dogcents

BO- A Portugueze Water Dog……… Barack Obama has officially unveiled Bo the presidential pooch, praising its “star quality” to reporters.

The “First Puppy” - a six-month-old black-and-white Portuguese water dog - frolicked with Mr Obama and his family on the White House South Lawn.

Mr Obama promised his daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, seven, a dog to reward them for coping with his campaign.

The dog does not shed hair and is said to be less aggravating for Malia who suffers from allergies.

While Mr Obama’s wife held Bo on a leash for reporters to admire, her husband proudly announced: “He’s got star quality.”

Choosing the First Puppy

Bo - who sports a white chest, white paws and a white goatee - was named by the Obama daughters.

He was a gift from a close friend of the family, Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts.

Mr Kennedy, who owns three water dogs himself, said in January that he was “proud to endorse the Portuguese water dog as the next First Dog of the United States”.

He said the breed would be a “perfect fit for the Obama Family” as the dogs have a “can-do and hopeful spirit” and were smart, resilient, determined, optimistic and tireless.

The choice of the US presidential pooch had been a pet topic for the nation’s press ever since Mr Obama promised his daughters a puppy during the campaign.

Source: BBC News

Sure, you get to cruise around in the presidential limo, but seldom can you stick your nose out to sniff the breeze. One chewing spree in the wrong room and you’re in the doghouse for wrecking a national treasure.

The way everyone wants your attention, you’d think they elected you, too. You’re supposed to act with decorum, no matter how pushy people are or what kind of mood you’re in. Go a little loopy and you might get exiled to the ranch, like one of Ronald and Nancy Reagan’s dogs. Get a little nippy like President George W. Bush’s Barney and the meltdown footage is sure to hit the Internet.
Still, experts say President-elect Barack Obama and his family can find a pooch well-suited to the White House. The important thing is to realize there’s no perfect dog — only the perfect dog for them. That means casting aside worry about offending anyone and searching for a dog that fits the job requirements.

“It’s not the breed, and it’s not even so much where it’s from,” said Patricia McConnell, an animal behaviorist and host of Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Calling All Pets.” What’s important, she said, is that the Obamas set a good example by “picking a dog based on its behavioral as well as its physical health, from a credible, responsible place.”

The search can take weeks or even months. McConnell and other experts advise a deliberate approach, avoiding impulsive decisions. A cuddly puppy with a red bow around its neck makes a cute Christmas gift, but soon the baby fat disappears and the new owners realize a dog is a lot of work, especially one ill-suited to their lifestyle.

Debate about the ideal Obama dog has become a hot topic for canine enthusiasts.

Allergies, energy levels, and training
The search is complicated by daughter Malia’s allergies. Depending on their severity, the family may need to consider only dogs with little or no shedding — or give up the idea of a dog altogether.

Allergies are just one consideration, said Cesar Millan, host of the National Geographic Channel program “The Dog Whisperer” and co-founder with his wife of a nonprofit foundation to help abused and abandoned dogs.

Another key question is how energetic a dog the Obamas want. Millan suggests a medium-energy dog would be just right. As a busy family, the Obamas may not have time to give a high-energy dog enough exercise, yet they also need a pet they can play with.. All the presidents’ pets
Harry Truman said, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.” Plenty of presidents did, and other pets besides..

Also, medium-energy dogs tend to be natural followers rather than pack leaders, making them easier for inexperienced dog owners like the Obamas to handle, Millan said. Such dogs tend to be more easygoing and less affected by rookie training mistakes.

“Since this is a brand new family raising a dog or rescuing a dog, the dog definitely is going to pick up on that,” said Millan, who hopes to do an episode with the Obamas. “The dog doesn’t know or is not going to know that he’s going to live in the White House, that Mr. Obama is now the president of the United States. What he’s going to know is how much common sense this family has” about dogs.

It’s also important for a White House dog to be highly trainable, robust enough not to get trampled in all the hustle and bustle, and once at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., to get regular exercise, thorough socialization and proper training.Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Malia and Sasha Obama will have to wait at least two more months for that puppy their dad promised them.

President-elect Barack Obama said on Election Night that he had promised his young daughters that they could get a dog once the race was over.

But the pup won’t become part of the first family until after they move into the White House on Jan. 20.

In an interview with her husband broadcast Sunday on CBS’ “60 Minutes,” future first lady Michelle Obama said: “We’re on call-mode on the dog front. Because the deal with the dog was that we would get the dog after we got settled. Because as responsible owners we — I don’t think it would be good to get a dog in the midst of transition.”

She added: “We cut that deal with the kids before … America knew about it. So they’re — they’re good with it.”

Still, “They’re ready for us to get the dog now,” she acknowledged.

The family wants a dog from a shelter, and they need one that will not trigger 10-year-old Malia’s allergies.

“We’re getting a lot of suggestions though,” the president-elect told CBS. “Boy, I mean the — people are sending suggestions. And we’re taking it all under advisement.”

Hypoallergenic dog breeds are in the spotlight these days as the Obama family sets out to find the perfect “first dog.” The buzz about the Obamas’ future dog may be all the rage right now, but they are not the only ones who want a dog but are limited by allergies. There is good news for all you allergy sufferers out there - you have many dog breed choices!

If you or someone in your family is allergic to dogs, a hypoallergenic dog breed might be right for you. The most popular of these low-allergen breeds include Poodles, Schnauzers and Bichon Frises - but there are many more where these came from.