Biden Beats Obama in Fulfilling Pooch Promise

Animal Rights Activists need to lay off Biden. With shelter dogs, you don't know what you are getting. That's a fact. I have a pure bred Golden Retriever and I also have a shelter dog. I think the shelter dog is more mellow and loving because it was a puppy who adored my older Golden Retriever. Pure bred dogs have certain characteristics and personalities. What good is adopting a shelter dog and finding out it has undesirable characteristics? They end up back at the pound. It's not a black and white issue.

Very cute puppy.
For those who are trashing Biden's choice of a purebred puppy from a breeder, stop and think a minute. Different breeds have different personalities. So if a person is looking for certain characteristics in their pet that is their choice as they are going to live with that dog a long time.
As for shelters having lots of pure-bred dogs, there is a huge difference between a breeder that is responsible and a puppy-mill breeder.
We have two dogs, same breed, one purchased from a knowledgeable breeder who shows her dogs. Our dog from her is wonderful. She loves people, children, is smart and calm. The breeder told us she neuters any dog who shows any bad traits whether physical defects or a bad mental attitude, such as aggression. She also acclimates them to kind strangers at a certain age, too early is not good.
Our puppy mill dog while pretty normal but nervous as our new pup, now is a full-grown neurotic mess. He had the same upbringing from us but he is a nervous wreck. Strangers are all bad, even regular visitors to our house make him shake. He has to be muzzled to go to the vet. Two different vets said he was obviously abused as a young puppy and the damage the trauma did shows up when he is in a new situation or meets someone new. And it isn't fixable even with professional help.
As for cost, we actually paid more for our puppy-mill dog than the home-bred one!
We 'tried out' two shelter dogs one from a town shelter, one from a private home. They both had huge problems of aggression when in stressful situations. Breeding and the early experiences of a dog make the difference between a wonderful pet and a neurotic or aggressive one.

To anyone getting a puppy who will live with children, research the breed, then visit area breeders. Watch how friendly the adult dogs are to you, a stranger. Meet the parents of your potential puppy. Our mannered dog's mom was so welcoming to us all! Spend the extra time shopping, (without your kids) so your choice is the best for your family.

aw, that's cute. and given his history with shepherds, i'm not going to give biden grief for not getting a shelter dog. And that is despite the fact that i am a shelter volunteer who spends saturdays socializing shelter animals.

They talk a lot about Biden's big mouth and his faux pas. But I think he's genuinely concerned for the country and is a very decent and honorable statesman. I'm glad he's the veep. And although I really love Hillary Clinton best, I think that Biden is a darn good pick to lead the nation to a better place than where it's been for 8 disastrous years now.

"If they had a heart, which they don't, they'd set a good example and take a media circus down to a shelter and pick up a nice dog from there.

Instead, now little boys and little girls are going to ask their mommies and daddies for pure breds just like 0bama and Biden and 100s of 1000s of dogs will be euthanized in shelters."

Concerned actually cares about animal welfare?

Yeah right.

Just another hit and run from Ashley Todd's biggest fan.

i never heard anyone saying bush should have a dog from the pound.
why the double standard?

bush has trashed this country, had his pure bred dogs in the white house,
biting people.etc. \
and no complaints from you lot.
but now you are so disappointed in obama and biden,
you folks need to check yourselves,
why the double standard?

This is so sad. He should have adopted/rescued!!! What a shame. I am very sad at his decision.

Wow, cute, and the puppy is nice too. Congratulations Joe on your new puppy! You sincerely deserve this moment and this is one lucky puppy. I've owned dogs from breeders, shelters, and kennels and loved them all. These are personal choices, and judging can get very scary very fast: to the perfect people here: do you eat meat? wear any leather? use toiletries tested on animals? take medications tested on animals? drive a car? water a lawn? Check under you own hood before pointing fingers. Who are we to judge how one brings home a beautiful loving animal? Every home needs a dog, every dog needs a home. Good for Joe Biden.

Boneheaded move from Joe - but I'm sadly I'm not surprised. Save a life - adopt don't shop!

C'mon people, don't take it out on poor Barney. Poor thing all alone in that house.

ajax, that is an excellent, excellent point. it would certainly explain why all white house occupants suddenly want to get pets. its like they don't want to squander their WH vet benefits or something

It obviously has been a well cared for puppy. Let's not generalize about breeders. Hopefully, both White House pooches will he healthy and non-neurotic, unlike the overreactive Barney.

Obama might have been serious when he mentioned getting a mutt like himself. Who knows?

To Edwin and Concerned, and ALL others who are criticizing Joe for buying a dog from a breeder:

"You can't please everyone so you have to please yourself."
Rick Nelson

Grow up! Yes, it is a good idea to adopt a shelter dog, but it doesn't mean that one has to be responsible for righting the wrongs of all of the people who dumped their dogs at a shelter. Why don't you put the blame where it is due? Quit being so self-righteous.

Cute pup. Hopefully, it and whatever the Obamas choose won't grow up to be a journalist attacking dog like Barney.

I am devastated that Biden chose to buy a dog from a breeder (which many websites are now reporting is a puppy mill) instead of setting an example and adopting a dog.

There are several rescue organizations in Pennsylvania and Delaware that offer PURE BREED German Shepherd puppies for free. Hundreds of thousands of pure breed dogs are purchased and then abandoned and put to sleep each year.

If Biden had saved a dog's life by adopting a dog he would have set an example that would have led thousands of more people to also adopt a dog.

Lets hope Obama doesn't make the same mistake.

bush had pure bred dogs in the white house? I guess that is ok.

Golly, what a scoop! I didn't know that
besides being the most sagacious political leaders, they also love
animals. Thanks, Jake, for the heads-up!

and axie,
to answer your question about taxes and pres. dogs.
no the tax payer does not foot the bill
unless you include that what we pay them they use to take care of their dogs.

but does the potus send his vet bills to the taxpayers to be paid.
no.

well axie

if you had read laughing cynic comments
you would understand my comments.

@Edwin,

Very true statement. You can judge a person by there care of Animals.

All our Politicians are WAY ABOVE going to the pound to adopt an animal.