# Help the Obamas pick a dog! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 8, 2008, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716 "2008-07-08T17:09:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/1 "2008-07-08T17:09:06Z")
Barack Obama has promised his daughters that he will get them a dog after the election. Naturally, the American Kennel Club has pitched in with a [page](http://www.akc.org/poll/special/presidential.cfm) on their website so that you can vote on which breed they should get! The girls have allergies, so the AKC has chosen these five breeds: Bichon Frise Chinese Crested Miniature Schnauzer Poodle (in the lead by a hair as I write this) Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier You can vote only once, so choose carefully! I went with the Wheaten Terrier, but the Bichon Frise looks like a nice dog for two young girls, too. PLEASE not the Chinese Crested… ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/2 "2008-07-08T17:23:07Z")
I like Schnauzers. On the other hand, I do wish Presidents would get shelter dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/3 "2008-07-08T17:25:59Z")
Wheatens were on our short list, but they have a bit of a slobber problem. It is definitely possible to get purebred dogs from shelters or rescue groups, as my purebred rescue corgis will happily confirm. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/4 "2008-07-08T17:52:53Z")
[QUOTE=Zsofia] I like Schnauzers. On the other hand, I do wish Presidents would get shelter dogs. [/QUOTE] I thought Clinton got Buddy from a shelter. Anybody remember? I just tried to look it up, but I didn’t find an answer. I did, however, learn that Buddy was killed by a car a few years ago, which made me sad to hear. I don’t care what kind of dog they get, as long as it’s not a poodle. I just have an irrational loathing of poodles. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/5 "2008-07-08T18:13:01Z")
Basset hound. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/6 "2008-07-08T18:45:05Z")
[QUOTE=Bayard] I thought Clinton got Buddy from a shelter. Anybody remember? I just tried to look it up, but I didn’t find an answer. I did, however, learn that Buddy was killed by a car a few years ago, which made me sad to hear. I don’t care what kind of dog they get, as long as it’s not a poodle. I just have an irrational loathing of poodles. [/QUOTE] I like them standard poodles; they’re cool dogs. Not down with toy anythings, though. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/7 "2008-07-08T18:47:09Z")
Chinese Crested. Ain’t the dog’s fault if they’re ugly, and actually a pretty Chinese Crested is pretty [pretty](http://ihasahotdog.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/funny-dog-pictures-new-not-blind-stylist.jpg). I remember feeling bad for Sam the World’s Ugliest Dog when he died. Supposedly he was a good pup–just ugleh. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/8 "2008-07-08T18:48:11Z")
Hey, Sam was loved. He didn’t know he was ugly. And that picture isn’t really what I’d call pretty. I mean, pretty compared to dear Sam, but not _pretty_. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/9 "2008-07-08T19:07:20Z")
If I may fly off the handle for a moment… I hate small dogs. I really fucking hate small dogs. Most of them are bug-eyed, irritating and hideous, and as far as I’m concerned, they’re no good for the things you want a family dog for, like romping with the kids. Image-wise, small dogs are Unamerican, and really elitist. If there is any element of political calculation involved here, Obama has to know that the worst thing he could do is pick some snobby, trendy dog like a King Charles Spaniel or one of those dogs with an irritatingly cute name made from the combined names of two other annoyingly cute breeds. A poodle is big enough to be serviceable as a political family dog, assuming they treat it like John Steinbeck’s Charley and don’t give it a horrible assbaring haircut. So that’d be my pick if I had to choose from the AKC list. If allergies are a problem for the kids, I think they should look into getting a Portuguese Water Dog. Granted, it’s got the name of another country in there, so it’s not quite as wholesome as a Lab or a Golden or Border Collie, but they’re friendly, good-size, hypoallergenic dogs. They’re rambunctious and I wouldn’t want one myself, but I think that’s a better pick than any of these miniature things. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/10 "2008-07-08T19:15:31Z")
Thanks for playing, guys. The correct answer is “beagle”. “Beagle”. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/11 "2008-07-08T19:29:47Z")
Poodle -YES- Foreign, but if given a normal hairstyle, and NOT miniature, and no dumb names, would be acceptable. Fang, Khan, Kirk, Conan, Elvira (if black, and referred to as “mistress of the dark”), Duke and Churchill (if political name required) would be acceptable. #1 choice. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier -YES- but terriers are very persistant dogs, not unlike presidential candidates. Do we want two of these in the same house? #2 Miniature Schnauzer -Maybe- miniature. Otherwise possible. #3 Bichon Frise - NO - Cannot have poofy dog and stare down the other guy. Images of the president walking one of these would be worse for US standing in the world than appointing Jenna to the UN. Also, POTUS cannot have dog breed the name of which most 'Mericans cannot pronounce or spell. Chinese Crested -NO- Foreign, wierd, nakedy, disturbing. Looks it has radiation sickness, so there is the benefit that it would make him think twice before ordering first strike. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/12 "2008-07-08T19:50:30Z")
Dogs are filthy and should not be allowed in the White House. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/13 "2008-07-08T20:00:41Z")
If his daughters are allergic, the only dog he should get is a hot dog. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/14 "2008-07-08T20:01:59Z")
Since Shiba Inu has already been eliminated… Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, FTW If you’ve never petted one, when they say “Soft Coated,” they damn well mean it. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/15 "2008-07-08T20:06:50Z")
The Wheaten. We can’t have a poodle - too associated with the French. I suppose we could have a Freedom Poodle. Same thing with the Bichon. While we are currently friends with the Germans, a Schnauzer would offend those that still have strong feelings toward the Nazis. And the Chinese - lets not even go there. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/16 "2008-07-08T20:10:17Z")
[QUOTE=Bayard] I thought Clinton got Buddy from a shelter. Anybody remember? I just tried to look it up, but I didn’t find an answer. I did, however, learn that Buddy was killed by a car a few years ago, which made me sad to hear. I don’t care what kind of dog they get, as long as it’s not a poodle. \*\* I just have an irrational loathing of poodles.\*\* [/QUOTE] I was the same at one time, but then I met one that didn’t have shaved legs , looked just like a Rastafarian , and funnily enough, was called Marley. Although I still think the show types look a bit ‘poncey’, I accept it is their owners faults, and I am far more tolerant of them now. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/17 "2008-07-08T20:20:28Z")
Do they only get dogs if he wins? ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/18 "2008-07-08T20:24:21Z")
P.S. Surely it has got to be the **“bitchin’ fries”** for an American!!! 😛 Sorry, I can’t edit just yet, but I’ll be treating myself to a subscription later this week! ---
**Author:** ![aerodave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f08c70/32.png) [@aerodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aerodave)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/19 "2008-07-08T20:33:16Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] I think they should look into getting a Portuguese Water Dog. Granted, it’s got the name of another country in there, so it’s not quite as wholesome as a Lab [/QUOTE] You do know that Labrador is a part of Canada, right? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716/20 "2008-07-08T20:34:20Z")
There is a reason for the weird Poodle cut. From [Wikipedia.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poodle) Poodles are retrievers, or gun dogs, and can still be seen in that role. The show clips evolved from working clips, which originally provided warmth to major joints when the dogs were immersed in cold water. The rest of the body is shaved for less drag in the water. Still doesn’t excuse it. 😃 I like the Wheaten. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-obamas-pick-a-dog/455716.md?page=2)