Obama Family Narrows Puppy Choices: A Labradoodle or a Portuguese Water Dog

Barack Obama promised his two girls, Sasha and Malia, that they could get a puppy after he was sworn into office. With the January 20th inauguration fast approaching the choice of puppies has been narrowed down. The Labradoodle vs. The Portuguese water dog. Barack Obama needed to choose a dog that is allergy friendly. It had been widely reported that Malia Obama has an allergy to dogs.

Most of the country has no knowledge of either a Labradoodle or a Portuguese water dog.

A Labradoodle is hybrid of a Labrador Retriever and a standard poodle. Sometimes they are breed with a miniature poodle instead. In 1989 the first Labradoodle was breed. According to the goldendoodles.com website, Wally Conron breed the first Labradoodle to be a guide dog. Since the first Labradoodle was bred the popularity of them has soared. These designer dogs sell for $800 to over $2,000.

The Portuguese water dog has a long history of being a great breed. Portuguese water dogs are known to be great family pets. They are a hypoallergenic breed making it a perfect choice for the Obama family. Portuguese water dogs may have been around since 1297 the Portuguese Water dog Club of America reported The Portuguese water dog is expensive costing anywhere from $1,500-$2,000.

Joe Biden already beat Barack Obama in the race to get a puppy. Joe Biden got a German Sheppard puppy in December. Joe Biden's puppy came as a reward from his with Jill who promised him a puppy if Obama got elected. CNN reported in December on Joe Biden's new puppy.

President George W. Bush has quite a few pets. The most well known is Barney. Barney is a Scottish terrier. Barney even has his own web page on the white house website Barney is quite the star but he has competition. In 2005 Laura Bush got her own Scottish terrier named Miss. Beazley. George Bush gave Miss. Beazley as a present to Laura.

If you are interested in seeing the ABC video when Obama announced the choices were narrowed down to the Labradoodle or the Portuguese waterdog click here.

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/11/obamas-first-appointment-a-first-dog.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/11/labradoodle-obamas-puppy_n_156926.html

http://www.goldendoodles.com/labradoodle_faq.htm

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/South/01/22/doodle.dogs.reut/index.html

http://www.terrificpets.com/dogs_for_sale/portuguese_water_dog_for_sale.asp

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/15/biden.puppy/index.html?section=cnn_latest

http://www.whitehouse.gov/barney/index.html