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

[earthandwater]

They should get a Doberman. They are great with kids, don't shed, are smart as can be, gorgeous and are loyal. They need a good trainer but I'm sure that won't be a problem. Dobes rule!

[bubbuh]

Dobermans are fine dogs but the Obamas require a hypoallergenic dog. Dobermans are not.

[bubbuh]

Non-girly hypoallergenic dogs

1. Poodle - It's a very smart gun dog, folks. You shoot it; the poodle retrieves it. The silly haircut is optional. Actually, the haircut was designed to aid its hunting over water in winter weather. The hair is heavy where the dog needs to retain body heat, nonexistent where it will help the dog slide through heavy brush. Can go to 70 lbs.

2. Labrdoodle - I didn't name it - The virtues of both the lab and the poodle. can go 70+ lbs.

3. Portuguese Water Dog - Relatively rare - a working dog used on fishing trawlers. Loves to swim. 40-60 lbs.

4. Goldendoodle - Can't these people just think up a decent name?

5. Schnauzers - Terrifically smart dogs, They have been everything war dogs. First aid dogs. guard dogs at breweries. Like the poodle, a great temperament. Like the poodle all sizes up to 80 lbs.

These are all great dogs. If it were my choice, I'd go with a standard poodle or a standard schnauzer. Either are charming enough to please the ladies and useful enough to win a guy over. Even with standards it's important to have any of these breeds checked for hip dysplasia before acquiring. This is true of all dogs these days unfortunately.

A fortunate Festivus and a fine doodle, too

[retrieverman1]

Ted Kennedy has Portuguese Water Dogs, and they are good dogs, but keep in mind that they want to rescue a dog. Perhaps a rescued water dog, a rescued "doodle" or standard poodle are my picks. Prince Rupert of the Rhine, a German ally of Charles I who joined the Royalists against the Parliamentarians had a standard poodle named "Boy." The dog ran with his master into battle. The Parliamentarians, Puritans all, believed the black poodle was possessed by the devil, because their bullets could not hit him. Puritan propaganda demanded the death of the dog, so he had to be tied up. The dog was killed at the battle of Marston Moor, where the Royalist Army was defeated, primarily because someone forgot to tie him up. Poodles are a German water dog, not French. In fact they are Germany's answer to the retriever. And they are really smart and good tempered, at least the Standard ones are. But even toys are clever dogs.

[bubbuh]

I like standard poodles myself. Incredibly trainable,. really good tempered. As for their origins, everyone in Europe wants the credit: Russia , Belguim, Germany, Spain and Portugal as well as France are possible sources of origin. All these places have have other breeds that share characteristics with poodles. So, who knows?

They don't get much respect in America. I blame it on the movie stars and socialites of the 1950s.

[jedonspring]

Sounds like he may be leaning Goldendoodle or Labradoodle. My friend has a GD and he's a very nice dog. Big, but nice...and smart. Also very strong.

[sparkey]

He might be president, but he knows what three rule the roost. He will get what they want.

[AnAmericanWoman]

lol!

[AxelDC]

He should ask the British Ambassador for a bulldog and name it "Winston".

[bubbuh]

My guess is they end up with more than one dog if the kids prove they can handle the responsibility with the first.

[Amalek]

I don't think the white house is a place where kids learn responsibility. They will have a Marine to take the dog out for a walk.

[bubbuh]

According to the Obamas, the marine or one of the ushers will be escorting the girls while they take the dog out for a walk and scoop the poop.

[SlippingInTheDip]

First sign that he shall be like all other presidents­:...if he doesn't have a dog now, why would he get one. I'm already disappointed.

[bubbuh]

A few months back he promised his kids a dog after the election. Try to keet up.

[RoseBlue]

Grow up

[AxelDC]

Because he has two little girls who want a dog!

[cmarmonhalm]

With all the problems in the world...yo­u're disappointed about a dog? Get a clue.

[johnnycmlately]

I'm with yo9u on this one. Why follow that tradition? Be bold and get a cat, LOL. Can you imagine a cat walking around the White House and hiding all over the place in fear, but make sure he/she get fixed so not to spray all over the place, because if he don't the WH will soon be the funky house.

[gentlewomanfarmer]

All of us with adopted dogs - or adopted pets of any kind, for that matter - know that the dog chooses us, and not the other way around. Mr. Obama, I think you know a lot about a lot of things, but you have much to learn about the relationship between domestic animals and humans. I hope you get a wise, loving, and patient teacher.

[demfriend]

I watched the interview and it made sense about what the parents Obama have as a plan to make sure the girls will take care of any dog they get. My take wasn't so much about "girly dogs" so much as just making sure the dog will not cause allergies for Maila which is responsible and also they have been overwhelmed by pictures and dog ideas since the girls mentioned the dog. I thought it funny when Barack said he has no plans to "scoop the poop" nor did he want the girls to have the dog "litter the lawn" with dog cra. I have heard for as long as I have been alive the same stuff about animals and taking care of them. How many of you have heard or said the responsible for the pet if you get it? How many have ended up scooping poop because the kid didn't quite get the esponsibiltiy mantra?

[wendy82551]

Yes, I heard all that and yes, I am scooping poop. On the other hand, I don't have a houseful of servants to scoop the poop for me.

[mzwednesday]

Oh lawd....I'­m just reading the comments and the PC brigade is out again.
I"m a girl and I"m not offended by the term 'Girlie Dog'.
America is a seriously misogynist society, you think Girly dog is going to change the status quo??
He's obviously a man who LOVES women....g­et off ya soap box.

[RoseBlue]

here here

[Mayuki]

Hear hear, not here here.

[mzwednesday]

He's so adorable:)

[Territc]

Bottom line is, I doubt he will have very much say on the size of the dog. He's outnumbered 3 to 1. And you know he is extremely diplomatic and will go for what makes his girls happy.

[nisha]

He is so not outnumbered! They are all very tall people and they need a big dog. I'm glad he told BabaWawa they don't want a yappy lap dog.

[RecycleourKnowledge]

Here's the solution: He gets a Rottweiler and he names it Palin. Now that's appropriate

[AtlantaBill]

I vote for the Rottweiler .. had one and it was one beautiful animal. Only problem was that it attempted to be very protective of the kids.

[smarternu]

loser

[Shrinath]

HAHAHAHA !!!!! O has it perfectly right. Oh yeah, hes the man!!! Big dog. Maybe a rottie (just train him proper) or even maybe a pitbull :D. I designed a t-shirt that said, "My dog eats pomeranians for breakfast". LOL. Go Barack!!!!! w00t w00t!

[inthecolour]

Aw. Well Barack you don't get a say in this, the decision will be made by the girls. lol