Why would you be disappointed? The dog was a gift from the Kennedy's to the Obama's.

 

I heard that the Obama's children needed a non-allergic dog,or something of that affect.It also was a gift from Sen. Ted Kennedy.I'm sure if somebody gave you a gift like that you wouldn't turn it down. I wouldn't.

 

Good grief. What a complete waste of time, energy and emotion to be very disappointed over the Obama family getting the gift of a dog that suits their family! So far I have yet to see where they were quoted saying that they were FOR CERTAIN getting a rescue, anyway, and besides that, there are registered rescues out there. This puppy may not have come from a shelter or rescue group, but he needed a home, at the very least his breeder was responsible enough to take him back when things fell through with his first family, and I believe he was one lucky to pup to end up with the Obamas. He is altered and the family DID make a donation to the Washington DC Humane Society after getting Bo.

 

So...we are upset because a family researched the type of dog they wanted and instead of getting a rescue simply because they said they would months ago, chose instead to get a dog from a breeder they knew produced dogs they liked and which would be well suited to their family? Considering that this decision will affect (hopefully) the next 10-20 years of their life, as well as the life of the dog, that seems like the sort of decision to be supported...

But then, some people are never happy.

 

But then, some people are never happy.

That wasn't very fair??

I am not disappointed that they got a PWD, or that it is AKC, I am disappointed in the fact that I was really hoping for a shelter dog to shine the light on what great dogs are in shelters. I am aware the there are like 0 PWD in the shelters, but there are a lot of other wonderful dogs, in shelters, that would have fit their needs. Can you even imagine what them getting a dog from a shelter would have done for homeless pets??

Man, some of you sure are quick to attack someone who see things different than how you see them. Sheesh, thanks for pouncing on me tonight! Sorry that my heart was looking to help a few rescue (shelter) dogs!!

 

Omg! Cry about it, sheesh. They got a dog they needed, good for them.

 

Ok, well, I don't think we need to bash the OP about it. An opportunity did come and pass, and that can mean more to some people than others. How you feel about it is one thing. Making people feel bad about how they feel about it is not appropriate.

 

Angie's Bella, do you even know the odds of a PWD being in rescue? Really? There are basically 0...the ones that end up there aren't there long, because SOME PWD breeder WILL find out about it and WILL pull the dog...whether it's theirs or not.

If it isn't one of their own, they find out who bred it so they can take it back! They are true breed guardians, and don't want them falling into the wrong hands!

 

i think it really shows great thought on their part, theyu could of ended up with a dog that didn't truly suit them just because it was a rescue. they got a dog that really suited them, sometimes rescues aren't the best option. and its great that they are making a donation.

 

Whats the difference between buying a dog from the shelter that came from a breeder and buying a dog from a breeder who took the dog back from someone else who didn't want it?

 

Well, I know it's not the case, but my little Jonas DID come from the shelter with AKC papers and every thing.

 

I just looked up what a portuguese water dog looked like. I'm surprised! I thought they'd get something like a goldendoodle or a small dog. Oh well! I was wrong! Good for them! I'm glad they got a puppy they can enjoy!

 

What a relief, maybe he can fix the economy now.

 

Pfft, no one cares about his ACTUAL Presidency..

 

ABC news reported the Obama dog has north Texas roots. He/she was born in a small town north of Fort Worth.

Regardless of their decision, I am glad they carefully weighed their requirements and didn't get one on the whim.

 

I mean, I'm a little bummed that they didn't adopt a shelter dog, but the situation was kind of unique. Their kid has allergies and they were unable to find a dog in a shelter that would fit a requirement they had; after all, the puppy is for the kids. Not to mention that they didn't go out and buy the dog; it was a gift from someone familiar with the family as well as the breed.

Quite frankly, I'm glad they got returned breeder stock. I'd much rather that happen than they go out and get some -doodle or other designer mutt. Imagine the backlash that would come with that! And also imagine all of the masses of people that would be in line to get a dog just like Bo.

I am kind of interested to see if there will be an overwhelming increase in demand for PWDs now...

 

I think my main concern with the whole thing is that a PWD is not really a good match (is was after talking to PWD owners/breeders) they are one family dogs and don't like strangers ,so the question is how will it fair in the white house (where there are lots of people all the time) Also just to put it out there we now have a variety of breeds that are suitable for people with allergies.

