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PORTUGUESE WATER DOG

THE LOOK

Often trimmed like a lion with their hindquarters and base of the tail shaved, the pooches have webbed feet for swimming. Females are between 40 and 50 pounds; males are up to 60 pounds.

SHED FACTOR

The dogs are a non-shedding, hypoallergenic breed, great for Malia Obama, 10, who is allergic. "The dander that they shed is minimal," says Sharon Lapstra, a Portuguese water dog breeder in St. Clements, Ont.

TEMPERAMENT

These dogs are no ditzes: They are loyal, intelligent and obedient. "We consider them a companion animal. It means that they really like human contact. They're a working breed: They work for us," Ms. Lapstra says. In the 1200s, the dogs worked on boats with Portuguese fishermen, pulling nets ashore and taking messages between boats.

CHALLENGES

Mr. Obama might have to trade his rigorous weight and cardio routine for a morning jog: The high-energy dogs need to be worked physically and mentally. "They can be very demanding at times. They love attention and they love exercise," Ms. Lapstra says. "They will play non-stop morning till night."

OTHER FAMOUS OWNERS

Senator Ted Kennedy has two Portuguese water dogs: Sunny and Splash, who narrates Mr. Kennedy's kids' book, My Senator and Me: A Dog's-Eye View of Washington, D.C.

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LABRADOODLE

A cross between a Labrador retriever and a poodle, labradoodles have long muzzles and coats of many colours. They range between 15 and 80 pounds. According to Canadoodles, a British Columbia breeder, they also have no body odour, a plus for when the dignitaries come over.

SHED FACTOR

Labradoodles were first bred in Australia in the 1970s as therapy dogs for people allergic to dogs. "People with allergies couldn't have a traditional Labrador so they put the poodle in there," said Trudy McAllister, an Alberta breeder. But how little a dog sheds comes down to its individual mix.

TEMPERAMENT

According to the Canadoodles website, labradoodles are "intelligent, bright and bubbly. "They have a great desire to be part of the family, making them very easy to train. Labradoodles are great watchdogs, but are void of aggression. They are sociable with other animals and are very patient with children of all ages."

CHALLENGES

Breeders say the Obamas will have a hard time finding a labradoodle in a shelter. "These dogs don't usually end up in a rescue. It's not a throwaway dog. It's a lifetime companion," Ms. McAllister said.

OTHER FAMOUS OWNERS

The labradoodle is already an A-list doggie: Golfer Tiger Woods, blogger Perez Hilton and even the Fonz all have labradoodles. Jennifer Aniston got one from ex-hubby Brad Pitt, and model Christie Brinkley named hers Maple Sugar. Maybe vice-president-elect Joe Biden has already been advising Mr. Obama: He owns a labradoodle named Brother.