2008.11.07
Virginia is for (animal) lovers
Let's stay in the political realm but on a far lighter note.
Sasha and Malia Obama have been promised a new puppy when they move in the White House. Animals are not my thing. I'm allergic to pet hair, and it gets pretty ugly when I'm around them i.e. sneezing, puffy, itchy and watery eyes, etc.
So I turn to you for suggestions of which breed of dog would make a good First Dog for the girls and why? My sister has a beagle, which seems to be peppy, energetic little dog on the rare occasions I'm around him.
I posted a comment in Nona's Happy Wag about getting "the lads" (Dobermans "Zeus" and "Apollo" from Magnum PI)...but I think they'd be more befitting a hawkish President.
I really hope they don't pick something small and yappy...no toy varieties. I'll know we're really going to hell-in-a-handbasket if the first dog turns out to be some noisy doorstop.
How about a nice sheepdog? Or a Saint Bernard?
I LOVED Magnum P.I., though admittedly I paid more attention to the guys than "the lads."--s
Comment by Ed S. — November 7, 2008 @ 11:46 am
That one is up to the kids. But if you were to acquire a puppy, may I recommend a bichon or poodle, since their hair is close to human hair. I've never heard of anyone being allergic to either of those breeds.
Comment by Mike — November 7, 2008 @ 11:51 am
I don't do dogs, just cats...but I'm highly allergic to both, especially the cats. But for some reason I am far less allergic to my own cats than someone elses, I guess I build up a tolerance. I just make sure we vacuum our furniture regularly and keep our floors swept (no carpet, that's a huge help) and run air filters in the larger rooms. But, if I had to recommend a dog, I've always been partial to the Corgi or Shiba Inu because they are smalller dogs.
Comment by Other John — November 7, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
Michelle Obama has promised to get the dog from a rescue group or a shelter. Since one of the girls has allergy problems, may I suggest a greyhound? They are low in dander (which is what makes most people miserable) and thousands of them need to be rescued. Massachusetts voters passed a ban on racing greyhounds on Tuesday.
Greyhounds are regal and I think very presidential looking, too. Perfect for the West Wing.
Comment by nonanelson — November 7, 2008 @ 3:32 pm
How about rescueing a puppy from their local animal shelter?
Comment by Linda Karnes — November 7, 2008 @ 4:10 pm
Shanna,
Being a Virginian, I want to recommend a state breed. I think that one of "Virginia's Finest" Coon hounds would be picture perfect strolling the grounds of the Nations Capital. It has been atleast 40 years (LBJ), I think, since a hunting hound stolled the grounds of the white house. How lovely it would be to see the hounds playing with the kids! They are very docile also, and take direction well, they also eat right from the table.
Hold up, Doug! Do we really want FD (First Dog) lapping up scraps of prime rib from the table when, say, Sarkozy swings through from Paris!?--s
Comment by Doug Goldstein — November 7, 2008 @ 6:22 pm
I think one of Barack Obama's greatest strengths is that he is not the human equivalent of a pedigreed, purebred dog. His mixed parentage, and far more importantly, his experiences as a child and a young man, living in both the white worlds and the black worlds, living in such diverse settings as Hawaii, Indonesia, and Chicago, have given him the ability not only to move in all strata of society, but understand and connect with people from all kinds of backgrounds.
Point two is that while purebred dogs are being sold for hundreds of dollars every day in pet stores, there are mixed-breed mutts in shelters for free that need a home soon or they will be euthanized. They make loyal, intelligent partners, often because they haven't been inbred by humans to the point of absurdity.
Wouldn't it be great (and appropriate) if our president-elect adopted a mutt from the shelter?
Comment by Lance — November 7, 2008 @ 7:51 pm
Finally, my favorite subject and it is mixed with politics!
The First Family (elect) requires a dog that is hypoallergenic and they have expressed a preference for a shelter dog that is more likely to be a mix. I would recommend one of three mixes that offer the best of both breeds. Added advantages: reduced allergens and shedding; family-friendly with soft dispositions; intelligent and easy to train; and they are not yappy!
It is not difficult to find any of these mixes available in shelters and rescue organizations. There are also many reputable breeders who purposely breed these hybrid crosses. The size range of any of these mixes may be Standard (large), Medium or Small and they come in a variety of colors. Lastly, they are cute beyond words!
1) Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever/Poodle)
2) Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever/Poodle)
3) Schnoodle (Schnauzer/Poodle) The smaller variety make good lap dogs.
Now, shall we vote?
Comment by Ms. Goldenwillow — November 7, 2008 @ 9:21 pm
Forget a dog. Get the AFLAC duck.
Comment by Percy Kution — November 7, 2008 @ 9:33 pm
Funny one, Mr. Kution! I remembered your German Shepherd quip (It seems so very long ago that we were talking about Hilary Clinton) and I thought: Uh Oh, the discussion is going to the dogs again! I should know your comments will be anything but predictable. Thanks for the laugh.
Comment by Ms. Goldenwillow — November 7, 2008 @ 11:04 pm
Of all the dogs I ever had, Ernie[Of Bert & Ernie] was the best, and a pound dog, he was a poddle, terrier mix.
No one minute of trouble, ever while those retievers, yorkies,irish setters, and dalmation, were a huge pain.
I'd have Ervie sheared in the summer,and they put a bandana around his neck, but he would hide, he was so ashamed:}
Pound puppy sounds like the best bet, and the point has been made.
Comment by Dona Wheeler/Roanoke — November 8, 2008 @ 1:38 am
As a owner Miniature Schnauzer is a breed of small dog touted as being
hypoallergenic also some R&B female stars own them. This breed can be boisterous, and very energetic and require a lot of attention.
This has the potential of becoming a problem with that breed to explode among African Americans whom will not give adequate time to the dog.
Like rapper's and pitbulls. I am sure Cesar Milan will be available for a
doggy intervention.
Sometimes I wonder........
Why Hillary didn't put a lease on Bill the Presidential Mutt.
sorry couldn't help it.
Comment by Backlash — November 8, 2008 @ 7:52 am
How about a mechanical one...a fake dog for a fake president..
Comment by larry — November 8, 2008 @ 8:09 am
they need to rescue one of MICHEAL VICK's dog... peeerfect for them, pit bulls!
Comment by macrus — November 8, 2008 @ 8:44 am