About Bo Obama

White House Photo/Chuck Kennedy

Meet the First Dog

Name: Bo Obama
Breed: Portuguese Water Dog
Sex: Male (neutered)
Color: Black with white chest and front paws
Birthday:  October 9, 2008
White House Resident Since: April 14, 2009
Rise to fame: Became First Dog after being given to the Obama family as a gift by Senator Ted Kennedy

The Road to the White House

Officially named Amigo’s New Hope, Bo was born in Boyd, Texas, to Portuguese Water Dog parents Penny (aka Amigo’s Phor What Its Worth) and Waston (aka Valkyrie’s Dr. Watson Is Here) on October 9, 2008. Bo’s litter, owned by breeders Art and Martha Stern, was comprised of ten puppies. Bo is not the only dog from his litter to have found his way into a famous politician’s household—his brother Cappy now lives with Senator Ted Kennedy.

Bo was originally purchased from the Sterns by an unidentified family who named him Charlie, but was returned to the breeders after it was determined that Bo could not get along with the family’s other dog. Senator Ted Kennedy later purchased Bo for the Obamas and gave him to the First Family as a gift.

Bo’s Debut

After months of speculation, six-month-old Bo made his White House debut on the South Lawn on April 14, 2009. “He’s a star,” said President Obama. “He’s got star quality.” His daughter Malia called him “perfect,” while other daughter Sasha pointed out that Bo didn’t yet know how to swim.

While the girls were pleased with their new pup, many people, especially those involved in dog rescue, were not. For months, the Obamas had said they were interested in adopting a shelter dog, but they did not end up doing so. Most felt that re-homing a purebred dog from a breeder didn’t count as an adoption and felt let down.

At the same time, even those who were hoping the Obamas would rescue a dog understood why the family would choose a purebred Portuguese Water Dog.  Malia is allergic to dogs, and Portuguese Water Dogs have a reputation as being hypoallergenic, even though there is no truly hypoallergenic dog breed. As President Obama once stated, “most shelter dogs are mutts like me,” so the chances of the family finding a purebred hypoallergenic dog in a shelter were slim.

To make up for the fact they did not end up adopting a dog, the Obamas made a donation to the D.C. Humane Society.

How Bo Got His Name

After being called Amigo’s New Hope and Charlie, Bo’s third name is apparently going to stick. Malia and Sasha chose the name because their cousins have a cat named Bo, and Michelle Obama’s father was nicknamed Diddley (as in Bo Diddley).

Love at First Sight

By all accounts, Bo and the First Family got along famously right from the start. While making his debut on the White House Lawn, Bo, who’d been working with noted trainer Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz before coming to the White House, even managed to sit for the cameras when First Lady Michelle Obama asked him to.

Before people could think Bo Obama was the world’s most perfect puppy, Michelle Obama proved that Bo was, in fact, your typical, crazy youngster. During an appearance she said, “I'll tell you a story about Bo last night.  It was 10:00 pm, everybody was asleep, and we hear all this barking and jumping around, and the President and I came out and we thought somebody was out there.  And it was just Bo. He was playing with his ball.  And it was like there was another person in the house.  He's kind of crazy.  But he's still a puppy, so he likes to play a lot.”

But she wasn’t complaining. A few days later, she spoke about Bo again saying, “I have to say, he is the best puppy in the whole wide world.  I love him to death.  He is so sweet.”

Then, echoing words spoken by countless parents who added a puppy to their household because their children wanted one, Michelle Obama said, “Even though the kids are supposed to do a lot of the work, I'm still up at 5:15 a.m. taking my dog out.  So for everyone who has a child asking for a puppy--you have to want the dog. As I do.  I love my Bo.”

Bo's First Day from White House on Vimeo.

Visit the Obama Dog Blog for the latest news about Bo Obama. And follow us on Twitter.

White House Photo/ Chuck Kennedy

Related Obama dog posts:

Meet Bo, the new Obama puppy

Bo on the go!

Bo's coming out party

Comments

[debbie]

BO. the only obama i like. What a cute dog.

[dog walking]

Thank you for shearing this post. Your post is realy effective for everyone of world. I many many like it.
I hope infuture your another post will be shearing with us.
dog walker

[komosun]

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[lawrence]

It looks cute and beautiful.
Please tell us what other pets you have other than Bo Obama.

[Paloma]

I think is so cute!!! Could you post some picture of his 1st BDay?? Thanks ! Hello to Malia and Sasha .I am 11 y/o and I hve 4 dogs that I love!!
Thanks

[dog food]

Bo Obama is the world's famous presidential pet.

[bad dog breath]

I love the pictures! They seem like they are really happy with there new dog

[Best Dachshund Dog Names]

Wonder if they mash it together and call him "Bobama!" LOL

[Radhidah Hardy]

I lucked up and saw Bo on the front lawn of The White House today. He seemed so happy and playful! I saw him take a poop on the lawn and the man that was walking him didn't even clean it up! Peewee! Horrible dog walker! I hope one day to walk pass and see all of you guys. My daughter and I will love that!

Peace
Rashidah

[Dazzle Dog Delight]

Bo seems like a wonderful dog. Although the first family did not wind up adopting a shelter dog many people should consider this option.

[Poptropica]

Bo is indeed one lucky dog with the Obama's. It has to be something when the president of the US describes you as 'perfect."

[Poptropica]

Bo is indeed one lucky dog to be with the first family.

[DogLoverKaren]

This is a great blog. I am glad I came across it. I too have a dog blog about my rescue dog called mydogrio.info . It is lots of fun to write about your dog...or in this case, other people's dog. You are doing a great job. Keep up the creative work.

[Bandit]

Hi, paw pal! I'm glad to see that are teaching your family how to walk on a leash. They need to speed things up!

When you woke up your mommy the First Lady, were you playing ball with the ghost of good old Abe Lincoln? Ask him if it's OK if we have a pawjama party in his old bedroom.

Bark to you later!!
Your pal,
BANDIT!!

[Bobbie]

Which one is the dog????

[Rick]

Hey, wonder if the dog's a Socialist too?

[Finance Guy]

hey this is such a original and coo;l niche blog! Obama's Dog... this is great, I love it.

If only I thought of it... this must be great fun to write about. Very cool.

Keep on doing what ya do.

I just got here so i will have a look around. Thanks!

- Finance Guy

[Sharon]

I want to buy a toy for a Portuguese water dog. Do you know what toy Bo Obama got for Christmas?

[Linda Loveless]

Oct. 9. 2009

Happy 1st Birthday Bo!!! You are sooo adorable--I love to see pictures of you with Malia and Sasha and, of course, w/ President and Mrs. Obama--all of you are a precious family--whoops, I meant to include Mrs. Robinson, too--she's a lovely lady.

Best Wishes for a wonderful birthday,

Lynne Loveless

[Lindsey]

Bo is so cute and he's probably really great puppy to have does he ever have accidents in the white house

[Sindi]

Very happy family and dog!!!