NEW YORK, April 14, 2009
Is A Dog Like Bo Right For You?
Dr. Debbye Turner Bell On Pros, Cons Of Portuguese Water Dogs; Points To Other Hypoallergenic Breeds
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In undated photo released by White House, President Obama holds daughter Sasha as he pets family's new dog, Bo, as Michelle and Malia Obama look on. (AP Photo/The White House)
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Photo Essay Get To Know "Bo" The Obamas choose a Portuguese water dog as the family's first pet
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The First Family Obama Girls Name Dog "Bo" The White House's new resident: A black-and-white Portuguese water dog.
Portuguese Water Dogs, like the one the Obama girls just got, make great family pets, says The Early Show's resident veterinarian, Dr. Debbye Turner Bell, but they're not necessarily the right choice for everyone seeking a breed considered hypoallergenic.
According to Turner:
The Portuguese Water Dog is a wonderful dog.
From the coast of Portugal, the PWD is a hearty, robust breed that works hard and swims extremely well. They were used as couriers and retrievers for Portuguese fisherman. They retrieved fishing nets, carried messages between boats, and could even dive for fish.
The PWD is a member of the working dog group, which means they are great athletes, very intelligent, and quite trainable. However, PWDs need firm leadership and plenty of physical and intellectual outlets. They shouldn't be left alone all the time, and aren't well-suited to be kept in a kennel all day. They need attention! A PWD owner should be the dog's intellectual equal, or the dog may develop undesirable behaviors.
PWDs are considered "hypoallergenic" because they have a single coat and don't shed excessively. It is important to note that all dogs shed and have the potential to illicit an allergic response in humans. Portuguese Water Dogs come with a wavy or curly coat. And they're most often trimmed in a "working cut" or "lion cut."
Quick facts about Portuguese Water Dogs:
1. Medium in size
2. Hypoallergenic
3. Coat colors: black, white, and various tones of brown
4. Life expectancy: 10 years
For much more on PWDs, visit the Web site of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America.
Turner's favorite "hypoallergenic" breeds:
(All of the following information is directly off the Web site of the American Kennel Club):
For still more on water dogs, click here.
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Add a Comment See all 16 Comments
- SOLARRAYs247 I had a snoodle for sixteen years I just had to put her down in decenber . she was sufferring from trachea collapse syndrome. Her vet. thinks it maybe a record life span for the breed . She weighed 46 lbs. Outside of my timberwolf I have never met a smarter or more dedicated breed of dog. Now caninus lupus is different they are social animals . The female always is the alpha pack animal.When I brought the wolf home she was pup of a wild pair. I raised her with the snoodle . Even though she grew to 129 lb animal the snoodle remained boss all through the years.
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- TinaValant I agree with you. This is not the dog for novice owners, it would have set a wonderful precedent to rescue a dog not attain one from a breeder. Just because this breed was suited to the Kennedy family does not mean it will be suited to the Presidents family..
Breeders fear explosion of interest in Portuguese water dogs
With his playful demeanor and tuxedo-like coat, Bo Obama could be the worst thing that ever happened to Portuguese water dogs.
Portie enthusiasts expressed concerns Monday that the first family?s new pet will spark heightened interest in the breed, giving way to puppy mills and irresponsible owners.
?The fear is that people are going to run right out and get one without doing their homework,? said Stu Freeman, president of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America. ?If the demand is there, we worry that someone we don?t like is going to be there to meet it.?
http://www.freep.com/article/20090414/NEWS15/90414007/1285/Breeders+fear+explosion+of+interest+in+Portuguese+water+dogs - Reply to this comment
- Senator Edward Kennedy gave the children of President OBama a puppy. It's not any more or less than that.
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- Portuguese Water Dog, sounds like something to drink in China.
I'll have a scotch and water, the lady will have a Portuguese Water Dog. - Reply to this comment
- I have a fantastic hypoallergenic dog that I got from the S.P.C.A. in October 2007. Katie is a schnoodle (schnauzer/poodle), and she is an extremely intelligent, gentle, and perceptive dog.
Her original family gave her up because of divorce. This separation proved catastrophic for Katie, because she is a very devoted breed. She appears to still be on the lookout for the small children of that family. To this day, whenever she hears children's voices, she immediately stops what she is doing and looks in the direction of the children. And children are drawn to her like magic!
No one wanted to adopt Katie during her SPCA stay because half of her body was completely shaved. Guess people thought it was mange, but it actually was because no one was taking good care of her and she is allergic to flea bites. Her hair has since grown out, and people constantly comment what a beautiful dog she is.
It is a shame that the Obamas could not find another Katie at a shelter....but that is their private business. Based on the Obama's lifestyle, and especially since neither parent was raised with a dog, Bo could possibly be quite a big challenge for this family. I certainly hope not. It appears that they will have plenty of help. I certainly hope so, for Bo's sake.
There are so many great dogs in shelters awaiting a loving home right now. All breeds, as well as mixed-breeds, are available. A rescued dog is forever grateful for a second chance. - Reply to this comment
- No, this was not the right choice. PWDs are high energy, working dogs, inappropriate for a first time dog owner. How are they ever going to manage a puppy's energy and activity level, and housetraining, with their hectic schedules?