But oh well the dog will have it's own trainer and most likely will spend most of it's time with the trainer anyway.

 

I don't know. I see them at shows. They always seem pretty outgoing and friendly to me.

 

They did their research as they needed a hypo allergenic dog and settled on the PWD. The only problem with that is the breed isn't all that common and therefore extremely hard to find in rescue and/or shelters. Even on petfinder there were only two PWDs and they were mixed, which wouldn't work specifically because of the allergies. Therefore I congratulate them for taking a second chance dog even from a breeder. Not to mention the fact that it was a gift to them. They didn't exactly go out and buy it.

 

I think my main concern with the whole thing is that a PWD is not really a good match (is was after talking to PWD owners/breeders) they are one family dogs and don't like strangers

That's not really correct. The PWD temperament is similar to the GSD in this regard. They tolerate strangers just fine...and that's it. They tolerate. They won't be aggressive to strangers, but they certainly won't be all "HEY! How's it goin'?! Nice ta meetcha!" like a Golden.

A cursory sniff is likely all you'll get.

The ones I've met at shows are that way...they like you more if you have food Eli (PWD at class) likes me just because he sees me so much...the dog will be fine

Just because there are a variety of breeds suitable for allergies (such as Poodles and many Terriers) doesn't mean their personality or looks are right for the family.

I appreciate the intelligence and biddability of the Poodle, but I'd never own one.

 

I am aware the there are like 0 PWD in the shelters, but there are a lot of other wonderful dogs, in shelters, that would have fit their needs

The likelihood of finding a dog that is less likely to trigger allergies? The reality of that is they probably wouldn't have, and it would have looked even worse if they had to return the dog to the shelter because the coat didn't meet their needs.

 

I have fostered 2 Standard Poodles, a schnauzer, a yorkie and a scotty in the last year that were at our local animal control, and all of them are allergy friendly dogs. That is just the few that I fostered, there were many others that I wasn't able to help.

I am glad they did their homework and got a dog that fit their family, however, I wish it could have been a shelter dog.

 

Even though the Obama family are very public figures, they still get to make the choice of dog based on what they decide fits their needs. The Obamas are in a better position to determine their needs, than are outside parties who will take no responsibility for the outcome of their preferred choice.

It's a principle I wish more politicians could internalize.

 

OMW!! Please forget I ever said anything!!! Actually, just forget you ever even seen the post. I didn't realize that me voicing my disappointment with the fact that it wasn't an actual rescue was going to cause me to be unwelcome on here anymore.

Thats fine, you guys win!! I hope everyone goes out and buys them a graet dog! In fact, I will do us all a favor and not voice anything else on this forum. For some reason I thought that you guys on here were nice people?? I guess I didn't realize that if I had a different opion than some of you I would be pounced on. I guess I know now!! Thanks for clearing that up for me!!

 

Nobody said you were unwelcome...we just disagreed (There was also a similar post right before yours).

You think we're the ones overreacting? Take a deep breath and look at your last post.

If you think we're "mean" for disagreeing with you and voicing our opinions, you need to relax a little. It's an internet forum for crying out loud...

So many exclamation points x.x

 

My issue isn't with everyone who just simply disagreed with me, it is with people saying thinds like "What a complete waste of time, energy and emotion to be disappointed" (Pamperedpups) and "But then, some people are never happy" (Shaina) or "OMG, cry about it, sheesh" (Saintnoel).

I think you guys read into this way more than you should have. I am not disappointed with the Obama's, per say, just disappointed with the chance for rescues and shelters to get the much deserved attention that they are now going to miss.

Yes, my last post was a little dramatic (that happens when it is in the middle of the night and you are completely sleep deprived from being up for days with a puppy that doesn't sleep at night ) and I appologize, but don't you think it would be much more in order to say "I disagree with you because....." than to just be outright rude about it? I mean seriously, most of us are adults here right?

Really, please forget that I was disappointed with the fact that rescues and shelters didn't get their 10 minutes of glory. I am really glad that the Obama's got a puppy that is going to fit into their family, and I am really glad that he was a "return" puppy and a gift. I hope that the cute little guy has many wonderful years with the Obama's and that the Obama's love him as much as I love my Bella.

