You can still get a breed as a rescue and I am hoping he is going to do that. Many times our own SPCA gets purebreds in for adoption...there are waiting lists of people to adopt them.

I think one of his daughters has allergies and that might be why he's leaning towards non-allergenic breeds.

I would really like to see them adopt a mutley mutt, though, if the allergies are not the issue.

I thought I saw that he had adopted a three legged dog. I think it was a labradoodle, it was white. But I thought he had already made that choice and the dog was his.

When did he ever say he was definitely going to get a shelter dog? He said he would consider it, at best. And as already mentioned, getting a specific breed doesn't preclude him from getting it from a shelter or rescue.

The soundbyte I heard was when he jokingly said that he wished he could rescue a mixed breed from a shelter, since he himself is a "mixed breed", but they have to get a hyper-allergenic dog due to little Sasha's allergies.

Whatever kind they get, I'm glad those little girls will finally have a dog.

I just don't think it's normal or healthy for kids *not* to grow up with dogs...

I still have wonderful memories of Queenie the English Springer Spaniel, given to our family by someone who couldn't keep her, back when I was barely out of diapers.

I think it's a shame he's perpetuating the Labradoodle/ allergies myth. What's the child going to do when the dog is more lab-like and the allergies flare up? Why not a poodle?

Even if the doodle does come from a shelter/rescue, it just means more people clamoring for a designer dog and more backyard breeders (NO - there are NO good breeders of designer dogs no matter how special their web pages are!) making money.

If he doesn't go the adoption route, there's nothing wrong with choosing a purebred dog from a QUALITY breeder. The President on a waiting list for a good dog- it would do the public good to realize that quality dogs aren't purchased on the spur of the moment, from a pet store or from a newspaper ad. GOOD breeders do NOT have "just one puppy left"

I had heard that once they narrowed it down, they were going to find a rescue of that breed. Time will tell if that's true or not.

forthedogs makes a great point though- no matter what dog they chose, it will become the flavor of the week. My old dog was a muttly lab/rottie mix. If the Obama's were to pick a dog like that, wouldn't that just lead to that combo being the trendy thing? I'm not sure they can win in this situation and the dogs definitely lose no matter what.

The Obamas have said all along that they were leaning towards doodle mix, ... and I remember hearing him say - they probably wouldn't be able to get a dog from a shelter because of their allergy concerns. I do recall hearing him say they would like to get a dog from a rescue group...

I'm sure there are plenty of doodles needing rescue.

As far as trendy goes, it would depend on how it is portrayed. The lab-rotti mix doesn't have the cute name so I don't foresee it becoming the latest trend

This would work
"We picked up a hound mix at the pound. We're happy that little Buster is getting a second lease on life" and people swarm to shelters to pick up their own lovable mix (or purebred)

This would work too
"Because my daughter has allergies, we worked with a poodle/bichon etc. rescue to find a great dog that would work with our lifestyle. It took a while to fill out the paperwork and arrange the home visit, but we're happy that little Buster is getting a second lease on life. Plus we're going to be so busy in the White House for the first year that it really was a relief to know what kind of temperament we would be getting." and people swarm to rescues to pick up their own lovable purebred (or mix)

This would be a problem
"We picked a Goldendoodle/Labradoodle because our daughter has allergies. A Golden Retreiver (or lab) is the ultimate family dog and the poodle is hypo-allergenic so this gives combines the best of both breeds with none of the detriments ( and whatever other claptrap the doodle pimps are spewing). We bought from a reputable (nonexistent) breeder because we feel safer purchasing a puppy - that way we know the background. Our friend Oprah warned us about puppy mills, so we definitely know what to look for. Our breeder genetically tests (*snort*) and is interested in bettering the 'breed' (no mention of course that the parents weren't good stock because good breeders don't sell their pups to doodle pimps)" Even more people start shelling out big bucks for a mutt of dubious origin.

I think he's kind of busy, so I don't really care. I wish him luck with whatever dog they choose. He won't get to see much of it.

I think he's kind of busy, so I don't really care. I wish him luck with whatever dog they choose. He won't get to see much of it.

No kidding! I won't get a dog because I don't believe my family has time for one -- I can't imagine theirs does.

Agree ,at least it isn't something wild and dangerous like a lion/bear or wolf- I'm sure presidents have kept these kinds of animals in the past.

taragirl -- As my mom would say, don't borrow trouble. The Obamas want a dog that won't aggravate their daughters' allergies, and they are trying to figure out what kind would fit with their family situation.

