Obama Picks First Dog - Almost

by Bethany Sanders (Subscribe to Bethany Sanders's posts) Jan 11th 2009 4:00PM

Categories: Celeb Parenting, In The News, Pets

President-elect Barack Obama has had to make a lot of difficult decisions during his transition to the White House. But according to the man himself, many of them pale in comparison to the task of fulfilling his promise to his daughters ... putting a dog in the White House.

Obama Puppies

Ruff Nomination Process Comes to an End
How could picking out a puppy like be "tougher than finding a commerce secretary?" Well, the final decision come down to this: a Labradoodle like this 3-day-old pup or...

Yoav Lemmier/AFP/Getty Images

Portuguese Water Dog

Just what the doctor ordered: Playful for the girls, obedient for Michelle and brave. No need for Secret Service at night with this woolly canine sleeping at the foot of the bed.

Alex Korab, AOL

Asked what kind of dog he plans to buy for Malia and Sasha, Barack Obama said it's a tossup between a purebred and a mutt like him. Most importantly, it must be hypoallergenic. No worries, Mr. President-elect & Co. We've got it all figured out. Here, our countdown of the top 15 hypoallergenic dogs.

AOL / jupiterimages / Getty Images

#15: Peruvian Hairless

This bald, toothless, hairless breed actually looks like a cross between a donkey and a bat. Not cute. Peru has even formally offered up this four-month-old pup, nicknamed "Ears." Please, no.

#14: Maltese

Lap dogs for royalty and companions for the rest of us, Maltese are elegant, affectionate and playful. Unfortunately, they are prone to over-pampering, which can lead to obsessive barking and snappiness with outsiders. That won't work.

David Rogowski, AOL

#12: West Highland White Terrier

Who could resist that face? Well, the Obama family should. Here's the challenge of the breed: "Many experienced, as well as inexperienced, dog owners are overwhelmed by the [dogs'] demands." Pass.

Morgan Riehl, AOL

#11: Schnauzer

There are three sizes: standard, miniature and giant. All are considered good family dogs, but with the following caveat: "Like a mischievous and very bright child, they need consistent rules and a firm, but not rough, hand. They will get away with whatever they can and will "rule the roost" before you know it, if allowed." One world leader at time, please.

Photodisc

#10: Airedale Terrier

This pup will do wonders for the president-elect's military cred: Airedale Terriers were long considered the world's top war dog. They are obedient, calm and jolly. But they require weekly brushing and combing, which may aggravate Malia's allergies. Pass.

jupiterimages

#9: Bichon Frise

This adorable white powder puff is all a little girl could ask her. BFs are described as gentle, playful and affectionate. What could be bad? How about their notorious separation anxiety when left alone for even a few hours, often resulting in destructive chewing. Nope.

Getty Images

#8: Italian Greyhound

This tiny greyhound thrives indoors and is happiest with its (human) family. That is, unless the family includes rambunctious children. And talk about high maintenance. IGs require daily teeth brushing and need their nails ground down twice weekly.

Morgan Riehl, AOL

Before their dad sat down for a recent interview with George Stephanopoulos, Malia and Sasha came up with a scheme to pin their dad down on the who, what and when of the puppy issue. George got the details for them (smart girls!):

STEPHANOPOULOS: What kind of a dog are we getting and when are we getting it?

OBAMA: The -- they seem to have narrowed it down to a labradoodle or a Portuguese water hound.

STEPHANOPOULOS: A medium sized.

OBAMA: Medium sized dog, and so, we're now going to start looking at shelters to see when one of those dogs might come up.

STEPHANOPOULOS: So, you're closing in on it?

OBAMA: We're closing in on it. This has been tougher than finding a commerce secretary.

So there you have it, America. The future First Dog will be either a labradoodle or Portuguese water hound. The Obama's will likely choose rescuing an animal rather than going through a breeder.

Malia and Sasha have to be over the moon. What do you think about the First Family's choice?

Comments (24)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Barbara 1-12-2009 @ 9:59PM

Why can't some of these idiots get over it!!!
Although I didn't vote for him, Obama will be our president.
Our soon to be president promised his children a puppy. The promise has to be kept.
My choice would be a schnauzer/poodle mix, if they could find one. Both breeds are excellent with children. Getting a pet from a shelter or pound is a wonderful thing to do. I'm sure what ever puppy they decide on or where ever this puppy comes from, the puppy will be adored by those beautiful little girls and their mommy and daddy and lets's not forget grandma.
What kind of upbringing do these idiots have, criticizing Michelle and the children. I don't think they know the meaning of the word respect.
God bless our soon to be president, his family and our country.

A McCain supporter

Kathy 1-11-2009 @ 4:39PM

I'm glad they're considering getting a dog from a shelter. That sends a great message.

Jim Nayzium 1-11-2009 @ 6:00PM

I think the Doodle is a must. Here is a funny article as why the doodle dogs are actually a great metaphorical representation of the Obama Presidency itself.

http://martysimpson.blogspot.com/2008/11/part-ii-why-goldendoodle-is-dog-of.html

steve 1-12-2009 @ 11:29AM

They should look at parti-color portugese water dogs....black-and-white and beautiful! and symbolic......................

