Tips for the Obama family on adopting a dog whose "forever home" will be the White House

WASHINGTON — Any president-elect has to make appointments to many important offices. But Barack Obama has an additional burden: although most presidents have brought a First Dog with them, his family has yet to fill that position.

So, how to choose?

Any household has its particular needs in a pet, even one that isn't going to spend so much time in the limelight. And the White House attention can be intense. On Thursday, President Bush's normally docile Scottish terrier Barney bit a Reuters reporter on the right index finger.

For the Obamas, one decision has already been made — after lobbying from humane societies and the public, Michelle Obama announced in early October that the family had decided to adopt a rescue dog.

The Obamas also share one concern with many families: allergies. There are no breeds that are completely hypoallergenic. However, certain breeds have a tendency to cause fewer problems — mostly those that don't shed and need to have their coats trimmed regularly, or those that tend to shed less, said Stephen Zawistowski, an executive vice president for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Some relatively common no-shed breeds include poodles, bichon frise, Portuguese water dogs, and Maltese, but these breeds need professional grooming, which can be expensive. Other breeds that have a tendency to shed less are Schnauzers, Westies (West Highland White Terriers) and Scottish Terriers, Zawistowski says.

Purposely bred crosses like goldendoodles also have the no-shed coat, but random-bred mixes of dogs like poodles will also tend to have that coat, Zawistowski says.

An ideal First Dog should also enjoy the inevitable attention that comes to a cute pup in the White House. One advantage to adopting an adult dog is that personality traits are fully developed and good temperament testing can help choose a dog that's suitably sociable.

If the kids insist on a puppy, it's harder to predict. Check those breed descriptions carefully — when they say a breed is loyal to family or a "one-person dog," the flip side is that they're not very welcoming to strangers who might wander through the White House.

Almost any breed of dog can do well with children if raised with them. Don't assume that small dogs are always good; Chihuahuas, for example, are not generally recommended for families with children because they're delicate and can be temperamental.

Stanley Coren, a psychologist who has written a series of best-selling books on dogs, recommends breeds including beagles, cocker spaniels, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers and poodles for families. But most important, whatever breed is chosen, a puppy will need intensive socialization.

"Start introducing it to what it's going to be dealing with around the household," says Zawistowski. That includes children, but dogs can also be afraid of anything — men with mustaches, people with hats — if they're not used to them, he notes. "Those secret service guys look intimidating even on television."

The Obamas could adopt from a shelter or a breed-specific rescue group. Gary Weitzman, director of the Washington Animal Rescue League, says that right now about a quarter of the 250 dogs in their shelter are purebred, but the number can be higher.

"In September we had 78 dachshunds — we'd just done a rescue from a dachshund puppy mill," he says.

A new dog can be a daunting choice, especially when made in the spotlight. But it's worth it — and for more than just the kids.

"I'd like to know that president Obama has a dog," Zawistowski says. "When he has a bad day, what's better than having a dog walk over and say 'hey, things aren't so bad'?"