Choosing the First Puppy

[GroundedSailor]

Having promised before a TV audience of millions during his victory speech to buy his daughters a puppy as a thank you for putting up with the campaign, Mr Obama was asked at his first press conference as president-elect if a decision had been made on the breed.

"With respect to the dog," he replied. "This is a major issue. I think it has generated more interest on our website than just about anything."

He explained there was a balance to strike between finding a dog that wouldn't irritate ten-year-old daughter Malia's allergies and the family's preference for a shelter dog.

"Obviously a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me," said Mr Obama, making a rare public joke about his bi-racial background. "So whether we are going to balance those two things is a pressing issue in the Obama household."

Though there is greater speculation about who will be appointed to Mr Obama's cabinet, there has been no shortage of advice about the first family's canine choice.

A poodle was the top choice for the Obamas in an American Kennel Club survey of more than 42,000 people, the organisation said.

Video of press confeence at link

Another link for video and write up on this news

I can't believe no one has posted this It's such a huge and hot news items which has the country blogging and talking.

and it's non patisan - we can all take pleasure in the kids getting their new dog and the white house a new canine.

I think Obama handled it very nicely.

 

[Throckmorton]

The American Kennel Club is probably a bunch of middle aged women, so of course they'd pick a poodle.

What breeds are hypoallergenic?

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: GroundedSailor

Having promised before a TV audience of millions during his victory speech to buy his daughters a puppy as a thank you for putting up with the campaign, Mr Obama was asked at his first press conference as president-elect if a decision had been made on the breed.

"With respect to the dog," he replied. "This is a major issue. I think it has generated more interest on our website than just about anything."

He explained there was a balance to strike between finding a dog that wouldn't irritate ten-year-old daughter Malia's allergies and the family's preference for a shelter dog.

"Obviously a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me," said Mr Obama, making a rare public joke about his bi-racial background. "So whether we are going to balance those two things is a pressing issue in the Obama household."

Though there is greater speculation about who will be appointed to Mr Obama's cabinet, there has been no shortage of advice about the first family's canine choice.

A poodle was the top choice for the Obamas in an American Kennel Club survey of more than 42,000 people, the organisation said.

Video of press confeence at link

Another link for video and write up on this news

I can't believe no one has posted this It's such a huge and hot news items which has the country blogging and talking.

and it's non patisan - we can all take pleasure in the kids getting their new dog and the white house a new canine.

I think Obama handled it very nicely.

Actually someone started flaming everyone in a thread because they weren't going to get a shelter dog.

Apparently, if you get a dog from a breeder, you are supporting "puppy mills".


So Obama = puppymiller. Start the impeachment hearings.

 

[Drakkon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9myqGe_B2vE - This is what 8 years does in the white house to a dog?
Although who knows how Cheney might've tormented Barney...

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: Drakkon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9myqGe_B2vE - This is what 8 years does in the white house to a dog?
Although who knows how Cheney might've tormented Barney...

Reason #1 in my book not to ever own a pet, they are animals.

 

[I Saw OJ]

Can I retract my vote if they pick a poodle?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
The American Kennel Club is probably a bunch of middle aged women, so of course they'd pick a poodle.

What breeds are hypoallergenic?

No breed is hypoallergenic. A number of breeds are low-allergenic.

If they are looking for a particular breed/mix, there are a number of purebreed rescues.

If they want to go rescue and have to have a puppy, they can wait for a purebreed rescue to get one or a rescue that may receive dogs from a puppymill raid.

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Drakkon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9myqGe_B2vE - This is what 8 years does in the white house to a dog?
Although who knows how Cheney might've tormented Barney...

Reason #1 in my book not to ever own a pet, they are animals.

Indeed, which is actually why I like pets (especially dogs). They ARE animals, which means if they bite you, there is a reason. A properly raised and cared for dog will virtually NEVER bite a person unless they are mistreating or threatening it. This puts them a step ahead of most people, who will often bite you for no reason at all.

 

[Baked]

I rarely see poodles at dog shelters. They're gonna get a pitbull.

 

[NFS4]

My jaw actually dropped when he called himself a mutt... and also when he called out Nancy Reagan (he later called her and apologized for the comment).

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Baked
I rarely see poodles at dog shelters. They're gonna get a pitbull.

There are 100s of poodles available thru rescue - http://www.petfinder.com/searc...et.Sex=&location=20005

edit - though I'd never want one.

 

[StageLeft]

Haha he called himself a mutt!

My jaw actually dropped when he called himself a mutt...

Seriously, if anybody else said that they'd be hanged. Even saying it of himself nationally I'm surprised at the low level humor, not that I take offense at it, but it is ballsy

Italian PM (?) called him "suntanned", people blasted him for it and he told them to take a joke. I hope it doesn't turn into four years of "Oh no you did not just say that about him".

 

[nageov3t]

men with small dogs are so... weird.

 

[microbial]

Finally, an important topic.

The answer is: Goldendoodle.

http://www.mlive.com/us-politi..._purebred_or_mutt.html

 

[thirtythree]

Originally posted by: microbial
Finally, an important topic.

The answer is: Goldendoodle.

http://www.mlive.com/us-politi..._purebred_or_mutt.html

Goldendoodle

 

[Lemon law]

As a dog lover and current owner of two pound puppies, I would say the Obama daughter allergy question is the over riding concern. Beyond that, I would not presume to advise the Obama family in any way.

I also own two cats, both adopted Stray kittens and all four of them get along quite well.

 

[classy]

The dog's name will be Maverick

 

[sportage]

Someone that has had 13 American Eskimo?s (sptiz), I'd highly recommend a spitz. Their hair is like plastic coated, stays clean, allergy proof, and cute as hell white fur balls.
Or try to get one of the rare black spitz, if he can find one.

I think the intelligence of the spitz would compliment the Obama household.


http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/americaneskimo.htm

 

[alien42]

Originally posted by: NFS4
My jaw actually dropped when he called himself a mutt... and also when he called out Nancy Reagan (he later called her and apologized for the comment).

i thought both were hilarious and well played. some in the room were not comfortable with the mutt comment but that won't last for long. all part of the huge step forward this nation took on the 4th.

 

[SilthDraeth]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
The American Kennel Club is probably a bunch of middle aged women, so of course they'd pick a poodle.

What breeds are hypoallergenic?

Funny you mention poodle then ask what is hypoallergenic. Poodles are actually.

 

[Lemon law]

While we tend to now look at the poodle as a vanity dog to groom into a beauty object, its origins are as a rough and tumble hunting breed. And so for the matter is a golden retriever. And as a dog lover, I have found the best and most human friendly dogs come from the hunting breeds. A goldendoodle might make a fine choice, but still, its an Obama family choice.

 

[alien42]

they should rescue a Greyhound.

 

[Moonbeam]

I heard that if they get a pit bull they're naming it Lipstick. The cocker, if they get that one, is going to be called Bark Obama.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: GroundedSailor
...
I think Obama handled it very nicely.

He handled it all nicely. Extremely early, but impressive. I had a waking, momentary nightmare imagining the alternative.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: loki8481
men with small dogs are so... weird.

Exposing a bit of their feminine side?

But I agree. Why have a purse dog if you don't carry a purse?