by Mark Silva
Call him "Bo.''
But, in the registry of the breed, the six-month-old Portuguese water dog that will take up residency at the White House has a more formal name: "Amigo's New Hope.''
That's the registered name of the new first dog, according to the American Kennel Club.
Sasha and Malia Obama, the daughters of President Barack Obama, may have named the pup arriving at the White House this week - that campaign promise fulfilled - as simply "Bo.'' But at the AKC, the first family's new pet remains Amigo's New Hope.
"When a dog is registered, it receives a long name, and then people give it a call name,'' explains Christina Duffney, spokesperson for the AKC.
The AKC-registered name often includes the name of the kennel where the dog was bred. This dog is a gift to the Obamas from Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), who has three Portuguese water dogs of his own.
The AKC reports that the Obamas' new dog, call-name "Bo,'' a litter-mate of Kennedy's PWD pup named "Cappy,'' was bred by Art and Martha Stern, long-time breeders who live near Dallas. They call their kennel Amigo Portuguese Water Dogs.
The breed is only the 64th most popular in the United States, according to AKC registrations. But the presidential selection of a Portuguese water dog as first pet may change all that. The AKC has devoted a new Website to "Bo''and his kind - www.presidentialpup.com.
For whatever name is formally registered for any pure-bred dog - and they can get quite elaborate - the AKC notes that it's common to call the dog by his call name.
"The call name is easier to understand,'' Duffney notes. "Your dog would be a long way down the street if you called it by the registered name.''
And Pennsylvania Avenue is one long road.
(President Barack Obama greets the family's new dog, "Bo," a six-month old Portuguese water dog, as his daughters, Sasha and Malia (right) look on. Photo by Pete Souza / The White House / via Getty Images)
Comments
Registered name versus call name.
Let me help clear up the discrepancy here for you.
EVERY dog in the AKC's registry must have a unique name so that they can easily differentiate one dog from another.
Let's take German Shepherds for an example. If it wasn't for the above rule, there would probably be a couple of hundred German Shepherds (or even just dogs) named Rex, King, Duke, Tramp, etc.
Posted by: W OBrien | April 13, 2009 10:22 AM
They might want to rethink the nickname in terms of training the dog -- "Bo" is awfully close to "No" in sound -- which might be confusing for the puppy.
Posted by: whit spurgeon | April 13, 2009 1:21 PM
bo" puppy! wonderful pubicity PR stunt! been nice if obama family already had a dog" like most americans have. obama says bo is one of the family and will have grits and gravy TV dinner with us while we watch LOU DOBBS! independent truth justice and the american way. AMEN.
Posted by: frank l kinney | April 13, 2009 2:40 PM
I'm happy that the girls have finally gotten their puppy. It is a shame that some cannot allow even this happy, personal, family decision to pass without heaping criticism on our president. Approximately 45% (not "most" if I remember basic percentages) of Americans "already" have a dog. It has been my experience that responsible pet owners rely on common sense when a pet is requested by children. Because they realize that pets are not toys, but instead are living, breathing creatures, responsible adults usually wait until children are old enough to provide a pet's basic daily needs. It seems the Obamas have done just that. Two little girls have been made very happy and Bo will live in a home where he is loved and cared for. How anyone can find room for criticism in that is beyond me.
Posted by: L. V. Hale | April 14, 2009 1:06 AM
my happy that puppy name is same as presidant name both. gladd to see girls happy now. if oblamas not likey puppy me will take her. gud name two, sound like big court in washintan nex for puppy as is spanglish name two. me happy to cry now.
Posted by: fung wang | June 9, 2009 3:19 AM