Posts tagged "PortugueseWaterDog"

"I just knew I'd end up doing this every day. The girls promised me that if I got them a dog that they would be responsible and take care of it, but just like every parent ever, here I am. Getting dragged by the dog. But that's OK; it's not like I don't have more important things to do. It's not like I'm the President of the United States."

Well, at least that's what we imagine he's thinking as Bo pulls him down the path. What we do know is that the President is not alone in having a dog take charge of the walk. Check out our video, Pet On The Street, where dog owners answer the question: Do you walk your dog or does your dog walk you?

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.

With the Westminster Kennel Club 134th Annual Dog Show almost upon us (Feb. 15–16), Paw Nation will be talking with some of the show dogs' owners for some insight into this year's contestants.

Dog Breed: Portuguese Water Dog

Group: Working

Dog's Full Registered Name: Ch Ebb Tide's Upcountry Titan

Nickname: Sage

Dog's Age: 5

Owner's Name: Arnold and Sandra Brown

Hometown: Cheshire, Conn.

Tell me about your dog's personality.
Sage is a people magnet who endears himself quickly and easily to all those he meets. We consider Sage to be our "dog of a lifetime." He is a robust and remarkably caring dog with extraordinary temperament and intelligence. He's very spirited, with a strong work ethic and drive, and a great sense of humor. He takes his jobs very seriously. Sage's favorite job, as part of his role as a certified R.E.A.D. dog, is to welcome children to our home and then snuggle up beside them as they learn to read.

Sage is extremely devoted to his canine and human family. He loves to play chase in his own clever way (using his uncanny ability to pivot like an NBA star). He is persistent and tenacious when tracking, playing hide-and-seek or in locating hidden toys. Sage is also athletically competitive, having earned several first-place ribbons at agility trials. He "attacks" water competition trials with gusto!

What is your dog's favorite treat?
Sage's favorite treats are beef liver and dog biscuits.

What is your dog's best trick?
Sage can count upon command. He will bark (count) to 4. He also sings with our daughter Allison. He mimics her voice with a high-pitched tone that sounds like country music yodeling.

Martha B. Stern, the breeder of First Dog Bo Obama, died July 21 at the age of 72.

Stern and her husband Arthur were thrust into the national spotlight earlier this year when Bo -- one of nine puppies born at their Texas kennel, Amigo Portuguese Water Dogs -- was selected to become the First Family's pet.

The Sterns first became intrigued by the Portuguese Water Dog while watching the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in the 1980s, reports the Houston Chronicle. "She was a longtime breeder and had a fine reputation," Stuart Freeman, President of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, told Paw Nation.

Senator Ted Kennedy, who owns three pet Portuguese Water Dogs bred by the Sterns, formally gifted Bo to the Obamas. At the time, Mrs. Stern shared a light-hearted prediction of the rambunctious puppy: "He's going to be a little gentleman, believe me -- until he sees that fountain," she laughingly told Pet Connection in April. "He'll be splashing around and saying, 'Where's the fish? Where's the fish?' We're expecting great things of that little fellow."

The family requests that any memorial contributions be made to the Portuguese Water Dog Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 203, Parker Ford, Pa. 19457-0203 or AKC Canine Health Foundation, 8051 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 300, Raleigh, N.C. 27617-3901.

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