Vote Greyhound for First Pooch

First pup sparks debate on canine awareness

(NEWSER) - Bo may have the president of the United States trotting along after him like a kid and the national media swooning, but what goes on in the brain underneath that ball of black fur? The owner of this year's Westminster champ tells the New york Times that pooches become aware of their celebrity. "They know they’re famous," she says, "and they definitely get an attitude." Others beg to differ. More»

Veep disses his boss's dog in chat with fifth-graders

(NEWSER) - Vice President Joe Biden may have once again strayed off-message in a question-and-answer session with some Syracuse fifth-graders yesterday, the Post-Standard reports. Asked if he had ever petted a dog, Biden told the kids he had a dog of his own—and that his German shepherd didn't play second fiddle to President Obama's new pet, Bo. More»

(NEWSER) - Did President Obama fulfill his pledge to adopt a shelter pooch by taking in a pricey purebred that had been returned to its breeders? That’s a question being hotly debated among animal-rescue groups, the Hill reports. The Humane Society, which got a donation from Obama when he decided to go with the Portuguese water dog, says he’s in the clear; others claim the president dropped the ball. More»

Yorkshire terrier is second; bulldog now at No. 8 and gaining fast

(NEWSER) - The Obamas’ pup could change things, but for now the playful Labrador retriever remains America’s most popular purebred, the American Kennel Club calculates. It's the Lab’s 18th consecutive year as king; the Yorkshire terrier and German shepherd are second and third, Reuters reports. Bulldogs moved up two spots, to No. 8, with their popularity up 69% in the past decade. More»

43% want first family to get pooch from shelter

(NEWSER) - A majority of Americans think the First Family should adopt a mutt, according to an AP poll. While the nation’s pet-less are split on the issue, pet owners, who represent 60% of the population, went 2-1 in favor of a mixed breed. That may not be enough to sway the president-elect: He recently said he’s leaning toward a purebred. More»