Obama Narrows Down Breed Choices
Portuguese Water Dogs are medium-sized, curly-haired dogs that are intelligent, energetic and robust. PWDs are hard workers, wonderful swimmers and loyal companions. This breed is thought to be historically related to the Poodle and tends to get along very well with kids.
Labradoodles are developed by crossing Labrador Retrievers and Standard Poodles. The result is a hybrid dog that takes on the qualities of both breeds. Labradoodles are lively, affectionate and smart dogs with wavy or wiry medium-length hair. This breed makes a wonderful dog for children.
The best news of all is that the Obama family has decided to get their new dog from an animal shelter or rescue group. This is a wonderful example to set for potential dog owners - especially in today's troubled times, when so many pets are being abandoned. However, I think they are more likely to find a Labradoodle in a shelter than a PWD. In addition, the majority of polls out there show that people really seem to be pulling for the Labradoodle. What breed do you want them to choose? Vote in the poll and leave your comments!
Comments
I think a Maltese or a Malti-Poo would be better. Pet dander is usually more of the culprit of allergies than the shedding of the hair itself. A Maltese has a single layer, fine coat that can be cut short for easier bathing and grooming. I find that this breed has less dander than the thicker coated breeds. My cousin is allergic to most dogs, but our Maltese and Malti-Poo never bothers her allergies. Also these are smaller dogs that little children can hold on their laps, carry around, and dress up in little doggy clothes.
My husband and I have a 2 year old labradoodle named Gunnar. He is indeed loyal and very affectionate. He has quite the personality too, very entertaining. Although he does shed a bit his coat is like the fleece of a poodle rather than the fur of a retriever. I think a “doodle” would be a good choice.
NO MORE Laberdoodles please. Most laberdoodles I have seen in dog classes are neurotic messes. Water dog rescue must have someone for the First Family.
My suggestion is a Blue Shar-pei
He promised a mutt from the pound, now it is a Portuguese Water Dog? What are the odds of finding a Portuguese Water Dog or Labradoodle puppy from a breed rescue? It is extremely rare to see a puppy at a breed rescue group. People don’t pay hundreds of dollars for a puppy and then turn it over to a breed rescue group a few weeks later. I was excited when he was elected, but this is just anoter example of going back on his word.
I AM 77 AND HAVE MANY DIFFERENT DOGS IN MY LIFE BUT I FIND MY MINATURE SCHNAUZER IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST DOG I HAVE EVER OWNED. HE IS HIGHLY INTELLIGENT, EASY TO TRAIN, VERY LITTLE SHEDDING. HE IS VERY FAMILY ORIENTATED AND QUITE AFFECTIONATE. THEY CAN BE VOCAL IF NOT TRAINED TO NOT BARK WHEN EXCITED. CERTAIN A MIN SCHNAUZER COULD BE LOCATED AT MANY RESCUE FACILITIES.
Portuguese Water Dog is a good choice. Doodles are boutique breeds for the rich and entitled. Of course, as a worker for animal rescue, I think the breed type should be decided when the time comes to find a dog needing to be rescued. After all, the Obamas have every rescue organization and shelter available when the time comes. Let’s stay down to earth and grounded please!
Well, I am partial, but a Boston Terrier or a French bulldog would be a great choice for the family. They both are great family dogs, easy to care for, smaller sized, easy to train, and minimal grooming. But best of all, very loving!
Portuguese water dog all the way! I have an eight year old portie and he is the best dog ever! They are funny, sweet, loyal, and beautiful. They will be so happy with this breed.
who cares
The perfect dog for the Obama family is a shetland sheepdog (sheltie). They are loyal, love kids, and love to play. I think a sheltie named Palin would be perfect for the White House!
Kelly(5) hasn’t checked out idog.biz. It’s a site that has rescued doodles. Yes even people that paid big bucks for their dogs, give them up. Sad but true. Getting a dog from a shelter would truely be a mistake. If his daughter is allergic, it wouldn’t be a good idea to get one there. You don’t know if the dog is really hypoallergenic.
