Sad there’s no ferret options, but I guess they’re just too sneaky a critter for such a sensitive place in government. “Honey, have you seen my missile launch codes?”

“There are plenty of purebreds in shelters and breed rescues. Some of them are even puppies too! So I’m sure the Obamas will find just the perfect puppy for their little girls at a shelter.”

“I’m sure it won’t be difficult to find one that fits both criteria. All the shelters will probably call with their inventory of hypoallergenic puppies.”

Yeah!

“So the First Puppy will be something with hair, not fur– a Schnauzer, a poodle, a Bichon Frise, etc.”

As for mixed-breed and no-breed* dogs, what about a mixed-breed dog like a goldendoodle, or a no-breed dog that has the same less-allergenic traits as the ones that got bred into poodles and bichon frises? Even if there isn’t one at their local shelter, there’s petfinder.com and shelters that network with each other.

* this is cool:

http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/tutorial2.html

“ONE-MINUTE HISTORY LESSON
“It isn’t as though the first dogs started out as fancy purebreds and everything that isn’t pure is some degenerate form of these purebreds.

“On the contrary. The first dogs were what we might call original village dogs. They roamed the edges of early villages and reproduced randomly. The purebreds that came along much later (mostly in the 1800s) were developed from these village dogs.

“But the original dogs have gone right along reproducing themselves, as well, and we still see the results of their random breedings today.

“So unless you know FOR SURE that a puppy had purebred parents, trying to guess ‘what breeds are in him’ may be a waste of time. Because the truth may be, ‘No breeds at all. He comes from a long line of original village dogs.’…

“…Even if you THINK you see some recognizable breed in a non-purebred dog…

“You may be mistaken.

“Example: You’re looking at a dog with black and tan markings. Does that mean he has Rottweiler in his heritage? Or Doberman? Is he part German Shepherd?

“Maybe not. There are only so many ways that canine parts CAN look — and these ‘looks’ can occur in any dog. A dog doesn’t have to ‘get’ his black and tan markings, or prick ears, or curled tail from some purebred. A non-purebred is entitled to the same basic canine genes and canine characteristics as a purebred is…”

PIT BULL – isn’t that the obvious choice

I was watching Rachel Maddow the other day (was it Thursday?), and Lawrence O’Donnell said he overheard Michelle Obama (backstage at Grant Park) talk about a possible 2-dog strategy. But he heard nothing more than that, and so that doesn’t really do much except generate more speculation.

Hmm.

[Yes yes! They could romp! They could frolic! They could collaborate in committee! - Ed.]

To whoever said you find mostly mutts at shelters: Nonsense! I walk dogs for our local Humane Society, and there are MANY purebred dogs there. Lots of mixed breeds too, but I have seen everything: chihuahuas, dalmatians, German shepherds, beagles, pit bulls, dachsunds, even a Saint Bernard last week. I have seen goldendoodles several times.

My neighbors son had horrendous allergies and they got a Shih-Tzu and he had absolutely no problems. Last time I checked, there are plenty of Shih-Tzus in shelters.

Here’s 2 rescues right here that get in purebreds, fad breeds, oodles, doodles and all sorts of other cute:

http://search.petfinder.com/shelterSearch/shelterSearch.cgi?shelterid=IN390&preview=1

http://search.petfinder.com/shelterSearch/shelterSearch.cgi?shelterid=MO449

If they decide on a breed, they can most certainly find it at a shelter or a breed rescue.

Except none of the animals on this list are hypoallergenic. They need to get a wolfenspitz, or any member of the spitz breed. Besides, as a breed they are so cute! Totally cute overload.

As much as I love teh kittehs, the only hypoallergenic cats out there cost a whole lotta munneh.

There are a lot of rescue groups that rescue certain breeds from shelters, so they can still get a dog in need of a home, instead of heading to a breeder.

I love the big fluffy snowdogs, and Samoyeds tend to be a nice breed for allergy sufferers. They’re also super snuggly and great with kidlets!
And they will brave the winters just fine. If they find a Samoyed breed rescue, that could work out well.

My bro is allergic to most furry critters, and has no issues at all with his roommate’s Schnoodle. A cross of a Schnauzer and Poodle! Not too big, not high maintenance, and pretty darn cute. Might not be too hard to find either, since they’re not a purebred.

Privately, I would love if they could find the perfect bully breed pup and bring her home! Bullys are fantastic with kids, the archetypal family dog. Won’t need a lot of grooming, just lotsa love.

Best of luck with the puppy search, First Family!

I have dog allergies and I haven’t reacted less to the so called “hypoallergenic” breeds like poodles and so on. I think the hypoallergenic claims are actually just marketing. People react to the dander (skin flakes) and saliva of dogs, not to the fur, so as long as the dog has skin and drool it will cause allergies in allergic individuals.

I voted for the American pit bull terrier! They’re an all American dog and are great with kids, and there are many in shelters around the country.

Mexican Hairless, since his daughter has allergys