Obama Daughters To Get Their Dog, Bo, On Tuesday

Photographs of the Obamas and their new dog Bo by Pete Souza/White House

The White House will once again have a pet come this Tuesday, as the Obamas will welcome their new, long-awaited dog. With TMZ's report yesterday about a Portuguese water dog heading to the White House, the White House has now granted the Washington Post the exclusive: "The girls named it Bo -- and let it be noted that you learned that here first. Malia and Sasha chose the name, because their cousins have a cat named Bo and because first lady Michelle Obama's father was nicknamed Diddley, a source said. (Get it? Bo... Diddley?)"

The WaPo—which has a pretty extensive article about the dog, possible leaks about the dog, and First Family preparations—notes, "Bo's a handsome little guy. Well suited for formal occasions at the White House, he's got tuxedo-black fur, with a white chest, white paws and a rakish white goatee," and reports that the family met a lei-wearing Bo a few weeks ago. A staffer cooed, "He's sooooo cute. It's very exciting. They had a great meeting."

Bo, a 6 month old purebred pup, is a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy, who has three Portuguese water dogs (Bo is related to his dogs). He lobbied the Obamas to pick a Portie, because their coats don't shed and make them a better choice for people with allergies, as the Obama daughters do. Bo was apparently returned to the breeder, so the Obamas are "rehoming" him. President Obama was inclined to get a rescue dog from a shelter, but also acknowledged his daughters' health concerns would be a factor. And the WaPo explains, "As for the rescue pledge, the Obamas came up with a solution intended to lend a serious symbolic note: They're going to make a donation to the D.C. Humane Society."

And for more White House pet fun, check out this gallery of past pets at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on April 12, 2009 9:46 AM

Comments [rss]

chubbyemu

While yeah, I agree that a shelter dog would have been better, it's often not so easy to find one that is truly hypoallergenic, as was needed for one of their daughters. ON another note, Portuguese water dogs are fantastic animals. I had one when I was growing up. The breeders of these guys are notoriously protective so hopefully that will lessen the chance of a huge dash for them. That being said, these days its already a very expensive breed and looks like will be even more so now. None of this really matters, I just haven't had an opinion on anything posted in a while.

books

it would have been way better if he had gotten a shelter dog or mutt. Its too bad he didnt. Its missed oppurtunity.

Trilby16

Oh god! Let them enjoy their new puppy. It's adorable! Sheesh! Because some A-holes make extra dogs that end up in shelters, is it everybody else's responsibility to only get those dogs? Maybe nobody should ever have their own babies as long as there are kids who need homes.

freddynyc

BTW shouldn't the Obamas be getting a white colored dog just as the Bushes had gotten a....

freddynyc

Is that the actual dog or just a pinata?

whitecastlerock

Trillions of dollars later and we have a dog!!!!! Whoopeeee!

editedby

Let the run on Portuguese Water Dogs begin. What a shame.

felixthecat2

Instead of making a donation, Pres. Obama should push for legislation for puppy mils. People are stupid, now they will want an Obama dog. How sad.

meowster

He never pledged to get a shelter dog. I'm more concerned with the use "WaPo" in this post.

KiljoyWasHere

Seconded.

nyrangers

i worry about this. he pledged to rescue a dog. it really sends the wrong message. this is horrible.

robingee

Oh please, it's not "horrible."

Toby von Meistersinger

That is what politicians do, promise one thing and do another.

coconutendo

That and the whole continuing to spend our country past the point of bankruptcy thing.

devilducki

YOU fix the economy in 3 months. Jesus, did you expect a miracle?

akrnyc

i think your dear leader Bush has already done that, with his illegal war which Obama has inherited, along with the economy.

Endless Ike

"bush did it so Obama can too?"

I thought the whole point of electing obama was so that he'd do things differently?

Spirit of 76

He is doing things differently. Dubya would have given GM and AIG a blank check. He would have said GM's CEO is doing a great job and should stay on as long as he wants. Hate on Obama all you want, but that won't change that most economists say he is doing the right things while Bush did all the wrong things.