Bo Obama, New First Dog For Malia And Sasha Obama

Who Is Bo Obama, Anyway?

Posted by: Catherine Strawn Filed in: news
11:30AM, Monday April 13th 2009

Have you heard the news? The Obamas got a dog, and they’re naming him Bo! There were some conflicting reports about Bo over the weekend (is he, in fact, from a shelter?), so we thought thought we’d straighten out things regarding the new First Dog.

Bo is a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog (also known as a Portie).

Ever since President Obama made his campaign promise to daughters Malia and Sasha, the media hasn’t stopped talking about Malia’s allergies and how their dog must be hypoallergenic. Bo will not make her sneeze.

Sadly, Bo isn’t a shelter dog. Michelle had been fairly adamant that their puppy would most be a rescue dog, but Bo came from a breeder. He is a bit of a reject, however, because he was purchased by someone else and then returned to the breeder after Bo (then known as Charlie) annoyed his owner’s older Portie.

Bo was a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy to the Obamas. After the previous owner returned him, Kennedy brought the dog to Virginia to be trained in elegant manners that would fit a pup who lived in the White House. Now, Kennedy and Obama share more than their party affiliation—Kennedy recently bought a third Portuguese water dog that is Bo’s sibling.

The name Bo is reportedly a reference to the Obama girls’ grandfather, whose nickname was “Diddley” (Bo Diddley was one of the earliest rock ‘n’ roll singers.)

He is awfully cute.

[Washington Post, EW, CBS News]

comments

stephoney22
wrote on April 13 2009 @ 12:45 pm: [report]

oh my gosh i’m such a dork and i’ve been waiting so long to know what dog they pick. and he’s adorable!

fallonthecity
wrote on April 13 2009 @ 03:06 pm: [report]

Love Portuguese Water Dogs (such a sucker for cute wavy coated pups), but still a little disappointed this isn’t a rescue dog.

Wise-aleck
wrote on April 13 2009 @ 03:45 pm: [report]

I guess it was hard to accomodate the allergies—too bad. There are too many dogs in shelters.

flatline
wrote on April 13 2009 @ 04:24 pm: [report]

I’m pretty sure no dog is hypoallergenic. Just less dander-y than other types.

fallonthecity
wrote on April 13 2009 @ 04:54 pm: [report]

@flatline: You’re right. Most people who have pet allergies are allergic to more than just hair and dander (like urine and saliva). The Portuguese Water Dog doesn’t shed, so it might be more tolerable for the allergy-afflicted, but it will still produce allergens.

Mel
wrote on April 14 2009 @ 08:59 am: [report]

One fact not listed: “Knowing that some supporters of animal rescue efforts will be disappointed in the Obamas’ choice not to adopt a new pup from a shelter, the family has decided to make a generous donation to the D.C. Humane Society!” - PerezHilton.com

Arty
wrote on April 14 2009 @ 09:12 am: [report]

@Mel awesome! Glad they are donating locally.

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