Obamas Narrow ‘First Dog’ Search

During an interview last weekend with George Sephanopoulos at ABC News, President-Elect Barack Obama confirmed that he and his family had narrowed the field in their search for the ‘First Dog’ down to either a Portuguese Water Dog or a Labradoodle. While I don’t know why the Obamas nixed the idea of a purebred poodle – it can’t be that they just prefer to have a crossbreed ‘mutt’ since the water dog is considered a purebred in the working group – but Labradoodles can be the next best thing if they can find a reputable breeder.

Because the Obamas are also still strongly intent on getting a shelter dog, they will probably have more luck finding a Labradoodle in such circumstances. These dogs are not reliably hypoallergenic, though, because this is not a breed-true situation. In a single litter of pups, whether from Poodle-Labrador parents or two Labradoodles, there will be a range of coat and hair types, only one or two of which (if you’re lucky) will have the poodle coat’s non-shedding and non-allergic properties. Good luck getting a rescue with just the right coat and personality qualities.

While Labradoodles were originally bred by Australian breeder Wally Conron to provide a Labrador-intelligent service dog with poodle-hypoallergenic coat, purebred poodles are just as good as service dogs and every bit as intelligent as Labs. The Obamas apparently plan to be on the water quite a bit in the next decade, since all these original breeds are water-friendly. In fact, history confirms that the Poodle and the Portuguese Water Dog spring from the same ‘Water Spaniel’ ancestry, then went in different directions regionally. While the Portuguese and Spanish sailors bred to emphasize the water talents, Teutonic and central-northern Europeans bred to emphasize gun tolerance and particular gifts that made Poodles such valuable war and hunting dogs.

One thing that seems to pop up regularly when researching Labradoodles is that crossing two Labradoodles not only results in unpredictable offspring, those offspring are often less intelligent than either Poodles or Labs. They are also subject to some genetic diseases and conditions that are very undesirable, particularly in regards to eyesight. So my advice to the Obamas if they really wish to stay away from real Poodles, is to get an original cross from a Poodle and Labrador. Though I still think a real Poodle is a better bet, and there are rescue societies from which they could get a very nice one.

Plus, there’s an issue with the Water Dog – they require a good deal of exercise in order to stay healthy and fit, and I somehow doubt that any of the Obamas will be encouraged to run their dog through the DC Mall at all hours of the day and night. Poodles also need good exercise, but not nearly so much as a way to prevent overweight issues.

Still, either choice is going to look very cool in the White House and be a comforting presence on a yacht or sailboat whether in the Chesapeake or on Lake Michigan. Best of luck finding just the right dog with just the right temperament, and for that I ALWAYS recommend Poodles and/or Poodle crossbreeds. I’m with the more than 42,000 voters in an AKC poll last summer who recommended a Poodle for a choice Obama told Stephanopoulos was…

“…tougher than finding a commerce secretary.”

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