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Two Breeds Top Obama Family Puppy Search

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While their father handles a deepening recession, cabinet appointments and a crisis in the Middle East, the Obama girls clearly have another thing on their mind: a new puppy, which the President-elect yesterday said the family is close to selecting.

WASHINGTON -- The Obama family has come to town, and will finally soon be joined by a much anticipated addition to the clan: a puppy, which President-elect Obama promised his two young daughters last year.

Like their father, Malia, 10, and Sasha, seven, seem to know what they want -- and how to get it.

"They seem to have narrowed it down to a labradoodle or a Portuguese Water hound [Sic]," Obama told ABC's George Stephanopoulos on ABC News' "This Week" yesterday.

"We're now going to start looking at shelters to see when one of those dogs might come up."

The hunt for a perfect White House pooch is hopefully almost over, Obama said, after a long and highly publicized journey.

"We're closing in on it. This has been tougher than finding a commerce secretary," he joked, referring to his selection of Bill Richardson for the position. The New Mexico Governor later withdrew his nomination, after speculation of his engagement in "play-to-pay" politics rose to the surface.

Both of the Obama girls' potential breed selections, Labradoodles -- a hybrid of a poodle and a Labrador retriever -- and the Portuguese Water Dog are considered hypoallergenic, a requirement for Malia, who suffers from allergies.

The designer labradoodle, which is not an accepted breed by the American Kennel Club, began to be bred in the mid 1980s. The Portuguese Water Dog, on the other hand, dates back to the 1200s, when it worked on boats with Portuguese fishermen.

Perhaps the Obama girls took a tip from Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy, whose Portuguese Water Dogs, Splash and Sunny, frequently accompany him on the Senate floor.

The Obama family have spoken of their intent to adopt from a shelter or rescue group, but at the same time, as Obama noted in his first press conference following the election, "a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me."

Many animal advocates and Obama supporters alike have closely followed the Obama's search for a dog, a point of discussion that has repeatedly come up in press conferences and interviews.

Obama formally announced his promise on election night to his daughters, telling them, "I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House."

Yet, the family has been discussing the plan for more than a year, with interviews dating back to before Obama was even formally selected as the Democratic presidential nominee.

Regardless of the First Dog's breed, or point of origin, one thing is for sure: it will have some company in Washington, D.C., joined by Vice President-elect Joe Biden's new puppy, German Shepherd his grandchildren named "Champ."

Biden had also said that he will adopt another dog from a shelter, providing Champ a playmate. The move may have also acted as a conciliatory bone to the animal activist community, which criticized his decision to not adopt a rescue dog to begin with.

Tell us what you think about "Two Breeds Top Obama Family Puppy Search" below. Share your favorite videos by clicking on the ZootooTV tab. Send us your story ideas by e-mailing us at news@zootoo.com or by calling us at 877-777-4204.

USA Today, The New York Times, Newsday and the Agence France-Presse contributed to this article.



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719 comments found.
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Bonnie K.
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It is nice to see the first family is going to a shelter to save a life rather than just purchase a dog from a breeder.
 
Annette S.
Annette S. (AJ179)
10 months ago
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I like that they seem to have done some research into what breed of dog would work well with their family. I think that is important.

I also wondered about the statement that dogs are allowed on the senate floor---I wonder do many do this and what other type dogs are there? I can't picture any Rat Terriers sitting still that long!! Or can you picture a great Dane chewing on his dog toy while they are all working---it makes me wonder.

But I will be interested to see if they really do adopt one from a shelter--if so a very lucky dog indeed.
 
Phyllis32
Phyllis32
10 months ago
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With allergies to consider I'm glad they are taking their time and researching it.
 
D. Rene
D. Rene (mooredr3)
10 months ago
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Agree...I am glad that they are picking a dog from a shelter but time to move on and pick it.
 
ManoftheCloth
ManoftheCloth
10 months ago
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The Obamas said that they wanted to get a shelter dog for their children and I hope that they are able to find one of these breeds at a shelter.
 
Tiffany C.
Tiffany C. (tiffany6)
10 months ago
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I was excited to hear on the news last night that they wanted to adopt from a shelter. Even if it might be to keep animal activists off their back. I do understand though the importance of a hypoallergenic dog. I hope a shelter will be able to provide them with this need and give some homeless dog a forever home.
 
Helen
Helen (helengbwoman)
10 months ago
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Truthfully, I'm getting sick of this topic. Pick a dog already!
 
Kristen P.
Kristen P. (parkerkla)
10 months ago
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I'm glad that the incoming administration is trying to do the right thing.
 
