Michelle Obama finally reveals identity of First Dog

Michelle Obama finally reveals identity of First Dog

By Mail Foreign Service
Last updated at 3:54 PM on 26th February 2009


Curly: The Portuguese Water Dog is very similar to a poodle

Michelle Obama has finally revealed the breed of America's First Pet - a Portuguese Water Dog.

Mrs Obama ended months of speculation when she confirmed that the animal, which is a similar breed to a poodle, will arrive in April.

The new president and his wife had promised their daughters, Sasha, six, and 10-year-old Malia, that they would get a dog if he were elected.

'Temperamentally they're supposed to be pretty good,' Mrs Obama told People magazine.

'From the size perspective they're sort of middle of the road - it's not small and it's not a huge dog.

'And the folks that we know who own them have raved about them.

'So that's where we're leaning.'

The family has also discussed names. Mrs Obama said they had considered Frank and Moose.

It is believed the animal will come from a rescue centre.

Senator Ted Kennedy, one of Obama's most fervent supporters during the presidential campaign owns a Portuguese Water Dog called Splash.


First family: Barack and Michelle Obama with daughters Sasha (left) and Malia (right) on election night

The Obamas were inundated with offers of pets after the new President revealed his girls would get a dog when they moved into the White House.

His announcement provoked a frenzy of speculation about what breed the family would eventually pick.

At one point there were almost more column inches devoted to the debate than to his policies.

Portuguese Water Dogs are a fairly rare breed that have become popular in recent years because they don't shed hair.

They are native to Portugal's coast, where they have been used by fishers to herd their catch into nets.


Senator Edward Kennedy with his Portuguese Water Poodle Splash

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1155976/Michelle-Obama-finally-reveals-identity-First-Dog.html