SPECIAL FEATURES:
Famous presidential pooches: Top dogs
Famous presidential pooches
photo 1 of 13
Photo:
Lyndon B. Johnson and his grandson, Patrick, enjoy a good howl with Yuki, LBJ's favorite mutt. Cliff1066/Flickr
Sign in with one of these accounts to add your comment.
Enter your name
Jul 05 2012 at 7:29 PM
What about George Washington's dogs, "Drunken" and "Tipsy".
kookiefool
Jul 05 2012 at 12:54 PM
I also wish President Obama had been an example and rescued a shelter dog. More often than not, purebred dogs have inherited health problems that are not as prevalent in mixed breeds. Any illness contracted from being in a shelter, well, his family is fortunate enough to have the means to get excellent veterinary care, and/or to hire a trainer to help with any behavioral issues. Because of his position, he could have championed the cause of shelter animals in spite of his decision, and then made
.... More
a sizeable donation to help shelters and rescues across the country. I think many would have been more accepting of his decision had he acknowledged the problem and done that.
Guest
Jul 05 2012 at 4:36 PM
What a myth you perpetrate. Of course it's wonderful to rescue pets, but to say that mixed breeds are healthier than purebreds is ridiculous. Reliable breeders have spent much money on researching any health issues in their breeds and lines. As breeders of Irish setters, we make absolutely positive that any genetic illnesses are not present in our line before considering breeding...this includes going to great expense to have them certified healthy on all counts by the Orthopedic Foundation of
.... More
America.
Guest
Nov 06 2012 at 12:21 PM
"What a myth..." I'm sorry but you are the one spreading myths. Purebred dogs are not as healthy as mixed because 'breeders' have spent years inbreeding to get that just so breed characteristic, then unscrupulous breeders compound the issue by over breeding to make money; not enhance the breed.
By mixed I'm talking about truly 'mixed', not your two or three breeds put together to get a new breed (labradoodle), ones that have so many you can't tell what they are.
I'll take my "super mutt" as she
.... More
was called by the DNA company any day over a inbred purebred. And I'll have fewer vet bills also.
Andrea Hammond
Jul 05 2012 at 1:20 PM
I agree with you 100%. All three of our dogs have been dumped and are mixed breeds. They are loving and faithful. A shelter dog would have been a better choice for the President to have made.
Andrea in Indiana
martha...
Jul 05 2012 at 11:59 AM
i'm all for adopting shelter dogs...and cats... but the other dogs and cats that are bred purposely... also need to be adopted.... all dogs and cats.. need a loving home..... i have purebreds...i have shelter dogs...& cats... they all need a loving home......
meluvbowwows
Jul 05 2012 at 10:51 AM
I remember a small Scottie in the White House which was very precocious and cute.
Sandy
Jul 05 2012 at 2:08 PM
There is NO guarantee of personality OR health of ANY dog or puppy. At least, with taking in an adult dog - the personality is known. Shelter dogs are tested for behavioral problems and the staff, volunteers or foster families have spent time with them. A HIGH PERCENTAGE of shelter dogs are PUREBREDS. Mostly because they were gifts or thought of as 'things',(to impress others), or impulse purchases by materialistic people, who then did not want to take the time to train or love the 'purebred', dog.
.... More
I have adopted 5 shelter dogs over the years and they have ALL been fantastic dogs and lived to a ripe old age, EXCEPT THE RARE BREED, VERY EXPENSIVE STABYHOUN, who died at 8 years old. I adored him. A wealthy woman bought him when she was buying equally rare horses and then gave him to an abusive drunk, when she couldn't train him to hunt. He was a very, very affectionate, gentle dog and was in the shelter, where I volunteered (we thought he was a weird border collie!). My daughter & her husband have taken in 3 shelter dogs (including 2 pitbulls) and they are GREAT dogs. AND she is a HUGE OBAMA FAN, and was deeply disappointed with his dog choice.
Moonbeam
Jun 08 2012 at 9:58 PM
I was distressed to hear the Obama family criticized for not adopting a shelter dog. However, the feelings of their two little girls have to be taken into consideration as well, especially when it was to be their first dog. Not only did they need a breed that was hypoallergenic, but they needed one whose history is known. A shelter dog is always a risk, not only for inherited diseases, but also for behavioral problems. You don't want to break a child's heart by having it have to part with his
.... More
or her first dog because it is either prone to illness or has undesirable or even dangerous personality traits. The Obamas can always adopt a shelter dog at a later date and hopefully find one who is also hypoallergenic, which of course is difficult to do. There are many deserving and wonderful shelter dogs, and I've adopted one myself. But a child's feelings have to come first when it is a young child's first dog. The dog that Ted Kennedy gave the Obamas was a rare breed of excellent ancestry, hypoallergnic, as well as being a long-lasting gift from such a good friend and historical icon.
Guest
Jul 05 2012 at 10:00 AM
There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. All dogs are individuals and even pure bred dogs come with behavioral and health risks. It would have been a great example for them to rescue but it was ultimately their decision to make.
A ANIMAL LOVER AND HUMANIST
Jul 05 2012 at 9:18 AM
Shame on anyone negating adopting an animal from a shelter. I'm sure the Obama's with a little research could have found the perfect animal and saved it's life. Shame, Shame, Shame. What are you some kind of an ELITIST, THE ONLY animal that would be good enough for you is some kind of FRU FRU dog to build your ego. You probably dive a big ol Lexus too! SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!
Guest
Jul 05 2012 at 10:08 AM
I understand your passion but your response does nothing to educate or change the attitudes of others. It only reinforces the stereotype of the crazy animal activist and strengthens people's opinions.
My favorite among them is Bill Clinton's dog.
Email
Join the conversation