Friday
Nov072008
First Puppy O
Friday, November 7, 2008 at 10:13 AM 
Photo credit: Flickr user George's Photos // Creative Commons
Admittedly this post is not Mrs. O centric, but for a family that likes to be well coordinated, the choice of first puppy is critical. What stylish breed should the Obama first puppy be? Vote for Puppy O here: UPDATE: In a press conference today, President-elect Mr. O discussed the subject of the First Puppy. Because oldest daughter Malia is allergic, the family is looking for a hypoallergenic breed, but does want to adopt a shelter dog. This news should make everyone quite pleased! We had no idea, but there's quite a range of hypoallergenic breeds; unfortunately none of our recommendations make the cut.
in Misc
Misc
Reader Comments (36)
Whatever breed they choose, I really hope they'll get the First Dog from a pound.
One of their daughters is actually allergic to dogs so they have to get a hypoallergenic breed. Check out this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoallergenic_dog_breeds
A labradoodle is the only one on the list, but since they claim that they will only get a rescue dog, it is going to make their search very hard. My vote & my heart belongs to French Bulldogs!
Early results show a lot of votes for adopting First Puppy O from a shelter, regardless of breed. Turns out, Pedigree http://dogsrule.com/Images/Obama_Ad.jpg" rel="nofollow">agrees with you.
I really do hope they will adopt a rescue dog such as the little poodle which Obama has posed with. There are PLENTY of young pups available at every shelter in every city.
"Don't Breed or Buy While Homeless Pets Die."
I doubt they'll get a mutt. One of the daughters is quite allergic to dogs, so I think they'll end up getting a purebred, but perhaps from a rescue group or shelter.
I WANT THE PUP IN THE PIC!
I left the comment at the poll too:
Adopt a retired greyhound! I hear the Obamas want to rescue and dog and need one that is hypoallergenic. Check and Check. They are wonderful, gentle dogs who would not be flustered by the hubbub of White House life. The only problem is that it is hard to stop at just one greyhound!
I'd like to see them adopt a standard poodle. Not only are they hypoallergenic, but they also have a wonderful temperment for children. They are great watch dogs and much calmer than their minature and toy cousins. I've had a brown one for 12 years. She is our unofficial neighborhood mascot, adored by all the kids and adults alike.
Maureen Dowd in the NY Times mentions a goldendoodle: "The Obama girls, with their oodles of charm, will soon be moving in with their goldendoodle or some other fetching puppy, and they seem like the kind of kids who could have fun there, prowling around with their history-loving father."
But I agree with others here: The Obamas should rescue a dog that would otherwise be put to sleep.
Adopt, adopt, adopt! And find a positive-reinforcement trainer who can work with both the dog and the people. There is no substitution for good quality training that is both people- and dog-friendly!
I was one of the 50,000 people who signed a petition asking Michelle (uh, Mrs. Obama!) to adopt and she responded that they would. They can always help a pitiful puppy rescued from a horrible puppy mill if they (think they) must have a certain type of nonallergenic breed. Dear God, I hope they adopt and show this country how to get a dog!!
NYMare
President elect Obama just had a press conference, and they are looking for a dog that is from a shelter and hypo allergenic!
You can see him talking about the dog here!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgdZ0JkjQ7s
Dear Sasha and Malia Obama,
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Rescue a shelter dog!!!!!
or a puppy mill dog....
PLEASE USE THIS OPPORTUNE MOMENT TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE SUFFERING AND NEGLECT OF MILLIONS OF DOGS AND OTHER PETS
Thank you Sasha and Malia!
The kids are allergic to dog dander, so likely they'll get a non shedder. AKC held such a vote and the poodle won. Why get a mix with a poodle and dumb the dog down? Besides, you can find a poodle in shelters, too.
I absolutely love my Shiba Inu! They are very affectionate, alert, and determined dogs. He has a strong mind of his own but he loves his family and will protect them from harm. Another positive is that this breed does not shed all of the time; only twice per year for the changes in the seasons.
Thanks chiffonade! I added the video into the post.
I actually love black lab mixes that look like black labs but are more petite. But, seeing that the child is allergic, I don't have any suggestions at the moment!
I sure hope they stick with a puppy. I think it is important as a child's first dog.
