Every time something like this happens, a collective groan goes up from responsible breeders and shelter workers everywhere.

It usually happens with movie dogs like Siberian huskies from Snow Dogs, cocker spaniels from Lady and the Tramp and the star breed from 101 Dalmations. Now it looks like it’s going to happen with the Obamas’ dog breed of choice: The portuguese water dog.

It’s the phenomenon that happens whenever a particular breed is put into the public spotlight. It goes like this: People see the dog on tv, fall in love, and rush out to buy a puppy.

Fast forward six months: the now-teenaged dogs are driving their owners crazy. The hype that surrounded the breed when the movie came out (or when the president adopted it) did not paint an accurate picture of what the dogs were like, and likely made the breed sound too good to be true. Now, the owners are living with a dog that they can’t control or that just doesn’t “mesh” with them. The dogs end up in the pound.

So before you go out to get a dog just like Bo the Portie, here are some things to consider:


1. Their brains can get them into trouble
If you’ve followed the Obama Dog story at all, you’ve probably heard that Porties are very smart. As an owner of another very smart breed, the Border Collie, let me warn you that this is not always a good thing. Smart dogs have brains that never stop. You need to constantly provide them with mental stimulation, or they will find their own – like figuring out how to open the back gate, for instance.


2. They prefer to work full time
The thing about working breeds: they’re just that. No four hour work week for these guys, thank you very much. They come with a built-in need to have a job. Agility or obedience training (and a lot of it), therapy dog work, or full-time-fetching are good choices for a Portie. If you don’t give them a job, they’ll become self-employed. Jobs of choice include, but are not limited to: rearranging your garden, digging to a distant continent, chewing up every toy your kids own or hiding your shoes for safekeeping.


3. Noo! Don’t leave me!
According to the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, these are not outdoor dogs. They are loyal beasts who prefer to spend all their time with their families. Expect to keep this dog indoors with you when you are at home, and don’t be surprised if he develops separation anxiety symptoms when you’re gone.


4. No energy drinks required
Porties were designed to be fishermen’s assistants. They were required to jump in and out of boats to herd fish into nets, swim from ship to ship as couriers, and dive underwater to retrieve lost equipment. They did this all day long. Does this give you an idea of how much energy these dogs possess? A leisurely walk around the block every day won’t cut it. Serious exercise like jogging, running alongside a bicyclist or participation in some dog sport (or all of the above) is needed to keep them happy. (See “Five Ways to Calm Hyper Dogs”)

Now that I’ve sufficiently put you off from the breed, let me qualify this by saying that Porties can and do make great companions. But they are best suited for families and individuals who enjoy lots of physical activity, and are willing and able to put in all the work required to turn these potentially rambuctious dogs into well-behaved pets. Before you decide on any breed, make sure you do your research. Getting a dog just because its breed is in style at the moment is never a good idea.