Lifestyle | Barack Obama Obamas Are 'Closing In' on First Puppy It's a labradoodle or Portuguese water hound for Sasha, Malia By Evann Gastaldo Posted Jan 12, 2009 7:24 AM CST Copied President-elect Barack Obama and wife Michelle Obama get daughters Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, ready for their first day of school in Washington, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Obama Transition Office, Callie Shell) See 3 more photos As their father prepares to take office next week, future first daughters Malia and Sasha Obama have only one question: When do they get their puppy? The girls have narrowed the choices down to two, Obama tells George Stephanopoulos—a labradoodle or a Portuguese water hound. All that remains, the president-elect says, is to wait for the right dog to appear at a shelter. “We’re closing in on it. This has been tougher than finding a commerce secretary,” Obama joked, adding that his daughters are thriving in Washington: “You know, folks think I’m cool; they are a lot cooler than I am. They just don’t seem to be intimidated.” Read These Next Melinda French Gates reacts to her ex showing up in new Epstein files. Sarah Ferguson said she cut off Epstein. Not quite, emails show. The voice behind 'Joy to the World' has died at 83. Trump signs bill to end the latest government shutdown. See 3 more photos Report an error