There are all different kinds of dogs at shelters and from rescue groups, including Labradoodles and Portugese Water Dogs. As soon as they decide, they will get many offers from shelters and rescue, trust me.

One of our dogs is a purebred (Boxer), and he we adopted him from a rescue group.

The president adopting a labradoodle is a big boon for the designer breed breeders. I think he could have done the animal world a big service by getting a shelter dog. Imagine the example he would be setting!

Some people are easily led by other people's example and in this case, it would have worked in favor of the animals.

You can find plenty of poodles, yorkies and other non-shedding breeds in shelters.

Sorry, I meant to say the president adopting OR buying a labradoodle

Really? What difference does it really make? Gazillions of dogs and cats are euthanized every year with/without the input of POTUS. What's a few more?

He's got bigger concerns.

If he ends up with a LabraSchipperBichonYorkieDoodle, I don't really care. The ultimate responsibility comes down to the breeders. To think POTUS is somehow responsible for any aspect of the pet dog industry is pretty silly, as far as I'm concerned.

He can't GET a LabraSchipperBichonYorkieDoodle if someone isn't breeding the stupid things. How about we let the blame fall on the responsible individuals and stop worrying about what *ONE* family ends up adopting/buying?

For the record, when it comes to *pet* dogs, I don't care what kind of mutts someone chooses to breed, as long as they're healthy. 99% of pet dogs do absolutely nothing but provide companionship, so what difference does it make? I love working dogs and purebreds, but to pretend a Labradoodle is somehow worse than a purebred Golden Retriever or purebred standard poodle that's never so much as seen a firearm, much less hunted (but might have a "CH" before its name), is a pretty ridiculous, IMO.

I have never understood the allure of the purebred dog unless the owner wanted to get into showing the dog. I hope the Obamas get a shelter dog. I don't care if is a popular mix.

I thought about trying to get them to take our Casey Jones. He is about half black and half white, is very smart, and needs a Secret Service detail to keep him out of trouble lately! (More about that later, when I have time to compose a post.)

Wouldn't it be great if we all had our own Secret Service people hanging out, ready to take the dog out for a walk? That would be so much easier!

One benefit of pure bred dogs is that you have some idea of what genetic problems the dog can be prone to. For instance, German Shepards are prone to arthritis. You can plan early for this by providing supplements to hopefully help offset the problem.

I don't think anyone is blaming the Obama family for anything.

But isn't it ironic that the genetic problems are typically CAUSED by reckless breeding?

Really! Is it any of our business what kind of dog the Obamas do or do not get? Doesn't that fall under personal business?

Sorry dirthappy, but the Obama's are in the most PUBLIC position anyone could be in. Unfortunately, their personal business is what the world watches along with their political business. But this is what they have chosen to do, knowingly.

There is no "personal business" when you are the President or in the public light. I don't agree that is how it should be...but the fact is thats how it is. There was a news story last week about the food that was being served at Sasha and Malia's school.

As for purebreds I think that good breeders breed for health as well looks. I am a bulldog lover. There are many reasons for this.....they have short hair so don't shed as much, they don't require a lot of exercise, a bully will never be smarter than me :-), and they are generally clowns. My mom bought hers at a pet store, and their entire lives they had medical problems. I have had two bullies bought from breeders. They have/had very few medical problems associated with the breed. Candy (died in Oct) never had problems with her hips, she did have dry eyes but that was her biggest problem (until she got the infection which killed her). My current Bully Tootsie has no medical problems. (as yet anyway, but she is 1 so I think we would have seen something by now). My moms dogs had problems from the time they were young, major hip and shoulder pain and weird growths, not to mention the dry eyes. Mom dogs have had a harder life all around and I believe it was because they are puppy mill dogs and were bred for no other reason than to make money. I believe (and I hope I'm right) that good breeders care about their dogs and the breed and try to cut down on the genetic problems as much as possible so they breed only healthy dogs together. Getting a dog from a shelter or rescue group is definitely a good idea, we chose to go a breeder because we had just lost our fur baby and did not want a dog that had health problems that we may lose soon, the pain was still too fresh. I did not consider another breed for many reasons. I am generally lazy and needed a breed that would love to just sleep and cuddle all day, I don't think its fair (to the dog) to get a dog that does not fit your lifestyle. I am also not too into grooming and bullies don't require much, except to clean their folds everyday. Bullies are also the perfect size for me, we got toots when she was 10 months so she was already fully grown and we knew she would be small (less than 50 lbs). I guess what I'm trying to say is that purebreds do have their uses even if you're not into showing the dog. Mutts are great and have their uses but are not for everyone. My first dog was a mutt and he was so smart we had to build the fence up past six feet because he would climb it. He figured out how to open the gate and would escape all the time. A bully is generally too lazy to outsmart me :-)

I think regardless of whether they choose a mutt or a pure breed at least they have set a good example by researching what will fit the familys needs and wants the best instead of just getting a dog impulsively.

