Presidential Pooch Watch

Yahoo! Buzz ^ | 11/12/08 | Claudine Zap

[Obadiah]

Ever since president-elect Obama mentioned that his kids are getting a puppy, dog lovers around the world have been panting with anticipation to learn what kind of dog will become first pup.

Obama, who described the decision as a "major issue," is on the hunt for an allergy-free dog, since daughter Malia is allergic. Seeing that Obama is the first "global president," it's not surprising that the Fido frenzy has gone international.

[Obadiah]

Peru has suggested its native Peruvian hairless dog, a bald, toothless breed, which actually looks cuter than it sounds. (You can get better acquainted with the breed here.) The country even has a specific dog in mind. Nicknamed "Ears," the four-month-old has been offered formally to the future first family in a letter sent to the U.S. Embassy.

PERFECT!! Ears the dog for Obama! Bwahahaha!

[LongElegantLegs]

Claudine needs a cold shower.

[Sacajaweau]

Poor Malia...Allergic...Somehow I doubt it...but it was a good excuse at the time.

What I don't understand is why daddy had to become president to get a dog.

That's like my dad telling me he had to attain CEO of a major corp before he got me a dog. Doesn't make any sense at all...In fact, it's just plain DUMB!!

[brytlea]

I’m a dog lover, and I could not care less what sort he gets. I admit I hope he doesn’t get a doodle and give the *breeds* more cache than they already have (amazing to me that people will shell out thousands for what are essentially mixed breeds—they do not breed successive generations, they simply mix two breeds- you can get that MUCH cheaper at the local shelter).

[brytlea]

It was just a publicity thing. It kept people talking about him. And that’s what it’s really all about. Him.

[CanadianMusherinMI]

cuter than it look? beauty is in the eye of the beholder i guess! the yorkshire terrier has the same ph as human hair, so i would think it would be the ideal dog for a person with allergies (and much cuter than the hairless one).
i thought there was already a pic of obama with a white curly dog? possibly a poodle mix? poodles are also good for peeps with allergies. they shed very little.

[RexFamilia]

he should contact Michael Vick; I’m certain he has few dogs available for adoption.

[brytlea]

Generally, with allergies, it’s not the hair that is the problem. It’s the dander from the skin, and also the proteins in the saliva (and I think also the urine).
I don’t believe there is a truly hypoallergenic dog, however a breed that sheds less probably also leaves less dander around. I wouldn’t sell a puppy to a family with an allergic child.

[ScottinVA]

He from da souf side in Chicago. Homeboy gotta get a pit bull.

[Vaquero]

appropriate for Hussein:

We call him Egypt because he leaves a pyramid in every room. ...

Rodney Dangerfield

[shaft29]

I’ll bet he gets a Pit Bull or Rottweiller.

[CanadianMusherinMI]

i have two friends that have children allergic to (but wanted a dog) both have yorkshire terriers and neither have had a problem with allergies. small dogs are often bathed more than bigger dogs and this helps too.

[ozaukeemom]

We have a shih-tzu/bichon mix. He does not shed. At all. We have to have a hypo-allergenic dog and he is perfect. Plus, he is a terrific pet to have personality wise. Never had a dog before and am so glad to have him.

[NordP]

Brilliant.

[Vaduz]

since daughter Malia is allergic=don’t get a dog oh wait that’s to easy not news.

[ChowChowFace]

I don’t know what breed of dog they will get, but I bet it will be a black one.

[weegee]

His “promise” to his daughters (first raised in an election interview) was that he would be getting them a dog after the election, whether or not he won.

But yes, it gives the lap dog media something to fixate on and coo.

[Pondo]

Ditto on the doodle thing. People are so stupid shelling out all this money for these mutts. They don’t breed true to type, some of them shed as much as a Lab. Go to the pound if you want a mutt. Or go to a reputable breeder if you want a pure bred.

[Kirkwood]

[MEGoody]

West Highland White terriers are pretty much hypoallergenic, but Obama would never go for that. They’re white.