GERMANY: High demand for portuguese water dogs in Germany after U.S. president Obama introduced his puppy "Bo"

Record ID: 866810

  • Title: GERMANY: High demand for portuguese water dogs in Germany after U.S. president Obama introduced his puppy "Bo"
  • Date: 22nd April 2009
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF DOGS IN WATER (SOUNDBITE) (German) DOG BREEDER SUSANNE LUECK, SAYING: "There is the danger now of overbreeding, and that dubios and questionable breeders will get dogs, who maybe don't have any documents and are not purebred and then try and sell them as portuguese water dogs." LEO SITTING (SOUNDBITE) (German) DOG BREEDER SUSANNE LUECK, SAYING: "Portuguese wat
  • Embargoed: 7th May 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • City:
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: International Relations,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA7HQTTYFOCGNJWI7C5XSILZHFG
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: After U.S. president Brack Obama introduced his new addition to his family, puppy "Bo", the demand for the portuguese water dog is rising also in Germany.
    The demand for portuguese water dogs is high after U.S. President Barack Obama and his family introduced their new pet dog on the White House lawn Tuesday (April 14).
    Also in Germany it's now almost impossible to get one of the little puppies, says breeder Susanne Lueck. She fears that the popularity of the breed will attract dubios breeders, who try and sell dogs, which are not purebred like Obama's new pet.

    "There is the danger now of overbreeding, and that dubios and questionable breeders will get dogs, who maybe don't have any documents and are not purebred and then try and sell them as portuguese water dogs", Lueck told Reuters TV on Sunday (April 19) while playing with her water dogs Leo and Enja in a park in south Germany.
    Lueck added that portuguese water dogs are known for their fitness and intelligence.

    "Portuguese water dogs have a lot of temperament, they are very sporty dogs. They are intelligent and learn fast. They like any mischief and do any kind of sport. They are utility dogs, obedient and have a very good nose", she said.
    Obama's new addition to the family, Bo, made his highly anticipated debut in front of the cameras with the president, his wife Michelle, and their daughters Sasha and Malia in tow.
    The first family's new pet is a six-month-old puppy. The dog was a gift from Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy.
    Obama joked about how the dog would not be sleeping on his bed, and younger daughter Sasha exclaimed that the dog didn't know how to swim yet.
    The Portuguese Water Dog was chosen in part because the breed is hypoallergenic, and Malia Obama has allergies.
    Animal rescuers voiced disappointment on Monday that President Barack Obama and his family chose a purebred dog from a breeder over rescuing an unwanted animal from a shelter. The dog had been returned to his Texas breeder by a previous owner. The new addition was named "Bo" by Sasha and Malia Obama.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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