Lisa

Purebreeds certainly have their place, particularly in the hunting breeds. I have a purebred Lab because I hunt waterfowl and upland birds. Can't see getting a mutt from the pound to do that.

BN

No, but you can get a lovely Lab from breed rescue to do that! I have a wonderful purebred German Short-hair that I obtained from rescue 1/17/08 and he assisted my son in bagging his limit on opening day of Jr. Pheasant. :-) I just sent in the paperwork for his AKC PAL so that we can begin competing in field trials.
There ARE good breeders out there and I have no objection to someone (peasant to POTUS) purchasing a puppy from a reputable breeder. I think it would be a shame if the Obama family ended up purchasing a -doodle or -poo from a "breeder though ... for the reasons stated by jamas and forthedogs.

And, like others, I wonder just how much time the Obama family will have to devote to socializing and training a puppy OR an adult dog? Getting the girls a puppy is certainly a cute photo opportunity, but in real life adding ANY pet to ANY home requires thought and effort beyond the initial acquiring of the pet. I hate to see the puppy end as road kill, like Buddy, the Clintons 3 yr old Lab.

There's no more risk breeding a health-tested Golden Retriever of known pedigree to a health-tested Boxer of known pedigree than in breeding either dog to another of its same breed (with the same qualifications). It's not like their genes interact any differently with another breed of dog...they're there or they aren't.

The benefit is in having a known pedigree/genetic background, regardless of the breeding of the dogs.

Like I said, I love purebreds, and I'm not advocating breeding mutts (don't really see the need), but it can certainly be done just as carefully as breeding purebred dogs.

The intensity of the various positions mentioned in this post has made for very interesting reading for me. My previous knowledge in this area has been mostly superficial, so this reading has been helpful to me. I just hope that posters (in other more appropriate forums) exercise at least as much passion and interest in Obama's economic recovery initiatives as in his pet selection.

I agree Seattlemike

Dogs are ALOT of work! a high status family like that may never have personal time to walk,play or be with the dog.

"to pretend a Labradoodle is somehow worse than a purebred Golden Retriever or purebred standard poodle...is a pretty ridiculous, IMO."

my thoughts, too.

and i would AGREE except that one is NOT taking a top-of-the-line Golden Retreiver (Lab, Cocker and on and on and on) and crossing it with a top-of-the-line Poodle.

These dogs are MARKETED as a "hybrid", and more superior than the other two dog breeds that were combined to produce it.

The people behind these breedings are questionable in their ethics. Not only are the VAST majority of the dogs they are breeding untested for health conditions, but are also not registered with any reputable registries (the only two reputable registries are AKC and UKC, who track pedigrees back many, many generations), so their dogs cannot be tracked back more than a few generations. So, jenc511, "The benefit is in having a known pedigree/genetic background, regardless of the breeding of the dogs" IS NOT HAPPENING WITH THESE CROSSES.

The quality of the dogs that are generally used for these breedings is very questionable also. QUALITY Lab breeders and QUALITY poodle breeders are NOT IN A MILLION YEARS going to sell a dog to a doodle or poo breeder. Usually they are simply pet quality dogs that someone decided to make some money on.

Labradoodles were developed by someone trying to create the perfect "Seeing Eye dog"
Argument: There is nothing a poodle can't be trained to do- and there are poodles who function as seeing eye dogs just fine without being mixed.

Labradoodles don't shed so they are hypoallergenic. Argument: In fact, most do shed- their coats come in 3 varieties or a mixture so the likelihood of having a true non-shedding coat is slim to none.

