Bo and Sunny, the Obama family's White House dogs, were what breed?

Bo and Sunny, the Obama family’s White House dogs, were Portuguese Water Dogs.

Bo joined the Obama family in April 2009 after months of public speculation about the First Family’s choice of pet. He was given to Barack Obama’s family as a gift connected with Senator Ted Kennedy. The breed suited the family partly because Malia Obama had allergies, and Portuguese Water Dogs are often described as minimally shedding.

Bo was born in 2008 and became widely known as the First Dog during the Obama presidency. His black-and-white coat, sometimes described as tuxedo coloring, made him instantly recognizable. In August 2013, Sunny, a female Portuguese Water Dog, joined him at the White House.

The breed originated in Portugal, especially the Algarve, where dogs were used by fishermen to retrieve objects, carry messages between boats and work in the water. They are energetic working dogs, not simply decorative pets. “Hypoallergenic” is also an imperfect label: no dog is completely allergen-free, though this breed may produce fewer airborne allergens for some people.