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

[agzg]

You can get purebreds from rescue programs, too.

Our dog is purebred American Eskimo, absolutely BEAUTIFUL, and was a rescue.

[Tippiechick]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

You can get purebreds from rescue programs, too.

Our dog is purebred American Eskimo, absolutely BEAUTIFUL, and was a rescue.

Of course you can, and that's why I mentioned petfinder.com. The point was simply made because of the Mutt/shelter dog being a choice. And, most presidents have obviously gotten purebred dogs from breeders.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by Tippiechick

Of course you can, and that's why I mentioned petfinder.com. The point was simply made because of the Mutt/shelter dog being a choice.

Right. Not being snarky, but I thought our dog (who is really my live-in boyfriend's dog) was from the pound until a few days ago when he mentioned his rescue program. That's all. Just perpetuating newfound knowledge, I guess.

[Tippiechick]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

Right. Not being snarky, but I thought our dog (who is really my live-in boyfriend's dog) was from the pound until a few days ago when he mentioned his rescue program. That's all. Just perpetuating newfound knowledge, I guess.

I LOVE rescue orgs. I have gotten two of my pugs from rescue orgs. The others have all been local rescues done personally.

I wish more people would understand how MANY GREAT dogs are out there waiting to have homes. Many of these are (as we both know) purebred babes just like people would pay hundreds of dollars for from a breeder.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Tippiechick

I LOVE rescue orgs. I have gotten two of my pugs from rescue orgs. The others have all been local rescues done personally.

I wish more people would understand how MANY GREAT dogs are out there waiting to have homes. Many of these are (as we both know) purebred babes just like people would pay hundreds of dollars for from a breeder.

Rescues are the best.

My folks have rescue dogs, unfortunately, my wife won't let me get a dog until I get her a yard.

I do a little volunteer work for one of the local no-kill shelters. I call, write letters and threaten to sue folks who don't get their pets spayed and neutered or who otherwise don't abide with the adoption contract... Harassing folks who treat animals badly can be somewhat cathartic

[KSUViolet06]

Co-sign with Tippie.

Rescue pets don't always have to be mutts. There are TONS of purebred dogs in shelters/rescue programs (especially with the economy and people unfortunately having to give up pets because they can't afford to have them). A woman who works for my my mom got a purebred cavalier king charles spaniel from a local rescue program (owners' home foreclosed and they had to move to an apartment).

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

You can get purebreds from rescue programs, too.

Our dog is purebred American Eskimo, absolutely BEAUTIFUL, and was a rescue.

Yeah just about every breed has a rescue organization(s).

[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.