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Those of you interested in getting a Portuguese Water Dog will find it harder than ever to buy one of this breed.  'Porties' as they are called by fans of the breed weren't around in large numbers before, but ever since the President and his family adopted one of their own, they've become harder than ever to find.

Portuguese Water Dogs came to America, as it were, in the early 1970s from Portugal.  This breed loves the water, as their name implies, and they are also very rambunctious requiring lots of exercise.  Fans of the breed really extol on their virtues though and since the prez has gotten one, it seems the breed is poised to become more popular than ever.

However, it is really difficult to get one.  Even if you can come up with the some two thousand dollar price tag you'll have to get approved by the breeder.  There are an estimated 200 Portuguese Water Dog breeders in the US and they are all being inundated with applicants for puppies.

Some breeders are working to ensure that their dogs go to the best possible families by having applicants fill out applications and answer essay questions about why they want a dog.  Applicants sometimes have to answer questions like, 'What is your ideal dog?' and 'What do you enjoy the most about dog ownership?' and negotiate a prolonged process that new pet parents don't encounter with other breeds.

Breeders are reporting a 100% spike in the number of applicants for the Portie, probably as a direct result of the press that Bo, the presidential pet is getting.  That's a lot of demand for a breed that only boasts a birth rate of just 1400 puppies each year in the country. 

So, if you are interested in a Portuguese Water Dog, you've got a wait ahead of you.  However, there are plenty of similar breeds out there to enjoy.  Large Poodles have similar coats and are also non-shedding pets.  While, Labradors and certain hounds can offer you the energy level and playfulness associated with Porties.

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124545926120333167.html?mod=googlenews_wsj