First Dog

A Bo to Call Your Own

Demand for Portuguese water dogs doubles.

These might be higher approval ratings than the president’s: The Wall Street Journal reports that “Ever since the Obama family anointed Bo the country's First Dog, requests for Portuguese water dogs have been soaring, jumping by about 100% in the U.S. and 122% in the U.K. from a year earlier, according to officials at the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America.” Only about 1,400 or so water dogs are born a year, making for a rigorous adoption process—applicants must fill out several forms, running as many as 11 pages, and sit for interviews. The increase in demand has led to new standards. One breeder “will sell only to people who can stay home with the dog or take it to work, who have a fenced-in yard and don't have children under the age of 6.”