Can every dog have its day?
Photo by tore_urnes 
The Obamas’ search for a family pet has been generating a fair amount of interest for the last few months. Well, it seems the wait has ended and the first pooch has finally taken his post, but not without controversy. The Obamas had indicated that they intended to rescue a dog, presumably from a shelter or breed rescue organization. But Bo, their new Portuguese Water Dog, is having his street cred challenged by those who don’t believe he fits the image of a true “rescue dog.” I won’t go into all the details (feel free to read this article for a full explanation of the debated intricacies), but what interested me was the wider debate about rescued dogs versus dogs bought from responsible breeders or dog sellers. When did adopting a rescue dog become the only politically correct choice? Why has purchasing a dog from a breeder become so stigmatized?
Certainly, there are many valid and compelling reasons to rescue a pet. Many of the dog pounds and animal shelters in this country are terribly overcrowded, and rescuing a dog helps ease this burden. If you are willing to put in the time and energy, you can find dogs of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments waiting to be matched with suitable owners. Many of the rescued dogs I’ve known have a sweetness and gentility that I’ve not seen in other dogs. In fact, my mom currently lives with a wonderful dachshund named Franny that was adopted from a breed rescue organization. Franny is the sweetest, most appreciative dog I’ve ever known, but she’s not without her issues.
You see, rescuing a dog is not for everyone. Adopters generally know little about their dog’s history and lineage. People looking for specific traits in their pet, like advanced herding skills or a natural ability to retrieve, might be better off purchasing from responsible breeder. Owners with special needs, like those with allergies, small children, or other pets, might also prefer a dog whose health and behavioral traits are more predictable. Furthermore, many rescued dogs need extra training to becoming socialized or housebroken. Franny, for example, is extremely timid and shy of strangers and has a habit of urinating whenever she’s approached by an unfamiliar person or taken to an unfamiliar environment. Fortunately, my mom has the time, patience, and inclination to put in the extra work that Franny requires.
Cornelius Q. Rockefeller III makes a great point: Where President Obama’s dog comes from is not really the issue. What is more important is “that he gets a dog that meets his needs, whether it’s a mutt or purebred.” However you and your dog find each other, what truly matters is the manner in which you care for it. Choosing a compatible dog for your family ensures that you and your pet can coexist peacefully and responsibly, and lessens the chance that the dog will end up needing to be rescued by someone else.
Where do you stand on the rescue vs. breeder debate? And what advice can you offer the Obamas for getting along with their new family member?
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I think that people should start focusing on real issues, not on where the Obamas got their dog.
what i find stupid is those that claim that getting a dog from a breeder is killing the dogs at a shelter. So much goes into getting a dog. You can’t just go to the local human society or breed rescue and walk out with a dog. I agree personality and traits plays so much in it. If that perfect dog for the home is from a breeder or from a shelter who cares. Honestly its reresponsible owners who don’t that that time to find the right dog who are reponsible for the number of dogs in our shelters.
most people don’t like the idea of gettings dogs from breeders because these “breeders” are back yard breeders or puppy mills and people don’t take the time to educate them selves nor do they want to pay the price for a well bred puppy. well sometimes they over pay for a horribly bred puppy. that’s why rescueing dogs is pushed really hard. and now that obama has a pwd i bet the population of the pwd is gonna grow via back yard breeders.
It does matter where your dog comes from. Buying your dog from a BYB, Puppy mill or a Pet store sentences many more dogs to die in our shelters or our streets. Most people can find the perfect dog at a shelter and the rest can get the specific dog they are looking for from a reputable breeder. I am glad that the 1st family has found the perfect dog for them and wish them many years of happiness with Bo. And I am really happy that they did not get a so called “Hybrid” dog, or as some of us prefer to call them “overpriced mutts”.
I disagree with you. Obama is in many ways a role model, and so the responsible choice would be to rescue a dog from the shelter. That would set a good example and would likely significantly increase the amount of dogs taken out of shelters into good homes.
None of your reasons as to why a dog should not be rescued apply in this case. The first two do not apply. The last one? Well, they could easily have hired a dog trainer or they could have chosen a tame dog or they could have gotten a puppy. All these options are better than getting a dog from a breeder.
I think that you are wrong and you are just providing excuses for many people who do not want to make the effort to find a dog in a shelter. (I’m not talking about those who are looking for say, a breed that they are not allergic to, but rather, the majority of people who are just lazy and/or ignorant.)
The first problem with the dog that I noticed right away is that the animal is not a cat. Other than that if they really picked out a dog, themselves, they probably like that dog and that is the only policy that really matters to the dog, since that is all that matters as the dog can not take care of itself, but, only offer love and laughter. Good luck doggie, you will probably start getting letters and even I know they can look forever and no dog can read. Have fun anyway puppy, Truly, from an United States Citizen, Susan D. Snavely.
i think we as Americans always choose to pay attention to the unneccessary bullshit that has no direct significance in our lives. Where they got it, what breed it is, or how they are going to train should be no immediate concern to the public. Like really, who cares?
