The family has taken their time researching breeds, reportedly narrowing the field down to either a Portuguese water dog or a Labradoodle, a cross between a Labrador retriever and a standard poodle. Spending time figuring out what sort of dog will fit in with a family is important for anyone considering getting a dog, Ramsey said. For the Obama family, finding a so-called “hypo-allergenic” breed was a priority because the couple’s older daughter, 10-year-old Malia, is allergic to dogs. Though no breed of dog or cat is truly hypoallergenic, some breeds are less likely to trigger allergic reactions than others, explained Dr. Ramsey said he hopes people won’t just adopt the same kind of dog out of admiration, without considering whether the dog fits in with their lifestyle. There are a number of Web sites to help people choose what dog breed is right for their family.

Walla Walla Labradoodle Owner Talks About Possible White House Dog - KNDU-TV- msnbc.

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Bush’s , Jennifer Aniston , Jeremy Irons , Joe Biden , Michael Vick , Obama , Obama Dog , Pets , Portuguese Water Hound , Presidential Pets , Sasha And Malia , Sen. Then there are the thespians — Jennifer Aniston and Jeremy Irons — who probably find the glamorous side of these designer pooches fit nicely with a theatrical lifestyle. Just when take the Labradoodle for a swim (which Labs usually love) — the dog gets all Poodle on you, won’t go swimming, instead wants to be pampered, hiding from the sun and relaxing in the cabana with water and a fan blowing. The Portuguese Water Dog may be destined to doggie paddle in the White House pools and ponds, they love to swim and dive.

AID=/20090124/NEWS/901230221&tc=email_newsletter’, ‘Tuscaloosa Labradoodle campaigning to be ‘First Dog”, ‘NEWS’, ”, ”, ‘January 24, 2009′, $(’email_from’). Since Obama told George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “This Week” that the First Family had narrowed their choices for “First Dog” to a Labradoodle or a Portuguese water dog, the competition to provide the much-anticipated pet has been on. Labradoodles are typically expensive dogs, and it is rare for them to show up at shelters, said Betty Freeman, a board member of the West Alabama Humane Society. The Obamas have focused their search on Labradoodles and Portuguese water dogs because older daughter Malia is allergic and those breeds are considered more hypoallergenic than other dogs, said Freeman. While the Portuguese water dog is listed as one of 11 hypoallergenic dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club, Labradoodles are not reliably allergy-friendly, according to the organization’s Web site. De Nicolas said it would be great if Obama came to the organization seeking his new dog, and added that the Humane Society could bring dogs to the Obamas.