Presidential dog, adopting a "mutt" from a shelter (?)

[Access]

It's probably a minor thing, but I figured I'd try posting here. I saw this on the news today, they were talking about the presidential dog and how the president had mentioned he wanted to adopt a puppy from an animal shelter. And probably a mixed breed too (called it a "Mutt"). Is this a first?

Every president I can remember has had a dog, and historically I think all but 5 had a dog during their term. More often than not, the dog has been an important part of the image the president seeks to impress upon people. But I always presumed most of these dogs were purebreds and they probably came directly from breeders or even those dreaded 'puppy mills'.

It might sound minor / trivial to others, and forgive me if it is. It just surprised me to hear something like this, I wonder if it's a first. I suppose if any of us ever were to become president, the public would have to get used to having a 'presidential Guinea Pig' instead of a dog But dogs are good too, if adopted. Too many people I've known irl have agreed it is better to adopt only to turn around and buy a dog from a breeder.

[Jenni_Feathers]

Ya, I have heard this. There's been a lot of discussion on it on a dog forum I'm on. I've read he might be wanting a doodle of some sort, even if its a rescue I still kinda hope not. Because if even if he rescues the dog, I'm sure that there's gonna be a ton other people who decide they now want a doodle of some sort, and then go out and buy from BYB or puppymill.

I personally would love to see a bully breed (ie. APBT, Amstaff, Staffy, Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, etc) or molosser breed (ie. Tosa Inu, Rottie, Great Dane, Cane Corso, Boerboel, etc) in the whitehouse someday, probably not for the Obama's though because of their inexperience with dogs.

IMHO the Rottweiler is the perfect family dog but the allergies kinda throw it out the window for them.

So for them, I'm sticking with a rescue mixed breed, who is preferably not any type of doodle.

I would also see a Guinea Piggy in the whitehouse! Granted they do it the right way...C&C cage, veggies daily, hay, having 2 etc. and not just the "petstore standards".

[dra&pigs]

I've heard about this as well. I hope if he adopts, he'll also put out a pro-adopting message. There's no better way to get a message across than for the president himself to state it. Jenni, I would also like to see some piggies in the White House. His little girls would love them, I'm sure, and the cook, well, if he makes gourmet food for the family, why not for the piggies?

[starshine123102]

Is there a way we can all individually send out this message to him about making sure they personally adopt and then so people don't try and copy have him give a message about the importance of adopting? I'm sure people are already doing this bu if we join together and send them, it makes the point even stronger.

I know there was a competition of some sort to determine what kind of dog they should get, but I don't remember the kinds of dogs thatt won.

[Morningstar]

What I've heard is that he would prefer a shelter dog but he needs one that is hypoallergenic because one of his daughters is allergic and he's not sure they can find a hypoallergenic one in a shelter.

[5guinea5pig5]

I heard the dog attacked a reporter.

[Morningstar]

I didn't think they had one yet.

[Jenni_Feathers]

I heard the dog attacked a reporter.

That was Bush's dog. And it was the reporter's fault. If you watch the video, it was obvious that the dog was not wanting to be petted, the handler should have taken her away. But the reporter didn't ask to pet her either.

[Henle15]

Adopting a hypo-allergenic dog should not be a problem as there are plenty of rescues that are purebreed and also shelters will get them in occasionally too. There is absolutely 100% no reason he is not able to adopt a dog that they want, even if its a puppy! With thousands of homeless dogs they should be able to find at least 1 they like. I will be extremely disappointed if they do not adopt instead of buy.

[PixieStix]

I read this and thought this was cool as well. Great way to get out the message!

On the Canadian side of things (not necessarily as exciting), I thought it was interesting the Harpers foster cats for their local SPCA branch in their house on Sussex Drive. Also a good message!

[guineapigluver1]

Ya, I have heard this. There's been a lot of discussion on it on a dog forum I'm on. I've read he might be wanting a doodle of some sort, even if its a rescue I still kinda hope not. Because if even if he rescues the dog, I'm sure that there's gonna be a ton other people who decide they now want a doodle of some sort, and then go out and buy from BYB or puppymill.

I personally would love to see a bully breed (ie. APBT, Amstaff, Staffy, Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, etc) or molosser breed (ie. Tosa Inu, Rottie, Great Dane, Cane Corso, Boerboel, etc) in the whitehouse someday, probably not for the Obama's though because of their inexperience with dogs.

IMHO the Rottweiler is the perfect family dog but the allergies kinda throw it out the window for them.

So for them, I'm sticking with a rescue mixed breed, who is preferably not any type of doodle.

I would also see a Guinea Piggy in the whitehouse! Granted they do it the right way...C&C cage, veggies daily, hay, having 2 etc. and not just the "petstore standards".

I agree with you. Though the reason they probably want a doodle is because they are hypoallergenic...

[PixieStix]

If they are leaning towards a doodle, it would obviously be way better to get a shelter dog (I'm sure they can find a shelter doodle somewhere in the US!) than a puppy from a breeder. Yes, people may be influenced to get a doodle like the Obama's, but maybe they'd check shelters too.

[Newpiggiemom]

Stupid question, what's wrong with a doodle?

[MapleOwl18]

There was a guinea pig in the white house. Or 4 of them

Dr. Johnson, Bishop Doane, Fighting Bob Evans, and Father O'Grady -- Teddy Roosevelt's kids also had these tremendously named guinea pigs

White House pets: Hippo, gator and 'Satan' - CNN.com

[Jenni_Feathers]

Stupid question, what's wrong with a doodle?

There nothing really wrong with a doodle, except for it may encourage more people to go out and buy them.

[lmarieaa]

There are plenty of homeless pure breeds in shelters. Plenty of poodles, and poodles are hypoallergenic. I am sure there others as well

[kavykrazy]

I read a story on yahoo news that they were offered a hairless breed from Peru, a pedigreed one. It is supposed to be a good dog for kids with allergies.

[starshine123102]

I read an artice in my college's newspaper that was saying that there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog.

[guineapigluver1]

You are right there is no such thing as a "truly" hypoallergenic dog but doodles produce less dander then others do. Also a grain free diet (which is best to feed) helps reduce the dander greatly.

[PixieStix]

Yes, I saw the Peruvian hairless dog in the paper the other day. I'm assuming they declined as this dog was obviously not homeless or from a shelter?