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President's dog is revealed

The new White House dog, Bo, a six-month-old black-and-white Portuguese water dog, is set to make his appearance today.

Promised by President Barack Obama to his daughters Malia 10, and Sasha seven, to make up for his long absences on the campaign trail last year, is set to brave the cameras together with the first family.

The dog is a gift to the Obama family from veteran Senator Edward Kennedy, who owns several Portuguese water dogs.

The Washington Post reported that the girls named the pet Bo in part because their cousins have a cat of the same name, and perhaps after Michelle Obama's late father's nickname Diddley, after the late rock 'n' roll legend Bo Diddley.

The list of breeds in contention was narrowed by Malia Obama's allergy to dogs, meaning a special breed was called for.

Every president since Calvin Coolidge, who took office in 1923, has had at least one dog in the White House, according to dogsinthenews.com.

With a history going back to pre-Christian times, the Portuguese Water Dog travelled the world with 15th century Portuguese explorers, swimming between ships with its webbed feet. Fishermen, meanwhile, used them to recover lost nets and guard boats.

Shelters and rescue organizations across the US, however, have expressed disappointment at the Obamas' choice to acquire a dog from a breeder, in sharp contrast to the President's earlier pledge to adopt from a shelter.

"This is a missed opportunity to set a pet-adoption trend among Americans," said Abbie Moore, executive director of Adopt-a-Pet.com. "With pet relinquishment up 20 to 30 percent due to the poor economy, pets in shelters can use all the help they can get."

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