What kind of dog should Barack Obama buy for his daughters??

[ThetaPrincess24]

I just love doggies I see pictures of them on rescue sites, shelter sites, and watch them on the dog shows. I want to take all of them home with me

[Benzgirl]

It's amazing this article hit the front page today, but here is the latest on the First Dog...

Then, the country's premier pet shelter, Best Friends Animal
Sanctuary in Utah, launched a Web site to encourage the first family to adopt a dog from a shelter - meaning the Obamas should not buy from a breeder or a pet store that might be stocked by puppy mills. To the shelter's joy, first-lady-to-be Michelle Obama announced on "Entertainment Tonight" that the family would indeed adopt a rescue dog.

But, she said, the dog would not be adopted until spring, after the family has settled in - opening up the possibility of a brouhaha erupting within the first family itself.
http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer...860.xml&coll=2

[puglover]

I think a pug would be a wonderful "first dog"! They are wonderful with children and have such sweet temperments. There is a pug rescue society in almost every state!

[33girl]

Re poodles, the standards can actually be pretty butch. My ex boss had 2 and they were AWESOME dogs (much too awesome for her, but I digress).

They should definitely be able to find some sort of hypoallergenic dog through a rescue. I do hope they go with a mutt, so there's not the danger of a "breeding fad" that always happens when famous people get pets - everyone wants one of whatever the breed is and it leads to inbreeding and unhealthy doggies.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Re poodles, the standards can actually be pretty butch. My ex boss had 2 and they were AWESOME dogs (much too awesome for her, but I digress).

One of my aunts had a standard poodle when I was little - we called him "Tony the Pony". All I remember about him was that he kept pushing me down, knocking the wind out of me!

They should definitely be able to find some sort of hypoallergenic dog through a rescue. I do hope they go with a mutt, so there's not the danger of a "breeding fad" that always happens when famous people get pets - everyone wants one of whatever the breed is and it leads to inbreeding and unhealthy doggies.

Most of the Bichon Frise groups agree with that, 33. While the bichon is probably the best choice for the Obamas, most rescue organizations hope that they don't get one for exactly that reason. There's one Bichon rescue group who spends over $10,000 monthly to vet bichons from puppy mills and abused dogs! I wouldn't believe it myself, if they didn't include their monthly statement in with their newsletters.

FYI, poodles and bichon frises are NOT related, even though they look as if they might be. I do feel allergic to poodles, but not to bichons.