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

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