The website says it’s “win or lose.”
The poodle and the wheaten terrier are tied now!
Bichon. I love Bichons and they don’t shed. They’re cute as hell and aren’t yap-yappy (because I share** Marley’s** prejudice against small dogs). I think they should get a mutt from the pound, but if not, a Bichon.
Yeah, but you know that Canada is really just a part of the United States - we just them them THINK they are their own country with their own culture.
Damn, I wanted to say Border collie.
It’s intelligent, half black, half white…
Beagle. The rest are just dogs.
Not the chinese crested, then the rumor will be that he’s a communist.
Not the poodle, the french thing.
Ditto the bichon.
Not the Schnauser, german = nazi to way too many people still.
That leaves the Wheaten Terrier as the only choice. It is associated with the British Isles, so not too much baggage there. Plus they’re just so freaking cute.
Well shit, that’s not fun!
For now.
I do know that, but Labs are All-American as far as dogs go. It’s an image thing.
We up here in the northern wastes have often noticed how polite, pleasant and just generally nice Minnesotans are. That’s why we call Minnesota ‘Baja Canada’. 
I refuse to vote for those small, yappy dogs. I vote basenji.
Those are some less-than-great breed choices. Chinese Crested? For a POTUS? No way!
I voted Wheaten, but I could support the poodle. I think if you call it a “Standard Poodle” instead of a “Poodle,” it doesn’t evoke the poodle-related negativity so much. Hey, it’s politics. Gotta spin it! Oh, and of course it couldn’t have a doofy haircut.
There is a very big reason why it would be a bad idea for them to choose a Portuguese Water Dog–potential overbreeding. As I understand it, responsible breeding of Porties is a challenge because they’re working from a fairly limited gene pool. There weren’t that many of them at one point. They’re still a lot rarer than they would/should be because of this issue.
If the Obamas chose a Portie, it would lead to a lot more publicity for this breed, and given their wonderful qualities (the dogs, not the Obamas) demand would suddenly skyrocket. And that would be bad. Demand outstrips supply as it is.
(Though come to think of it, demand for the Obamas seems to have skyrocketed as people have become aware of their wonderful qualities too. 
)
Chinese Cresteds are GROSS–they get sunburned, have to be lotioned ferchrissakes, and they get PIMPLES. That’s just naaaaasty…
Wheaten Terrier is the closest thing to a real dog on that list…
Kids need a big dog–maybe they oughta get a Labradoodle or a Goldendoodle. Hypoallergenic but not a rat dog.
I voted poodle, but the Obamadog should be a standard poodle.
Standard poodles are really awesome dogs; smart, good natured, and really trainable. I guess their bad press is from pampered and unbalanced miniature poodles.
Beagles are great but not hypoallergenic.
I voted for the terrier, though.
“Remember girls, you don’t get a cute dog unless daddy wins. now go out there and proselytize!”
I’m not a big dog person, but I liked the Wheaten Terrier the most.
Seconded.
Several of my friends have these “imitation” dogs. IMHO, if it’s the same size as a cat, it shouldn’t be called a dog. Anything that runs around my feet, yaps incessantly, nips at my ankles should be prepared to be treated like a football.
That’s not to say I despise all small dogs. I don’t. But I don’t classify any of the above-listed as “dogs”.
I vote cat. If they’re allergic bath the kitty often and that should help solve the problem. A nice all American domestic short haired orange tabby tom would be the perfect pet. Or a multi-colored calico for presidential symbolism.
American Pit Bull Terrier.
They’re great with children (used to be called “nanny dogs”) and they love strangers. An APBT would be a fine greeter for the White House.
They come in a variety of colors, but half black and half white is a classic look for an APBT.
The very name says “American”, and the American Pit Bull Terrier used to be a symbol of our country.
My wife is allergic to dogs but not to our two (an APBT and a pit bull mix). And they’re shorthaired.
And they sure could use an image boost.
Sailboat
This is a very lame list of options.
The First Dog should not be a small, yappy thing.
Bichons are absolutely wonderful dogs. They’re intelligent, alert, playful, and very affectionate.
I have one. Can you tell?