Other issues are more important to be followed not this. But if we are just giving some spotlight to this type of matter to aleviate our concerns for everything else, so be it.
Who cares?
Not all breeders are puppy mills or back yard breeders. There are many of us who raise dogs to comply with the breed standards not only in appearance, but in temperament and suitability for the tasks the breed originated for. We certify to the quality of our dogs through training and showing them, not just in conformation shows, but in other performance events and breed specific trials as well. Reputable breeders also screen for a myriad of potential health problems before breeding to ensure the best possible quality of any puppies they raise.
This cannot be said regarding any mixed breed dog, where devastating health problems can make an appearance in puppies bred from untested parents. Hybrid vigor is a myth when it comes to mixed breed and designer dogs. If two unrelated dogs of different breeds both carry genes for a particular health issue, the resulting puppies are more likely, not less, to inherit the problem. Commercial kennels, backyard breeders and those breeding designer mixes do not do health screens. Responsible breeders do.
The animal rights movement would have you believe that all breeders are bad, that all purebred dogs are bad and that using a dog (or any other animal) for any purpose is exploitative and wrong. They preach that buying from a breeder is killing a shelter dog. This simply is not true. Many shelters find themselves in the odd position of having to import dogs from other states and even other countries in order to supply the public with rescued dogs. Throughout the country the rates of shelter turn ins have gone down due to voluntary spay neuter programs and education of the public regarding dog ownership.
In the case of the Obama’s, they are dealing with a child who has allergies to dogs. There are only a few breeds that are considered hypoallergenic, and there are no shelter dogs of guaranteed heritage to ensure that the dog they adopt will not have to be given up due to health problems in their child. The Portuguese water dog is a relatively new breed in this country. The breed itself was rescued from extinction in Portugal and breeders take great pains to ensure the quality of the dogs they produce. As with most breeds, the PWD clubs run an outstanding rescue program and as a result, there are very few rescue porties available.
I applaud the Obama family in selecting a dog with a very good chance of fitting in with their family.
His daughter is allergic to most breeds of dogs. PWDs are one of the FEW breeds that don’t aggravate allergies. Were they supposed to sit around waiting forever until one was put in a shelter?
Mike,
Go ahead and just try to get a dog from a shelter or a rescue.
Those people are not easy to get along with the shelter asks ridiculous sums of money and usually demand vet checks and training or be charged extra.
The rescues might be cheaper but they want to do the home invasion thing; looking your property over, asking who lives in your home, who will care for the dog when you are not home, etc. You get a thousand questions and they want references!
If the shelter would lower prices and the rescues quit being so darn nosy more would be taken out of the situation.
As it is I will rescue the neighborhood cats who have no one to demand fees for or demand if I am good enough to give them a home.
(I do have an 8 year old dog from a rescue but it was a lot of paperwork. I will most likely never do it again).
Are we seriously discussing where the dog comes from. People need to get a life I really wouldn’t care if they got a cat or no pet at all. I wish people would focus on important issues that deal with our communities. Everyone always wants to give there two cents.
I love getting my dog from a shelter, it nice to have a surprise on how the dog behaves and it helps save a life. But I agree that its not for everyone. If you chose a dog from a shelter just to chose a dog for a shelter, you may not be happy with the animal. Dogs from shelters tend to pick up bad habits, be shy, etc. If adapting from a shelter means picking a bad choice, chances are the dog will just be taken back to the shelter, and how does that help anyone at all?
I do not agree with people who make others “responsible” to adopt an animal from a shelter. The animal ended up in a shelter because the irresponsible previous owner didn’t do his/her part. Why should others made feel guilty if they don’t find the animal of their choice at a shelter?
Personally, I would adopt an animal from a shelter… and have done so.
As long as the animal is a small breed, short hair dog/cat… I can find something to love.
But others might not feel like I do and their choices, views and needs deserve respect.
To be honest I highly dislike the insurmountable coverage that the dog has generated. No offence but I do not care either way. I suggest America get back to the real issues. I suggest the media do the same.
USMC Wife/ Pit bull Mama comment is near word for word what I’ve been reading in all the blog posts over Champ and Bo.
I don’t support puppy mills and the smaller bybs. However I don’t see why people sit around bashing responsible breeders and pet stores. I’ve gotten dogs from both a kennel and a shelter. It has been a matter of find a dog that works for my family. In one case it was a mix breed puppy from the kennel down the street, in another case it was a 2 year old dog (should i even call that lazy bum a dog ^_^) from the shelter. We looked at both places both times, and it was about the right fit.
Shelter dogs can be difficult for some people, and take a different set of understanding and patience (like the bum marking everything in my house). For them it really is better to have a dog who’s background is known.
Irresponible owners who get a dog/puppy they are prepared to take care of and those who do not spad/nuetor their pets are the ones that contribute to the problem. Puppy mills and large-yeld breeders also contribute to an large number of dogs. However, for someone to buy a puppy from a breeder leading to a dog being killed? That comment is irresponsable propraganda.
