Obama Rescue Dog

AgileGSD

Or they'll go the "puppy mill rescue" route and buy from a rescue (aka broker) that bought the puppy at an auction.

I'm pretty sure a rescuer and a broker are two completely different things. With all the scrutinizing this dog and family will be under I'm sure they won't be supporting a puppy mill.

There are purebred poodles and poodle mixes (a lot with other hypoallergenic breeds, I did a Petfinder search using a Washington DC zip) that are puppies in shelters. There's also breed specific rescue.   From what I've read, he originally wanted a Labradoodle and than his daughter started researching rescue dogs and approached her parents with the idea.  I think if they really want to rescue a hypo allegenic puppy, it is a real and possible option.   I'm not against them getting a dog from a breeder, that alone is a good example if they really do chose a reputable one, but I just think it would be amazing to see the president rescue a dog.   It would really illustrate that you can find almost any breed or type of dog through rescue...

LillianD

There are purebred poodles and poodle mixes (a lot with other hypoallergenic breeds, I did a Petfinder search using a Washington DC zip) that are puppies in shelters. There's also breed specific rescue.   From what I've read, he originally wanted a Labradoodle and than his daughter started researching rescue dogs and approached her parents with the idea.  I think if they really want to rescue a hypo allegenic puppy, it is a real and possible option.   I'm not against them getting a dog from a breeder, that alone is a good example if they really do chose a reputable one, but I just think it would be amazing to see the president rescue a dog.   It would really illustrate that you can find almost any breed or type of dog through rescue...

  Like I said, if they are dedicated to rescuing a dog (and if so, I hope it is for the right reasons and not due to pressure from AR groups) they will wait for such a puppy to show up in rescue. Or they will get one from a "puppy mill rescue", which is more like buying from a broker or pet store than actually getting a shelter dog. With such "rescues", purebred puppies and adults are purchased at commercial breeder auctions and sold through shelters for high adoption fees (often $500-1000).

   The idea that you can find almost any breed in a shelter is not really accurate. When looking for Poodle puppies in my area, there was only one purebred puppy within 6 hours of me and it was a toy that was bought from an auction. The group which has the puppy is one which recently stopped taking in strays/owner surrenders and started buying purebred, small breed puppies and adult dogs from auctions. I did a quick search for PWDs - Petfinder has a total of 4 listed total, none are puppies. Of those 4, none are even close to actually being PWDs - one looks like a Doodle, two look like Cocker mixes and the fourth has no pictures but is listed as a PWD/Chow mix. Looked at Bedlington Terriers, of the three listed the closest is 6 hours away and none are Bedlington Terriers or look like Bedlington mixes. Checked for Irish Water Spaniels, two are listed both adults (one about 6 hours from me, the other a 5-6 hour plane ride from me) both claim to be IWS/Poodle mixes and both look like Doodles. Similar case with Soft-coated Wheatens - none are anywhere local to me, none are puppies and most of them are not Wheatens or Wheaten mixes. If these sound like odd breeds to search for, they are the most commonly suggested medium to large sized breeds for owners with allergies.

  Of course, I often check for my breed - Belgian Sheepdogs. There are 85 listed total but on closer look it is always obvious that the vast majority are not Belgians. Some are actually purebred caoted GSDs and most are just black mixes. Occasionally I will find one that does appear to be a Belgian but they are generally middle aged (I always send the info to the region appropriate rescues). I looked up Belgian Laekenois, a variety of Belgians that I am interested in. Again we have four total listed. Three are listed as mixes and do not remotely resemble the breed, the other is a black dog with a Sibe looking coat. Not surprsising as there are under 300 in the US. No Cardigan Welsh Corgis in my area either - just Pems and a lot of mixes (many of which don't look anything like Corgis, cute as some of them are). We did adopt our Cardi from a shelter but since then, I've not seen another Cardi in my area on Petfinder when I have looked - guess he was just meant to be our dog :)

  In saying this I don't mean to imply at all that the above dogs are any less deserving of a home because they are mixes or are misID'd. Some are very attractive dogs, some are cute and I'm sure they all have their own charm. But for people looking for X breed of dog/puppy for whatever reason, these dogs don't fit what those owners want.

