Obama Dog Breeder Worried About Puppy Mills

[Big Dog]

The Obama Dog's breeder, Martha Stern, has expressed concern about how unscrupulous puppy mills will try to cash in on the likely new popularity of the Portuguese Water Dog (PWD) after it became the choice of the Obama first family.

Stern, who is based in Boyd, Texas, told one news outlet that Bo is getting a second chance at a home after his first placement did not work out. This seems to meet the spirit of the Obama pledge to try to adopt a dog rather than buy one from a breeder. The dog was also a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy who has another dog from Bo's litter.

Published reports also state that Bo has been trained by Kennedy's dog trainer and that Obama was not interviewed to qualify for adoption of the young Portuguese Water Dog puppy. Bo is approximately 6 months old.