Sheila, the Obamas *were* looking for a breed they are not allergic to, or rather, that Malia would not be allergic to.
i have a a beautiful spanish water dog. they are so lovable and cute, people get mixed up with the portugese water dog and the spanish water dog which is not good. portugese water dogs are agresive not like the spanish water dog. they are cut in a horrible way half shaved and half with hair look them up horrid.
What Obama does about the pirates and the terrorists is of considerably greater relevance than where he got a pet. However, since that is the topic of the debate, people are much too worried about what is PC these days. I do Australian shepherd rescue and have done so for about 15 years. I also have two Aussies of my own that I bought from breeders who produce the type of dog I like. A rescued Aussie may or may not have the drive and competitiveness needed to excel at the sports I’m in. A puppy born to parents with these traits and tested for their presence when he’s 6-8 wks old is much more likely to posess those traits in strong measure. Most of my rescue buddies also have at least one of their personal dogs from a breeder; some even show in conformation.
If this is still America, Land of the Free, you should be able to choose the dog you want, for WHATEVER reason, without others feeling the need to berate you for it. That includes crossbred overpriced mutts.
While it would have been nice for the Obama family to be able to choose a pet from the shelter, if one really thinks about it that would not have been a wise thing to do. Imagine the poor animals in the shelter with the news media falling all over themselves, screaming questions at the family, the lights, the cameras, etc. The poor animals would be traumatized. Not to mention Malia has some health issues and could possibly have had some reaction to the animals as the family walked through the shelter. Yes it would have been nice if the family could have done what everyone seems to think would have been the right thing, but to me, with all my arguments, I think they did what was right for them. Others would have to make the choice and do what is right for them.
Sheila,
You are so ignorant yourself. People don’t have the time and money that you think they do in order to do the research that you are expecting them to do. They are not lazy. It’s the circumstances that society face. There are many people out there who are hardworking people who wants a pet to lighten up their day when they get home from a stressful day. They will not have the time to go and find a dog who is bad tempered, etc etc. They won’t even have the time and money to go get a personal trainer.
I completely 100% agree with the writer of this article. I think an owner should find a suitable dog that they can stand to keep in their home for as long as the dog lives.
Dogs are people too! I say that because every dog has a personality. There are many reasons dogs wind up being in shelters. Some of it has to do with personality. Some dogs will not tolerate being fenced, chained up, or inhibited in any way. They simply must be free in a society that can no longer allow that. They are incorrigible. It is the call of the wild! Therefore, not all shelter dogs are for adopting. That there are some that are is undisputed.
So who cares as there a more important things Obama should be focusing is attention. It certainly is not”newsworthy” event. Mayor Baret from Milwaukee has same breed and emailed BHO about the breed according to my info (I am from Milwaukee and this was in the “News” also–what a joke however). Personally we always had a dog obtained from various sources but never a pet store or puppy mill or flea market; but the last 3 pets have been a black cat as I could not have a dog in my condo. @ of the cats were/are from the Humane Society and proved to be excellent pets. The second on lasted 19 years and has just been replaced upon his death with another wonderful animal from the H. S.
i am happy to hear they have thier dog now. but we need to stop focusing on the dog and get on with the way we are living many people are getting laid off each day, i am one of them and jobs are hard to find. let the little girls enjoy thier dog as they should and let us adults try to get our lives back togther.
Well, I have two rescued dogs from the county pound. I love both dearly, yet it takes lots of work taming a rescued dog.
I thought I was doing the right thing and felt sorry for the poor little abandoned dogs in shelters. Yes they are the underdogs. However they are not for the timid or the inexperienced dog owner.
The Obama’s new dog is a nice addition to the White House. I think that it was a good choice. You should never pick a dog based on popular opinion. You should find the breed and size that is the best match to your life style.
All dogs are cool; mutts and purebreeds all need good homes and lots of love and care.
This is America and in America we have certain personal rights. The Obamas certainly have the same rights as the rest of us to chose the pet that fits their family the best. Yes Pres.Obama and his family are role models for many people. but this is going to mean different things to everyone. I do not expect that the Obamas should completly change who they are as a family to make me happy about the pet they choose, because it will never be my pet. What I expect from our newest President is that “he” not his family, do his best to make our country a better place to live where our personal fgreedoms are ours.
By the way I have adopted cats from the Humane Society and they were great. How ever when my parents tried to adopt a puppy for my father who is a young 86 years old this April they turned him down because some one with small children wanted the same puppy, and they would have more time for it than my father, what a load. The breeder they bought their new puppy from only cared that it would have a good home with some one who would have time for a puppy, and if my father gets to old to take care of it I will. But this turned me off the whole adopted a dog thing.
Um, why do people care if you buy from backyard breeders? I swear to god to all of you, most of those so-called “bad” dogs are going to end up at the shelter anyway, and isn’t the shelter the “best” place to buy a dog, like all you ‘pet obsessers’ say? I know you all say…”Then you’ll be giving them money!” Well, we can’t change the fact that they’ll always have money flowing in!