Erin 1-12-2009 @ 12:20PM

The only problem with getting a mutt (when looking for a non-shedding dog) is that you don't know if they are going to take after the poodle side or the lab side. I have a poodle mutt mix and she has a horrible coat (awesome dog, though). My friend has a poodle and lab mix, but the dog doesn't even look like it has any poodle in it. A Portuguese Water Dog would be a good choice, but you don't see many at shelters (labs on the other hand are all over the shelters). They could always go with a rescue group if they can't find what they are looking for in a shelter.

auntlee 1-12-2009 @ 12:41PM

My dog still thinks she can become the new White House Puppy -- she's put together an audition video:

http://www.auntlee.com/whitehouse

Rich 1-12-2009 @ 1:52PM

I too have dog allergies so I can sympathize with the sniffles yet had to do a lot of research to find the best dog to prevent running up a sizable Kleenex bill. I found this page really helpful...
http://www.dog-names-and-more.com/Hypoallergenic-Dogs.html

I do hope they choose a mutt, cause there are so many more of them in the pounds awaiting good homes than there are purebreds.

Woolf 1-13-2009 @ 6:53AM

Definitely for the Labradoodle - a beautiful disposition, playful, very intelligent and above all, a non-allergenic curly coat. We love our puppy which came from Australia.

deb 1-12-2009 @ 8:21PM

I have the most beautiful lab/doodle. Big like a standard poodle, face like a lab, coat shiny and loose curls, not like the poodle. I love Mr. BoJangles. He is the most affectionate out of all my dogs. He does take me for the walk tho. I call him my little donkey. He would be the best for the Obama girls because they are affectionate and very easy to train.........

Pam 1-12-2009 @ 8:58PM

I bred Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers for years. They truly are hypoallerginic. I agree with Erin about any mixed breed dog. The goldendoodles and labradoodles are basically a way for breeders to cash in on the popularity of the Wheaten (a much saught after breed). You CANNOT be assured that they will not stir up allergies. Even fifth generation doodles carry that shedding gene and dander that sends allergies into over-drive. How are the girls going to feel when their beloved dog has to go to a new home once it gets it's adult coat and awakens the allergies? Particularly a doodle from a shelter. You have no idea of the distant relatives (and WHY is the dog in the shelter?) Because it has some defect. Don't get me wrong, our current dog is from a shelter and we love him to pieces. He's the smartest dog we've ever owned. However, we were told he was a lab/bird dog mix. He looks like a black great dane -- big. He sheds abundantly! He's the best, though. We don't have allergies to dogs -- thankfully.

Patti Salvagio 1-12-2009 @ 8:25PM

Our Portuguese Water Dog is 11 years and she has been a joy to have as part of our family all these years. They are proud, yet playful, smart, yet clownish. They want to be part of whatever everyone in the family is doing.

Kelsey 1-12-2009 @ 8:27PM

I think thay should get a labradoodle. they're soo cutee

Karen 1-12-2009 @ 8:42PM

A designer dog or a pure breed??? Thought they were going to rescue not buy from a breeder.

Deborah S 1-12-2009 @ 9:13PM

Karen you can rescue a pure bred from the pound. I have a pure bred Min Pin that I adopted from my local Humane Society. If you have your mind made up about the breed you want (I didn't, I astually wanted a Chihuahua but when I saw my little girl I knew she was for me) you can get the dog through rescue groups (they usually get them from pounds) or keep your eye out at your local pound. It may take a while(took me 5 months of looking for Chihuahuas and someone always got there before me) but in the end I have a pet that is great.

Miley 1-12-2009 @ 8:49PM

Seriously!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who gives a care, there are starving people all over our country........war......economy.......Seriously!

Dawgpound 1-12-2009 @ 9:58PM

And we care about what kind of dog they pick & why?

cell1126 1-12-2009 @ 9:52PM

Great choice, a labradoodle. very smart, easy to train, good
companiion. beaautiful posture, angora type hair,very classy.
I have a black, 2 years old standard labradoodle. Her name
is Gabriella,nicknamed GABI

Carol 1-12-2009 @ 9:29PM

I thought that this was so refreshing to just hear people talk about dogs and what they thought would be best for our next first family. I get so tired of hearing awful comments made about President elect Obama. I read quite a few and felt so happy that at last there are comments that are just kind hearted and good. Then, of course, my bubble was burst with the usual diatribe by people who for some reason have to put in something disgusting and ridiculous. How sad!! Thank you to the people who decided to keep the topic to what pet would be best for the Obama family.

carrie pacheco 1-12-2009 @ 9:35PM

As achild, two of the most important people in my life we're my Aunt Betty, and Uncle Alvino...they had a huge farm, a pool, and a Protugese Water Dog. that swam with us in the pool on the farm, and his name ??? But he was the greatest dog, and remenber...this breed is by nature a water dog, so "IF" there is any problem with the girls in the pool, the dog WILL get to them first! My beloved friend was an American Eskimo, her registered name was "Ace's PR O'Mally McDuffy", (the PR means 285 generations of purebreed American Eskimo).She was my best friend and I will never forget her.