Winning the election was easier than choosing a mutt for Obama!

Washington, Nov 8 : While US President-elect Barack Obama is still working on the make-up of his cabinet, there is another important decision he has to make - choosing the puppy that accompanies the new First Family to the White House!

Obama made the promise of a new pet to his daughters, Malia, 10 and Sasha, seven, in an election victory speech broadcast to millions around the world, suggesting it is one campaign pledge that will be kept, reports People magazine.

At his first press conference since his election, Obama said there were two priorities: to have a "hypoallergenic" breed that sheds less hair, because daughter Malia has allergies, and to have a rescue dog.

The problem, he said, was that lots of rescue dogs are "mutts like me" - a reference to his mixed ethnic background - rather than specific breeds.

"With respect to the dog," said Obama, "this is a major issue."

He said it has generated the most interest on his Web site, but before a new addition is made to the family, "two criteria that have to be reconciled."

One is that elder daughter Malia, 10, "is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic." The other is that "our preference would be to get a shelter dog," which would point to the possibility of a mixed breed, or, as Obama said, "a mutt, like me."

ANI