Labradoodles have "Hybrid Vigor" and won't suffer the genetic illnesses that their pure-breed parents might suffer.
Argument: You can still have health conditions and genetic diseases no matter what- and are more likely to with one of these high-priced mutts because they come from poor-quality pedigrees. Hip Dysplasia and other conditions occur in both poodles and labs- therefore if you combine breeds it doesn't lessen the chance of your dog developing it. The most unhealthy dogs I have ever known have always been mutts. Mongrels display more genetic faults and inherited disease traits than any one breed. THERE ARE ENDLESS SETS OF STATISTICS TO PROVE THIS IDEA IS A MYTH, BUT THEY NEVER SEEM TO CONVINCE PEOPLE accustomed to obtained their facts from the National Enquirer, E!, Wikipedia and YouTube. The facts are that
a) Sick and crippled mongrels are less likely to be counted as they are less likely to be among the living, let alone among those dogs taken to vet clinic for expensive care.
b) No owner (breeder/vet) ever attributed a disease to a mongrel's breeding. Instead, it's "luck of the draw" I call this genetics *shrug?*
c) The "Ugly Tourist" syndrome: many healthy pets live quietly on, while one sick Irish Setter or a GSD with hip dysplasia gets more than their share of the focus. Add to this that the better made pets are actually much harder to find & buy for the average pet owner, who sadly TENDS TO, DESPITE ALL GOOD INTENTIONS, TO BUY FROM THE UNINFORMED IF NOT OUTRIGHT UNCARING BREEDER.
d) It is romantically enticing to think Nature does a better job of taking care of Her Children than corrupt man does. The fact that "she" doesn't look after any of "her individual children" is obvious only to those who study nature carefully. Sickness, death & dying is just exactly how nature winnows out the numbers to an acceptable level; cruelty by our standards is a standard event in nature-as is suffering. Nature's idea of "controlling" disease is to let the afflicted individuals be born, suffer and die.

Lastly, these dogs will never receive recognition as being their own "breed" from the American Kennel Club. Notice, if you breed poodle to poodle- you get dogs that all look alike- like poodles. If you breed lab to poodle, golden retriever to poodle, schnauzer to poodle- you get dogs that all have different attributes, different coats, different sizes. They don't breed true- meaning, they don't really look like anything- just mutts, and you can get one of those at any shelter in America- cheap.

So, while "it can certainly be done just as carefully as breeding purebred dogs" IT IS NOT BEING DONE. If you think differently, you are fooling yourself. I OWN CROSSES, but I don't call them a breed and I don't support pimps ( I will not call these people breeders) by PAYING for a mutt.

taragirl -- the Newsweek article stated:

"He said he hoped the family would get a rescue dog, but that it would have to be a hypoallergenic breed, because his older daughter Malia is allergic.

"He also said they would not get the dog until they were settled into the White House, probably in early spring."

forthedogs: AMEN!!!

forthedogs ~

You have made your point, and quite loudly, but you are not necessarily correct. There are excellent breeders of crosses and they are doing wonderful work to get breeds accepted. The vast majority of recognized breeds are crossed with something else as their origin. I believe that I read and heard that about 3 breeds in the AKC and other dog shows are "natural" breeds. That isn't many so most of a "hybrid" of sorts. I don't see any point in some claming to be a purist when the background of most breeds is that they are mixed with something else. That was done purposefully.

My Wesley is a cross and I gladly paid for him because of my unhappy outcomes with shelter dogs. Three times with good intention and three times with horrible genetic backgrounds or severe mental problems that resulted in attacks and bite wounds. It was a mess.

Yes, backyard breeders are a common and sorry lot. There are breeders that do that genetic testing and all that goes along with it. I have proof via paperwork. The breeder I used provided documented weekly vet checks, wormings, all vaccinations with the exception of the rabies that was given at 4 months, neuter surgery, microchip, 2 year health warranty and the promise that if I ever couldn't keep Wesley that he wouldn't be put in a shelter but would be rehomed by the breeder.

Robyn

whatever obama wants obama gets!, we should all be writing to Obama about what kinds of pet foods are good instead of worrying about what kind of dog he gets or where he gets it..
Even if he gets the worst kind of dog imangable in health from a deplorable puppy mill and then turns around gets educated on pet food and feeds orijen innova EVO or raw. it would be MUCH MUCH better for all of dogs then if he gets the best champ purebred from the best breeder and feeds ol roy or something.

I have a wonderful feeling this man may just turn out to be the best president we've ever had!- provided something terrible doesn't happen to him, from the KKK, or other evils. (One of the reasons I had a concience flash about voting him in/ i did anyway)

well taragirl if a dog is all he lies about, consider us all lucky. heh heh heh heh

too late, Bill! Obama has appointed William J. Lynn III, a lobbyist for Raytheon, to the #2 position in the defense department. Under his executive order released just three days ago, no former lobbyist would be allowed to work for his administration in an area that was related to company or industry he lobbied for.

