CHICAGO — Bo Obama could be the worst thing that ever happened to Portuguese water dogs.
Portie enthusiasts expressed concerns Monday that the first family’s new pet will heighten interest in the breed, giving way to puppy mills and irresponsible owners.
“The fear is that people are going to run right out and get one without doing their homework,” said Stu Freeman, president of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America. “If the demand is there, we worry that someone we don’t like is going to be there to meet it.”
The first images of Bo released by the White House show the 6-month-old puppy running with the president. He’ll make his public debut today in a photo-op that’s sure to get plenty of TV airtime, Internet hits and newspaper ink.
Animal advocates fear the first pooch’s popularity could make Porties the new must-have dog.
“It’s terrifying for us,” said Susan Kessler, who heads Chicago-area rescue efforts for the breed and owns four Porties. “We basically face a responsibility as breeders to make sure these puppies go to the right families.”
