Digit, a three-year-old Portuguese water dog from Charlotte N.C.,competed in the 133rd annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show at Madison Square Garden earlier this month. The show started the night of President Barack Obama's first news conference. The dog, however, did not win Best in Show. (Photo by Mary Altaffer / AP)
by Mark Silva
Stop the presses - or at least spread out the papers.
The first family is zeroing in on its first puppy: Portuguese water dog. Though it may not be a puppy. It may be a mature, rescue creature.
That's the scoop - and they'll need some on the South Lawn - from People.
"You're getting some scoops here,'' People.com reports of a recent conversation with First Lady Michelle Obama -- featured on the cover of the new edition on the newsstands Friday. The dog hunt will start in earnest in April, after the Obama daughters - promised a puppy by their father when he embarked on his campaign for the presidency - finish Spring break.
""You can't get a new dog and then go away for a week,'' the first lady explains. This presidential pet business is serious stuff -- see a gallery.
Their hunt is focused on a rescue Portuguese Water dog (read all about them here) who is "old enough" and a "match" for the family dynamic. "Temperamentally they're supposed to be pretty good," the first lady says of the breed developed by sailors.
Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) who has two of his own, has been lobbying the first family on this matter. And he's not the only fan of the Portugee pups.
"From the size perspective, they're sort of middle of the road - it's not small, but it's not a huge dog,'' she says. "And the folks that we know who own them have raved about them. So that's where we're leaning."
Comments
Dragging out the dog again? For pete's sake get the darn thing!
Posted by: vla | February 25, 2009 12:17 PM
Who really give's a hoot? I'm sure the tax payers are paying for this as well!!
Posted by: skwiat | February 25, 2009 12:35 PM
Of COURSE the Obamas want one of those. That's what Ted Kennedy backs. And Obama will do anything that ted kennedy says. Anything.
Posted by: Lizzie | February 25, 2009 12:47 PM
I agree it gets a little silly all this talk about the Obama's dog. I don't care what breed they get, but what I am excited about - and hope the reporters will stress - is that they're getting a rescue dog. Any publicity about the need to adopt dogs is well worth it to me!
Posted by: Annette | February 25, 2009 1:12 PM
all these people talking about how you don't care about obama's dog but you seem to care enough to read the article and write a comment...we all know that the first dog/cat is always important when we elect a new pres...
Posted by: jaime | February 25, 2009 1:25 PM
What a great choice! We have a Portuguese Water Dog, and it's the best family dog that we've ever had! The unfortunate thing is that our new President is better at choosing pets than he is fixing this economy! Stop bailing out these people that made such stupid mistakes!
Posted by: Glen | February 25, 2009 1:35 PM
Hey, I don't think it's silly! I'm interested. As a dog person myself, I think the selection process is important. It tells me something about them. And I'm pleased those little girls are getting their dog. "All kids need a dog...."
Posted by: Garnett | February 25, 2009 1:42 PM
Thanks for this "news" story. This mutt must be so old by now, it needs to be euthanized.
Posted by: BDD | February 25, 2009 1:45 PM
Fixing the economy....he's only been in office a month and you expect a miracle. Give him a chance to clean up the mess he was left with. As Jamie mentioned, when you elect a new President expect talk about the first pet. Like it or love it President Obama is here for four years, so stop the complaining and give it a chance.
Posted by: kane | February 25, 2009 2:15 PM
Of COURSE the Obamas want one of those. That's what Ted Kennedy backs. And Obama will do anything that ted kennedy says. Anything.
Posted by: Lizzie | February 25, 2009 12:47 PM
I see you've already quit trying to pass yourself off as a Dem today...
The Obama's should get a Pit Bull and then sick it on the Fixed News Channel drones at every press conference.
Posted by: Teresa | February 25, 2009 2:16 PM
We have two Portuguese Water Dogs and they are WONDERFUL pets!
Posted by: Kari Metz | February 25, 2009 2:16 PM
We have two Portuguese Water Dogs and they are WONDERFUL pets!
Posted by: Kari Metz | February 25, 2009 2:16 PM
We have a Labradoodle and they make wonderful pets too. And nothing against Portugal, but shouldn't the president be leading by example and buying American?
Posted by: Larry | February 25, 2009 2:32 PM
Oh I am so glad to know that they are nearing their decision! I've had countless sleepless nights wondering about this very important issue.
Who cares?!
Posted by: Kevin | February 25, 2009 2:56 PM
Good choice Mr. President.
---------------------------------
And we wish you well in Fixing the giant mess you were left by Bush, the GOP and, most especially, the SHAMELESS supporters of the Republican ideology !
Posted by: PulSamsara | February 25, 2009 3:05 PM
I think a Portuguese Water Dog is an excellent choice. If they like Ted Kennedy's dogs, they should talk to the breeder he bought them from. Those who breed for hunting are also breeding for healthy dogs with good temperaments.
Posted by: Tom J | February 25, 2009 3:08 PM
There is no dog breed called americana? Usaer?
Posted by: MR | February 25, 2009 3:31 PM
I find it amusing that even something as simple as a dog in the whitehouse sparks political undertones;-)
Posted by: Gary | February 25, 2009 4:26 PM
Watch it -- there was a caveat in there!
http://lifeisacookie.wordpress.com/2009/02/25/the-inside-pooper-scoop/
Posted by: thecookie | February 25, 2009 4:32 PM
Larry. That has to be the dumbest question in the history of the free world. When your fat ass goes to BK shouldn't you ask for American fries? Instead, what do you ask for...?
Posted by: Stanky | February 25, 2009 4:54 PM
Portuguese water dog photos http://themapicus.com/portuguese-water-dog.html
Posted by: xb | February 25, 2009 6:08 PM
White House choice of Portuguese Water dog stirs fresh citizenship debate
[satire]
Posted by: Pat | February 25, 2009 7:55 PM
Finally a Portuguese in the White House!!!!!!
Posted by: Ana | February 26, 2009 1:24 AM
Noooooo!!! The breed has a relatively small population. I am afraid if the First Family adopts a PWD it could be bad for the breed.
Posted by: Tom B | February 26, 2009 2:44 AM
Rescue dog is actually the most important part of the presidential family decision. and to top if off if the breed is intelligent it is a perfect match.
Posted by: ysee gaudel | February 26, 2009 8:38 AM
This breed makes wonderful pets, and their curly hairs are good for people allergic to dogs.
Posted by: Obama dog | March 12, 2009 9:39 AM
I think I know who the First Dog is...Cappy Kennedy. Here is my theory...
http://dreamdogsart.typepad.com/the_obamas_dog/2009/04/is-this-the-obamas-new-dog.html
Posted by: Moira | April 9, 2009 9:05 PM