The Obama Dog Blog

Obama Dog Correction: Durbin Did Not Say Portie

Greg Nelson of Labradoodles for Obama just pointed out that in his WBBM-AM Newsradio interview, Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois did not confirm the Obama dog's breed.  As you can tell, Greg is still hoping, against all odds and reported gossip, that the new First Pup will be a Labradoodle and not a Portie.

Photo courtesy of PetCareTips.

Developing...

CBS Investigates the Obama Dog's Arrival

With their best reporters working their sources, some even traveling with the President, CBS still has zilch about the First Dog's arrival. Sally Quinn calls it, "the best kept secret in Washington."

Read the full story.

Hat tip to Greg Nelson of Labradoodles for Obama for sending me this story.  Keep them coming.

Obamas Do Not Have A Dog Yet

According to Chicago Sun-Times reporter Lynn Sweet, who has been tracking the Obama puppy story since the President's first press conference (thanks, Lynn), the Obamas have not yet chosen a dog. 

Yesterday she spoke with Obama White House East Wing staff about a report in People Magazine that a puppy has been selected.  They told her, "The Obamas have not yet selected a dog."  And although the First Lady seemed partial to a Portuguese Water Dog in an interview in the new People Magazine out Friday, one is not to read into that, [Lynn] was told, a decision.

Hat tip again to Greg Nelson and Arbo at Labradoodles for Obama who have renewed hope after a roller coaster day.

But, know that my inside Portie sources in the D.C. area are feeling very confident that the Portuguese Water Dog will triumph in the end.

Please continue to email me tips.

Image courtesy of Dogs Trust, a rescue dog agency in the UK

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Obama in Canada: Will He Bring Back a Labradoodle?

Obama Lands in Canada.  AP Photo.

President Barack Obama landed in Ottawa,Canada today for his first international trip as President of the United States.  The six-hour visit will focus on the economy and the environment, but the burning question in the dog world is will he bring back the rescued Labradoodle puppy the Canadians would like to gift him?  Arbo, a Labradoodle himself, over at Labrodoodles for Obama is tracking the story.

Canada Has Rare Rescue Labradoodle For The Obamas

Is this Blackie and why?

The Scottish Terrier and Dog News looks into the possibility that Canada may gift President Obama a Labradoodle puppy from a rescue dog's recent litter.  The Humane Society's president Bill McDonald thinks one of these puppies might be a perfect fit:

"It really just started to click for me," he told the newspaper. "And when it was announced that his first state visit would be to Canada, I thought why not offer a Labradoodle as a gift?"

To make his point, Mr. McDonald wrote a letter last week outlining the proposition to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Within 24 hours, he got a reply saying that his letter had been passed on to Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon.

"My sense is that there is now some policy wonk looking the matter, and checking to see if a live animal gift would be appropriate," Mr. McDonald said.  (read more)

Seems like a win/win except for the fact that the puppy in question is supposedly named Blackie.  Read The Scottish Terrier and Dog News for more information and some funny reader comments about the ramifications of this questionably named gift.

Note: We still don't know if the above Labradoodle photo released by Canada's Humane Society is the actual puppy.  And if so, why is he named Blackie?  Developing...

1.26.09 Update:  SFgate.com posted this photo of the Labradoodle to be gifted by Canada to President Obama.  I an guessing he the real Blackie...

The Labradoodles Start Lobbying

Just received in my inbox from Labrodoodles for Obama:

Dear Mr. President-Elect , Mrs. Obama, Sasha & Malia,

On behalf of all dogs in DC I would like to welcome you to Washington. I am so excited to hear that you are considering a Ladradoodle for the White House.  As your closest Labradoodle neighbor I wanted to let you know the benefits of Labradoodle ownership. Labrdoodles are “SUPER FUN”, “SUPER CUTE” & “SUPER SMART”.  We also don’t shed and are hypoallergenic.

I love living in DC and I am always trying to recruit other Labradoodles to move here. I also think the South Lawn would make an AWESOME dog park.

So PLEASE VOTE LABRADOODLE and bring one home to the White House soon!

Wags & Wet Kisses,

Arbo
President
Labradoodles For Obama
1609 16th Street , NW
Wasington, DC 20009

Paid for by Labradoodles for Obama

How will he decide?!

Obama's Dog: Labradoodle or Portuguese Water Dog

Caren Bohan of Reuters reports:

“We’re closing in on it,” Obama said in an interview with ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos”. He said his daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, had decided they wanted a medium-sized dog and were looking closely at a labradoodle or a Portuguese water hound.

Willy, founder of Porties for Obama, raised lots of money for President-elect Obama, but there was no pay to play.  (Photo by Lee Anderson).

By all accounts Buddy proves a Labradoodle is a happy, family friendly breed.  But, some Portie folks claim that Labradoodles are NOT hypo-allergenic.  Stay tuned.  This is getting exciting!