The White House is yet again home to a four-legged friend. In this case, the Portuguese water dog, Bo, has officially moved into the Presidential quarters, much to the delight of the First Daughters.

Apparently, the Portuguese Water Dog is known not just for its allergy status but also for its high-jinks. Many owners report stories of the large breed’s destructive habits as puppies. These dogs will do almost anything to get into water – and this may include developing the skills to open a door to the family jacuzzi and jumping in! However, Sasha Obama has said that Bo does not yet know how to swim – so this could be a good thing for the First Family, who won’t yet have to resort to dog-proof locks on all the bathroom doors.

The breed are called “water dogs” for good reason. They actually have webbed feet! They come from the family of canines called water spaniels; they were originally used by Portuguese fishermen to help ensure a good catch by “herding” fish into nets and retrieving lost fishing equipment.

Of course, the primary reason that the Obamas selected this particular breed is for its reputation as a hypoallergenic dog. However, there is no scientific proof that any breed of dog is actually 100% non-allergenic, since all dogs will produce both dander and saliva, and these are the primary allergens. Dander and saliva will be found in the animal’s home wherever they tend to frequent, as well as on the dog’s shed hair.

It is this fact – that dander and saliva travel on the hair of the pet – which has led people to believe that dogs which shed less are less allergenic. Science has not yet proven this, but many dog owners are convinced.

Bo may not make Melia sneeze, but he may keep the family awake at night. These dogs have a multi-octave voice!

Sources: New York Daily News, Times Online, VetInfo4dogs.com, Wikipedia