The First Poodle?

As most every one knows, Barack Obama promised his two daughters that if elected, he would get them a dog. As most every parent knows, once you let the, ahem, cat out of the bag, it's hard to be a "flip-flopper". This morning I heard that one of his daughters is....allergic to dogs! I briefly worried that this might be the first campaign promise that Mr Obama breaks. However, I have a suggestion for the president-elect, which could get him out of some family hot water! (and no, I'm not trying for the position of "First Veterinarian") My suggestion is a simple one: get a Standard Poodle! Great for people with allergies! And, the smartest dog out there, so perhaps the dog can help with the economic crisis or orchestrate a US troop withdrawal from the Middle East. Imagine it: The First Poodle!

Mr Obama did state yesterday that: "Of course I'd like to get a shelter dog, but that might not work out" given the allergy situation. So, Mr Obama, a Standard Poodle may be just the thing for you and your family. As every parent knows, getting one's child to clean their room or do their homework is MUCH more difficult than foreign policy. Therefore, getting the "right" dog could really help maintain domestic tranquility. So best of luck, Mr President.

Never thought I'd live with a standard poodle

I never thought I'd own a standard poodle. Or any kind of poodle, for that matter. Maybe it didn't seem like a "manly" dog or something. Maybe it was the strange hair cuts. I'm not sure.

One day, I visited a vet client who had just acquired a Standard Poodle puppy. It was black, athletic and smart. In the course of giving it a check up and routine vaccinations, the client told me he was planning to use it for hunting waterfowl. I started to sneer a bit and he said, "That's what they were bred for, originally". When I got home, I looked it up and sure enough, that's what happened!


I don't hunt, but according to the article, the "strange hair cut" came out of the early days of hunting waterfowl. The fur was left on the chest, head and some of the joints that might be affected in cold water. Well, that's what the article said.

Many poodles, including my own, are athletic and extremely agile. Many are used in agility work.


Standard Poodles are great travelers. Very adventurous. Here's Duke and I in norhern Wisconsin.



My own poodle, Duke, doesn't do agility work (although he is extremely agile and athletic), doesnt have a weird haircut, doesn't hunt ducks, but he IS a star in my eyes (and apparently his own!).