 

Phewwww, why so angry Angie's Bella?
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I completely respect yours and where it is coming from, but I also respect the others opinions as well and have to go with the majority here and say, oh well Good for the Obamas doing their research and knowing what they wanted in a dog.

I'm glad that the dog has a home and that the kids have a dog they can interact with, without having allergy attacks.

I'm sorry you felt you had to get so defensive AB, hopefully you can calm down for a while and stick around!
Alot of us on here ARE nice people... we just all have our own opinions and will not always agree with eachother.
Nessa

 

I think you're overreacting Angie's Bella. You can't expect everyone to agree with you all the time
I agree that it was a great gift from Ted Kennedy, he obviously loves the breed. It is important for people to see what a responsible breeder is. People hear that adopting from shelters is great, but you don't see commercials advertising finding a reputable breeder.

Alot of us on here ARE nice people... we just all have our own opinions and will not always agree with eachother.

Very true, that thread about ear cropping that turned into a fight about spaying/ neutering got pretty ugly, haha. But everyone has their own opinions, and although people disagreed I didn't decide everyone was mean and out to get me and leave the board. Xeph and I may disagree on whether or not I made the right choice in spaying my dog, but I still think she is a responsible owner with some gorgeous dogs
Don't let one thread get you down.

 

I think it's wonderful that the Obamas got the dog of their choice. While it would have been nice if they could have found one in shelter, the liklihood of finding a PWD was remote, at best.

Originally Posted by RRM_Mom08
I think my main concern with the whole thing is that a PWD is not really a good match (is was after talking to PWD owners/breeders) they are one family dogs and don't like strangers ,so the question is how will it fair in the white house (where there are lots of people all the time)

Now that's just nonsense! PWDs are lovely, social dogs! I've known several over the years, and they all were wonderful dogs with fabulous temperaments.

 

It's hard, I imagine, to post a heartfelt opinion and read fifty-or-so contrary opinions. And there's definitely a skill, that many of us lack, involved in expressing a contradictory opinion without being insulting.

We could all be a bit more diplomatic and/or thick-skinned, but I've been involved in various forums long-enough to know that trying to modify personalities is like herding cats.

 

I must say that I'm very very glad they did not pick a more popular breed, like a poodle from a shelter.

Here's why...

You always get the dalmation effect with any breed that is suddenly shown in a popular light in the media. So say the Obama's picked a shelter poodle... For some people they would go "Hey! poodles in the shelter, that looks great!" Then they would do their homework, decide the breed is for them, and adopt a shelter poodle.

Is that what most people would do? IMHO, probably not. I think you'd have a lot of people who see the poodle, decide they want one (without research), maybe they would try a shelter but around here at least you just don't see many poodles in shelters. I doubt they would put the thought into going to a breed specific rescue or looking at shelters outside of their area.

So what would those people do? Oh yeah, they would flock to the backyard breeders, and the puppy mills and pet stores. I can see it now, pet stores everywhere would be sure to have poodles in stock and you'd be getting impulsive purchases of these poor animals everywhere. Then these people would realize the poodle isn't for them and suddenly you would have a lot more poodles in shelters everywhere.

Frankly I only see two ways around this. Either they would have had to get a mutt, and since that would be tricky with the allergy issue it wasn't going to happen. Or they would have to get a more rare breed where the breeders still had good control of the supply and could screen all potential owners. Those just aren't going to be in the shelter in the first place.

Personally, I think they made the best choice possible given their situation. I think the poor PWD breeders are going to be innudated with idiots looking for a puppy asap without even researching the breed, but they will be able to handle it until it quiets down. We might see a few more showing up on petfinder in the next year but I don't think it would be anything like what would have happened had they gotten a more popular breed that has already escaped the control of the responsible breeders.

 

My guess is that the pup was a gift, but not a surprise. Of course I don't know for sure but I strongly suspect that there was much talking between the Obamas, the Kennedys, and the breeder. I'm sure the Kennedys paid for the dog as a gift but I don't think they did it without consulting the Obamas first.

Again, just a guess but it seems most likely to me.