In this economy, we should be talking about real world issues. I mean, why is this featured? This isn’t really important! We could look this up on like Google if we wanted to (no offense to the other search engine Yahoo)
Three words – absolutely lame, lame.
I think that people have the right to get their pet from wherever they choose and it is nobody elses business unless the owners are abusive to the animal. I grew up on a farm and no one had more compassion for animals of any kind than I did. If a stray wandered in to our place we would first look for the owner and then if none was found, we would keep it. We had lots of cats and dogs and none ever were hungry or neglected.
In the 26 years that I have been married and lived on the same 400 acre farm and raised 5 children we have had many pets. The 1st two were cats but found at other farms as kittens. The next one was a poodle which we bought from a family raised owner. She lived for 12 years.The next came from the shelter, we had to buy him. And 6 months later we took him back because he was chasing our little lambs. We had to pay to have them take him back. Then we got another mixed bred from another private family at no cost. She lived for 16 years. At the same time we bought another rescue dog, she was 3 years old and had been badly abused. She didn,t bark for 2 weeks. It took us 4 months to clear up her kennel cough. She lived with us for 15 years. Also during that time we were given a 3 month old large mixed bred dog which had been thrown in the ditch. He is 10 years old and still alive. We took in a 2 year old toy poodle 14 years ago. He was a runt and has one deformed foot. We still have him. We took in a beautiful cat and loved him, But one day when he was out hunting he never returned. I think an eagle took him. Our last addition was a chihuahua which we bought from a private breeder also, She has been a pure joy. I have saved pigeons, wild rabbits, baby lambs, cats. I have loved everyone of my animals as have the rest of my family. We would take them all in if we could. I will absolutely never buy from a puppy mill and I hate seeing animals in the pet stores and refuse to by from there. When it comes down to getting a pet, it depends on what we are looking for at the time not where it comes from. I have seen many of my beloved pets put to sleep or found them where they have wandered off to die. I have had my husband put a pet down because it was injured too badly to ever live and was suffering. My son buried my mother-in-laws 2 year old dog which was shot by hunters on our property. As long as a pet is given much love and care, others should keep their noses and comments to themselves. All animals deserve a descent home if it is offered to them.
The bard never said every dog has its day. He merely said “the dog” will have his day. Which dog? Only some dogs. Some cats will mew forever, or until their mewing machine runs out of steam and they die peacefully mewless.
While posturing is unavoidable for the modern politician, the onus is not upon the Obamas to ensure every dogs its day and every cat its mew. Impossible. Let him fix our economy. Let hippies with spare time save dogs one at a time.
Obamas should have whatever dog suits their fancy just as anyone else.
My understanding is that this dog was placed before and it didn’t work out, so in fact, the Obamas did rescue a dog.
Cool Dog .. I really like how President Obama is also doing the “job” of a dad. Like buying a dong and stuff : )
I also am wondering why this has become such a big thing as to have to be put on the Internet as an issue when our economic times demand some responsible action by ourselves as well as our nations leaders… Who really needs to care about where someone gets their family pet??? It only matters to the family involved and should not be the number one topic on Americans lips and in the media at this time, that is a lame waste of time and yes money too … This junk is just like all the garbage thrown out about what is going on in the lives of the people who are actors and actresses, who cares we are not them and never will be… Get a grip people and think about something important once in a while….. Oh and by the way I also have rescued cats and dogs and other small mammals from dying in the ditch and etc and you know what I considered it the humane and human thing to do without worrying about someone giving me recognition for doing the right thing. I love the animals I have in my home now and all the ones that came before them since childhood, they have been my best friends and anchors to what is real on this planet unlike some of the people that I have known…
I can’t help but feel that PETA is the cause of controversy.
I can’t stand them.
Who cares where the obamas got thier family dog??
PETA.
They need to pull the giant stick from their ass and get over it.
Animals die. it can’t be stopped. and they’re only hunting him down because he’s the leader of the free world. People buy dogs from breeders everyday. what is one going to make a differance?
Anyone who has been following the Obama dog ordeal should really get a life. People act as if buying a dog is his most important Presidential duty… Pathetic.
This is similar to the controversy I remember regarding Lucky, a Bouvier des Flandres that belonged to the Reagans. The Reagans had decided to leave the dog permanently at their ranch in California and get a King Charles spaniel instead. The reason was because Lucky had grown to be too big and rambunctious and Nancy couldn’t handle him. She was rather small and frail and the dog kept pulling her over when she tried walking him on his leash. People criticized the Reagans for doing such a thing and I don’t really understand why. The dog was too much for Nancy to handle so they got the spaniel, which is a small breed and easier for an older person to handle.
Obama has bigger issues than a dog to pick out that wont bother the daughters allergies. What about the families that are jobless and the children of america who have to decide between bills and food. This sickens me. It’s obvious he isn’t one of the millions in need…that’s right, he’s in need of a reality check!!!
isint it kind of idiotic wasting time questioning the origins of somebodys dog?
yes, its a presidents dog, but I think of all debates this is taking it a bit too far.
