Bo, No! Shelter Advocates Question Choice of First Dog

Obama should have selected a rescue pup, some animal shelter officials say

Photo: Pete Souza/White House

It turns out that not everyone is besotted by Bo.

While many dog lovers are giddy over the long-awaited unveiling of the First Family s new pet – a Portugese Water Dog that they’ve named Bo – their excitement has been tempered by some in the animal shelter community who are disappointed that the Obamas didn’t take in a rescue dog.

The president had told reporters that his family was looking for a shelter dog, joking that he wanted a “mutt like me.” But Bo, a purebred, came from a Texas breeder.

The Obamas chose the breed, which is said to be hypoallergenic, because of 10-year-old daughter Malia’s allergies, and have said they still plan to make a donation to a local Humane Society.

The pup, a gift from Sen. Ted Kennedy, who owns several of the breed, is actually a “second chance” dog whose first home didn’t work out, but shelter advocates said they had expected more from Obama.

“Bo seems like a great dog, but we were all hoping the President would lead by example, Kim Saunders, co-founder of the adoption site Petfinder.com, told People Pets.

Read more on the First Dog debate at People Pets.