Who will be the Obama family's new "best friend?" In a recent interview, president-elect Obama said in a joking manner, "This is a major issue. And we have 2 criteria that have to be reconciled." One is that the dog be hypoallergenic because Malia (Obama's 10 year old daughter) is allergic. Their 2nd criterion is to get a shelter dog. But Obama then humbly said, "...shelter dogs are mutts like me." The gist of this somewhat self-deprecating comment is that choosing a shelter dog might be a bit too risky for Malia's allergies.
From the interviews so far it looks like the competition is between a golden doodle and a poodle for the first family. Shelter dogs seem to be out of the race. And I understand that the 2 Obama girls, Malia and Sasha, are voting for a doodle. Golden Doodles are a carefully chosen mixed breed of a golden retriever and a standard poodle. They are bred together to maximize the benefits of each breed's personality, body shape and minimize health issues that dogs of one breed can bring to a family. Of course, it's still critical to find a reputable breeder who has certified both parents of the puppies as "healthy".
And as a proud owner of 2 -- almost 2-year-old golden doodles named Micha and Maggie; I am behind the girls' vote all the way. I have owned dogs my entire life and I have never found an animal that's sweeter, gentler and more loving than a golden doodle. As a mother who has 3 boys who are also allergic to pet dander and a woman who has her own allergy problems, we decided to go the doodle route and we have not been sorry. Doodles shed less, so there's more dander control, so people tend to have fewer allergies around them. Plus it makes cleaning up their hair less of a hassle. But most importantly, doodles have incredible personalities, which is critical when you have kids and their friends around. Because doodles are a mixed breed they can be a bit hyper (at times) like a poodle but they can also be incredibly docile like a golden retriever. Doodles can act like clowns as poodles often do but can be trained easily because they have the retriever side to their personalities. Basically, they are big, loving lap dogs.
The bottom line is golden doodles are lovely family dogs. And once the dog is past the puppy phase he/she will give the unconditional love the Obama family so deserves. In fact studies show that dogs (not puppies) lower blood pressure, improve mood, are good for the heart and reduce stress in the house...umm the White House that is.
The joys of having a dog are summed up nicely by the following quote from an anonymous author: "My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog thinks I am."