FWIW I am not at all against shelter dogs or rescue dogs. I like a lot of mixes that I have known and I like dogs. If I were to ever get a BC, I would be open to and look at rescue BCs, as I am not interested in breeding or conformation showing with them (but some day I'd love to have one). When I have had litters of Belgians, I suggested a rescue dog for a good number of people who contacted me interested in a puppy from ads that I had placed. For people who weren't up to raising a puppy, I suggested a rescue Belgian and gave them the appropriate contact info. I also told them belgian Sheepdogs and Tervs weren't common in rescue, so unless they were willing to take a Mal they may have to wait quite some time. I also suggested contacting other breeders and asking if they have any adults looking for homes as an alternative. For other people, I told them they should visit a shelter and find a large, hairy black dog or a hairy, black puppy with a temperament that they liked. With those people, I felt they would be just as happy with such a dog as they would be with one of my puppies. I really want my puppies to go to homes that have really researched Belgians and decided based not just on looks, that it is the breed they want (or better yet, owners who have owned the breed before).

 What I am against and strongly against is the promoting of shelter adoptions by attacking breeders. And the strong anti-breeder attitude that has comes with it.

Keep something in mind, yes at the White House there'll be tons of cleaning help and very little chance of allergy issues. But errr, the dog should be with them longer then his term as presidency, even if they go 2 terms. What we don't want to see is a dog that later needs to be rehomed because they moved into a smaller house and now is affecting the girls allergies.

Just reading comments here and on other message boards, I'm beginning to feel really sorry for them.  I'm getting the feeling that no matter what they do (breeder or rescue), no matter what breed/mix they get, lots of people will find major fault with it.

For a long time I've foreseen a smallish, non-/low shedding dog in my future, so I keep check on what's available within a days' round-trip drive of my area.  And lemme tell ya, it's not very encouraging.  The vast majority of available dogs are puppymill rescues (available through legitimate rescue groups, for reasonable adoption fees).  Now I have no serious qualms about taking on a dog with behavior or medical issues.  I've had dogs for thirty years, so I consider myself to be pretty darn experienced.  By all accounts, this will be the very first dog for any of the Obamas, thus they are far from experienced.  Certainly they will have the resources for all sorts of help.  But a lot of potential first-time dog owners can afford whatever help is needed.  But who among us would recommend a dog with issues for a first-time owner?  Especially considering the myriad of things the dog will have to deal with in the WH.  Just look at the Barney biting incident from last week, and consider that Laura and GWB are experienced dog owners.

Also, something I haven't seen mentioned anywhere is that most rescues will not adopt small dogs like maltese, miniature poodles, mini schnauzers, etc., to homes with young children.  The Obamas youngest daughter is just seven, I believe.  I've seen some rescues who put the age limit at five or six, but many who have that policy specify ten as the youngest.  So unless they waive that rule for such a high-profile adopter, which I don't think is a wise idea at all, then the Obamas will have to work around that and it will greatly limit their choices.

Of course there are always city/county shelters.  But again, if a newbie came here with the exact situation as the Obamas (minus the chaos of living in the WH), what would our first advice be?  I'm pretty sure the vast majority would advise them to go through a good rescue group that does thorough temperment testing.

Myra, I just had a local friend adopt a mini poodle from a local rescue.   Are you contacting local rescuers or jst assuming that what is displayed on their web sites comprises the extent of what that have available?  Most of the time, the most adoptable dogs go almost immediately.  You (and the Obamas by the way) describe the "holy grail" of rescue dogs.  But they are available, just rarely advertised because they've got waiting lists of homes available for them as soon as they are available.

Myra

Just reading comments here and on other message boards, I'm beginning to feel really sorry for them.  I'm getting the feeling that no matter what they do (breeder or rescue), no matter what breed/mix they get, lots of people will find major fault with it.

