Not so fast, Portuguese water dog fans: Michelle Obama may have spoken too soon about First Dog

People Magazine's interview with Michelle Obama, which suggests that the First Family is looking for a rescued Portuguese water dog that is "old enough" and a "match" for the family dynamic, may not be quite accurate, her press secretary Katie McCormick Lelyveld said today.  The Chicago Tribune reports:

"They have not selected a breed," Lelyveld said. "Mrs. Obama likes the Portuguese water dog, but she is only one of four votes."

"Their primary focus now is that they get a dog that works with their lifestyle," Lelyveld said.

President Obama told ABC News' George Stephanopolous last month that the family had narrowed their search for a new pet to either a Portuguese water dog or a Labradoodle (a Labrador retriever-poodle cross thought of by many dog fanciers as a "designer dog").  From the Tribune's politics blog, The Swamp:

If the Obamas do decide on a Portuguese water dog, that might be difficult, says Mary Harkins, coordinator of rescue and relocation for the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America. A very active breed, some Portuguese water dogs "are without an off-switch - they just go all day," Harkins explains. "It might be a little bit too much for a family who has never owned a dog before, especially this family."

The No. 1 reason that Portuguese water dogs are rescued, Harkins says, is because owners who bought them as puppies didn't realize their prodigious activity levels.

Very few "Porties," as the breed is often called for short, turn up in rescue groups, according to Harkins.  (Several offers have been made, including one from a shelter in Canada, to provide the Obamas with a rescued Labradoodle.  The Canadian shelter acquired 55 Labradoodles following a puppy mill bust in December.)

--Lindsay Barnett

Photo: Michelle Obama speaks at the Department of Transportation on Feb. 20.  Credit: Brendan Smialowski / Getty Images

Comments

[John Dog]

I think that a Portuguese Water Dog is the best breed in the world and I have dedicated my life to the breed.

[Vitor Barcelos]

I think the Portuguese watter Dog is the best idea !!!
Is a beautiful dog :) and Happy :)
Vitor

[Heather]

On Obama second day in office he bombed two safe houses in Afghanistan. Since then he has bombed Pakistan with drone fired missiles also.

If Bush were in office we woul be reading about the dead women and children, about the unjust war, fought by the baby killing US military; now we are reading about what dog the Obama's will get or that Michelle Obama wore short sleeves to the last speech..

Welcome to what now passes for journalism in America.

[Dachshund Breeder]

Not that I would want to "sell" any pup to the Obama family. But lifestyle certainly MUST be taken into account. I can't believe they would choose a big rambunctous dog that makes big gigantic piles and galumphs up and down the stairways to possibly bring havoc to the White House. I hope they give a big thought to the poor person who has to clean up the doo doo.

No time to train the dog, they should choose a more docile breed. If they have allergies, they should choose a short haired breed or a small poodle, kept groomed weekly.

[A barrett]

The lady is correct. Pwd's don't have off switch. Incredible dog, smart as me, movement stealth and cat like, mischeivously playful, athletic, and extremely creative. My one yo Kona is amazing. But is not for someone whose life doesn't center around family fur person.

[Rochelle]

I'm sure the Obama family are smart enough to realise that any pooch they adopt into their family will need a lot of time. Time for training, exercising, socialising and bonding. I don't think the argument here should be based on the breed of dog but more in how much time, realistically, they are able to give the dog. And it sounds like they know that a dog (any dog!) requires time and commitment. Plenty of previous Presidential families have seemingly successfully raised cats and dogs of all types, why are the Obamas so different?

[Richard Complainary]

I've got a mixed breed, yes a mutt, that is wonderful. Don't be concerned that the Obama's will not have time to take care of their new dog. They have all the White House help they need.

[Gretchen--A new PWD owner]

I would like to keep the PWD a secret & avoid everyone having one/puppy mills We got one for Christmas & he is not as rambunctious as I was prepared for! He's a GREAT dog & I love the no shedding part best!

[Laura Kamienski]

Yes! I am so gratified that the Obamas are setting a good example for how to responsibly consider, research and acquire a dog. My Portie is my best friend and has no "off" button. :D

[pwd expert]

They SHOULD come with an off/on switch. How could they have done their jobs on fishing boats if they couldn't hunker-down and relax on the boat until it was time to go to work? If they are not able to settle then they don't have the proper PWD temperament.

[June]

A lab-poodle mix is just as active as a porti. The are not a recognized breed and are just two different breeds put togther to have 2 breeds problems. Portis are great dogs, but i do agree they are a little too outgoing. It would be cool for the family to consider a miniature poodle.

[ingrid]

HEATHER....You call our military "baby killers".?? ...I dont agree with the war but to call them baby killers is far far from the truth... The men and women of our military sacrifice alot for you to be able to spew such defication from your mouth. Why dont you just pick a country in the middle east and move there.... see how well you are treated.... ESPECIALLY as a woman....oh yeah and try talking about their military in the same way...you will be probably be decapitated // For this "unjust" war as you call it.....our military does everything possible to prevent innocent casusalties...while the insurgents HIDE BEHIND them!..and by the way...Bush (not Obama).. started this whole war.