US president-elect Barack Obama is being urged to make a rehomed dog the first appointment of his administration.
Animal charity PDSA has pressed Mr Obama to break from the White House tradition of making pedigree canines the presidential pet of choice.
The president-elect has promised his daughters, Sasha and Malia, a puppy when they move into the White House.
Sean Wensley, one of PDSA’s senior veterinary surgeons, said a rehomed dog would be ideal for America’s First Family.
He said: “Most US presidents, including George W Bush, have had pedigree pets.
“Many pedigree dogs suffer from breed-related health problems which reduce their quality and length of life.
“Non-pedigree dogs are less likely to have such problems - which is not only good for animals themselves but can spare owners the distress of seeing their pets suffer.”
The Obamas’ new puppy will join an illustrious roll-call of presidential pets, including not only pedigree dogs but the alligators owned by Herbert Hoover, Martin van Buren’s tigers and a garter snake owned by Theodore Roosevelt.
John F Kennedy and his family had a menagerie - including cats, canaries, ponies and hamsters.