You know that will happen. Not from me. For one thing, you can't please everyone. For another, every pres gets shredded, it's part of the job. I'll be glad if they can either adopt or buy from a breeder. As for the Labradoodle thing, it won't be as hypoallergenic as one would think. I saw one at the Dallas SPCA last year, a big old brute of a dog, a bit barky, (no doubt, he didn't like it in there), smelling to high heaven and needing a grooming big time. I don't see what is so hypoallergenic about that mix. Sounds like something Billy Mays would sell. Labs are single-coated with a short coat that sheds constantly. Poodles have that long, curly coat and though they constantly shed, too, they need grooming. So the cross is a constant shedder than also needs grooming. Again, how is that hypo-allergenic? To me, the single-coat, short-coated dogs should be the most hypoallergenic. Pet dander is just a part of life. Greyhound, Italian Greyhound. Not only short coated with a single coat, but their coat can't pick up much dirt. Maybe they'll just get some goldfish.

brookcove

Myra, I just had a local friend adopt a mini poodle from a local rescue.   Are you contacting local rescuers or jst assuming that what is displayed on their web sites comprises the extent of what that have available?  Most of the time, the most adoptable dogs go almost immediately.  You (and the Obamas by the way) describe the "holy grail" of rescue dogs.  But they are available, just rarely advertised because they've got waiting lists of homes available for them as soon as they are available.

Oh, I know all about waiting lists.  I'm not nearly that far along to getting one (won't be adding another pet while both my current dogs are still around).  I was just laying out some of the issues the Obamas will have to deal with that I haven't seen mentioned much, if any.  As an experienced dog person, I'd actually feel more than a bit guilty for taking a highly-adoptable dog, when I feel perfectly qualified to work through issues that would keep a dog from being a candidate for a first-time owner.

 AgileGSD:  Puppy mill RESCUE and BROKER is a completely different thing.  Here in Richmond, our local SPCA helped with a mill seizure that resulted in approx. 750 PUREBRED dogs and PUPPIES being offered for adoption.  These were NOT BOUGHT AT AUCTION!  They were not PURCHASED at all they were RESCUED after a SEIZURE due to deplorable conditions.  There were untold numbers of small, hypoallergenic breeds in that seizure.  They were not SOLD by the SPCA they were ADOPTED OUT.  There are more and more purebred puppies ending up in rescue due to these seizures around the country.

Don't try to paint the rescuers with the brokers' brush.  There's a HUGE difference.  HUGE.  /rant
 

The choice of this First Dog is being watched very closely and many very reputable organizations such as Best Friends have offered to help them locate the right dog for their family.  I'm sure they'll do fine.  I ran into this sentiment when I was trying to find a family dog with my highly allergic son.  Many rescues nixed us because "what if the child reacts?"  Yes, that would have been troubling, but these rescues did NOTHING to work with us or educate us about what we could do to reduce the chances of that happening or to look for dogs with lower allergy potential.  That's why we ended up going with an airedale from a breeder.  We did adopt one originally who was an adult and did not do well in a house with children (see? dog problem, not an allergy problem).  But the breeders didn't automatically blackball us from the possibility of having a dog, they found a more workable solution for us.  I hope the Obama's will be as fortunate as I was to find an organization or individual who is willing to educate and work with their family to facilitate the right fit, without all the judgment and grandstanding that is sometimes evident with holier than thou rescues who expect each and every adopter to live a life completely revolving around the dog, rather than helping the family to incorporate the right dog into their life. 

I can see what you are saying AgileGSD.  I know there are dogs out there considered "puppy mill rescue" which is basically no different than a pet store puppy, only called a rescue instead of being sold at the pet store. If you do a Petfinder search in the Washington, DC area though there are MANY poodles.   I know with rescues you never know their full history, Cruiser was supposedly a corgi/border collie mix, once we got him from a Southern rescue it was VERY obvious he was neither.  But, the poodles available in the Washington area on Petfinder really are obviously Poodles.

