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Opinion: Presidential puppies

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One of Lyndon Johnson’s most harshly criticized moments involved him pulling up his beagle Him (not Her) by the ears. FDR spoke up for his beloved Scottish terrier in the ‘Fala speech.’ Not to be outdone by a Scottie, Richard Nixon’s cocker spaniel Checkers was so famously referred to in Nixon’s eponymous address to the nation that he became better known as a speech than as a dog.

The Fords had a golden retriever, the Clintons a lab. And now comes the Obama family’s -- pound puppy?

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At a time when animal shelters and rescue agencies have an estimated 6 million or more dogs seeking a home, the canine promised to the Obama girls in their dad’s acceptance speech -- what is it about dogs and speeches? -- may be some pup that couldn’t otherwise find a home. Or maybe not, because First Daughter Malia has an allergy, which requires a hypoallergenic dog. Animal rights groups are pressing for the adoption of a homeless dog, while the American Kennel Club thought a pedigreed puppy from a breeder -- poodles are hypoallergenic -- would be a fine fit for the White House.

One reported possibility is a goldendoodle, a hybrid between a golden retriever and a poodle. These mutts-on-purpose, cross-bred to get the better characteristics of each breed, have been the trendiest item in the canine market lately, truly a presidential dog for our time.

* Photo by AP

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