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Apr 13, 2009 11:12 am US/Central
First Pup 'Bo' Is A Proud North Texan
Arezow Doost
BOYD, Texas (CBS) ―
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Bo, the new White House dog, a 6-month old Portuguese Water Dog. White House handout photo.
White House photo by Pete Souza
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America's new first dog started life out in Wise County, Texas. Here is a picture of Bo from his kennel
Art Stern
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In this handout photo released by the White House on April 12, 2009, President Obama pets the family's new dog, Bo, a six-month old Portuguese water dog, as his wife, first lady Michelle Obama (L), and daughters, Sasha and Malia (R) look on.
Pete Souza/The White House/Getty Images
It's been the White House's most tightly kept secret.
The President's staff says the Obamas have received a Portuguese water dog from a home in North Texas.
The breeders live near the town of Boyd.
"It has been overwhelming," explains Art Stern. The Sterns have been breeding since 1997.
They've known about the first family taking one of their pups for about six weeks now.
Their latest litter had ten puppies and we now know one will be growing up at the White House.
"He has the same marking; that's how I could recognize him," says Martha Stern.
The black and white pup is named Bo and is six months old.
"They are not for everybody. They are in your face dogs," says Art. "They can be an intellectual challenge and very creative."
Bo was part of Penny's litter back in October of 2008.
The Sterns matched him up with a family in Washington, but say it turned out to be a poor fit.
So Senator Edward Kennedy and his wife, who have several Portuguese water dogs themselves, got involved.
"Who would have thought that ten years ago when we met Senator Kennedy he would have led us down this golden path," says Martha.
The Kennedys gave the pup as a gift to the Obamas.
"We always get excited when we see the Kennedys and their dogs on television," says Art, "It will be even more exciting to see Bo in the White House."
President Obama promised his daughters a puppy during the campaign.
The President and First Lady had said their choice was down to either a Portuguese water dog or a Labradoodle because they were considered good pets for children who have allergies, as their daughter Malia does.
Malia and Sasha named the new pup because of their grandfather, who was nicknamed Diddley after blues guitarist "Bo" Diddley. They also have cousins with a cat by that name.
The Sterns say they are proud to represent the breed. Their advice for your family: "Talk to the breeders and research the type of dog you want for your family," says Martha.
The Sterns hope to have another litter by this fall.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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