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Obamas Are 'Closing In' on First Puppy

It's a labradoodle or Portuguese water hound for Sasha, Malia

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 12, 2009 7:24 AM CST

(Newser) – As their father prepares to take office next week, future first daughters Malia and Sasha Obama have only one question: When do they get their puppy? The girls have narrowed the choices down to two, Obama tells George Stephanopoulos—a labradoodle or a Portuguese water hound. All that remains, the president-elect says, is to wait for the right dog to appear at a shelter.

“We’re closing in on it. This has been tougher than finding a commerce secretary,” Obama joked, adding that his daughters are thriving in Washington: “You know, folks think I’m cool; they are a lot cooler than I am. They just don’t seem to be intimidated.”

[Images (7)]

[Quotes (1)]

President-elect Barack Obama and wife Michelle Obama get daughters Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, ready for their first day of school in Washington, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Obama Transition Office, Callie Shell)

Then-Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama pets a dog as he speaks with voters. Soon, the president-elect will have a puppy of his own. (Getty Images)

Two dogs in Paris wear shirts bearing Barack Obama's name. The president-elect is in the process of choosing his own White House dog. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

A dog is dressed in support of then-Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama. The president-elect promised his daughters a puppy if he won the election. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

A labradoodle, a cross between a labrador retriever and a poodle, is one of the breeds being considered by the Obama family. (©how_long_it_takes)

Portugese water dog is another breed the Obamas are considering for First Puppy. (American Kennel Club)

Vice President-elect Joe Biden has already chosen his dog, a German Shepard puppy. (AP Photo/Brown Family)

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They seemed to thrive. I’m trying to figure out why it is that they don’t seemed to be fazed by anything. People think I’m cool, they are a lot cooler than I am. They just don’t seem to be intimidated. - Barack Obama, on his daughters' transition to Washington

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Obamas Are 'Closing In' on First Puppy