I’m slightly befuddled by Sheila’s comment like a few others have been. Both Crystal, my dog from the kennel, and Bum (okay not his real name but it that’s what we call him), from the shelter, were chosen with the same amount of consideration. I think we actually spent less time with chosing the shelter dog.
We weren’t being lazy going with the kennel dog. What we were being was smart. We went with the dog whose personality we really liked. I still remember Crystal at the kennel running around playing and just being a joy. There was a connection there that wasn’t made with the other dogs we saw both at the kennel and the shelter.
For certain reasons we held off on Bum, there were some traits with his breed that made us reluctant (mix set of preferences and something specific with his case). After meeting him we decided to give him a home (okay he’s breed is suppose to be hyper… that little lazy thing sitting on the coach staring at me is suppose to be hyper? did I adopt a dog or a cat?). Anyway we’ve had some other issues with him, despite communication with the behavior specialists at that HS and some attempts at training they haven’t corrected even after 2 years he’s been part of our family (he just turned five last week).
Bottom line – people say they don’t care, online. Not for about dogs or cats – or their own dog or cat, or hamster … that’s scary. In WWII, British subjects couldn’t keep pets. Rather than let them starve, or risk a transatlantic voyage well, … they couldn’t afford to feed them. Now US citizens say they can’t afford to care.
I disagree. People care a lot. They care about their neighbors. Say you can’t bear any more pain, and that’s true. Go to a shelter and leave without an animal and you are probably a vegetarian, supported by your family, and can’t afford to burden the rest of your state. But people care a lot. They’ll handle a lot of sleep deprivation for a pet. That transfers into empathy, and translates into a group diversity which is global. I hope people care. I think they do.
I honestly believe this is Obama trying to be symbolic. Saving a creature in need, treating “mutts” with equal rights to pure blood, going to the overcrowded area and bringing some one in need to a rich and plentiful environment. Symbolism to show the American people what he’s about.
Wow I can’t believe he even found a loop hole with getting a dog.
I DO NOT consider a pure bred dog “recieved” from a breeder as an adoptive pet, he should of got one from the pound like he promised.
Obama is so worthless.
Why not get a pig…that would end all the dog issues.
I agree with Lisa – this is America, where we are still supposed to have freedom. People want to take more and more of our freedoms away every day – now even our freedom to purchase a pet from a responsible breeder (or the neighbor’s dog!). Give me a break! Why should any of us have to feel pressured into adopting an animal that many times is only there because of other people’s irresponsiblities? The same people that believe that should consider the fact that there are thousands upon thousands of real children in the same boat – but you don’t see everyone running to adopt them (unfortunately), nor are people criticized for having their own children.
You know… Obama’s dog IS a rescue dog. It’s just that people don’t recognize what a rescue dog is. It’s not just a dog dumped at the pound, it’s also the dog who, after months with a family, is dumped back on the original breeder who, being responsible, takes the dog in instead of taking it to the pound and finds it a new home, or else keeps it until they can.
Obama got a dog who someone returned. I bet those people are kicking themselves for treating the dog like a throw-away, and Obama and his family should be very glad that they supported rescue work.
What I loved about watching Bo is the fact that he ran towards the cameras, unafraid, sure of himself, and happy. He looks like a great match, and not a dog who will crack under the pressure of having so many strangers around. Great pick!
Banshee Blue,
Technically a person can walk into a Humane Society and walk out with a pet. Especially, if it is an open house event.
To be honest, I don’t really think it matters. Sure, it is nice of the Obamas to purchase their pet from a rescue centre, or even better a puppy mill, because it could have saved that puppy’s life.
However, there are much more pressing issues that the Obamas need to sort out rather than asking everyone the question: ‘Now, where shall we get our dog from?’. I mean, I’m only 11, but I am aware of Global Warming, Animal Cruelty and other major issues. Shouldn’t Mr. Obama (and George Brown, for that matter) be trying to do the following?:
> Banning puppy mills and animal cruelty, and making it stop forever this time. Yes, it is impossible to stop every single animal in Great Britain and the United States being cruelly treated, but they could at least stop some, or maybe even most, of it.
> World Hunger – they could make this stop by making rich people donate some of their money to charity. It is unbelievably unfair how rich people have all of that money (people like The Queen, other Royals, celebrities and Presidents all over the world) when they don’t even need it, to be honest. I think that they are just normal people who believe they are superior. Celebrities should donate money to a charity that one of their family members HASN’Tsuffered from, for once. It’s disgusting – instead of us people going bankrupt from the Credit Crunch being made to donate to charity, make those people donate as well!
> Global Warming, Recycling. They should fine people who don’t even do a small thing like recycle waste. It’s unhygienic and disgusting. (Sorry for any spelling mistakes).
So you see, I really don’t care where, how or when the Obamas get their dog. Just so long as they hurry up and get it so that they can start dealing with far more pressing matters affecting the whole world – and not just the Obamas either; everyone.
A dog is a dog…it doesn’t matter if it’s mutt or purebred. I question at why people care about this. Let’s focus on more important problems.
