Posts tagged "FirstDog"

They say that pets don't make good gifts, but in this case we think the Obama family came out on the winning end. According to the President's own financial disclosure forms, his "welcome to the White House" gift -- Bo the Portuguese water dog -- is valued at a whopping $1,600.

The world-famous "Portie" was a gift from the late Sen. Edward Kennedy and his wife Victoria last April, who also adopted one of Bo's litter mates. And even thought the President didn't actually have to shell out the cash himself, White House protocol dictates that he disclose all of his gifts and their financial value.

So is $1,600 a good price for a purebred Portie? While we don't know if the figure represents the actual price that the Kennedys paid for Bo, or rather an estimate by the President's accountant, that price tag isn't quite as high as it may seem. In fact, Bo was on the discount rack when the Kennedys scooped him up.

Although Bo's breeder was quoted as saying that she doesn't consider him a rescue dog, Bo had originally been placed with a family in Virginia and was later returned to the breeder.

After scouring the web for a Portuguese water dog puppy, it appears that $2,500 is the average going rate for a pup that comes from "champion lines." Of course, it's hard to determine if the Obama effect has driven prices up for these allergy-friendly dogs. Just like with the Labradoodle craze, Porties are a breed that skyrocketed from semi-obscurity to super fame in an extremely short period of time.

Bo Obama has already spent a whole year in the White House. Can you believe it? Celebrate with us as we mark the First Dog's first full year in his new home.

You've got the Bo Obama Beanie Baby, water bowl and teddy bear. Now, there's a new toy in town.

Add the Bo Obama Stuffed Animal to your First Dog collection. The plush pup hit German shelves this week in Bad Koesen, eastern Germany.

The Kösen toy company's Portuguese Water dog looks like it's fit to meet the cuddling requirements for humans and pets alike.

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The name was inspired by Michelle Obama's father who was nicknamed Diddley (as in, Bo Diddley) and the girls' cousins who have a cat named Bo, reports the Washington Post.

Already, it seems, Bo-mania is sweeping the country. Photos of the new First Pup are buzzing around the Internet, days ahead of his first, formal appearance at the White House, said to be scheduled for this Tuesday. A new Web site called FirstDogCharlie.com features a photo and purported first interview with the First Puppy. The White House has called the photos "bogus," insisting the new dog would arrive on Tuesday. Apparently Bo has already spent his first weekend there with the Obamas.

A handsome little guy covered in wavy black hair, with a snowy white chest, Bo has a narrow stripe of white at his chin, and white forepaws. He's pictured wearing a colorful lei--a nod, perhaps, to President Obama's roots in Hawaii.

Will Bo get his own page on the White House Web site (complete with webcam), as Barney, George W. Bush's Scottish Terrier had during his time there? We sure hope so!

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