Should Barack Obama pick a doodle, a rescue or a purebred puppy?

President-elect Barack Obama has promised his daughters a puppy.

And Malia Obama has expressed an interest in a cockapoo (cocker spaniel and poodle mix)  or a golden doodle, (a golden retriever and a poodle).

A dog with a poodle mix is reportedly being considered because of allergies.

But most animal rights activists hope the new First Family  will favor a rescue pup from a shelter for the First Dog. And the American Kennel Club has even offered to help them pick a dog.

Interestingly, it's not just animal welfare agencies who would prefer the pound puppy over a doodle mix.

Here’s a letter I received from a poodle breeder to the new administration urging the president-elect not to choose a labradoodle or any other "novelty" mix breed perpetuated by profit-mongering puppy mills or inexperienced backyard breeders.

The letter advises the new prez to consider pound puppies over these high-priced trendy designer dogs or to stick with a recognized American Kennel Club breed of dog from a reputable AKC breeder.

And it brings up important issues that many people -- including the president-elect -- may not have thought about.

Dear Mr. Obama and Representatives of the President-Elect:

I understand that the Obama family is considering purchasing a Labradoodle puppy as a family companion.  This concerns me deeply, both as an advocate of free (but honest) enterprise, and of dog ownership in general.

To get right to the point, the Labradoodle phenomenon is the "poster child" for what is wrong with ethical pet dog production and sales in our United States, and I believe it would send a very negative message to the responsible animal advocates in the U.S. This is not a breed, and it is not being stewarded by honorable, knowledgeable, or caring breeders.

Perhaps the Obama family could have a dog training authority select a great shelter dog for the White House from one of our many dog pounds nationwide, it would have the same result and would not encourage the breeding of novelty puppies by inexperienced profit mongers. 

Sadly, dogs are often viewed as mere accessories in our culture, and the Labradoodle is the optimal example of that devaluation of life in our current society.

It is common knowledge among responsible and ultimately accountable breeders of purebred AKC Labrador Retrievers and Standard Poodles that none of us, nationwide, will ever, ever sell to these mixed breed backyard breeders.

Keep reading to find more about breeding, genetics and dog health and personality....

Photo: Obama hugs his puppy-loving daughter, Malia, 10, with wife Michelle. Credit: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times

Therefore, the bloodstock of these short term profit mongers is the lowest of the low in terms of the gene pool, creating multiple genetic diseases among the puppies they produce, as well as serious temperament problems including both aggression and shyness.

These short term entrepreneurs will breed any dog based on pedigree and are completely unqualified to match-make, yet they are quite qualified as salespeople and write a darn good web-site.

Genes, including the ones for inherited disease and bad temperament, do not disappear, as is commonly believed, when out-crossed.

Rather, when crossing two perhaps over-bred pure breeds of dog, one gets the inherited physical and emotional problems that both pure breeds are battling when the two are combined. 

The claims of non shedding coats are false, as the hypo-allergenic poodle coat is usually not dominant over the heavily shedding Labrador as the newly established Labradoodle breeders claim.  That in itself would account for the horrendous number of Labradoodles in rescues and shelters nationwide. 

Responsible, caring breeders always use a contract which commands any re-homed puppy they produce, regardless of age, to be returned to the breeder.  Why the huge numbers of doodles being discarded?

Please reconsider the Labradoodle purchase, and consider a quality Standard Poodle, Labrador, Golden Retriever, or any other pure AKC breed that suits the Obama children from a well recognized AKC breeder in good standing with their parent organization.

Dogs are not disposable.  And children, who are ignorant of all these intricacies, will be completely emotionally invested in whatever puppy you choose.  It is so much more than just a dog.

Thank you for your consideration on this matter.

Name Withheld by request of the writer.

What do you think? Should the Obama family adopt a rescue puppy? Get a doodle?

Or stick with a recognized American Kennel Club breed?

What kind of breed would you like to see in the new White House? And why?

And how about a First Cat?

Comments

[lisa]

They should really consider a 'rescue' puppy. It would send the right message.Otherwise pick a purebred. Main thing is for them to make sure the children feel they have chosen it. Most puppies and kittens are so adorable it is hard to imagine what it would grow up to be.
So they need wise counseling from an experienced authority.

[markm]

In the spirit of racial harmony I would nominate a mutt. Half of the world's problems have come from the concept of racial purity.
If he must hsave a purebred, however, I would select a Basengi. The dog is known for being silent, and poor Obama will endure enough yapping from congress and the media.

[Paul]

The Obama Family should get an AKC Boxer puppy because they are an all around great dog. Good with kids. Easy to train. Loyal. Beautiful. Good Sizes. No Major Health Issues.

[Michael D]

I think he should adopt a heinz 57 street mutt. A heinz 57 mutt is a much better representation of the USA than some purebred. The USA is made up of people from all races, all nations... as is a mixed breed mutt, the heinz 57.

[Fran A.]

This is a silly conversation. They should get the dog that is right for their family.
Let's engage in really important questions.

[Jim White]

Obama should display his good sense as a father and national leader by getting his daughter the puppy she wants and not cave into the political pressure of outsiders that want to run his family life.