Judy W.
Judy W. (jwarmanen)
10 months ago
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The Obamas won't go wrong with either of these breeds. They're both beautiful dogs. And I hope they follow through on their intention to adopt a dog from a shelter. If so, one lucky shelter dog will have a wonderful forever home.
 
ACfromNY
ACfromNY
10 months ago
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I wonder if they would settle for getting an older dog from a shelter if there aren't any of these puppies at a shelter?
 
Gary V.
Gary V. (gvande74)
10 months ago
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Nice looking dogs, Lucky too.
 
CameraManT
CameraManT
10 months ago
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Well I guess somewhere out there is one lucky dog to be living in the White House. Hope that the dog picked is not purchased, but is selected from a rescue or shelter.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
10 months ago
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ihatesnow
ihatesnow
10 months ago
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Sen. Kennedy takes his dogs onto the Senate floor? Just him, or do all senators get this perk?
 
Debby P.
Debby P. (dbperkins)
10 months ago
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sounds like the girls thought this out and did research. Huh, now only if most adults did that there wouldn't be so many homeless dogs!
 
gdpar4
gdpar4
10 months ago
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Sure hope they get a dog from a shelter...what a great statement that would be!
 
Sarah  W.
Sarah W. (Roxymimi)
10 months ago
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I saw this on the news. I wonder which one he'll end up adopting.
 
Michelle E.
Michelle E. (lucyb8)
10 months ago
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Shelter dogs make the best pets!!!
 
Frances P.
Frances P. (fporter)
10 months ago
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I'm guessing most every shelter in the country will be keeping an eye out for both these breeds, on the off chance they will get to supply the next 'first dog'. Imagine the publicity for an underfunded shelter!
 
Courtney L.
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I am glad they decided to adopt one from a shelter. I believe that is the first good decision he has made, and hope many more follow!
 
Barbara Y.
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OOOOOOOhhhh....The obamas are getting a dog. Let's all be sure to pat them on the back! Geez! Can't a politician even blow his nose without expecting national recognition?
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
10 months ago
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BeccaC
BeccaC
10 months ago
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I wonder how many of these dogs are available in shelters, so the Obamas can get one instead of buying one from a breeder.
 
Kyra L.
Kyra L. (KaylinCoo)
10 months ago
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They should really open their minds a little bit more ::sigh:: as long as they adopt I guess it's fine.
 
ClevelandBrownsfan
ClevelandBrownsfan
10 months ago
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I'm glad no one on the search team has discovered Border Terriers and suggested this breed to the Obamas. Hate to see the cutest, most adorable, intelligent and loving small, non shedding, hypoalergenic breed known to man but as yet relatively undiscoverd and unappreciated in the USA become the dog du jour and lose its relative anonymity. by the way its the dog in something about mary....
 
Stephanie B.
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There is a full breed labradoodle on www.dogsindanger.com set to be euthanized this week. His temperament doesn't seem right for the Obamas, but I'm just making the point that these designer dogs are no different than any other shelter dog.
 
BigStoneGapDogLover
BigStoneGapDogLover
10 months ago
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If the Obamas choose the labradoodle it will exact a horrible price on that 'breed' and those who rescue it. First of all, what is a 'designer' breed? Exchange the word designer for vanity and you are closer to the truth - someone created a mix and in their vanity decided it was more special than any other... in times past this would have eventually lead to enough people working together to create the rules and documentation to establish a breed but in the rush of today's world - that just means that someone spends some money advertising and marketing this RARE BREED - when it is neither rare nor a breed.

Do some research on what happened to Dalmatians with the release of every version of 101 Dalmatians (or 102) and you will see what will happen. The problem with labradoodles will only be exagerrated since there isn't even an AKC that polices their breeding/registry in any way. It's just someone claiming it's what they have...

When you see the health issues surrounding poodles and labs, it's clear that the poorly bred Labradoodle (and most of them are... no one with a top quality Lab or Poodle would breed to intentionally create a mix) is at very high risk for alot of health and behavioral issues.
 
Stephanie B.
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Wow, no need to attack me...it was a brief comment that you blew way out proportion! I was trying to say that labradoodles are mutts and just like any other breed of dog, they could very well be in a shelter. 25% of dogs euthanized in shelters are purebreds.
 
garfiecollector
garfiecollector
10 months ago
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Now that they've picked the breeds of dogs, they need to pick a shelter or rescue to get the dogs from.
 
