Don't forget about Malia Obama's dog allergies

We shouldn't forget that allergies will limit the kind of dog President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle choose for daughters Malia and Sasha. An allergist makes the point that there's no such thing as an allergy-free dog, so the new Obama dog will have to be one that produces small amounts of dander.

"Unfortunately, there's not a 100 percent allergy-free furry animal in the world," Dr. Kimberly Ricaurte, an allergist and immunologist, told The Morning Call. "Any breeder who tells you differently is wrong."

Her suggestion: a Poodle or Terrier.

OK, so maybe the girls will sneeze -- but not too much.

Tips for the Obamas on dogs and allergies

Can the Obamas really have it all – a shelter puppy that’s cute and cuddly but won’t irritate their daughter Malia’s allergies?

It’s possible, if the new First Family does its homework and takes a few precautions. But they'll have plenty of time -- at least two months.

Sunday, on CBS' "60 Minutes," President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle said they won't be getting a new pet until they move into the White House in January. Their daughters, Malia and Sasha, would prefer not to wait.

"They're ready for us to get a dog now," Michelle Obama said.

It's OK to wait. The better to learn a few things about dogs and allergies.

First, they should know that that there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. But it’s possible to find a dog – even a mixed breed – that produces less dander and might find a happy home in the White House.

Also, it’s not just dander. Dogs produce a protein in their saliva and urine that produces an allergic reaction in some people, said Nancy Peterson, a spokeswoman for the Humane Society of the United States who has experienced allergy problems in the past.

“I’d avoid breeds or individual dogs that tend to have skin problems, because then they’re scratching and there’s dander flying and sticking to walls and drapes,” Peterson said. “If you see a dog that’s licking a lot, that’s saliva (being produced).

“If anything, I’d go for a smaller dog because it has less skin,” and therefore may produce less dander.

Other things the Obamas can do: eliminate some curtains and drapes where sticky skin cells are likely to cling; have carpets, their pet’s bedding and anything else the dog might come in contact with cleaned frequently. The bedrooms where the Obama girls sleep should also be a dog-free zone.

There are more tips about pets and allergies on the Humane Society’s Web site.

A puppy for President-elect Obama?

President-elect Obama has a lot of work ahead of him, but probably no job is more important at this moment than picking the right family dog.

In his acceptance speech, Obama said his daughters, Malia and Sasha, had "earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House." Even Vice-President-elect Joe Biden said his wife gave him the OK to buy a dog if he and Obama won the election.

A few weeks ago, I wrote that because Malia, 10, has allergies, the Obamas will have a limited selection of breeds from which to choose - the Poodle, Soft-Coated Wheaton Terrier, Bichon Frise, Miniature Schnauzer and Chinese Crested are all considered good breeds for people with allergies, although there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog. (In August, the American Kennel Club  conducted an online poll, and the Poodle was the winner.)

But because the family has chosen to adopt rather than buy - a great decision, one that may lead to more prospective dog owners visiting their local shelters - they might have to look for a mixed breed that produces less dander. Dogs that have short hair and shed very little might fit well, even if they're mixed. A Maltese or Shih Tzu mix would produce less shedding and would seem like a good size for children who are old enough to learn about responsible pet ownership.

Malia has told her parents that she would like a Goldendoodle, a hybrid that is part Golden Retriever, part Poodle. Although not recognized by the American Kennel Club, it is growing in popularity and is considered a great family dog.

It's not likely they'll find a Goldendoodle (pictured above) at a shelter, but perhaps the Obamas can find a pet that their girls will love - and will encourage others to discover the benefits of rescuing a shelter dog.