American Kennel Club Offers Suggestions For Obama's New 'Number Two'

akc.org ^ | 07/02/08 | akc

[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.

[cubreporter]

Wow. What a report. Glad you know them so well. I didn’t realize that before.

[AnAmericanMother]

When a couple of politicians who have never owned a dog before suddenly and publicly announce (or at least Michelle does) that they are going to get a dog, what do YOU think? We saw how awfully well that worked out with the Clintons . . . .

If I had a litter right now, I would not sell the Obamas a pup at any price given what I know.

If they demonstrated that they are not just doing a political publicity stunt but are actually willing to make a 12-15 year commitment to care for a creature that will depend on them for everything, including proper training, then it might be a different story.

If you get a pup from a reputable breeder, you can expect to be closely questioned on how you're going to care for their pup, training, environment, etc. etc. It's really more a question of YOU being interviewed by the breeder, rather than the other way around. (That's how you know you're getting a good dog.)

[smithone]

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."

I'm going to puke.

[AnAmericanMother]

A Chessie is quite a handful. We have some in the club, and it takes a special person to manage one.

Now that I have some experience, and know some folks with good Chessies, I think I could manage one effectively. There's a particular dry-grass color bitch in the club who is the best-handling hunt test dog I've seen in awhile, as well as being very sweet tempered and good with strangers and other dogs. She is phenomenal. If her owner decides to breed her I would be very tempted.

[smithone]

They don't have time for a dog.

But think of all the wonderful photo ops with the puppy. Unfortunately, a lot of people will buy into it.

[cubreporter]

The Obamas want to get their children a pet.
Why do you compare them to the recklessness of the clintins?

They will do just fine. Johnson’s had pets, Carter, Kennedy, Roosevelt, Bush Sr. and Bush,Jr...Obama and his family will do just fine and so will the animal they adopt.

[smithone]

At the risk of sounding stupid, what is a Chessie?

[txhurl]

The Bedouin’s bred the Saluki in the likeness of the mighty Arabian horse. Grace, speed, endurance and beauty were never compromised and to this day are still the most prominent characteristics of both species. They are clean-cut with silky hair, deep chests and long legs.

Salukis are considered holy and often revered as “a sacred gift of Allah”. The Bedouin’s believe that the “Saluki is the hound of Allah; and must therefore be perfect.” Because the saluki was considered holy they were allowed to live among the tribe in the tents. No other dog or creature was even allowed this privilege.

Because Muslims consider dogs unclean: that's why Obama and his lineage have no experience with them.

http://www.salukis.lv/history.htm

[9YearLurker]

I wonder how they’d do as police sniffer dogs.

[Tribune7]

Who’s the boss of number 2?

[smithone]

They will do just fine. Johnson’s had pets, Carter, Kennedy, Roosevelt, Bush Sr. and Bush,Jr...Obama and his family will do just fine and so will the animal they adopt.

You're talking about people who had always owned dogs, they didn't acquire them for family photo ops and they didn't chose the dog by asking the AKC.

If Obama wants a dog he should adopt one from the Humane Society instead of asking the AKC to pick a breed for him. Also, mutts give off less CO2 emissions. (OK, I made that part up.)

Clinton adopted a dog (Barney?) during the Lewinski scandal. This is the same ploy and it makes me sick. The Clintons couldn't even hire a caretaker who could keep the dog from being killed by a car.

[TornadoAlley3]

grandma?

[peggybac]

Vote here:

http://www.akc.org/poll/special/presidential.cfm

[2nd amendment mama]

Chesapeake Bay Retriever. As I said, they're awesome dogs but not for everyone. They're not like labs as far as temperment goes.

[dfwgator]

[2nd amendment mama]

Yeah, that color is called “deadgrass”. My ex husband still has our deadgrass male. When I left I took my female, Sodapop (she’s on my homepage) who has since gone to the rainbow bridge. I now have Rex, a 125 lb (not at all overweight - just huge) 6 year old male that I rescued 2 1/2 years ago. He’s definitely a handful...LOL

[MediaMole]

Labs will hunt, Terriers will dig and chase vermin

That explains my Lab-Terrier mix's remarkable ability to retrieve dead rodents. "Thank you for dropping that dead chipmunk at my feet." She is the first dog I've had who can actually catch rats and chipmunks.

It makes me wonder why the AKC left Rat Terrier off their list. It seems so appropriate.

[AnAmericanMother]

All those presidents you mention had pets BEFORE they ran for the presidency. The Bushes in particular have always had dogs, mostly spaniels. They didn't just suddenly decide to acquire one as their presidential campaign went national.

This is like the Clintons cynically deciding to get a focus-group tested dog in the middle of the Monica scandal, and then abandoning it to the street when the heat was off.

And this is a family that apparently has never even owned a goldfish before, deciding to take on a dog for the first time in the middle of a grueling presidential run.

As the Church Lady says,

"How conVEEEEEnient!"

[cubreporter]

You are set in your thoughts so no need to carry on this conversation. I hope you have a more positive day.

[AnAmericanMother]

Sodapop looks like a darling. And she has a very soft eye.

We had a great retriever trainer give a seminar at our club -- Carol Cassity, whose own dogs are all Chessies. She says that, while they seem hard-headed, it's mostly because they are very stoic and they're really soft at heart. Her theory is that if you get too firm with them they just shut down on you. Seems to work for her - she has splendid dogs.

Labs are just impervious to discipline -- besides being natural clowns!