In the midst of a discussion about the economy, global uncertainty and homeland security, President-elect Barack Obama revealed something important about the type of dog that will soon be living within the walls of the White House.
It's either going to be a Labradoodle or a Portuguese Water Dog.
Speaking with George Stephanopoulos on ABC's "This Week," Obama said the choices had been narrowed to those two breeds, although the Labradoodle is really a hybrid (Labrador Retriever and Poodle) and is not recognized by the American Kennel Club. But the question came at the prompting of daughters Malia and Sasha, who accompanied their dad to the televised interview.
Here's how the exchange went:
STEPHANOPOULOS: Well, I got to tell you, you know, (Malia and Sasha are) out touring the museum right now, I heard they were taken straight to the first dog exhibit and while you were getting made up, they went into the control room and played director and producer. And they actually gave me a question they want me to ask you. You know exactly what it's going to be.
OBAMA: Uh-oh. Go ahead.
STEPHANOPOULOS: What kind of a dog are we getting and when are we getting it?
OBAMA: The -- they seem to have narrowed it down to a Labradoodle or a Portuguese water hound.
STEPHANOPOULOS: A medium sized.
OBAMA: Medium sized dog, and so, we're now going to start looking at shelters to see when one of those dogs might come up.
STEPHANOPOULOS: So, you're closing in on it?
OBAMA: We're closing in on it. This has been tougher than finding a commerce secretary.
We're not piling on Linda Brown or her Wolf Den Kennel -- the place where VP-elect Joe Biden bought his German Shepherd puppy recently -- but we wanted to confirm something we read about the kennel having lost its ability to register dogs with the American Kennel Club.
Turns out that's not so, although Brown, who also operates under the name Jolindy's German Shepherds in Chester County, Pa., did lose AKC certification in 2006. She regained it in 2007 and is currently in good standing.
Interestingly, Lisa Peterson, a spokeswoman for the AKC, told us that Brown has not registered any litters with the organization this year - meaning that the Biden dog (or the litter he came from) does not currently have AKC certification.
Peterson said that Brown, whose kennel was cited for several violations this month, lost her right to register dogs in 2006 because three of her litters had false certification, apparently listing incorrect parents. Peterson said this was probably a paperwork error.
All this makes us wonder if Biden really cares whether his puppy is AKC registered. Some dog owners do, some don't. But you'd have to presume that he might want his purebred dog to have the proper papers proving his heritage.
The incoming Vice President is getting pressure from groups who believe he should have adopted a shelter puppy - and that Brown might be a less-than-reputable breeder. They also believe that Biden's boss, Barack Obama, should adopt. An Obama dog would do a lot to promote pet adoption if he picks one from a shelter or rescue group.