Raytheon is a major defense contractor, providing missile systems for the US military.

So much for change...

Can we lie?
YES WE CAN!

forthedogs is 100% correct about the designer mutts and 110% right that no matter how many educated people with real facts behind them (not someone like runswalken who HAD been doing so well and has since regressed back to his/her YouTube mentality) say it, old JQP just isn't going to admit they've been had by snake oil salesmen selling high-priced mutts in the name of hybrid vigor

And there's no such thing as a hypo-allergenic dog.

I DO have real facts behind me!. I've done lots of research and read books, seen videos.

You-tube isn't all dumb, its just isn't regulated- meaning people can be more honest there then in CNN without getting into trouble- Just like Brkbr447 said about lies. OR..... they can be jerks. no buddy cares, no buddy worries about what'll sell in the headline without a lawsuit or court hearing from purina.... or Iams. Its up to you to decide what's real and what isn't. LIke I know Tuna is bad for cats/ as is attaching ballons on them in gobal warming dreams about "saving the world"- jerks on you tube don't- I know thats a lie... but when you see pet rendering videos, you KNOW thats real simply because we are in such an economenic crisis right now, what else CAN they do?? $$ wise, other then sell bodies to pet food companyes.. whatever brings in money is what they'd do.

The only way for the FDA to 100% stop all dog/cat food horrors and make it all better is to make dog and cats legally meat that people can consume like livestock, cows,sheep,pigs/ect, and thats NOT going to happen.

Ignorance and arrogance are VERY common in people these days in
EVERYTHING for pets to baby shampoo..

Oh, good grief, he never lied about it at all.
He said he would love to have a shelter dog but one of his daughters is allergic. He was disappointed over that as he really did want to go and get a shelter dog.

IT was down to those two breed dogs.

I read that to, but I didn't know he was disapointed., he seems like a great guy

Bill_H, I agree with you.

How can you tell if Obama is lying? His lips are moving.

I know, I know, no politics.

I am not an Obama fan, but.....leave the guy alone on this issue for goodness sakes. Let the family pick out their dog, one that they truly want. Sure, mixed breeds, and I own one now, are great dogs. Shelter animals need homes too. But let those people do what they want. People will still take animals from shelters and people will still buy pure breds. Those little guys need homes too! I have a mini Schnauzer, (my second) and a mixed German Shepherd. I love both and would get another Schnauzer in a heartbeat. My four cats were rescues and are precious. But the Obama's should not have to answer to the nation on this one. Let them be a family and get whichever dog they want without criticism.

agree

Why is this anyones business?

He promised his girls a dog but if he decided to see how they care for a goldfish or hamster first. It is no elses business. His biggest mistake (so far) was saying that on TV instead of keeping it a private family matter.

Leave them alone, what dog they pick, IF they get a dog, is up to them as parents, not the country.

No matter, it will cost us as tax payers. If the girls play with the dog in the yard, who do you think is paying the salary of the secret service guarding the girls?

If the dog wets the rug, who do you think pays?
If the dog chews on a baseboard......

What was that recent story? A Presidents dog messed on the very expensive rug and the help had to send it out to be cleaned, and never told the President. Our tax dollars paid for that.

If they adopt a puppy, what I would like to hear is that every bit of its care is on the family. Including but not limited to, if the puppy pees on the floor, the maid our tax dollars are paying for shouldnt have to clean it up.

WOW!

trargirl, you seem to have some issues that go way beyond what type of dog the Obama's get or where the dog comes from.

I mean in the scheme of things the country is going through right now is that really important?

To say that the man lied is a pretty narrow. He has been in office only a few weeks! Will you please allow this family to adjust to their new home, plus all the other things that need immediate attention for the country?

You should bring it down a thousand :)

OMG A lying politician? What a sin. lol!!! But then again why would you expect him to all of a sudden start telling the truth. He comes from the land of corruption, is encirlced with more of the same. It's like the stimulus package. It is designed to pacify us for three years while the recession works itself out. The President's real downfall will be if it indeed makes things worse and the recession or depression last for 4 years or more then I believe he will have hung his political career out to dry. I hope there are really no people out there that believe he actually understands what being middle class is really like. He made the jump from low class to wealthy upper class without getting his big toe wet in middle class life. Just my opinion.