Sasha and Malia Obama are no doubt anxious for their family to move into their new home and welcome a new dog to their family. The family has narrowed the search down to a Labradoodle or a Portuguese water dog and are hoping to fine one or the other through a shelter.
Will the next pooch in the White House be a dog of change?
Sunday, President-elect Barack Obama told George Stephanopoulos on ABC News’ This Week that the family has narrowed the choice to either a Portuguese water hound or labradoodle.
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In his election-night victory speech, Obama promised daughters Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, they could have a puppy in the White House. He later said that Malia is allergic, that the family would need a “hypoallergenic” dog and that they wanted a pound dog.
Both dogs are non-shedders and do not cause as much reaction in allergy sufferers as other dogs, says Stu Freeman, president of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America.
“There really is no hypoallergenic dog,” Freeman says. “We tell people to spend time around the dogs to make sure they’re going to be OK. The hair might not bother them, but the saliva might.”
Freeman says it can be difficult to find either breed in shelters because “rescue groups will always get word they’re in shelters and save them.”
Obama told Stephanopoulos they were going to start “looking at shelters to see when one of those dogs might come up.”
USA Today has the rest.
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This is SO disappointing – broken promises already by the President elect!!
He has promised to adopt from a Shelter – during his campaign he pledged to adopt a shelter dog for his two kids – but I would be hardpressed to find either a designer dog such as a Labradoodle or a Portuguese Water dog – both are highly sought after dogs that almost never end up in shelters.
Today I saw a beautiful shelter mutt – he and his owner were enjoying a nice walk thru the park on a Cold Winter’s day. I admired how gorgeous this dog was and his owner said “he’s a mutt – a mix btwn a Lab and a New Foundlander – we got him at the local shelter”.. I was so pleased to hear this for two reasons: First and foremost becuase he adopted his beautiful dog from a shelter – thus saving his life – and secondly because
it was a set back to the theory that black dogs never get adopted from shelters – this black dog defied both odds and I was thrilled to see he had a loving and happy home who’s owners clearly appreciated him.
I hope the Obamas find a dog that is as lucky as this one – In fact, I hope they adopt two dogs – one for each daughter – from what I have found, upon the advice of my Vet, always try to get two dogs – it makes for such a better experience for both the dogs and the owners. Dogs are pack animals and love companionship. A Dog living solo is usually a lonely dog…
FYI – there are indeed Hypoallergenic dogs – just as the AKC. Dogs that have hair vs .fur (Maltese, Shih Tzu etc.) are considered hypo allergenic. They don’t shed because they have hair and not fur – and they don’t collect as much dander because of this too. In fact, they get groomed more often because their hair needs to be cut and does not shed, another reason why they are classified as Hypo-allergenic. I have allergies and I can attest that their are indeed hypo-allergenic dog breeds.
I think a collie/lab mix which is easy to find in a shelter, would be a great choice for these first time dog owners. They are smart, gentle and low maintenance dogs and the mix has a wonderful disposition I have found.