Dogs are in shelters & rescues for a reason. Their owner cannot (or will not) take care of them. Where or how you acquire a dog does not matter. What does matter is that at the time you decide to accept that dog as your family it is like adopting a child. It is yours (no excuses) & you find the means to make that dog as happy and as healthy as you would yourself or a family member. It may be an expense to take it to the vet for treatment and for a wellness program, but you do what it takes. I have breed and showed dogs my entire life was very selective in who adopted my dogs and puppies and maintained a relationship with those families for years. All dogs can be trained to understand what is acceptable behavior and what is not & don’t need to “run free” as someone has written. That is not the natural way as those people’s dogs don’t have a long happy life, they are killed in traffic or eat something they shouldn’t and struggle to survive. People that acquire a dog or puppy and lavish it with attention and then tire of the dog because they are clueless on how to teach a dog one day decide that it is better off to fend for itself or tie it and ignore (that is called abuse) it to become a nuisance to others by barking or to get depressed and frustrated. The thing with allergies is that the allergen is the dander and not the dog hair itself so if a dog is kept clean and groomed (which I’m sure will happen in the Obama’s case) there should be no problems with dander. Many people who breed dogs who have to be clipped instead of shedding like to call them “non-allegic” dogs. No such animal exists.
Bobby McFarside said to tell the person that took that photo that it makes the dog look like a REAL slumdog millionaire. If SD’s record execs use Yahoo, Bobby McFarside says he’s too damn broke to pay if he gets sued for trademark violations. Just having a laugh.
I believe that the Obamas chose that dog for a special reason: the dog is black; which shows that the president is black (obviously). However, there is a little white patch on the dog’s chest; could it be that Obama’s trying to portray that even though he’s black, he has the white (Americans) at heart? That’s what I think.
At this point I don’t think where the Obamas got their dog is important. So long as President Obama manges America well, I do not see a problem with wherever he got his dog!
Well, that’s MY opinion.
For all of you that are saying “Who Cares” constantly, it’s people like you that keep these dogs in the conditions they are in, rather than finding a good home.
First of all, shelter dogs are really not at all as hard to obtain as everyone is making them seem, nor were they as expensive. I got both my chihuahua and my black lab from the Baldwin Park Animal shelter, one of the many LA County Animal Shelters. I may not know whether they are “pure bred” but really I could care less, to me they are just to dogs that need love and affection. At all the LA County Animal Shelters, they are required to spay and neuter all the dogs that come in, along with micro chipping in case they get lost again. So both my boys have no chance of getting another dog pregnant and adding to the dogs in the shelter, and if they are lost, someone can scan the microchip and they are back home with me.
They only cost me around 50 dollars in fees. Compare that to the 1,000 dollars for a puppy from a store that most likely came from a puppy mill. Even though the puppy stores will always deny this, the Humane Society of the United States found that around 90 percent of these sold in store puppies came from puppy mills. It wouldn’t make much sense for a shelter rescue to charge an immense amount of money, when their true intent is just to find the dog a home.
So the reason people CARE so much, is because Obama, being the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES, could bring attention to the millions of citizens out there, and be an example by obtaining a rescue or shelter dog. Especially in this “teacup” “puggle” “schnoodle” dog obsessed day of age, I think it’s important to bring the focus off the breed of dog and more focus on where you obtain you friend from.
Buying from a puppy store really is causing the continued suffering of thousands of other dogs in these puppy mills. You may not think that you would make a difference, but every one person makes a difference, especially when many start making the decision to buy a rescue rather than a store puppy
to find out more about puppy mills go to this site
http://stoppuppymills.org/
I don’t understand how people are blaming breeders and people who buy a dog or cat from a breeder. People who go to a breeder may not have found their perfect dog at a shelter. There are many reasons why people might not adopt. It’s like saying, ‘why have your own kid when there are millions of orphans?’
I do not oppose adopting or anything, actually, I encourage people to adopt. However, I do not blame people for going to a breeder.
You might say they are selfish and these people just want to get a brand new puppy and such, but you are right. Humans are selfish creatures and we are mostly the reason why there are so many homeless animals. It is not something we can fix with critical comments.
I think focusing on the Obama’s dog is a waste of time. It shouldn’t be an issue. Not all breeders are bad and alot of them sell good dogs. If you want a working dog or if bloodline is important to you go to a breeder. If money is a concern but bloodline is not a concern and you want a gentel family dog go to the shelter. You can also get gentel family dogs from breeders too. Before you get a dog whether from a shelter or breeder know the dog’s personality. Some dogs are violent. Ask the breeder or people at the animal shelter questions. They know the dogs and if they can’t give you any answers then it is best not to get a dog from that place. I imagine most dogs from shelter are passive. Sadly there are people in this world that abuse animals.
The Obamas’ should have gotten a pet fox. If they had, there would have been no debate about if they should acquire the pet from a shelter vs. acquiring the pet from a breeder, plus a fox is way cooler then a dog. Is there some rule that the first pet has to be either a dog or a cat?
