Peru Offers National Hairless Dog To Obamas (PHOTOS)

LIMA, Peru — Completely bald and older than the Incas, the Peruvian hairless dog seems like an odd fit for the White House.

But Peruvians are mindful of President-elect Barack Obama's preference for a hypoallergenic breed due to his daughter Malia's allergies _ and say the dark, rough-skinned pooch with large ears and a pointy snout could be just the solution.

At his first postelection news conference on Friday, Obama said choosing a pet dog for his daughters is a "major issue."

"It has to be hypoallergenic. On the other hand, our preference would be to get a shelter dog, but a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me," the president-elect said.

The Friends of the Peruvian Hairless Dog Association responded on Monday, sending a letter to the U.S. Embassy in Peru offering the Obama family a 4-month-old pup that responds to "Machu Picchu," the name of Peru's famed Inca citadel.

"My family also has suffered from ... not being able to have a pet because my son and I are asthmatic, so we thought it would be ideal for him (Obama) to have a dog like ours," said association president Claudia Galvez.

Galvez, who has lived with six dogs of the breed for eight years, says being hairless has its benefits: The dogs are flealess and relatively odorless, too.

They were kept as pets during the Inca empire and depictions of the breed appear in 1,200-year-old, pre-Inca artwork.

The hairless dog was long scorned for its appearance before it was recognized internationally as the official Peruvian dog.

Comments

[marlainWA]

That dog is so cute and so ugly....ahhhh

obama will get a dog from america though....

[DebbieinPhx]

I agree. My eldest daughter is a huge Oprah fan and has become a die-hard animal activist after watching Oprah's segment about puppy mills. She has been the driving force behind our family's choice to adopt a pound puppy. She cried with joy when she heard that the Obama's were going to try to get a dog from a shelter.

I think this President and his First Lady are just impressive in so many ways. But to hit upon such a small yet important issue and knock it right out of the park... it's impressive. Every year in this country we euthanize over 35 million dogs. That the first family would adopt a shelter dog, for me, (what a powerful message that sends...leading by example) just solidifies my belief that we have finally picked the right man to lead our country. I so proud...*sniff**

[amluvinit2]

This article keeps me ever mindful of how much Obama is known around the world, and how much the rest of the world is paying attention to this man. I thought it was a great offer, and how can you say no. I think the dog is so cute, but will definitely need some sweaters to wear in DC.

[commonsensor]

Truly a face that only a mother could love. Or a pure dog lover.

BTW: The Obamas are incorrect about shelter dogs. With the recent housing crisis, nearly 30% of dogs in shelters are pure. Many of these are suitable to people with sensitivity.

I hope they choose an American dog from a shelter.

No offense to Peru.

[Sumocat]

President-Elect Obama said "a lot" of shelter dogs are mutts. Last I checked, 70% still qualifies as a lot.

[MissaA]

cute little ugly dog! I love it! It looks like it will haunt your dreams, looking for treats. Don't you just wanna hug it?

[Kerris]

Oh I know someone with one of these -- they don't photograph well, no. But they are sooo sweet and soft and smooth and warm and cuddly. They are lovely dogs and perfect for allergy sufferers or others with related hair/dander issues.

[trinity29]

its a goat dog.

[benne]

Really ugly dog!

[yearlin]

that dog would give me nightmares.

[naschkatze]

Hoo boy, how do you get out of this one? An international crisis?

[Pupadup4oBama]

Not at all - just say, thank you for the offer, but we would rather have an American dog - simple as that...they would have to respect that.

[whit4brains]

I think this dog is so cute. They could get him some little sweaters to wear in the winter.

[tydicea]

Will need to get some outfits for Machu, if the Obamas decide to accept it. Cold in Washington in winter.

[JerseyGirl4Obama]

I saw the first picture and thought, "Oh, No!"

But, the second full body picture is really not that bad.

[wmafoune]

ewwww that dog is ugly

[LesserFool2]

I suppose most dogs are quite ugly when they are shaved bald. It's not like this one had a choice.

[laragale]

cute cute cuuuute!!!!

[lunchlady]

Hope its warm enough in the White House to go bare naked like that. Guess they can put cute little clothes on him if he shivers.