-style classroom that he has taught in for many years. Chernoff described walking the dogs from his office and detaching their leads once inside the building. The dogs, knowing exactly where they were headed, trotted ahead toward the classroom doors.
Chernoff described the reaction of his students when his dogs entered the classroom.
“A sound that is very hard to explain would spontaneously arise. A sound of happiness. And a lot of happiness,” Chernoff said.
It was not laughter, exactly, and not applause — it was a collective gasp, a spontaneous expression of delight that cut through stress, deadlines and academic pressure. For Chernoff, that sound remains one of his favorite memories of Percy and Adeline, and of all the corgis who came before them.
Percy has also earned a special reputation at home. Chernoff recalls one moment during the pandemic when Percy instinctively stepped into the role of protector. When two unfamiliar people unexpectedly entered his yard, Percy reacted immediately, sending them retreating just as quickly as they arrived. For Chernoff, the moment reframed Percy as not just a big personality in a small body, but as a loyal presence with strong instincts.
Adeline’s relationship with the campus has been more tentative. As a younger dog, she found certain environments overwhelming, especially large or unfamiliar spaces. During the pandemic, when classes were held outdoors in large tents, unexpected noises and movements made those early visits challenging. Over time, with patience, she has grown more comfortable.
Recently, Adeline attended class and handled it with quiet success. With the help of enthusiastic students — many of whom were prepared with treats — she settled into the space, taking in the attention at her own pace.
When asked what Percy and Adeline might say about him if they could talk, Chernoff answered without hesitation.
“I’m Mr. Fun Guy,” Chernoff said.
With him, playtime is guaranteed, and the focus is firmly on enjoyment. That sense of fun, Chernoff admits, is central to his relationship with the dogs.
On a campus often defined by rigor and routine, Percy and Adeline offer an unexpected calm. Professor Chernoff and his corgis have been reminding students for decades that learning does not happen in isolation, and that moments of happiness, even the small, furry ones, can leave a lasting impression.
