Obama: "Girly Dog" Not For Our Family

In his interview with ABC's Barbara Walters, Barack Obama talked to her about her dog and his own puppy preferences. Politico reports that the host actually sent the Obama's a photo of her pet, but it doesn't seem to be the President-elect's type.

Obama: "Cha Cha?"

Barbara: "It's short for Cha Cha Cha."

O: "What is a Havanese?"

B: "It's like a little terrier and they're non-allergenic and they're the sweetest dogs.."

O: [Face suddenly changes.] "It's like a little yappy dog?"

Michelle: "Don't criticize."

O: "It, like, sits in your lap and things?"

M: "It's a cute dog."

O: "It sounds kinda like a girly dog."

M: "We're girls. We have a houseful of girls."

O [with hand gestures]: "We're going to have a big rambunctious dog, of some sort."

Read more excerpts and clips from the Barbara Walters interview.

Comments

[AZ AF VET]

Lhasa Apso is my pick. They are the "Palace Guard Dogs" in Tibet. They are aloof like a cat, they are smart like the Obama's, yes, they are cute, Hypoallegenic and they live a long life. I have had four female Lhasa's and the only time they bark is when they do not like someone, which they never get over. I have one that we got from the pound, rescue groups groups have them too. Lhasa puppies will be hard to find in a pound however.

[retrieverman1]

I know one, and all he does is bark and try to bite.

[bubbuh]

sounds like he doesn't like you

[ripples]

how about a mean a$$ pit bull thats trained to chase right wing wackos up trees

[imusintheevening]

I hope they go for a ridgeback as pictured in my profile.

[McGoo]

I hope they go to the local pound and rescue a an unwanted dog. Spend the "money" that they would pay for a fancy breed on a proper trainer to work with the girls and the dog to bring the best out of the dog and the girls in the that relationship.

Teach them early to look after the unwanted and uncared for...not just the middle ones...

[Maezeppa]

They want a rescue dog but It's got to be a non-allergenic dog, too.

[retrieverman1]

I suggest that they rescue a goldendoodle, a Lab, or a standard poodle. Big, nice dogs "rambunctious"-- yes! And available for rescue. And not as allergenic, but there are no non-allergenic dogs.

[nickaholic23]

Don't be prejudiced against little dogs. I have a miniature American Eskimo and a Maltese, and they're tough as they come. They can rumble and ramble with the big dogs. Even though they're both girls, I think they'd be offended to be called "girly dogs." :grins:

[rcwblessed]

Little dogs are not for everyone (just like big dogs are not for everyone). It's personal preference. I am a female, and like Barack, prefer big rambunctious dogs. German Sheps (even mixed) are my favorite. I just feel safer with a big dog. The best and smartest dog I ever had, Miss Ebony, was 3/4 German Shep. She was absolutely amazing... really miss her.

[Quotidien]

I'd love to see them get a doberman pincher. They don't have much hair, so it would be good for Sasha.

Enough of the wimpy White House dogs. Get something tough... go Obama... No Girly Dogs!

[AnAmericanWoman]

Doberman's are unpredictable and dangerous for children - like pit bulls.

[b93950]

I disagree; Pit bulls make excellent dogs as well as Dobermans. Girlie-Dogs are among the worst dogs known, as they are responsible for more attacks and biting then any breed.

Frankly, a Girly-Dog is just an oversized cat!

[vigwig]

Get a macaw, no dander, it's 10 times smarter than a dog, can live up to 50 years and it could repeat the talking points. ;)

[bubbuh]

Macaw's are no fun to walk. Nor, do they cuddle up in bed with one. Well, a Macaw might - once.

[hillaryj]

I would love to see a large, lively dog playing on the White House lawn with these beautiful little girls! Kinda restores one's faith in our country after the last 8 years!

[mapleaforever]

Coton de Tulean fits the bill...Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

[anopenmind]

What about a Portuguese Water Dog like Edward Kennedy's Dog, I think their hypoallergenic too!

[bubbuh]

Yes, they are. But, they much harder to find.

[bioluminescence]

The smarts of the White House family will rub off on this dog. Within six months, he'll bark in 4 languages. Within 12 months he'll be demanding the first-ever White House Dog House Library. But, curiously, he'll never break the habit of relieving himself on the bushes...

[Amalek]

And I hope the democrats as a whole never break that habit.

[ElPerro]

Right on. Good for O. I hate those yippy little foofoo dogs that are all the yuppy rage these days. Like that nasty little rat that the Bush's have.

Nancy Reagan knew a real dog when she saw one. The Obama's should follow in her footsteps.

[ElmoBo]

We have a 2 year old Goldendoodle and he is the best dog ever!

[bubbuh]

You don't really say goldendoodle out loud, do you?

[Amalek]

Are all goldendoodles gay?

[tominstl]

The Obama's CAN'T get a "designer breed" dog. The message is "rescue from pound" not "buy from eleite breeder".

[Archivist1000]

People keep saying that Obama 'promised the girls a dog if he won the election ... However, what I heard him say was : "You've earned the puppy when we move to the White House' .... my guess is that he/Michelle told the girls early on that the campaign would be a tough time and that they would be rewarded with a dog for their part of the hardship they would go through, such as less time with Mom and Dad, being good for Grandma when she was in charge etc .... obviously they had some sort of role in the family, and they earned their dog.

Whatever they end up with, I bet the girls will be the last word on what they get, and the whole family will love the dog, because that is what dogs do, they make you fall in love with them.

[bob8788]

Got the entire interview off this site

http://www.barackobamacans.blogspot.com/

[bubbuh]

Maybe, a little off target. Maybe, not. Certainly, thanks. it 's nice to have the whole thing avaialbe.. I missed chunks.