*Sigh*

[Pam]

I heard earlier today that President-elect Obama is thinking of either a Labradoodle or a Portugese Water Dog as a new "First Pet." I really hope he goes with PWD, or this is going to create a run on *designer breed Labradoodles.* If he goes with a Labradoodle I hope it is a rescue. *sigh*

[caseysmom]

I don't know anything about a pwd but I will be upset if he goes with a labradoodle too....isn't Oprah talking to him or what?

[Freedom]

Yup, saw that in our morning news paper.

It DID say they are looking at shelters.

[caseysmom]

I wonder why they don't look for a standard poodle, why a labradoodle...bleh....

[Pam]

I wonder why they don't look for a standard poodle, why a labradoodle...bleh....

I would never come out and say that, but honestly that was my first thought. It is not like grooming (which might be an expense) would be a problem. Aside from that, who wouldn't want one? (OK I know I am a wee bit biased. )

[caseysmom]

I would never come out and say that, but honestly that was my first thought. It is not like grooming (which might be an expense) would be a problem. Aside from that, who wouldn't want one? (OK I know I am a wee bit biased. )

Me too

[Twisterdog]

I would never come out and say that, but honestly that was my first thought. It is not like grooming (which might be an expense) would be a problem. Aside from that, who wouldn't want one? (OK I know I am a wee bit biased. )

I agree. When I saw that headline today I told my employees, "He's thinking a labradoodle!" and their unanimous response was the same ... "What? A labradoodle!? You've got to be kidding!"

Plus, as far as grooming, labradoodles require just as much as standard poodles, at the same cost.

I am praying he goes to a rescue ... but I sense with two little girls, the "But we want a puppy, Daddy!" factor is going to be hard to overcome.

[Alysser]

I just can't see him NOT going with a rescue. It's safe to say about half of America didn't want him as president. Calculate how many are dog lovers, rescuers, animal shelter volunteers, etc. Would he REALLY want to disappoint them? I just don't think it's worth it at all, it would be a dumb thing to do in my opinion. Rest assured he is staying away from BYB's because of a dog named Baby, he said he wants to do something about stopping puppymills and the like. He'd be contradicting himself if he did that!

I'm hoping he'll go for a rescue too, of course.

[Twisterdog]

He is on the cover of American Dog magazine this month, holding Baby, the three-legged bischon. It is, btw, a very good magazine, if you have never read it before.

[Karen]

He said at the beginning they'd be getting a shelter dog - we all know there are plenty of purebreds in shelters, and I doubt any little girl could resist when presented with a rescue doggie!

[scrain2329]

He said at the beginning they'd be getting a shelter dog - we all know there are plenty of purebreds in shelters, and I doubt any little girl could resist when presented with a rescue doggie!

agreed. there are lots of shelter babies that need help too. Whatever the decision; breed, age, anything... we all hope the same thing for the dog. A warm, happy family to grow old with : )

[catnapper]

I was thinking hte same thing... only for a while there he was also looking at Golden-doodles. I like being one of hte only ones with a Callie in my neighborhood. I don't want a hundred others running around..... AND BEING GIVEN UP LIKE SHE WAS BECAUSE THEY HADN'T BARGAINED FOR SUCH A HIGH-ENERGY DOG.

[sasvermont]

I saw an interview on Sunday and as I recall, Michelle and hubby stated that they would begin looking for either dog at shelters. Petfinder would be a good start, I am sure.

I am not convinced that everyone is going to go out and get a "Whitehouse dog". I haven't seen a ton of Scotties running around since Bush started collecting them on his "watch". By the way, as a child, I always wanted a Scottie - thinking that Toto from The Wizard of Oz, was one. I eventually had two Scotties. The power of suggestion is strong, I know. I think movies with dogs in them bring on the "Oh Mom, I want one just like Marley" thinking, much more than a presidental family adopting a shaggy mixed breed dog or a PWH. I could be wrong. We shall see.

I would love to have a standard Poodle too and think they are the best looking and smartest of doggies. I am not home all that often and having a doggie at this stage in my life is not fair to the doggie!

I bet the Obamas get their dog from a shelter. Unlike VP elect, Biden, who just contracted someone to train their new GSD (from a breeder) before it arrrives at his home.

I wonder if Obamas will have someone train their new pup. I think I recall seeing the guy who is in charge of walking etc. Barney, one of the current Whitehouse Scotties - I wonder if his job is secure with the Obamas and if so, maybe he could potty train the pupster before he damages the floors at the WH?

[Twisterdog]

I am not convinced that everyone is going to go out and get a "Whitehouse dog". I haven't seen a ton of Scotties running around since Bush started collecting them on his "watch".

That's a point, since I honestly had no idea that Bush even owned scotties.

However, I think things might be different with the Obamas. They are a younger family with kids, and a lot more people in the market for a dog are going to identify with them, I think.

[cassiesmom]

I was hoping they would adopt a shelter dog before they left Chicago, but then I heard on the news that they've been living in a hotel for a couple of weeks, so adopting before they moved may not have been an option. I'm sure there are lots of good shelters in D.C. that would be happy to have the Obama family as adopters.