As the mom to five rescued aussies, and a long time adoption advocate, there IS a rescue group for every breed - including PWDs www.pwdca.org/breed/rescue/
Our President could have kept his word, by getting a dog better suited to their lifestyle - a low-dander dog from a shelter. Yes, they are out there, and plenty of people were willing to help with the search.
Pets as gifts rarely work out; obtaining the dog from a breeder is NOT a rescued dog, even IF they make a donation to DC Humane Society.
Here comes the "101 Dalmatians Effect". Puppy millers and backyard breeders will be adding lots of PWDs into the marketplace, because people will want what the first family has. Without the proper research, these dogs will be flooding rescue, shelters and animal control within the next year.
Sorry, Bo, it appears you (and shelter dogs every where) got the short end of the stick. I agree, there are many more important things to be focusing on, than the Obama's family pet.
Disappointed in Florida - Reply to this comment
- Anybody who likes dogs is okay with me. I love dogs because they give unconditional love and loyalty. And I'm really liking the idea of kids and a dog in the White House - it's just so down to earth and "real."
The best day of my life is when I adopted my dog Rowdy from my vet.
There are so many really great dogs (and cats) waiting to be adopted from animal shelters and your local veterinarians. Think about opening your heart and home to a shelter dog - I guarantee you'll be doing a great thing for the dog and yourself, too. - Reply to this comment
- My wife & I adopted a 2yr.old "poodle" from the human society a year and a half ago. A short time ago a woman stopped us on the street and asked us"do you know what kind of dog you have?". She let us know that he has all the traits of a porti. So we have a porti-poo that looks just like Bo but is only 17lbs. He's been a good dog,so soft, and great with kids. He is smart, loving, loyal and a great playmate for us. I've loved the pleasant distraction of Bo's arrival as First Dog and fully expect great things. Our dog Max gives Bo his distant cousin his best wishes as canine leader of the free world.
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- Another promise broken.... you know the Ted had to have asked permission first prior to giving him the k9.
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- This is great that our First fasmily has a dog.
I am very disappointed at the coverage these issues get, instead of the "real news", is President Obama living up to his campaign promises? working the debt fown "from the prior administration". He was part of the Senate/Congress that has approved "all of the prior administrations evils".
Our grandchildren already have a debt they cannot pay,m but this spending cycle we are on will add it to 5 additional generations. I'm not sure this is being fiscally responsible.
Let's not be biased, and report on all adminastrations, and politicians with the same type of scrutinay regarldless of their political affiliation or idealogy. - Reply to this comment
- There are Portuguese Water Dogs in rescue now. With money and trainers at their disposal I don?t understand why President Obama didn?t adopt a dog instead of attaining one from a breeder. No dog is completely hypoallergenic no matter what the breeder may claim,
Portuguese Water Dogs
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
If you want a dog who...
Is medium-sized, strong and durable, athletic and agile
Has a curly or wavy coat
Sheds less than many other breeds, because shed hairs are trapped in the tousled coat
Thrives on vigorous exercise and athletic activities.
Makes a fine watchdog, but is too polite to be a guardian
Is usually fine with other pets
A Portuguese Water Dog may be right for you.
If you don't want to deal with...
Vigorous exercise requirements
Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young
Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough
Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
Regular brushing and clipping
Mouthiness -- carrying and chewing objects, mouthing your hands
A high price tag
Serious health problems
A Portuguese Water Dog may not be right for you.
http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/portuguesewaterdogs.html - Reply to this comment
- Why name a dog B. O. ?
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- "to illicit an allergic response ".. I think you mean "elicit"
"A PWD owner should be the dog's intellectual equal, or the dog may develop undesirable behaviors." While I'm sure the world is full of people (including our last President) who might not be the intellectual equal of a poodle's cousin, I would hope that a dog's master would be that dog's intellectual superior.
CBS News' proofreader's a real bow-wow. - Reply to this comment
- I wish Bo a happy and healthy life and understand that his first time out didn't work out. And, i'm sure that these dogs are good and the news stories offers responsible tips on dog ownership, however, it would be more responsible of CBS and those interested to first consider shelter animals.
there are 4-6 million dogs and cats put down in shelters every year. These, by a vast majority, are very healthy animals that deserve a second chance for a loving family.
Please consider adoption and visit your local shelter. Even if you are not considering bringing a dog into your home, please consider volunteering at your local shelter and help your fellow neighbors. - Reply to this comment
- Portuguese Water Dogs are highly intelligent and are problem solvers. They need challenges or jobs to keep them thinking. If a PWD is left alone too often, they become destructive. As a breeder, I want people to understand that these are wonderful dogs for the right families. Families that will interact with their dogs daily. Families that will take crate training and gentle obedience training seriously. These dogs excel at water training, obedience, agility, herding types of challenges, and tracking. They are immensely loyal to their families. They are great working dogs.
We love our dogs and have turned away prospective owners because they just were not right for the breed. Also if you are considering purchasing a PWD, go to the PWDCA website and read about the health testing that is recommended for breeding. Follow their guidelines in purchasing a healthy dog from an ethical breeder. - Reply to this comment
- Do Portuguese Water Dogs eat linguiça?
See
http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/04/12/bo-obama-first-dog/ - Reply to this comment
