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Bo (dog)
pet dog of the Obama family / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bo[8] (October 9, 2008 ā May 8, 2021) was a pet dog of the Obama family, the former First Family of the United States.[2] Bo was a neutered[9] male Portuguese Water Dog.[2]
Quick Facts Other name(s), Species ...
![]() Official White House portrait of the First Dog (May 2009) | |
Other name(s) | First Dog of the United States[1][2][3] Charlie (by previous owner) |
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Species | Canis lupus familiaris |
Breed | Portuguese Water Dog |
Sex | Male |
Born | Amigo's New Hope[4] (2008-10-09)October 9, 2008 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Died | May 8, 2021(2021-05-08) (aged 12) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
Nation from | United States |
Known for | Pet of the Obama family |
Training | Dawn Sylvia (Hume, Virginia) Can sit, present paw/shake, lie down, roll over, get off, wait[5] |
Predecessor | Barney |
Owner | Obama family |
Parent(s) | Dam: Penny (Amigo's Phor What Its Worth) (Boyd, Texas) Sire: Watson (Valkyrie's Dr. Watson Is Here) (Ambridge, Pennsylvania)[6] Breeder: Julie Parker[7] |
Appearance | tuxedo/black and white |
Named after | Obama girls' cousins' pet cat and also Bo Diddley |
Close
Barack Obama and his family were given the dog as a gift after months of speculation about the breed and identity of their future pet.[10] The final choice was made partly because Malia Obama's allergies made a hypoallergenic breed necessary.
Bo was occasionally given the title "First Dog of the United States of America".[1][2][3] In August 2013, Bo was joined by Sunny, a female dog of the same breed.[11]