Labradoodle vs. Portuguese Water Dog? Tell Us Your Choice For Obama Pup

Pets in the News

Simon Dawson/Bloomberg News /Landov AND REUTERS/HO/Landov

As he continues to make important pre-term decisions, President-elect Barack Obama has another pressing issue weighing on his mind: Selecting his family's dog. Promised to daughters Malia, 10 – who has pet allergies – and Sasha, 7, on election night, the Obama dog has become a topic of national speculation, with everyone from celebrities to dignitaries offering suggestions to the family. (There's even a Web site, obamafamilydog.com, dedicated to the cause!)

Yesterday during an appearance on ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Obama said his family has narrowed the field to two medium-sized, hypoallergenic breeds: Portuguese water dog and Labradoodle. Obama told Stephanopoulos the family was going to start "looking at shelters to see when one of those dogs might come up."

Known for their work ethic and desire to be around people, Portuguese water dogs are "loyal companions and alert guards," according to the Westminster Kennel Club. Though great with children, the dogs don't like to be left alone for long periods of time, which could pose a challenge to a family that will be traveling around the world.

Labradoodles, on the other hand, are happy to life a lower-key lifestyle, reports USA Today. With a sweet disposition, the Labrador-poodle mixes are ideal family dogs, too.

After the Obamas are settled at the White House, the search for the right family dog will really be on. It won't be easy though; as Obama quipped to Stephanopoulos, finding the perfect pup has been "tougher than finding a Commerce secretary."

For more opinions on the Obama dog, see what Cesar Millan and Kerry Washington suggest!

Kate Hogan

Which breed do you think the Obamas should choose?

http://www.peoplepets.com/news/pets-in-the-news/labradoodle-vs-portuguese-water-dog-tell-us-your-choice-for-obama-pup/1
E-mail
Share

Comments: 8
Add Your Comment

Touleh San Mateo, CA

Feb

2009

2:20pm

I totally agree that President Obama should set and example and adopt a dog from a rescue. I'm sure there's a place somewhere out there that has a hypo-allergenic dog for adoption.

Evangeline

Feb

2009

3:08pm

I hope President Obama will? adopt a dog from a shelter. So many dogs and cats die every single day cause they are unwanted.I do understand that daughter Malia has allergies but I am sure if the President of the USA wants to find a hypoallergenic dog, he ca!. I imagine all the people who admire this caring and sensitive man would follow his example. What happy days would follow for rescue folks and pets. .

pbgv23

Feb

2009

11:34am

I'm a librarian and former dog breeder and trainer who often counsels people on how to select a dog that's right for them. While a shelter rescue would be ideal for the White House normally, they do need to worry about Malia's allergies. The Portuguese Water Dog is a great breed, cheerful and intelligent, and a number of people with allergies have been able to live comfortably and happily with them. The President and his family should be talking to PWD Rescue about finding a homeless Portie that might be right for them. Ted Kennedy has a couple, and by spending some time visiting him or a breeder, they would be able to find out if Malia has any reaction to the dogs. On the other hand, I don't think a "designer" breed, like the Labradoodle, sends a good message. While there are some people seriously trying to develop a real breed, like the Australian Labradoodle people, most of the designer dogs are bred for a cute name and a quick buck, often from dogs that should never have been bred in the first place. There is a lot of variation in size, appearance, coat and temperament. I have nothing against the individual dogs, but it's a fashion I wish would pass.

tisbury1

Feb

2009

12:18pm

a labradoodle is a mutt and i didn't think he wanted a mutt! there are tons of "pure bred" hypoallergenic dogs in rescue- i have five from rescue!!? www.petfinder.com

DebbieS Ellicott City, MD

Jan

2009

5:03pm

The Presidant should rescue a Basenji.

maryg18 Baton Rouge, LA

Jan

2009

11:23pm

How about the future president do the "American" thing and adopt a rescue animal that needs a home rather than a pureblood bred animal?