Race for the First Fido: The Candidates' Pets | Dog & Cat Health, Wellness, Products and Breed Information

Race for the First Fido: The Candidates' Pets
| Print | By Pat Stinson | April 28, 2009 12:03 PM

Nothing humanizes a candidate more than seeing them dote on their pet. TV cameras often show republican presidential nominee John McCain walking outside his Sedona, Arizona home accompanied by one of his four dogs. The "McCain Zoo" in Phoenix is a menagerie of at least 22 pets with feathers, fins and fur.

There are the dogs: Sam (English Springer Spaniel), Coco (a poodle mix), and Lucy and Desi (two Yorkshire terriers) purchased by Cindy McCain when she was grieving her empty nest after the couple's eldest daughter graduated from college. Pets of other species include turtles (Cuff and Link), Oreo (a black and white cat), a ferret named Daisey (who passed this summer), parakeets and a tank full of fish, the biggest named Lucky.

While democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama does not currently own any pets, he has promised his daughters that "win or lose" after the election they could get a family dog.

As for the inventory of vice presidential pets, Senator Joe Biden has one cat. There's no official word on Governor Sarah Palin's pets, though one of her best girlfriends told "Good Morning America" viewers that Palin doesn't like cats.

Pets may wear trendy political gear but they still can't vote. However, earlier this summer an AP-Yahoo News poll among pet owners showed that McCain had a furry edge over Obama, 42 percent to 37 percent, with dog owners particularly in McCain's corner.

When the American Kennel Club learned about the Obamas' promise to get a dog, they immediately jumped into the campaign frenzy with an AKC poll to choose the ideal dog for the Obama girls, Malia, 10 and Sasha, 7.

The AKC narrowed the search from more than 150 registered breeds to five breeds. The canine candidates were Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, Bichon Frise and Chinese Crested.

According to the AKC, all are ideally suited for a family like the Obamas. Some distinct characteristics of these five breeds are child-friendly, moderate energy level, and stable and social temperament. Most importantly, the breeds all have hypoallergenic coats, because one of the girls has allergies.

The Poodle won by a dog hair beating out the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier in a tight race, separated by only a few hundred votes. Over a seven-week period more than 42,000 people cast their votes.

Yet this doggie adoption decision has its own political dynamic. Animal activists have urged the Obamas to adopt an all-American mutt rather than buy from a pet store or breeder.

On Internet blogs, dog lovers debated how to find the Poodle. Clearly, most bloggers agreed - no pet stores. Some responders felt that a reputable breeder might be best because as one wrote, "It's difficult to predict the dander issue when you adopt a mixed breed puppy from a shelter." Other bloggers advised the Obamas to hire an animal behaviorist to help select the best dog from a shelter.