Obama: Get a Goldendoodle Hypoallergenic Dog Mutt from the Pound

I've never had anything in common with a president. Until now. When Barack Obama announced his family's need for a hypoallergenic dog, it struck a chord. Like his daughter Malia, I, too, am allergic to dogs. And, like his children, I love dogs. Finding the right one for us took some work, but it was worth it.

One thing we found is that there is no hypoallergenic dog. Even a hypopallergenic dog can cause an allergic reaction.

It depends on the individual and what kind of allergen sets off the reaction. It could be dander, fur or grass particles sticking on the coat of the dog that causes the reaction.

The trick is to be friendly with the dog before you bring it home. Pet it. Rub it. Do everything you can to trigger a reaction. Make multiple visits.

Don't rush into a dog just because it's cute. They're all cute!

Your job is to take your time, pet the puppies (or dogs) and watch for signs of allergic reactions. Then, when you think you have found the right breed, go back for a longer visit before bringing it home.

With patience and a little work, even President-elect Barack Obama can find the right "hypoallergenic" dog for his home.

We did. You can, too.

Our Tomlin is a short-haired German Shepherd/Norwegian Elkhound mix. He has two layers of fur and weighs in at about 80 pounds. Except for a seasonal blowout, he doesn't shed much. We rescued him almost two years ago. So far, he's bounded into our hearts with enthusiastic puppy kisses (only on the hands) and has not triggered an asthma reaction in either of our daughters or myself.

We do take standard precautions our doctor suggested. iVillage lists more ideas here. This includes not allowing Tomlin to sleep on our bed and covering the mattresses and pillows in allergen resistant covers. We've also found that vacuuming more often and making sure he stays off of the furniture (even when we're not looking) also helps reduce allergy symptoms for us.

Big Paws Only lists some dog breeds that they consider to be hypoallergenic. Visit them here.

Some great breeds with a hypoallergenic dog reputation are:

The Bichon Frise is a hypoallergenic dog. They're cute and small dogs. They have an outer coat and an undercoat. According to small-dogbreeds.com, these dogs don't shed much, which makes them an excellent dog for people with allergies. These smart dogs are easy to housebreak and good with children. They have a reputation for being an excellent small family dog. They can weigh up to 15 pounds.

The American Hairless Terrier may be a good choice if you are looking for a small- to medium-sized dog. Dogs become hairless within a few weeks after birth. Puppy Basics suggests exercising caution with sun and cold as they need protection from both. A small dog, they weigh up to 16 pounds. The site says they are good with children.

A Goldendoodle or Labradoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and Poodle. We were fortunate to meet one at the pet store. She had a great disposition. According to the Goldendooldes site linked above, they are intelligent and easy to train. Some Goldendoodles work as service animals. They are good with family, other pets and strangers -- a must at the White House. And of course, they are listed as causing fewer allergy problems.

But you don't have to look for a purebred dog. Shelters may well have mutts that are crossbred with one of the above dogs. You won't know until you look. Many shelters post profiles and pictures of dogs on their websites. This helps you know what you are looking at before driving to the shelter. If you see one you like, move fast because most shelters have a limit on how long they keep animals,

It takes a little time to research the best pet for you, but it's worth it. The reward is years of dedication, loyalty and exuberant friendship.

Have fun Obama girls! Enjoy your new hypoallergenic dog!