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Debate over 'first dog' dominates Obama Web site

BY DENISE FLAIM | denise.flaim@newsday.com

November 8, 2008

Never mind the economy. Hold on a moment, Iraq and Afghanistan.

In his first news conference yesterday as president-elect, Barack Obama said that the issue of a "first dog" for daughters Malia and Sasha had generated more interest on his Web site than any other topic.

But, as with most decisions he has before him, the issues are complex, with "two criteria that have to be reconciled," he said.

First, because 10-year-old Malia is allergic, the dog needs to be hypoallergenic. (While there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog, some non-shedding breeds - poodles, bichons and Portuguese water dogs - have a lower likelihood of triggering allergic responses.)

Second, "our preference is to get a shelter dog," though the president-elect acknowledged this might be a challenge, given that "a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me."

Obama did not comment on recent speculation that Malia's top pick was a goldendoodle - a cross between a golden retriever and poodle where the offspring retains the low-dander coat of the poodle parent.

But such a "designer dog" is likely to raise the hackles of two groups - the American Kennel Club and the Humane Society of the United States - that have offered their partisan expertise in the puppy-selection process: Traditional dog breeders see the hybridizing of purebreds as heretical, and shelter and rescue advocates do not want to encourage any more breeding when the clock is already ticking for many homeless dogs in shelters.

Even in dogs, it seems, politics intrudes.

Good candidates

Breeds that typically don't shed

Poodles

Bichon frise

Portuguese water dogs

Maltese

Schnauzers

Westies (West Highland White Terriers)

Scottish terriers

Goldendoodles