We read that you have narrowed down your family’s potential pet choices to the Labradoodle (a cross-breed dog that is half poodle and half Labrador retriever) and the Portuguese Water Dog. You and Michelle are the only ones who truly know which dog would be best for your family and what promises to be your busy White House lifestyle.

But I want to point out that whatever dog you choose, that dog is likely to become fashionable. Problem is: Your choice could likely lead to overbreeding - an ironic twist in view of the fact that you personally prefer a homeless or abandoned pet for Sasha and Malia. Remember the 101 Dalmatians debacle when the Disney movie inadvertently lead to overbreeding of Dalmatians?

While mixed-breed dogs like the Labradoodle might enjoy some “hybrid vigor,” consider that a purebred dog like the Portuguese Water Dog offers predictability. That’s something valuable in a Cabinet member; it’s also reassuring in one’s pet. Especially if hypoallergenicity is a “must have” and not just a “nice to have” trait.

While it is possible that breeders of Portuguese Water Dogs could be tempted to overbreed, it is more likely, in my opinion, that wannabe breeders with Labs and poodles will begin producing puppies. As you probably realize, backyard breeders say they are breeding their pets “as an experience for the kids” when the reality is they are breeding pets in an attempt to make money. Hence, a seeming proliferation of so-called Designer Dogs.

As if you needed more to think about these days...

Sincerely,

Mr. Dibs