Obamas Choose Portuguese Water Dog as First Family Pet

After much speculation, the wait is finally over: Barack and Michelle Obama have made their decision about the choice of First Pet. The Obamas announced yesterday they have chosen a Portuguese Water Dog as the new addition to their family, and the First Dog will arrive at the White House on Tuesday.

Last year, Barack and Michelle Obama reportedly promised daughters Malia and Sasha a puppy, and the search for just the right canine for the first time dog owners was complicated by Malia's allergies. After weighing the benefits of a variety of different breeds, according to sources like The New York Daily News, the Obamas have elected to bring home a six month old black Portuguese Water Dog from a Texas kennel.

Barack and Michelle Obama Select Portuguese Water Dog for Daughters

What makes the Portuguese Water Dog such a great choice for the First Family pet? First of all, the Portuguese Water Dog is hypoallergenic, so this dog won't aggravate Malia's allergies. Also, this is an excellent breed for children, as the dogs are active, intelligent, affectionate and family-oriented.

However, there are many Portuguese Water Dogs waiting in shelters for loving homes, so I was confused that the Obamas looked to a kennel for their first dog. There are also lots of other hypoallergenic dogs that would be good with kids available for adoption at rescue organizations across the country.

Should the Obamas Have Adopted a Portuguese Water Dog From a Shelter?

As an animal lover, I had been following the choice of First Family dog in the media, and I was happy to learn the Obamas had settled on a choice of pet. The Portuguese Water Dog should be an excellent choice for the Obamas; however, my heart sank when I learned they wouldn't be adopting a shelter dog.

During the recession, shelters and rescue organizations are swelled to bursting with pets, which have been abandoned or surrendered by devastated owners who are unable to care for them. I feel that Barack and Michelle Obama are in an excellent position to model the behavior of adopting a rescued pet from our nation's shelters, which are now overflowing during these rough economic times.

If Barack Obama and family had adopted their Portuguese Water Dog from a shelter or rescue organization, it would have sent such a powerful message, throwing a spotlight on the issue of abandoned and abused animals, perhaps inspiring others to go out and adopt from shelters also.

Instead, Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, just like Obama supporter Ted Kennedy, obtained their Portuguese Water Dog from a Texas kennel (Ted Kennedy has received several Portuguese Water Dogs from the same kennel where the Obamas obtained their Portuguese Water Dog). The Obamas new Portuguese Water Dog puppy was supposedly returned to the kennel, and this process of a returned dog going home with a new owner is called "re-homing."

I'm all for any dog getting a loving home, but in my opinion, the Obamas dropped the ball when they went to a breeder or kennel instead of a rescue organization or adoption shelter for their new Portuguese Water Dog. It's fantastic news that the First Family is adding a dog to their home; however, should they add another dog to their family in the future, I sincerely hope they check out local or national shelters when they consider another pet.

Sources:

New York Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/04/11/2009-04-11_its_easter_puppy_for_obamas_first_family_getting_portuguese_water_dog_puppy__rep.html

Portuguese Water Dog Breed Information at The American Kennel Club:

http://www.akc.org/breeds/portuguese_water_dog/index.cfm

Adopt a Portuguese Water Dog at Pet Finder:

http://www.petfinder.com/dog-breeds/Portuguese-Water-Dog

Portuguese Water Dog Information at Rescue Web:

http://www.showdogsupersite.com/rescue/rpwd1.html