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Sunday, March 1, 2009

Presidential Pick- The Portugese Water Dog- CLICK HERE!

Portuguese Water Dog Is Nothing to Sneeze At

The First Family has finally made it official- some lucky Portuguese Water Dog will soon be placing it's webbed paws on the front steps of the White House. According to an interview in this week's People magazine, Michele Obama stated that one of the reasons they choose this breed is because the the Portuguese Water Dog is known to have a hypo allergenic coat.

The Sneeze Free Dog Breeds is the only book on the market dedicated to pet-related allergy issues. This helpful book includes information on managing allergies and finding the perfect breed for a sneeze free life. The Sneeze Free Dog Breeds was written by Diane Morgan, and includes an extensive section of in depth breed profiles on 21 hypoallergenic dogs.

As an animal lover, dog owner and allergy sufferer, I completely understand the research and decision making process it took the First Family to finally pick which dog breed best suits their needs. In fact, I salute them for thoroughly investigating the benefits of a hypo allergenic breed, such as the Portuguese Water Dog, prior to announcing their decision.

When purchasing a pet for the first time, I believe it is essential to learn as much you can about the breed, it's temperament, life span...etc... I was considering a Bernese Mountain Dog as my next dog, but after researching this breed, I learned that the average life span of a Bernese is only about 8 years old due to its large size and propensity towards hip and leg problems. I wasn't happy to read that, but I was glad to know that was a factor with the breed. This will be a major consideration in my decision making.

I believe that too many people bring pets into their homes without preparing. Think back to when Eddie the Jack Russell terrier was THE dog to have due to his cute antics on the popular television series Frasier. Many people loved Eddie and wanted a Jack Russell because they saw how Eddie acted. It's true that Jack Russell's are very smart and can be trained to do amazing tricks. However, they are also very high strung, need constant attention and need to be properly trained to do those tricks.

Another example of a dog breed made popular by movie proxy was the the Dalmatian. After the 101 Dalmatians movie came out, everyone was just dying to get a Dalmatian puppy. When families found out that the cute spotted puppies which behaved so well in the movies were in fact a very needy breed, animal shelters across the country began to fill up with Dalmatians.

As pet owners, we are responsible for taking proper care of our pets. Period. There is a ton of information out there regarding any breed that you desire. Please think about adopting, rescuing or even fostering a pet prior to purchasing a particular breed. Even the "mutts' at the shelters have a mixing of breeds, and it is our responsibility to ask what type of dog we are receiving. Every dog breed will have it's own book. If purchasing a book is out of your budget, check the local library. All it takes is a little research to see if the breed you like is the right fit for your circumstance.

I personally have friends who own a Portuguese Water Dog named Tess. My friends live on a lake here in Michigan and Tess is now 4 years old. She is adorable, affectionate and busy, busy, busy. Tess obviously loves the water and even runs out on the ice when the lake is frozen. She is constantly fetching things, playing with her dog toys and cuddling up to anyone who will give her attention. Tess is loved, well cared for and was placed in an ideal living situation for her breed. I believe the Obamas have made a good choice and I'm glad they took their time in choosing a dog that will fit right in with America's First Family.

For more information about The Sneeze Free Dog Book and other dog breed books, please visit www.grpet.com.

About the author of Sneeze Free Dog Breeds: DIANE MORGAN is an ardent supporter of canine rescue and a charter member and Treasurer of Basset Hound Rescue of Old Dominion. She is the award-winning author of many books, including Good Dogkeeping, The Simple Guide to Choosing a Dog, and Feeding Your Dog for Life. She is a college professor of philosophy and literature and resides in Williamsport, Maryland, with seven dogs, two humans, and an uncounted number of goldfish.

Labels: dog allergies, dog breeds, portuguese water dog