11-14-2008, 04:39 AM
"This is a major issue," President-elect Barack Obama intoned. He must be talking about the economy. Or General Motors. Maybe Iran? Not quite. It's the Great First Dog Dilemma. Look, the promise of pup must have either been a bribe ("You two promise to always look cute and wave at the cameras and we'll get you a dog") or a present ("Daddy gets the Oval Office and Malia and Sasha get a puppy"). Either way, the guy must have put his two little girls, ages 10 and 7, through the ringer for the past two years, more or less. Why else would the puppy promise come back to haunt him so quickly?
Obama Puppies
Asked what kind of dog he plans to buy for Malia and Sasha, Barack Obama said it's a tossup between a purebred and a mutt like him. Most importantly, it must be hypoallergenic. No worries, Mr. President-elect & Co. We've got it all figured out. Here, our countdown of the top 15 hypoallergenic dogs.
AOL / jupiterimages / Getty Images
#14: MalteseLap dogs for royalty and companions for the rest of us, Maltese are elegant, affectionate and playful. Unfortunately, they are prone to over-pampering, which can lead to obsessive barking and snappiness with outsiders. That won't work.
David Rogowski, AOL
#13: Portuguese Water DogThese wooly canines can't spend enough time in the water. So while they are obedient and playful, unless the Obamas plan on spending a lot of time on the Potomac -- or let this guy take up residence in the White House pool -- it isn't a good match.
Alex Korab, AOL
#12: West Highland White TerrierWho could resist that face? Well, the Obama family should. Here's the challenge of the breed: "Many experienced, as well as inexperienced, dog owners are overwhelmed by the [dogs'] demands." Pass.
Morgan Riehl, AOL
#11: SchnauzerThere are three sizes: standard, miniature and giant. All are considered good family dogs, but with the following caveat: "Like a mischievous and very bright child, they need consistent rules and a firm, but not rough, hand. They will get away with whatever they can and will "rule the roost" before you know it, if allowed." One world leader at time, please.
Photodisc
#10: Airedale TerrierThis pup will do wonders for the president-elect's military cred: Airedale Terriers were long considered the world's top war dog. They are obedient, calm and jolly. But they require weekly brushing and combing, which may aggravate Malia's allergies. Pass.
jupiterimages
#9: Bichon FriseThis adorable white powder puff is all a little girl could ask her. BFs are described as gentle, playful and affectionate. What could be bad? How about their notorious separation anxiety when left alone for even a few hours, often resulting in destructive chewing. Nope.
Getty Images
#8: Italian GreyhoundThis tiny greyhound thrives indoors and is happiest with its (human) family. That is, unless the family includes rambunctious children. And talk about high maintenance. IGs require daily teeth brushing and need their nails ground down twice weekly.
Morgan Riehl, AOL
#7: PoodleDo not be fooled. Poodles may look highfalutin, but they are way intelligent and well-behaved -- even funny. The hitch is that they're known to be fearful and aggressive with poor breeding or improper socialization. Or, what's often known as a shelter dog.
jupiterimages
#6: Shih TzuThis little guy was breed for centuries in Chinese Imperial courts for one reason and only one reason: to be a companion and house pet. Fine, but lets save the ribbons and bows for Malia and Sasha.
David Rogowski, AOL
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"We have two criteria that need to be reconciled," Obama continued. "One is that Malia is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic." And the other is that the family prefers adopting from a rescue shelter rather than a breeder. Their dilemma is not so very unusual; lots of children suffer from allergies and many families have a conscience. And while there is no such thing as a true allergen-free dog, there are loads of options that don't shed and have minimal dander. Some are short-hair canines, some no-hair, others not. Some are little, others not-so-small. While Michelle is busy picking out schools and china, and Barack is surely distracted by, oh, assembling a Cabinet, we've come up with the perfect pooch. What do you think? Permalink | Email this | Comments
Posted on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST at http://www.parentdish.com/2008/11/13/oba...g-dilemma/
Comments: http://www.parentdish.com/2008/11/13/oba.../#comments
Obama Puppies
Asked what kind of dog he plans to buy for Malia and Sasha, Barack Obama said it's a tossup between a purebred and a mutt like him. Most importantly, it must be hypoallergenic. No worries, Mr. President-elect & Co. We've got it all figured out. Here, our countdown of the top 15 hypoallergenic dogs.
AOL / jupiterimages / Getty Images
#14: MalteseLap dogs for royalty and companions for the rest of us, Maltese are elegant, affectionate and playful. Unfortunately, they are prone to over-pampering, which can lead to obsessive barking and snappiness with outsiders. That won't work.
David Rogowski, AOL
#13: Portuguese Water DogThese wooly canines can't spend enough time in the water. So while they are obedient and playful, unless the Obamas plan on spending a lot of time on the Potomac -- or let this guy take up residence in the White House pool -- it isn't a good match.
Alex Korab, AOL
#12: West Highland White TerrierWho could resist that face? Well, the Obama family should. Here's the challenge of the breed: "Many experienced, as well as inexperienced, dog owners are overwhelmed by the [dogs'] demands." Pass.
Morgan Riehl, AOL
#11: SchnauzerThere are three sizes: standard, miniature and giant. All are considered good family dogs, but with the following caveat: "Like a mischievous and very bright child, they need consistent rules and a firm, but not rough, hand. They will get away with whatever they can and will "rule the roost" before you know it, if allowed." One world leader at time, please.
Photodisc
#10: Airedale TerrierThis pup will do wonders for the president-elect's military cred: Airedale Terriers were long considered the world's top war dog. They are obedient, calm and jolly. But they require weekly brushing and combing, which may aggravate Malia's allergies. Pass.
jupiterimages
#9: Bichon FriseThis adorable white powder puff is all a little girl could ask her. BFs are described as gentle, playful and affectionate. What could be bad? How about their notorious separation anxiety when left alone for even a few hours, often resulting in destructive chewing. Nope.
Getty Images
#8: Italian GreyhoundThis tiny greyhound thrives indoors and is happiest with its (human) family. That is, unless the family includes rambunctious children. And talk about high maintenance. IGs require daily teeth brushing and need their nails ground down twice weekly.
Morgan Riehl, AOL
#7: PoodleDo not be fooled. Poodles may look highfalutin, but they are way intelligent and well-behaved -- even funny. The hitch is that they're known to be fearful and aggressive with poor breeding or improper socialization. Or, what's often known as a shelter dog.
jupiterimages
#6: Shih TzuThis little guy was breed for centuries in Chinese Imperial courts for one reason and only one reason: to be a companion and house pet. Fine, but lets save the ribbons and bows for Malia and Sasha.
David Rogowski, AOL
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"We have two criteria that need to be reconciled," Obama continued. "One is that Malia is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic." And the other is that the family prefers adopting from a rescue shelter rather than a breeder. Their dilemma is not so very unusual; lots of children suffer from allergies and many families have a conscience. And while there is no such thing as a true allergen-free dog, there are loads of options that don't shed and have minimal dander. Some are short-hair canines, some no-hair, others not. Some are little, others not-so-small. While Michelle is busy picking out schools and china, and Barack is surely distracted by, oh, assembling a Cabinet, we've come up with the perfect pooch. What do you think? Permalink | Email this | Comments
Posted on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST at http://www.parentdish.com/2008/11/13/oba...g-dilemma/
Comments: http://www.parentdish.com/2008/11/13/oba.../#comments