Despite Workload, Obamas Have Time to Pick Out First Dog

He’s been quite busy in his new job as president of the United States, but Barack Obama and his family are taking enough time out of their busy schedules to pick out a family dog to be the "first dog" of the U.S. and have decided on the breed and perhaps even a name. The Obama girls, Malia and Sasha, have been clamoring for a canine friend for some time now and it appears that the two will get their wish in the form of a Portuguese Water Dog.

Michelle Obama noted that the family’s intent was to make sure they adopt a rescued dog and had some nice things to say about their selected breed. "Temperamentally they’re supposed to be pretty good. From the size perspective, they’re sort of middle of the road – it’s not small, but it’s not a huge dog. And the folks that we know who own them have raved about them. So that’s where we’re leaning." The Portuguese Water Dog, known as a "Portie" for short, typically are black and white with curly, shiny hair. Among the names that the youngest Obamas have come up with are "Frank" and "Moose," but mom stepped in at that point to offer her own opinions.

Said the first lady, "You listen and you go – like, I think, Frank was one of them. Frank! Moose was another one of them. Moose. I said, well, what if the dog isn’t a moose? Moose. I’m like, no, come on, let’s work with the names a little bit."