I have a Goldendoodle and she is non-shedding and hypoallergenic and the best dog ever!
boxer…case closed the best breed EVER
I have a rescued portie. He is awesome but…. He was a rescue because he was/is not good with kids. Portie’s can be good with kids if they are raised with them as a pup but they are smart dogs and don’t put up with crap. My other portie which I have had since she was a pup doesn’t like kids that much either. So, when they say Portie’s are good with kids I say be careful. A portie rescue is a breeder. Just a rule that portie breeders have (You not happy You return we find new home no matter what age). Mine doesn’t think twice about giving you a nice bite so you need to know why a portie was given back.
Does no one pay attention? His daughter has allergies so they are limited on what type of dog they can have! Most of the breeds being mentioned are very high in dander and on the allergy scale. They need to find a breed that can be around their daughter, unfortunately they dont have a ton of options to choose from.
Obama never promised their dog would be from a pound or a shelter. He said that would be their preference but because of their daughter’s allergies it might not be an option. Here’s the direct quote he made at his first press conference on Nov. 7, 2008: “We have two criteria that have to be reconciled,” he said. “One is that Malia is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic. There are a number of breeds that are hypoallergenic. On the other hand, our preference would be to get a shelter dog, but, obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me. So whether we’re going to be able to balance those two things I think is a pressing issue on the Obama household.”
We have a Portuguese Water dog that is 2.5 years old. He is bright, and loving and is a Delta Society pet partner; we visit hospitals, and he reads with children. They are wonderful companions…but if our Portuguese Water Dog Club of America is doing its usual great job, one will not be found in a shelter.
I hope that a labradoodle is not their dog. It is a mixed breed, breeding of these dogs should not be encouraged. I wish the so called “breeders” of this dog would stop. There are so many dogs in shelters that may fit the bill. I am sure they may find a suitable dog but I would just like to say that the mixing of breeds and charging top dollar is not taking the breeding of dogs in the right direction. Some of them would be prone to the same problems that Lab breeders check for , such as hip, eye, and other clearances that make them devoted to their chosen breed. It is a shame what is going on in the “dog breeding” world. The true breeders are afraid to this trend, as it is hurting their breed, some true breeders are breeders by NOT breeding as dogs’ in their program did not pass hip clearances, eg. I wish them well. We have to stop the “designer breed” trend. Not by law,but by ethical decisions to do the right thing.
I think the best dog for the Obamas is a Poodle but, the Best Dog in the world is the loyal,intelligent,& beautiful “German Shepherd”!! But not in White House.
any dog, any breed, BUT PLEASE A RESCUE OR AN ABANDONED DOG……
I think cockapoos are the best dogs in the world and the smartest. They’re also supposedly hypoallergenic. And, if you don’t want a small dog you can breed a standard poodle with a cocker spaniel.
I have a 3 yr old labrador/boxer cross from Batterea (London). She has a loveable nature and plenty of “go”. He should get a similar rescue dog-not fancy breeds. A poodle would be ideal due to the family allergies. What would a water dog do in the White House to keep active and exercised!
Don’t let fashion dictate: Portuguese water dogs are flavour of the month. (Well at least wheaten terriers aren’t so hip today). Speaking of which, why not a Kerry blue? Great dog).
Goldendoodle woodle shcmoodle fooldle (hello Dr. Seuss). Rather like Hong Kong tea, not better than either tea or coffee alone! But…Poodles are classic fantastic!
Des milliers de chiens attendent dans les refuges…Donnez une nouvelle chance à l’un
d’entre-eux, ce serait super !
Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
I think a yorkie poo . They are smart and do not shed at all.They also are very playful and are great Lap dogs.I think a small dog is a better choice. I have one and she a Wonderful Lovable Dog.
Didn’t Obama say “no girlie dogs?”
