The argument now is what sort of dog will Obama choose when he goes to the White House. Apparently he has promised his kids one. Fair 'nuff ~ most parents promise silly things to get good behaviour from time to time but just read this crap from the various "Experts" that the media have dug up. If this is the big issue we need have no more worries about wars, famines, bankruptcy, terrorists, unemployment, banks imploding etc etc. We NEED to sort out why Obama isn't taking a Beagle to the White House.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7714480.stmUS President-elect Barack Obama is still working on the make-up of his cabinet. A far more important decision - for his daughters at least - will be choosing the puppy that accompanies the new First Family to the White House.
Mr Obama made the promise of a new pet to Malia, 10 and Sasha, seven, in an election victory speech broadcast to millions around the world, suggesting it is one campaign pledge that will be kept.
"I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House," he told his daughters.
Now the question is, what kind of pooch will be the next to join a long and illustrious line of White House pets?
Michelle Obama has been quoted as saying she would like a rescue dog - which would certainly be a story of canine rags to riches.
Reports suggest that because daughter Malia has allergies, the Obamas may be considering a "hypoallergenic" breed that sheds less hair.
Options could include a labradoodle - a cross between a Labrador and a poodle - a schnoodle (schnauzer and poodle), or a cockapoo (cocker spaniel and poodle).
Malia, however, is rumoured to favour a goldendoodle - a poodle crossed with a golden retriever.
In an American Kennel Club survey of 42,000 people this summer, a pedigree poodle came out as the top choice for a new First Dog.
But Tamar Geller, a California-based celebrity dog "life coach" who trained Oprah Winfrey's puppies, is confident the Obamas will choose a rescue dog.
Can you imagine the dog jumping on Putin, or lifting his leg and peeing on the curtains, or nipping at Gordon Brown?
Tamar Geller
Celebrity dog trainer
She says staff at her shelter programme, Another Chance For Love, are already in talks with people in the Obama camp about a goldendoodle that needs a home.
"He is a gorgeous dog," she told the BBC News website. "He is white with some golden highlights, as if he went to the hairdresser, a really happy smile, sweet but not hyper.
"I think he is going to make a perfect First Dog but we will see - the family has to make the decision."
The priority, she says, is that the pet the Obamas pick is comfortable with children and impeccably behaved at all times, particularly with visitors.
"Can you imagine the dog jumping on Putin, or lifting his leg and peeing on the curtains, or nipping at Gordon Brown?" she says.
"We don't want that to happen, so the dog has to be very well mannered.
"We need to make sure that the dog is not afraid of loud noises because he may hear loud arguments in the Oval Office, and he mustn't be afraid of people with beards and turbans and so on because he is going to meet a lot of foreign dignitaries."
Leigh Siegfried, of the Opportunity Barks dog training school, based just outside the capital, agrees that sociability is a must.
The reporter bitten on the finger by George W Bush's dog Barney this week would probably agree.