[Kathy]

They should not get a doodle. There is no way to know if the doodle will shed like a lab or not shed like a poodle. There are plenty of purebred dogs in the shelters. They need to research which ones are good for allergies. Otherwise they need to stick with a AKC breed that does well for people with allergies.

[tizzy]

What do these AKC breeders feel about most of the pound puppies? Obviously, they were created by two dogs getting together, much the same as the lab/poo mix or any other example they care to bad mouth. We have two mixed breed puppies - yorky/poo and Lhasa/poo. Both are excellent animals, very smart with NO health issues, which is more than I can say about two AKC Old English sheep dogs I owned years ago. The female has a spastic colon and the male had a deformed lower mandible, causing his front teeth to fall out. Both bought from different breeders and both with a long AKC blood line. I'll stick with my cross breeds, thank you!

[Jessica]

while doodles are cute I agree with the AKC go with an AKC dog or a rescue. If it's an allergy problem I'm sure they can find a poodle rescue to adopt a dog from.

[Alex W]

Greyhounds are marvelous, graceful dogs, and would be a welcome change to the previously goofy white house lot. They are in dire need of rescue and are available from several rescue organizations.

[Sailingwindward]

How about a CAT, dogs are too dependent.

[Jeanette Wolter]

I was a volunteer with the Obama campaign.
I know about a quality temperament which is one of the main reasons I supported Barack Obama.

I am also a reputable breeder of Champion Standard and Miniature Poodles.

I urge Barack Obama to take the advice of this letter writer.

It all comes down to predicability.

[Ottoline]

I vote for a pure-bred rescue dog from an AKC breed-rescue group. Each breed has them, and they are wonderful.

Pick your breed, then go to the breed's AKC organization, and choose from any number of great unwanted dogs, incuding pups. You'll send a message for others to do the same.

Pick a breed whose temperament suits what you want in a dog and can offer a dog: read "Paws To Consider,"

http://www.amazon.com/Paws-Consider-Choosing-Right-Family/dp/0446521515/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226085140&sr=8-3

which gives excellent advice. Yes, each dog is unique, but the breeds have been bred over the centuries to stress or reduce certain traits -- so you and the dog can be a good match.

Dogs are not people and really DO have inbred characteristics (like herding instinct, guarding, digging, hunting in water, hunting via scent, being a quiet companion, etc., -- or NOT).

Great good luck to you, and I am thrilled beyond words that you are our new presidential family. I will work to support you, and I'll work harder to do the right thing because of your example in how you ran the campaign. THANK YOU!

[jack and gail wroldsen]

We have had 3 shelter puppies , an additional puppy from a cardboard box at a gas station,and one we found in the woods, a purebread longhaired Jack Russell ,(JR). Each one has been a BLESSING to us. Please adopt your puppy from a shelter before they most likely will simply send it to "DOGGY HEAVEN" Thank you
PS , We voted for you.

[Alicia Keltner]

I'd like to see them get a Pit Bull or pit mix. The breed is misunderstood and always has negative publicity, but there are MANY (most are) well-natured pitties out there.

[anony]

I would vote for First Cat, but he promised a puppy so I say shelter dog - (is sarah palin available?)

[Cru]

He should go to the shelter, and get a complete mutt. A real underdog dog, completely unconventional and lacking the pompous attitude picking a purebred would convey.

[Debbie]

Why doesn't everyone stay out of it and leave this up to Obama and his families choice! They are the one's that have to live with the pet and take care of it! Gee give them a break!

[Lela]

I will be very disappointed if the Obama family does not adopt a pet from a shelter. I felt the same way about previous presidential pet choices. I do think the girls have probably deserved this pet and like my children, have some breed in mind. You know they could have help from 100+ shelters across the country finding a top notch family dog.

I'm not a cat person, but I worked in an embassy and know the staff could easily help care for a cat as well as a dog. Why not save a couple of animals?

[David]

Well, let us know if you think they should get a purebred, a mutt, or what at http://www.nameobamaspuppy.com/choosebreed.htm

[Kim]

We have a 5 year old goldendoodle.. My husband has allegeries.
She is a great dog and she does not shed.

[Alex Zorach]

I think it's great that Obama is considering getting a mixed breed dog from an animal shelter. Many of my friends and family members have had wonderful experiences with dogs from shelters--they are sometimes even healthier and better-behaved than many purebreds.

I think Obama will be sending a really positive message by adopting a dog from a shelter--moving away from the focus on "high status" dog breeds, and encouraging a focus on compassion and practicality instead of high-status and consumption. Not to mention, puppy mills can be pretty cruel.

[Ruth]

A cocopoo is a wonderful dog. Mix between cocker spaniel and poodle, they are hypoalergenic. Very smart, fun, obedient, very kid friendly. We have a cocopoo and she's adorable!!

[Vicki]

Please do not promote the breeding of Mix-breed dogs by purchasing a Doodle. Either buy a purebred from a Good breeder (not a puppy mill or pet store) or adopt from a shelter or rescue. There are many purebred poodles in shelters and rescues. Do the United States some good by promoting rescue/adoption.

[Lisa]

PORTUGESE WATER DOG!!!! They are such sweet dogs, smart and athletic too! They are a hypoallergenic breed also.