OK, LET’S GET THIS STRAIGHT. FIRST OBAMA PROMISES HIS GIRLS A DOG, THEN HE DECIDES WHAT KIND, NOT HIS DAUGHTERS. ALL GIRLS LIKE SMALL DOGS THAT THEY CAN PLAY WITH, CARRY AROUND, DRESS UP AND SLEEP IN THEIR BEDS WITH THEM. DAD SEEMS TO WANT A DOG THAT HE FEELS WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE.
I GUESS SMALL DOGS DON’T MAKE A GOOD PHOTO OPP. HE SAYS ONE THING, BUT DOES WHAT HE WANTS. IS THIS WHAT WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS ? AND YES, I DID VOTE FOR HIM..
The ‘doodle’ breeds started when finding options for people who have allergies who wanted a dog companion. There’s nothing wrong with the prez getting a ‘doodle’ type dog for his girls. ALL breeds at one time were mixed to produce the purebred dog the AKC recognizes. I think any of the poodle mixed breeds would be ideal for the Obama girls. There are many, many rescue sites for all purebred and mixed breeds. Best of luck to our new PREZ on finding the perfect pup for his family!
The best breed for the Obama’s is a Basenji. I too was allergic to every dog I came in contact with…including poodles. My allergies were so bad, that I would have to take an Epi-Pen with me if I were going to be around dogs. I took 9 allergy shots a week for over 20 years. However, I now own a Basenji, and have NO ALLERGY PROBLEMS whatsoever. A Basenji cleans himself like a cat, and doesn’t have an undercoat, so they have no dander. I can finally own a dog! Malia would love a Basenji — from one who’s been there!
I think you should have two, whether two the same of one of each. One for each girl. I think that would be wonderful and think what you would be doing for the shelter. They would also be company for each other.
Well no one here mentions at all that there are ways to combat allergies. Go to an allergist and see exactly what your allergic to by the skin test and then procede to either be put on medication or shots. My one daughter (We have 4 dogs) is taking shots and will have to for two years. This has helped her tremendously and then they can pick whatever pooch they like!
They should get a Bishon Frise. Per the American Kennel Club: “The Bichon is a naturally gentle, playful dog. He loves activity and requires regular exercise. His hair grows continually and does not shed, so extensive grooming is a must to prevent mats. Bichons also tend to be a good breed for allergy sufferers.”
My choice would be a Bichron. They stay small and do not shed. They are GREAT!!!
Try http://www.petfinder.com They have all shelters listed.
WEIMWEINNARS! great family dogs.Full of energy, love and very intelligent! Not to mention beautiful!
The Presideht should grt a dog from the Shelter like the ads say. That way an unwanted dog get a home. And we get a good example.
I so wanted them to get a bichon frise! I have one. He is the best dog in the world. All bichons are the best dogs in the world. They also are hypo-allergenic. And a better size for the girls. Just my opinion. Bichon kisses,Linda and Wesley
My two cents is that any poodle mix will be a low or non-shedding dog and would probably be a great choice. Maltipoo, cockapoo, sheltipoo, lhasapoo, schnoodle, labradoodle… regardless of the (sometimes silly) name. The mix would determine the personality somewhat, so the Obama family should meet with a puppy (or several) prior to making a decision. I admire that they are want to adopt from a shelter. There are LOTS of poodle mix dogs (and puppies) in shelters, so finding a puppy and adopting from a shelter are not exclusive. Shelter dogs are a win/win. They need a home and they are no less loving than the purest bred canine.
If two available specimens can be found, I would introduce the kids and let them & the dogs decide. Mom and dad should be the umpires not the deciders.
I voted on the Labradoodle. I am from Winnipeg, Manitoba and our Winnipeg Human Society has a Labradoodle puppy that they want to offer to the Obama’s. Most Canadians are happy to see Obama in office and extend best wishes as well as a puppy.
Voting for a rescue Portuguese Water Dog that will fit into the adjustable bling-collar necklace we hope will fit the Obama Pooch!
They should consider a soft coat wheaten terrier! I have 2 of them and my home is hair free, they do not shed. They are very affectionate, love to play and cuddle. They become part of the family. I truly wouldn’t pick any other!