Meet Bo, The Obamas' New Dog

The country's faltering economy? Piracy at high seas? Concerns about terrorism? Nay, the biggest story in Washington DC these past couple of days revolve around a dog. But not just any dog: he's Bo, the cute Obama dog!

The identity of the first puppy -- the one that the Washington press corps has been yelping about for months, the one President Obama has seemed to delight in dropping hints about -- leaked out Saturday.

The little guy is a six-month-old Portuguese water dog given to the Obama girls as a gift by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts. Malia and Sasha named it Bo. [...]

A secret get-acquainted session with the family occurred at the White House a few weeks ago. The visit, known around the White House as "The Meeting," was a surprise for the girls. Bo charmed the first family, a source who was there said. He sat when the girls sat, stood when the girls stood. He made no toilet errors and did not gnaw on the furniture. Bo has, after all, been receiving lessons in good behavior from the Kennedys' dog trainers. These lessons have been taking place at a secret, undisclosed location outside Washington.

Link (Photo: Pete Souza / White House)


Agree with TBV- wish it had been a shelter dog, but at least it is drawing a lot of attention to the unethical treatment of animals in mills. This video shows all the coverage it has been getting http://tinyurl.com/dmhyoo, and I'm sure there has been more. The Oprah special first aired a while ago, but is getting way more attention now.
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What, there aren't any purebreds in shelters? I admit I haven't been following this story, so maybe it says somewhere that it's not a shelter dog. But I love Portuguese water dogs, so it's all good by me. What sweethearts.
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An elected official breaking promises?!! No wai!

I am disappointed they did not adopt a shelter dog as well. They could have simply said "Thanks Ted, but I promised to get a dog from the shelter."

They could have gotten animals like the Taft or Harrison had. :D

LOL @ Bo Darville.
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Man - I think obama is the best - but dude... you were angling for a man sized dog - let the women take control.

I would have loved to see a white house Australian shepherd or something...
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I'm not so sure that's what the girls wanted / needed. A dog that's potty and stand / sit down when they do trained... How will it take to their wishes, their tricks?

As is, it's a political accessoire, not a pet. My 2 cents.
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This is not a shelter dog, Did they say they were getting a shelter dog, seems I heard that. Hope people do not go crazy breeding PWD now, I really wished they had rescued a dog and gotten it spayed,or neutered, as an example to everyone and to 2 little girls, his daughters.
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Very disappointed that they didn't rescue a dog. There are a lot of rescue organizations out there for pure bred dogs that they could've gotten a dog in need from.
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"According to The Washington Post, which published confirmation of the White House dog news Sunday, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, chose the name because their cousins have a cat named Bo and because Mrs. Obama's father was nicknamed Diddley, as in Bo Diddley."

I guess that is the origin of the name, I got that from People's website.
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Everyone complaining about how they didn't get a rescue... if you remember, they had to make sure they got a specific breed that wouldn't aggravate one of the girl's allergies and asthma. The Portuguese Water Dog happens to be one of those breeds that are fairly well tolerated. They don't shed, some people claim they're hypoallergenic, which isn't exactly true. But given the requirements for the pet... there'd be no guarantee that the girls could tolerate a shelter dog that APPEARS to be a true breed but may be a slight mutt. In this case, it's better not to take the chance and run the risk of finding out after some time that the allergies and asthma would flare up.
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Thank you, JamesM! Some of you people really need to calm down. When all the dog talk started, they specifically said it has to be a breed that won't interfere with the kids' health. There are no guarantees with shelter dogs. They generally don't have papers. I work with dog rescues and even a group specifically for PWD's can't guarantee it's not mixed with another breed. So in the best interest of Sasha and Malia's health, I fully support their decision to accept the purebred dog.

Also - OMG CUTE DOGGY.
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As I said, there are PLENTY of rescues out there for pure bred dogs. Ones that owners just couldn't keep any longer, to ones that were rescued from puppymills, etc etc.
They could've easily found a hypoallergenic dog from one of those organizations.
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And if you consider what a boon to shelters nationwide it would have been if the Obama family adopted a shelter dog... what a missed opportunity.
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Just because a dog from a rescue organization might not have papers, does not mean it is not healthy.
It is not like they can't afford a $100 doggie DNA test either.

Sooo why could the children have not been given allergy shots or meds?
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What a stupid question! Why is the dog (in the white house)black too? Edward Kennedy is white and has black dogs!! Are we dragging animals also into that malignant color racial thing in the USA too? It doesn't take too many year from now, but believe me that only the chinese will be recognized as belonging to a certain race, because of their beautiful chinese eyes.
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WHATS THE FIRST THING OBAMA DOES WHEN HE BECOMES PRESIDENT?
Gets a bloody dog for his kids and thinks
"who cares about politics, I want a dog."

PS.Bo-what a name for a presidents dog-Just as well the kids named it!
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The news here (Chicago 101.9 radio) was reporting the Bo was a dog that was not a good fit for another family. Not sure of the accuracy and it's been a long hard day for me to do my whole 'queen of google' routine.

They got what they decided is the best dog for them.

Yes, a rescue (if it isn't sort of one already) would have been "ideal," but that isn't always the best for the animal or family. They did give an animal a loving caring home with what is probably a pretty pampered existence. Though I see Michelle teaching responsibility and other life lessons to the girls by making them do dog chores.
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For goodness sakes people, the dog was a GIFT from Sen. Ted Kennedy, (who, buy the way, is suffering from Brain Cancer)! The Obamas"s are planning to make a donation to the Washington Humane Society. Some of you people need to stop griping about Bo the dog, because there are far more important issues going on in the world! All of you that are the gripers just need to Stop! You need to get a grip & get a life! If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!
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The dog was a good choice (actually one I'd suggested on-line) and a gift from a friend (not one they bred by the way). I rescued dogs for 19yrs and while I firmly believe in rescueing/adopting...shelter dogs have unknown histories with probable issues....this is the Presidents family dog...seen with people like the Queen of England and living with his young girls. They needed a young dog without prior issues, of an appropriate breed. Not one that they find out 6mths later has aggression issues when it sees someone in a hat. With the current trend of marking a dog vicous for killing a cat (something that comes naturally, like the cat killing birds)...not sure we could forgive the Presidents dog for biting the Queen.
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