NEW YORK, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — President-Elect Barack Obama announced that he has narrowed his search for a canine cabinet member and is seeking to appoint a Portuguese Water Dog or a Labradoodle as America’s first pet. While the AKC does not recognize the Labradoodle (considered a mixed breed), over 42,000 voters on the organization’s web site chose a Poodle as the ideal dog for the Obamas in a poll conducted this summer.
AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson said «One of the great benefits of a purebred dog is predictability — knowing what you are going to get. In the case of someone with allergies this is particularly important, so a Portuguese Water Dog would be a great choice for the Obamas.»
The AKC breed standard for the Portuguese Water Dog describes it as «an animal of spirited disposition, self-willed, brave, and very resistant to fatigue. A dog of exceptional intelligence and a loyal companion.»
The AKC’s dedicated website www.presidentialpup.com provides up-to-date information on Obama’s search for a dog and offers resources related to his search, including America’s choice of first dog, materials on hypoallergenic breeds, and facts on past presidential pets.
For more information on Portuguese Water Dogs visit www.akc.org/breeds/portuguese_water_dog or www.pwdca.org.
The American Kennel Club (AKC), proudly celebrates its 125th Anniversary in 2009. Since 1884 the not-for-profit organization has maintained the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world, and today its rules govern more than 20,000 canine competitions each year. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Along with its nearly 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Companion Animal Recovery and the AKC Museum of the Dog. For more information, visit www.akc.org.
Source: American Kennel Club