Tara  M.
Tara M. (pitticupcakes)
10 months ago
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-.- they pretty much seem the same lookwise, but in votes for personality I definately support the portugese water dog <3 who doesnt love a good fish herder?
 
puppiesloveme
puppiesloveme
10 months ago
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ok
 
Veronica L.
Veronica L. (jealoushe)
10 months ago
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Should have got a mini aussie, can also be hypo and are way cooler!!
 
babes
babes (babes)
10 months ago
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i like the labradoodle better, maybe because the color
 
Renee  H.
Renee H. (RHatcher)
10 months ago
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Either choice is fine , There all good dogs.
 
Nita C.
Nita C. (directorswife)
10 months ago
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I watched the interviews with Henry Winkler and Teddy Kennedy yesterday and it was hilarious! Teddy is totally committed to the Porties and The Fonz is dilerious about his Labradoodles. I love the heartwarming nature of this story and how it has turned into a fun "competition" between these two breeds. I'm looking forward to seeing the next "First Dog".
 
Debbie
Debbie (Shortcircuit)
10 months ago
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All I have to say is - pick a dog already!
 
Carol L.
Carol L. (langsford)
10 months ago
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It always amazes me when these stories come up, they are bound to bring controversy, but at the time I am writing my comment there have been 377 comments on a fairly new news story.
As long as the media keeps this in the news the longer we will continue to hear about it, anything involving the President Elect will be in the news. I am happy they are getting a dog and I do believe they are looking into shelters or that is what they are saying. We just never know how this will turn out until it is over and they have their dog.
 
Liann L.
Liann L. (Liann)
10 months ago
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Either dog is a good choice for those with allergies. The girls should have a lot of fun with it.
 
1sgG
1sgG
10 months ago
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Now that they have narrowed down their choices, I hope that they get their dogs from a shelter.
 
blackie1
blackie1
10 months ago
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I hope they check out the hypoallergenicness before they adopt the animal--take her for a test visit and see what happens
 
Wendy T.
Wendy T. (wwrezzes)
10 months ago
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Cute dogs to choose from.
 
Pia S.
Pia S. (GuinnieGirl)
10 months ago
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He promised his children a dog and he is following through with it. Why can't the children select the kind of dog they want? Who are we to tell them where to go and what kind of dog to get. Let's think outside the box - - allergies! If anyone has severe allergies to pet dander, you know what I'm talking about.
 
stellaluna
stellaluna
10 months ago
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very good point! some allergies can indeed be life-threatening. that's one reason everyone needs to stop pushing for this dog or that, from this place or that -- this has got to be a personal decision by the people who are going to be the ones to live with the dog, period. it's a shame that the media has made such a big deal of this and that so many people are pointing fingers at the Obamas and criticizing them from every direction.
 
Rebecca A.
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Typical father all talk no action. Get on with it. Adopt from a rescue, the labradoodle espically is fairly common in rescue.
 
Tracy C.
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I am happy the Obama's are going to a shelter. Don't know how successful they will be going out looking for a certain breed, but as long as they adopt from a shelter, I'm not concerned with the breed. I wonder what other Presidents have adopted a dog from a shelter..I bet not many.
 
Tara
Tara (Lizzi)
10 months ago
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You have no idea how tired I am of hearing about the President's puppy. When he get's I'd think it's news worthy but to detail every step?! Ugh...
 
Bellapapa
Bellapapa
10 months ago
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I know how you feel. I've heard it all already :)
 
Kelly M.
Kelly M. (withkelly)
10 months ago
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I wouldn't be suprised if they fall in love with another breed of dog, once they go to a shelter! But it is great that they are going to a rescue group or shelter.
 
Meredith M.
Meredith M. (mers0021)
10 months ago
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I wonder how quickly they will find one of these in the shelter. I'm sure a Labradoodle will surface first. We'll keep our eyes open here!
 
Ric O.
Ric O. (rowdysdad)
10 months ago
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I hope they are able to find a shelter dog in the breed or mixture they want. I know the Laberdoodles are neat animals, almost as good as Goldendoodles. I just want the dog to be in a good loving home.
 
Billy J.
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hopefully they do get a shelter pup. i'll keep my fingers crossed.
 
Tony D.
Tony D. (ynot)
10 months ago
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Hopefully they find what they are looking for at a shelter and not a breeder.
 
debra t.
debra t. (debkthomp)
10 months ago
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Politics and the dog world!
 
Lisa B.
Lisa B. (stevesgirlz)
10 months ago
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It sounds as if they are taking their selection seriously. This is good too many people jump into getting a pet before they really consider what that pet will require. I hope they have great success.
 
Logan
Logan (Barker4)
10 months ago
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I hope they do get it from a shelter.
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