In these dog days of summer, let's consider the most important decision facing Barack Obama. Long ago, as he set out on this race, he made the one campaign promise he can under no circumstances break: that when it was all over, whatever happened, his daughters could get a dog.
In the true spirit of doggy democracy, the AKC asked Americans to vote on the breed they think the Obama family should select. The AKC scoured all of the "canine candidates" to assess each breed's credentials as potential "first pet" and best friend of the Obama family. Choices were narrowed significantly due to their daughters' allergies. Therefore, AKC experts made the selection from their list of hypoallergenic breeds. The candidates are: Bichon Frise, Chinese Crested, Minature Schnauzer, Poodle and Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier.
In addition to having a hypoallergenic coat, other required qualifications to fill the vacant "presidential pet" post include: child-friendly (Obama has two daughters aged 6 and 9 years); a good travel companion (aboard Air Force One); moderate energy level (appropriate for a child to walk), and of course a stable and social temperament - able to adapt to varied visitors - from heads of state to members of the press corps.
The polls have closed. The Poodle won by a (dog) hair, with just a few hundred votes separating the top two contenders.
For more information on presidential dogs of the past visit: http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1830236,00.html
