Do you think the new U.S. President should take in a purebred dog, or a mutt from a pet rescue organization?

The problem with getting a shelter puppy is that they wouldn't know if it has the type of coat that won't shed and give Malia allergies. There are very specific breeds that are "hypoallergenic" and unfortunately they may be hard to find in shelters. So for their particular situation (Malia's dog allergies) they need to focus more on the breed they're getting rather than whether it's a rescue dog or not.

If they can get the breed they want at a shelter (and it's possible) then even betterBesides it seems he has made up his mind by now. Portuguese waterdog or labradoodle.

I think President Obama and his family should get a shelter dog, regardless of whether it's purebred or a mutt. There are lots of purebred dogs in shelters that need homes too! The Obamas adopting from a shelter would be a great endorsement for the cause and may even encourage other people around the country to do the same.

I think he is going to get whatever the girls want. The dog is for them. So it depends on their taste.

A mutt, like all the rest of us, should reside at the White House.

G'day Darth Continent, Thank you for your question. A mutt from a shelter would be my choice. However, one of his daughters Malia is hypoallergic which complicates matters.

If they could find a suitable hypoallegenic dog in a shelter that would be ideal. chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/11/obamas-f....

Simple answer, which is probably the right answer, rescue a dog. From the perspective of a first time dog owner that happens to be bringing the dog to the whitehouse, the Obama's first priority is no doubt getting what they perceive to be the best dog they can possibly get - which to them would no doubt include knowing the pedigree. Puppies, and especially mixes can have drives that don't fully present themselves well into puppyhood.

I guess im saying, I would personally give them a pass on not rescuing, but of course they should.

The office of president is, among other things, a bully pulpit. As such, he should try to set an example as an ideal dog owner. Therefor, he should buy a purebred dog of a breed known for safety and being good with children, and he should have it spayed or neutered.

While it might be kind to adopt a shelter dog, it sends the wrong message. Shelters and adoption can never solve the problem of unwanted pets, they are a sad band aid at best. There has to be a program, probably mandated by law, to see that pets not in the hands of professional breeders are spayed or neutered.

Otherwise dogs and cats will continue to, well, breed like rabbits. And that results in a huge amount of suffering for their offspring.

I would like to see a mutt. Obama is kind of an underdog, so I would like to see a bit of a scrappy, underdog pet in the White House as well.

I personally believe President Obama and his family choose the dog through voting (the family vote is important), yet I also believe the dog should come from a shelter and it does not matter if it's a pure breed or a mutt. There are plenty of dogs in shelters that need homes, and this would set a good example for the American people to consider finding a dog from a shelter.

Personally, I think he should get an untamed pit bull.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.