Now, our dogs are both rescues.  Sophie was the first dog we'd ever owned as a family.  She's a big mutt (looks like Border collie/keeshond/Shepherd).   We did A LOT of research before getting a dog and about training them and working with potential behavioral problems.  My children were quite young when we got her, four and seven and we made sure the that dogs are never for a moment unsupervised with the children.  Our second dog was from a Southern rescue, transported up to NH.  With a lot of training and a lot of socializing, both dogs have been amazing companions who we wouldn't trade for the world. Even my vet admonished me about getting rescues when we have children saying we posed a risk to our children, I do not regret our decision whatsoever.  Yes, it would have been "easier" to get an 8 or 12 week old puppy from a reputable breeder were we could meet the parents and all that, but we really love mutts and wanted to rescue and it's worked out beautifully.

I do hope that the Obama's know about reputable breeders.  I've never heard them mention that, I've only heard them say rescue or Labradoodle. Hopefully that doesn't mean getting a pet store puppy.   No matter what though, I fully respect that it's a personal choice and they need to do what's best for their family.  Nobody should begrudge them for that, but unfortunately people will.  I wish the petitions would stop, I'd hate to see them make a decision based on wanting to please and pressure that isn't the right choice for their family.

BCMixs

 AgileGSD:  Puppy mill RESCUE and BROKER is a completely different thing.  Here in Richmond, our local SPCA helped with a mill seizure that resulted in approx. 750 PUREBRED dogs and PUPPIES being offered for adoption.  These were NOT BOUGHT AT AUCTION!  They were not PURCHASED at all they were RESCUED after a SEIZURE due to deplorable conditions.  There were untold numbers of small, hypoallergenic breeds in that seizure.  They were not SOLD by the SPCA they were ADOPTED OUT.  There are more and more purebred puppies ending up in rescue due to these seizures around the country.

Don't try to paint the rescuers with the brokers' brush.  There's a HUGE difference.  HUGE.  /rant

 And how is that at all related to what I said about rescues buying dogs and puppies from auctions and slapping high price tags on them? Or did you just feel like going off into a rant because I dare suggest that not all "rescues" are reputable?

ron2

You know that will happen. Not from me. For one thing, you can't please everyone. For another, every pres gets shredded, it's part of the job. I'll be glad if they can either adopt or buy from a breeder. As for the Labradoodle thing, it won't be as hypoallergenic as one would think. I saw one at the Dallas SPCA last year, a big old brute of a dog, a bit barky, (no doubt, he didn't like it in there), smelling to high heaven and needing a grooming big time. I don't see what is so hypoallergenic about that mix. Sounds like something Billy Mays would sell. Labs are single-coated with a short coat that sheds constantly. Poodles have that long, curly coat and though they constantly shed, too, they need grooming. So the cross is a constant shedder than also needs grooming. Again, how is that hypo-allergenic? To me, the single-coat, short-coated dogs should be the most hypoallergenic. Pet dander is just a part of life. Greyhound, Italian Greyhound. Not only short coated with a single coat, but their coat can't pick up much dirt. Maybe they'll just get some goldfish.

   I work at a grooming shop and we do quite a lot of Doodles - mostly Larbradoodles and Goldendoodles. Most first generation Labradoodles, oddly enough are fairly similar. They tend to have a scruffy, terrierish coat and most are large to VERY large dogs (some are bigger than Poodles or Labs). The thickness of the coat varies a bit from being like a JRT with a broken coat to have a big, thick full coat. Their shedding depends on the coat type, some really barely shed at all but some shed like normal dogs (as opposed to shed like GSDs, Labs or other heavy shedders). None IME are "constant shedders" and none need professional grooming if the owner doesn't mind brushing a big hairy dog. Many people do have them clipped a bit because some have heavy, thick coats that the owners don't want to brush out.

  We also do a few Doodles that are Labradoodles bred back to Poodles and they have a coat much like a Poodle which doesn't shed. These dogs do require professional grooming, as they have the same constantly growing, non-shedding coat that a Poodle has. If the Obamas decide to go with a Doodle, their best bet would be to get one with a more Poodle-y coat (I joke that they are "re-Doodled" Doodles). You can't really make a generalized statement about Doodles because you saw one poorly kept one.

