Pick a pooch for Obama

Washington

-The lobbying already started for President-elect Barack Obama, who announced in his acceptance speech that his family is looking for a new pet.

Several animal rescue and breed groups already have jumped at the chance to assist Obama in fulfilling a promise he made to his daughters as he claimed victory in his presidential bid Nov. 4.

"Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House," Obama said.

The next day, the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) offered assistance to the Obama family in their search for the First Dog.

The AKC wants a first breed; the ASPCA thinks the Obamas should rescue their new companion.

The AKC has offered to choose a breed on behalf of the president-elect and locate a responsible breeder. In a survey of more than 42,000 people, AKC says the public already has chosen a poodle for the first family, mainly because it is considered a hypoallergenic breed, taking into account the Obama girls' allergies. The poodle also is the eighth most popular breed in the U.S., according to the AKC.

The ASPCA, on the other hand, has invited the Obama family to participate in its Meet Your Match adoption program, which matches potential owners with adoptable animals based on a compatibility test.

Ronnie Elmore, DVM, associate dean for admissions and diversity programs at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, has made a hobby of tracking the history of presidential pets and told DVM Newsmagazine he would choose a Schnauzer or Scotty dog for Obama, but added a Lab would also be a good choice because the kids "could crawl around on him."

The Obama family isn't the only one searching for a new pet, though. Vice president-elect Joe Biden is also said to have made a deal with his wife that he could get a "big dog" if they head to Number One Observatory Circle.

First pets now living at the White House with President George Bush are Barney and Miss Beazley, both Scottish Terriers, and a cat named India. Vice President Dick Cheney has a two Labs, Jackson and Dave.

What breed do you think would best suit the Obama family? Click on the graphic below to view results from an online survey.