Posted on 07/05/2008 12:57:30 PM PDT by TornadoAlley3
AKC Selects Short List of "Canine Candidates" and Enlists America's Help to Choose the Right Dog Breed for the Obama Family @ www.presidentialpup.com
New York, NY – Vice President isn't the only high-level position that Barack Obama is currently trying to fill. It's been widely reported that – win or lose – the Obamas have promised their two daughters a dog after the presidential election. With 158 breeds registered by the American Kennel Club® (AKC®) – each with its own unique temperament, coat type, size, energy level and appearance – the search for a canine cabinet member is on.
"Deciding what breed to get is as important as deciding whether to get a dog in the first place," says AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "The first step in being a responsible pet owner is to do some serious and careful research to determine which breed of dog is right for you and your family."
The Obama family will be adding a dog to their household for the first time, but according to an Associated Press survey Republican Presidential nominee John McCain and his wife already have 24 pets, including four dogs. The "McCain canines" are an English Springer Spaniel named Sam, two Yorkshire Terriers named Lucy and Desi, and a mixed-breed named Coco. Making up the rest of McCain's menagerie are a cat, two turtles, a ferret, three parakeets and 13 saltwater fish.
As for a breed for the Obamas, the AKC has scoured all of the "canine candidates" to assess each breed's credentials as potential "first pet." Choices were narrowed significantly due to their daughters' allergies. Therefore, AKC experts made the selection from their list of hypoallergenic breeds.
In the true spirit of doggy democracy, the AKC is asking Americans to vote on the breed they think the Obama family should select. The short list of "canine candidates" chosen by the AKC are:
The Bichon Frise (pronounced BEE-shon Free-ZAY) – A small yet sturdy dog with a white, loosely curled double coat, Bichons are naturally sociable. They have a self-assured temperament and are likely to get along with just about everyone (including members of Congress, regardless of party affiliation). Their active, alert and curious personalities make them easy to train, and the breed's history of being a companion to noblemen in the courts of 16th-century France have primed it for a high-profile life in the White House. Learn more at http://www.akc.org/breeds/bichon_frise/.
The Chinese Crested – Their Chinese and African heritage makes for an exotic pedigree, and with its unique appearance it's certain to turn heads. Coming in two varieties, hairless and the powderpuff, Cresteds are lively, playful and alert dogs with plenty of energy. While they are exceptionally loving and affectionate with children, they are only appropriate for mature children who can be taught to handle this diminutive breed gently and responsibly. Learn more at http://www.akc.org/breeds/chinese_crested/.
The Poodle - Although often considered high-maintenance show dogs, Poodles are exceptionally smart and athletic. They excel in obedience training and even as hunting companions. The breed comes in three sizes. While their coat does require frequent grooming, their intelligence and versatility more than make up for the extra care. The Poodle is currently the eighth most popular breed in the U.S., according to AKC registrations statistics (AKC® registration statistics), but it spent more than two decades in the top spot -- a testament to its suitability as a family pet. Learn more at http://www.akc.org/breeds/poodle/.
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier - The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier's coat grows longer on his chin and over his eyes, giving him a scrappy appearance, but this intelligent, affectionate and loving breed makes a dignified companion. The breed's playfulness and courageous spirit would likely make him an ambassador of goodwill in the White House. Despite their affable and gentle nature, they are true terriers and thus must be handled firmly, fairly and with consistency. Learn more at http://www.akc.org/breeds/ soft_coated_wheaten_terrier/.
The Miniature Schnauzer - Schnauzers also come in three sizes (although unlike the Poodle, each size is considered a separate breed). The Miniature Schnauzer is the most popular of the three breeds and is an active, alert dog who loves to be the center of the household. This versatile breed makes a sturdy playmate for kids, is highly intelligent and an excellent watchdog (qualifying him for Secret Service duties perhaps?). Learn more at http://www.akc.org/breeds/miniature_schnauzer/. Cast your vote wisely, making sure to consider the distinct characteristics of each breed and whether it's uniquely suited for the Obama family. In addition to having a hypoallergenic coat, other required qualifications to fill the vacant "presidential pet" post include: child-friendly (Obama has two daughters aged 6 and 9 years); a good travel companion (aboard Air Force One); moderate energy level (appropriate for a child to walk), and of course a stable and social temperament – able to adapt to varied visitors – from heads of state to members of the press corps.
"The breeds we've chosen for the Obama family represent a variety of sizes, energy levels and temperaments, yet all are well-established in their coat type, to ensure that they are a good match for any allergy sufferer," adds Peterson. "Dogs that are AKC registered have pedigrees reaching back often hundreds of years, and so the characteristics that make them better companions for allergy suffers are fixed through decades of breeding for consistent breed type and predictability."
Place your ballot online at www.presidentialpup.com before August 19, 2008. Check the site for the announcement of the winning breed.
Additional information on choosing a hypoallergenic breed can be found online at http://www.akc.org/about/faq_allergies.cfm. To learn more about all 158 AKC registered breeds and responsible dog ownership, visit www.akc.org.
Definitely the Chinese Crested and they should get it in red.
The Obamas don’t seem like warm-hearted dog people. I’m betting the pup would escape at the first opportunity...
I voted for the poodle. Something about the pom poms made me think of Obama.
They're just saying they're going to get a dog, just like Hillary said she was going to adopt a baby and Bill got those poor Chocolate Labs and then never looked at them again.
Just get a Chia Pet or something, already.
(they deserve a Chinese Crested Hairless, though. Those dogs are so inbred and have so many genetic defects that they will certainly keep the Obamas too busy to do too much damage to the government . . . )
They should not get a dog. They are skanky people. The unconditional love and trust of a dog doesn’t seem to fit here. Move on.
With kids it’s a no-brainer, golden retriever.
I think they should just get a female pit bull and name it Hillary (after Sir Edmund of course)
Heinz 57
I agree that they are not qualified to adopt a dog.
As far as breeds go, we have had a lot of luck with mutts. They seem to have the best characteristics of their component breeds. And you can always threaten to send them back to the pound if they don’t behave! ;^)
If I was going to choose a breed for myself, I would consider a Brussels Griffon. They have an insane looking face and look as if were out of a Dr. Seuss book!!
I agree that they are not qualified to adopt a dog.
As far as breeds go, we have had a lot of luck with mutts. They seem to have the best characteristics of their component breeds. And you can always threaten to send them back to the pound if they don’t behave! ;^)
If I was going to choose a breed for myself, I would consider a Brussels Griffon. They have an insane looking face and look as if were out of a Dr. Seuss book!!
Here’s a link to photos on google:
but but mussies dont like dogs...............he he he
"It's been widely reported that – win or lose – the Obamas have promised their two daughters a dog after the presidential election.
Um, no. Not "the Obamas"--just Michelle. A few weeks ago Obama said he wasn't sure the girls were old enough or responsible enough to take care of a dog, and his charming wife instantly and publicly shot him down in a very emasculating way, saying "Don't listen to him. You're going to get a dog." He laughed. Apparently he has been gelded and doesn't mind his wife making him look like a fool in public.
It's going to be a looooong four years.
Nope, the perfect breed is a Silky Terrier, if one needs a devoted pet that is hypoallergenic, loyal, healthy, long lived, and super intelligent:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images/silkyterrierstand.jpg
Yes, that’s a good choice and we had a beautiful, wonderful, smart and loving Yellow Lab. OR they could do the really RIGHT thing and just go to the pound and rescue a little dog sitting there.
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