There's been a lot of buzz over the past few months about President Barack Obama and family making a very important decision: which dog to adopt into the White House. It was recently announced that the family had finally received their official pet dog, a Portuguese Water Dog named "Bo" from good friend Senator Ted Kennedy. Originally, the family had intended to adopt a dog from the Humane Society, but since they received the gift, they will make a donation to the Humane Society. The Obama dog "Bo" is named after a cat that cousins of the Obama girls have, as well as Michelle Obama's father who was nicknamed "Diddley" after the musician "Bo Diddley". The dog comes from a recent litter of Portuguese Water dog puppies from the Kennedy home. Senator Kennedy and family have at least 3 of these types of dog (PWD's) themselves. The specific breed was chosen due to Obama's daughter Malia having dog allergies. PWD's are considered friendly to allergy-sufferers as they have one layer coats and shed very little if at all. In addition, they're loyal companions who are friendly and full of energy.
With the Obama family's selection, this may set off a new craze amongst households around the United States, as people rush out to get themselves a PWD dog like the Obamas have. According to a recent article from Associated Press, the new White House dog breed might not be the ideal pet for everyone due to it's extremely "energetic and in-your-face" temperament. There's also a concern that with President Obama's dog selection, those nasty puppy mills out there will start "churning out PWD's" to anticipate public demand for the dogs. If you've seen puppy mill episodes of Oprah, read articles about puppy mills or seen their documentaries you've most likely been a witness to just how disturbing these places can be and how harmful and inhumane they often are to dogs. Hopefully along with Obama's selection of this dog breed and maybe the backing of Oprah Winfrey, they can come up with a way to raise even more awareness and effectively combat these puppy mills. For now, the Obama family pet will be coming to the White House soon and be on display for the nation to see.
Just curious - Does anyone else out there own Portuguese Water Dog Puppies or have any experience with them? Do you think Obama & family made a good choice for first pet?
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Comments: 21
It's a lovely and well behaved looking pup.
If people had any common sense, they would either adopt a pound puppy, or buy a purebred dog directly from the breeder so they can see the conditions the dogs are raised in. Why anyone would buy a dog from a pet shop is beyond my understanding, since about 90 percent or more - even the so-called "purebred" ones - come from puppy mills. Supporting puppy mills while healthy dogs in shelters are put down because no one adopts them, is just sick.
FYI --LE?A this dog as other White House dogs will NOT be crated.
They mentioned adoption in an interview by Barbra Wlaters early in February. Adoption was the choice of the Obama's until Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) gave them the PWD pup.
I prefere to get from the Human society. There are too many puppy mills out there.
Johnice, there is no such thing as a thoughtful breeder. Talk to anyone who works in an animal shelter. We get thousands of pure breds every year. I have nothing against the pure breds, and Obama has to keep Bo now that he adopted this animal. But he also should make a statement about breeders and about the pep overpopuation in this country. He should also adopt a second dog from a shelter.
I am sure glad that the President and the kids got a dog