Really, who cares? Why don’t we start focusing on stuff that actually matters?
anyone ever see this video about media hating Obama ?
The Obama Deception … you can find it on youtube
All dogs deserve a loving home, wether from a breeder or rescue shelter.
Cute dog. Oboma girls seem to love it, I agree that we have more pressing issues to worry about. Like people who are going to be homeless without jobs! Older sick people having to choose between food or medication. God help us all!
This is asom
As per the show”The VIew”, the dog had 5 owners in the 6 month his been alive. The person that gave Obama the dog couldn’t take care of it and the dog was going to end up in the shelter anyways because they could afford that dog. Isn’t that the same thing. If the dog was going to be sent to a shelter and a person offers to take him so he don’t end up in the shelter isn’t that like taking a homeless pet??
Anyways is there a number to call for some stray cats (lots of them) in the Queens, New York area? I tried going online and found some links and when I call it tells me the shelters are closed.
Can you find me a phone number for a shelter in Queens, New York area that might be opened?
Sigh. Don’t they have anything better to do then talk about the “president’s” dog? Seriously. =P
^couldn’t
Hey, I’m from Boyd, TX, where the dog is from, imagine a og from our random small little town in the whitehouse!!!!
Is anyone here aware that dog bites have steadily risen in the past decade to over 60% more? This is a fact. While the number of deaths due to dog attacks has gone down, the bites have risen to epidemic proportions. One theory is that with the predominately no kill shelters here in the US, so many dogs are housed in a shelter environment and not in a home. These dogs survive and live out huge portions of their lives unsocilized to be family pets. They are adopted and are not prepared to be a ‘house dog’.
Another theory is that shelter folks ‘test’ these dogs for temperments and based on their observations, determine how the dog may or may not behave. These people have good hearts and dog experience and are possibly more willing to overlook the signs of a potential problem that can lead to biting, particularly in a home with children or one with a novice owner. Just like dog people don’t notice the heavy shedding of a malamute, these people are so ‘into’ dogs, they don’t notice the resource guarding or heavily dominant males that can cause problems down the road for families.
Shelter dogs are NOT for everyone. Not all dogs should be kept in a shelter for their lives ‘waiting for their forever home’ . That isn’t fair to the dog either.
I strongly disagree with those who say that buying a dog from a breeder, sentences those who are living in a shelter to death. The dogs are still going to be bred by the breeder, does it make a difference whether they are bought by you or another person? It is the original owners fault that the dogs are in the shelters so why not blame them. Stop the big deal over the Obamas dog. They bought a dog, does it matter if its from a shelter?
I heard about this a few days ago [I live in Australia] and they showed some people making such a big deal over it.
Get over yourselves!
I think it is wrong to buy from the commerical breeders as well as backyard puppy mills, but we should do more than argue about which dog has the most rights. People shoot dogs, people euthanize dogs, yes some of them do that but some of them are too hippish to deal with dogs because it’s cruel to keep them as pets.
I think spaying and neutering dogs and breeding limits for dogs should be the answer, not mass breeding and putting overpriced mutts in kill shelters and no kill shelters until they die. At one time, I tried to save Aku (which is the cat) from the kill shelter because I worried she might get euthanized for good. Then I kept her for about the couple of weeks before Mom didn’t return. Some americans are too lazy or busy with taking care of animals and should have a pet rock instead.
And I agree with most people. It’s the individuals’ right to choose to get dogs from shelter or breeders. Some breeders are just hicks that want fast money for the poorly bred dog and run privately owned puppy mills. Some are corporate morons that breed dogs with no respect to their breeding skill or needs of their dogs. That is why you look for reputable breeders, not slimebags that want money giving you a poorly trained pet.
I sure want a dog but I have to wait because of the mininium wage on my part as well as trying to save up money for many things. This what gets my goat. I want to adopt the Pit Bull without it biting me or Springfield, Missouri continuing to ban the sale of these dogs. Boy, I can’t wait until I get Prince Lovington into my house.
Like there aren’t more important things to think about besides what type of dog the First Family adopted? I think it’s wonderful that they’re giving a dog a good and loving home. People can be so petty – I’m surprised someone hasn’t come up with: Well, wouldn’t you know the Obamas would get a BLACK dog!! Good grief, people – get real, huh?
Damn, I’m good! hehe By the way, I’m black and white, so I can adopt any color dog
OK, we are at War. Jobs are down and yall are talking about the dog the Obama picks. wow this is news. I am so Proud, becouse its not just news here its on TV and radio, and news papers. Just so Proud it makes me want to cry,
I am very happy that the dog has found a loving home. This is what matters! It does not matter where he comes from. People have the right to choose a pet that suits their lifestyle. Let’s talk about issues that really matter like the recession.
Mmkay. I’m an avid dog fancier. I compete in performance events with my dogs. I volunteer for breed rescue. The majority of my free time & money goes towards pursuing activities with my dogs. When I’m on Y!A I am in the dogs section. I am a certifiable “dog nut”. And even I have to join the chorus of those who are saying….”WHO CARES”.