I heard on cable that they were considering a Goldendoodle.
http://www.mosscreekgoldendoodles.com/about-goldendoodles.html
These were developed as hypoallergenic service dogs.
The Labradoodle is non-allergenic too.
It would be so nice if the OBAMAS adopted a puppy from one of the shelters ! There are some of the cutest animals that all they need is a little loving and your rewards come back ten folds :)
Australian shepherd mix: the smartest dogs in the world; they can comprehend a huge vocabulary, and they are good with children and very devoted.
I have a Border Collie/Standard Poodle mix. Explain to me again how the mix "dumbs the dog down"??????
And for 16 years my lovable mutt was an Aussie Shepherd Border Collie cross. She was a wonderful wonderful dog but oh my was she a busy girl, and not especially great with kids. She thought they were sheep....
The allergies are the biggest consideration for the family. But I'm sure every shelter in the country will be happy to let the Obama's know if they have a dog that fits the bill.
I recommend a Maltese for the Obama girls. First the breed is hypo-allergenic. Second Maltese are friendly, even tempered, easily trainable and housebroken, the girls can carry their pet around - average weight is 6 lbs',they are fun and loving pets. I have had one for nine years and my "baby" is the best pet I have EVER had!
I agree with Oli, a greyhound is a great idea!
I love the idea of a Goldendoodle. I am the owner of a beautiful doodle and I have two small children. Goldendoodles are very smart and easy to train. They have amazing personalities and are wonderful with children. We absolutlely love our beautiful dog. I wish I could submit a picture.
I think overall Michelle O'bama dresses extremely nice. I did not care for the dress she wore on election night but I'm sure I wear things people don't like also :)
I think she is comfortable in wearing things she and President O'bama (doesn't that just sound right?)likes. Of course, from seeing and hearing how much he loves her...she could probly wear a gunny sack and he would think she is lovely...awesome couple!!
Now, as for the dog, i feel they should pick a Chocolate Lab..Lab's are know as the most friendly dog breed, are the most loyal andddd they absolutely LOVE kids.
If not the Lab, then pick the mutt...all Americans are mutts unless you are Native American soooo a mutt would definitely represent America.
We have a Chocolate Lab and a Black Lab mix...both are awesome. Our Chocolate lab (O'Brian) is loveable, goofy, very smart...and the most awesome personality. Everyone that meets him, instantly falls in love with him.
IVE found the perfect breed!! Its called a teddy bear. Its a disigner breed between the shiztsu and bichon frise that is hypo-allergenic and smaller and really sweet!! Its something new, and given the fact that the girls have allergies, this would be the perfect dog!! I have worked in a pet store nearly ten years and my mother has been with the company 25 and weve never came across such a wonderful breed!!!
how about a weimaweiner? they are beautiful dogs that do not shed & have no odor. quite intelligent & full of personality.
People bear in mind that Malia has allergies so it has to be a hypo-allergenic which are not easy to find in shelters, as these type of dogs are breed dogs and thier owners don't generally abandon them. So whatever they choose don't be mad at them, Malia's health has to come first. Either way those two cuties will be over their moon - and all they had to do to get a dog was to win the election.
I am hoping they can find a schnauzer or schnauzer mix at the shelter, as they actually don't shed at all (I've had several), & have great personalities, while the minis are a good compact size for an active and public family. But it will be fun to see whatever they get!
I think that instead of a dog get a horse hyperalligenic one is a Curly horse. If not then a lab they are the best.
I suggest an IGGY!!! There are several rescue shelters in the DC area that have plenty of puppies available. I love Iggies!!!! PLEASE OBAMA PLEASE save a Iggy today!!
Love is....
TL
or an exracing GREYHOUND!!! either way I would appreciate it!! Jersey has plenty!!
Shih Tzu are non shedding non allergenic. Small funny loving pets.Kids love them because they are so cute and they are great friends.Mine goes every where with me even sometimes to work.She sits under my chair and sleeps on my pillow if I am not there.They love to play and it took less then one day to leash train them.They are smart.They also live a avg. of 18 years +
They would have a great time online, searching through the various breeds that are hypo-allergneic, mixed mutts if they went to petfinder.org. Each animal, that is up for adoption in participating shelters, generally has a picture and personality profile.