 FWIW I wouldn't suggest an IG or a Grey for a home with young children. IGs are nice dogs but rather fragile and Greys IME are too prone to being sensitive about their space and snappy (especially when they are resting).

LillianD

I can see what you are saying AgileGSD.  I know there are dogs out there considered "puppy mill rescue" which is basically no different than a pet store puppy, only called a rescue instead of being sold at the pet store. If you do a Petfinder search in the Washington, DC area though there are MANY poodles.   I know with rescues you never know their full history, Cruiser was supposedly a corgi/border collie mix, once we got him from a Southern rescue it was VERY obvious he was neither.  But, the poodles available in the Washington area on Petfinder really are obviously Poodles.

 I did a Petfinder search on Poodle puppies in the DC area. On the first page one is purebred and is pending adoption. Two are puppy mills rescues that say no kids. The rest are mixes including littermates who are being called Labradoodles but it is hard to say from the pix if they are. Another "Doodle" has such bad mange it is hard to say what it is (poor dog :( ). One that is being called a Poodle/Beagle mix is super cute!

AgileGSD

 And how is that at all related to what I said about rescues buying dogs and puppies from auctions and slapping high price tags on them? Or did you just feel like going off into a rant because I dare suggest that not all "rescues" are reputable?

Your suggestion was not that all rescues weren't reputable, your intimation was that rescues and brokers were one in the same, with statements like this:

AgileGSD

Or they'll go the "puppy mill rescue" route and buy from a rescue (aka broker) that bought the puppy at an auction.

 and this one:

AgileGSD

Or they will get one from a "puppy mill rescue", which is more like buying from a broker or pet store than actually getting a shelter dog. With such "rescues", purebred puppies and adults are purchased at commercial breeder auctions and sold through shelters for high adoption fees (often $500-1000).

Your statements did not make the point that there is a difference between posers who present themselves as rescues when they are in actuality just selling dogs.  Your statements come off as though all rescues who claim to have puppy mill dogs are really just brokers or thinly veiled puppy mill sellers.  Shelters are state run entities who are not able to buy dogs at auction and then sell them for high dollars.  There ARE rescue organizations that are not in fact rescues at all.  There are also rescues that DO buy at auction in an attempt to save these dogs from a lifetime of senseless breeding and deplorable conditions.  That's certainly their right, but to paint them all with the "they're all the same" brush as I feel you did is IMHO to do a disservice to the real rescues working hard to not only save and find mill dogs homes but also to do a disservice to shelters who end up taking in mill dogs as the result of a seizure.  The purebred dogs taken in by the Richmond SPCA and other city and county shelters in the area as a result of the large mill seizure were not adopted out at a premium price just because their breeding, their adoption fees were the same as the mutt off the street.  They are legitimate shelters/rescues who are NOT brokers or millers and do not charge a premium for mill-bred or purebred dogs in an effort to make a buck.
 

ETA: Doing a quick search on Petfinder is a pretty poor way to determine the availability of a given criteria of dog.  There's plenty of breed specific rescues that don't ever post on Petfinder and being on Petfinder is certainly not a stamp of legitimacy.  There's plenty of pet sellers posing as rescues there. 

On the allergy front, provided they would consider a smaller dog, there's always the American Hairless Terriers, very closely related to Rat Terriers (which I have).  Range from 6 lbs. to around 20 and are about 10-15" at the withers.  Just a nice "handful".  For some reason, people always forget about AHT's when they are thinking of hypoallergenic dogs.  Some of them can look a bit odd, but others, like the one in this pic, can be quite handsome dogs. They look just like rat terriers without fur.  I have seen pics of some who seem to have a very short type fuzz on their skin, though.  I hear their personalities are just like ratties (playful most of their adult lives) and I can vouch you can't get a sweeter, friendlier, more affectionate little dog than my two girls.  And for those that would say terriers are just too hyper, let me just say after age 2, most of my rattie friends say theirs sleep most of the day, just like my two in my signature.    Some days, the naps are only interrupted by the occasional squirrel chase in the back yard and chow-time!  LOL

http://www.ahts.net/Tay11mth.htm