The President’s new dog ought to be a 10 second blurb “special interest” piece in the TV news. The kind of story that would close out the 6:30 evening news in places like Casper and Iowa City- and only if they were having a “slow news day”. The kind of story that only us crazy “dog people” would even notice or care about. A few dog lovers would grab a link to the story from some Podunk newspaper west of Fargo, and it’d make the rounds on all the dog-related message boards and chat lists. Those of us who are “into” dogs, would see it. And we’d all have our requisite dog-related discussions about the dog for a week or so, and it’d be forgotten- even by us.
Instead, this topic has been covered by major *national* media outlets numerous times, beginning after Obama’s election in freakin’ NOVEMBER! ENDLESS speculation over what kind of dog he’d pick has been going on for the past FOUR MONTHS. It’s been obsessed over by a bunch of people who wouldn’t correctly label a Portugese Water Dog if one fell out of their kitchen cabinet wearing a nametag and offering a formal introduction in crisp English…..yet suddenly there are so many people with so many vehement opinions?
It makes me sad to say this, but this is a great example of why the rest of the world likes to mock America. Most of us are very out of touch with anything that’s not happening “in our backyard”. Our news media is obsessed with ratings….they feature whatever gets our attention. And sadly, presidential pets and sordid sex scandals grab our attention much quicker and hold it for much longer, than stories of civil-war ravaged 3rd world countries in some hard-to-pronounce country with a lot of vowels that we’ve never heard of. Never mind they’re real people; families and children, living in real danger of having a live grenade land in their makeshift dwelling at any given moment. Nobody alive today in America has ever REALLY had to live under that kind of threat- we’re safe in our own little cocoon with our supermarkets and our broadband Internet. We can’t relate to the crisis of actual human beings so we change the channel; we formulate our indignant rage instead over the plight of unwanted shelter dogs and the President’s choice in canine companion.
In a room full of 50 random Americans, three might be able to find Iraq or Somalia on a map. Two might be able to accurately define a “Somali pirate” without using the words “peg leg” or “parrot”…..but maybe I’m giving too much credit. Yet in the same room, I’d bet money that at least 45 of those 50 people could tell me who got kicked off of Dancing with the Stars last night.
That, and something tells me there’s more than a few people who are throwing around terms like “puppy mill” while spitting venom at “breeders” in general…..yet some of these folks couldn’t accurately describe the exterior appearance of the average commercial kennel if they lived next door to one. How many of these people actually know what they’re talking about from hands-on experience…..and how many are just spitting venom about “dog breeders” when they’re simply brainwashed by animal-rights hype? I am reading too many HSUS catchphrases in some of these diatribes to suspect otherwise….
THANK YOU
In an ideal situation people should research to make sure the type of dog suits them not purcase a cute pup on impulse at a pet store (IE pupy mill outlet) THEN inquire on yahoo answers as to how big it might grow…..
OBAMAS DOG IS REHOMED – but like most responsible breeders his breeder took him back when the first home didn’t work out. Most responsible breeders will do so – and PWD’s are like many of the less popular breeds- there are few breeders OTHER than the responsible ones (unfortunataly this may change for PWD’s due to Obamas pup) and they bend effort to see few (they try for none) end up in rescues! For some reason people seem to think this robs the breed of any legitmancy – because people are doing it right! Apparently it has to be done wrong first to do it right!
I think it is important to get a rescued dog.
There are so many rescued dogs waiting for a loving home that it seems silly to support people that are breeding them unnecessarily.
Why does it matter to so many people what kind of dog the President’s family gets? I know that being in the White House generates an enormous amount interests, pro and con, however; these are still people with children who make their own personal decisions about some areas in their lives. We, the people, cannot control or make decisions for them about everything, nor can we think that our opinions are going to stop them from doing what they feel is right for THEIR FAMILY. The President is in charge of the country – and is also the head of his family. What we think they should do as a family is really none of our business. Personally, I think out attention should first be to our OWN families and lives, and perhaps we can start to sort out our own economical and financial issues. Their dog is not my issue.
yes i think so…. like my dog
I mean, it’s not a big deal, it’s just the ways of buying a dog. It’s normal.
We had a rescue mutt and a Portugese Water Hound at the same time, both dogs needed the same amount of attention and the same amount of training, we loved them both equally and they us. Some friends asked me about getting a 2nd dog, they had an older Golden male, very laid back, I told them any kind of puppy would/could be stressful for him, they decided on a Portugese, shes a dream dog, chances of buying her sight unseen was risky, but they got lucky, only problem was that their old boy had been calm for so long, they’d forgotten how energetic puppies are. It’s been years now, they are both still together and living peacefully, and no one has looked back or regretted it for a minute. Adopting is a valiant decision, one never knows what kind of baggage a dog will bring, but love and training and commitment will overcome all obstacles. I myself have adopted a giant tortoise species and I never looked back and the challenges are huge, but no matter, I learned and now I have a dinosaur in my backyard. Smiles