Reply #3: He's a handsome one... (pic heavy) Some facts about the breed, too.

[livvy]

the dog, that is. Some people who live in the neighborhood behind mine have one. He/she is fun to watch in the field behind my house, and it loves the river...definitely a water breed, and full of energy! It is very responsive to its owners, though...always comes when called. I think the Obamas have made a fine choice, both in breed and breeders.

Here's a nice pic of one in full show coat:



And an alternate color and show coat (puppy):


I think someone should send the Obamas one of these to christen the grounds:


http://www.signs-up.com/product.asp?cl=11&ct=256

And finally some interesting facts about the breed. Like most breeds, prospective owners should make sure their lifestyle and personalities are a good match.

Snap out of it! Our Portuguese water dog reality check

So it’s a pretty good bet that more people will want to make the Obamas’ new pet their new family pet after all the hoopla and news coverage over Bo. You look at that cute black puffball in the rainbow lei and think, “I want one!” But hold up, wait a minute. What looks cute, awesome and placid in picture form, is actually a really energetic breed (although still cute and awesome).

So we asked an expert to give us a Portuguese water dog reality check, to talk us down from making any hasty decisions. Diane Keppen, a veteran Annapolis breeder of Portuguese Water Dogs, happily agreed to help us out.


“Many of my friends who are breeders are very concerned about the fact that this wonderful breed will go the way of the Dalmatian,” she says. “Like all the wonderful breeds that become popular, some people think ‘look at that cute little dog on TV’ … and don’t realize that this dog likes to greet you with a body slam.”

Keppen says that last part jokingly, but there is some truth to the quip.

“They are a working breed, very athletic, very high energy,” she says. “They need to work, and they need to have something to do, or they will find some thing to do, which may not be what you had in mind.”

more at the link:

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/mutts/blog/2009/04/portuguese_water_dog_bo.html