Obamas: Portuguese Water Dog or Labradoodle?
New President's Family Decides Between Two Breeds to be First Pet
During the 2008 Presidential Election, then-candidate Barack Obama revealed he promised the family a dog once the election ended.
It seems the new President of the United States is keeping his word, as it was announced in early 2009 that the Barack and Michelle Obama, along with their children - Malia and Sasha - had narrowed it down to two dog breeds: a Labradoodle or a Portuguese Water Dog.
The Labradoodle - One of the Choices to Join the Obamas in the White House
The Labradoodle is not an official breed by American Kennel Club standards, but it's become a very popular mixed breed dog in the United States and beyond.
A cross of the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle, the Labradoodle is a large dog that's known for its friendly, lively personality, eagerness to please and intelligence. The popular Labradoodle actually gained popularity as a service dog - a logical choice, as Labs are known for their work as service dogs and Poodles are known for their work in obedience and show rings.
Labradoodles come in solid colors, including black, white and apricot and they have a wavy-curly coat that often gives this breed a friendly, scruffy appearance. They are intelligent, eager to please and easy to train - a plus, as peeing on the White House carpet would be a big no-no. And Labradoodles are also a good family breed that's good with people - another plus, with all the White House staff and Secret Service details milling about.
Labradoodles are a single-coated breed, meaning they shed minimally and they're well-tolerated by many people with allergies. Labradoodles are bred in three sizes: miniature, medium and standard, which means the Obamas will have a nice selection in size.
The Portuguese Water Dog - A Finalist to Be the Obama Family Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog is somewhat similar to the Labradoodle in appearance, as the Portuguese Water Dog also has a wavy-curly coat of hair that's well-tolerated by people with pet allergies. The Portuguese Water Dog is also similar in size to the Labradoodle, and it too comes in shades of black, white and brown.
The Portuguese Water Dog originated in the fishing villages of Portugal more than 2,000 years ago. These seafaring dogs were used to ferry messages between ships and from ships to shore. These adept swimmers also retrieved buoys and nets, in addition to herding fish into the fisherman's nets.
This working breed dog makes a dedicated, loyal, loving pet that's fairly easy to train. In fact, like all working dogs, the Portuguese Water Dogs is happiest when he's given a "job" to occupy his mind and body, whether that job is fetching a ball or a lost fishing net, or learning new training skills - an attribute that would make the PWD a great "first dog" since the Obamas' dog will need to be very well trained.
The White House will be a good atmosphere for either the Labradoodle or the Portuguese Water Dogs, as both of these breeds thrive in a home that provides plenty of mental and physical exercise. As a place that never sleeps, the White House will certainly have no shortage of dog walkers and ball throwers, especially with the two pre-teen Obama girls on-hand.
Notably, both the Labrador Retriever and Poodle that mix to create the Labradoodle are also both known as water-loving breeds, so it's certain that whichever dog the Obamas pick to join them in the White House, that dog will enjoy trips to anywhere with water!
Where Will the Obamas Get Their New Dog?
The Obama Family has said publicly that they plan to adopt their new dog from an animal shelter or rescue organization. In fact, the ASPCA has been pushing for this since the family first announced that they were considering a dog.
Animal lovers at the ASPCA and other animal rescue groups are optimistic that if Barack Obama and his family adopt a homeless dog, then others will follow in their footsteps, giving a second chance to a dog in need. To learn more about adopting a shelter dog, read Benefits of Adopting a Shelter Dog.
Are you considering a puppy or a rescue dog? If so, read Tips to Pick a Puppy Name along with How to Train a Dog to Sit - some of the first things a new dog owner will need to do!
What Dog Will the Obamas Bring to the White House?
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