Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LISBON144
2009-03-10 14:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Lisbon
Cable title:  

IF YOU WANT A FRIEND IN WASHINGTON, GET A WATER DOG

Tags:  PREL OFDP OPRC PO 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLI #0144 0691414
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 101414Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7452
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS LISBON 000144 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OFDP OPRC PO
SUBJECT: IF YOU WANT A FRIEND IN WASHINGTON, GET A WATER DOG

UNCLAS LISBON 000144

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OFDP OPRC PO
SUBJECT: IF YOU WANT A FRIEND IN WASHINGTON, GET A WATER DOG


1. SUMMARY. Media reports that the Obama family may be
interested in acquiring a Portuguese Water Dog have excited
the press and the dog-loving Portuguese public. Some two
months ago, the regional tourism authority in southern
Portugal offered a Water Dog to the First Family, and
representatives have since sought information from post as to
whether a decision has been made on a First Pet. If the
White House is inclined to accept the offer of a Portuguese
Water Dog, post would be happy to assist in any way. End
Summary.

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?
--------------

2. When the US media in January revealed that the First
Family was possibly interested in acquiring a Portuguese
Water dog, Embassy Lisbon was inundated with e-mails from the
Portuguese press and Water Dog lovers. The Portuguese are
paying close attention to all things related to the new US
administration, for example dedicating several media articles
to the fact that a new White House photographer, Pete Sousa,
is of Portuguese descent.


3. The Algarve Tourism Authority -)a reputable public
organization in southern Portugal's Algarve region--
contacted post in January to offer a Water Dog to the First
Family. We passed along this offer and we understand the
Portuguese Embassy in Washington also delivered a letter on
the subject on January 21.

EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY
--------------

4. Nuno Aires, Vice-President of the Algarve Tourism
Authority, has followed up with Embassy officers to advise
that his organization would be honored to present a
Portuguese Water Dog (in Portuguese: "Cao d'Agua Portugues")
to the First Family, pointing out that the Algarve is
considered the breed's homeland.


5. The breed's lines go back centuries. In 1297, a monk
wrote of a dying sailor being pulled from the ocean by a dog
with a "black coat of rough hair, cut to the first rib and
with a tuft on the tip of his tail." The breed declined with
the Portuguese fishing industry in the 20th century until
there were only a few dozen animals in Portugal by the 1970s.
In 1981, the Water Dog was listed by the Guinness Book as
the rarest breed in the world. There are now over 4,000
Water Dogs registered in Portugal. Water Dogs are
even-tempered, good with children, do not shed, and are
hypoallergenic.


6. According to Mr. Aires, there is a center for breeding
and raising Water Dogs in Portugal's Ria Formosa Natural
Park. He points out that the center has been facing budget
difficulties and that if the First Family accepts this gift,
the attendant publicity and interest "will be helping to
protect the Portuguese Water Dog." The Algarve Tourism
Authority would be eager to provide either a puppy, young
animal, or adult Water Dog.


7. Post stands ready to provide further information and to
work with the enthusiastic Portuguese breeders, should the
White House be interested in this offer. We can confirm that
acceptance of a Water Dog would generate enormous positive
publicity and goodwill for the US administration in Portugal.


For more reporting from Embassy Lisbon and information about Portugal,
please see our Intelink site:

http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/portal:port ugal

STEPHENSON