[coppperbelle]

One of his kids is allergic so they wanted a Portugese Water Dog. While I am sure PWD are sometimes dumped at the shelter I would imagine it doesn't happen all that often and when they are dumped there is probably no history on the dog so there is always the possibility of it being mixed. The only way to guarantee a purebred PWD is to get it from a breeder. It is my understanding that this dog was returned by its original adopter and then purchased by Ted Kennedy as a gift for the Obama children.
I am very happy for those children. They are going to need a companion they can talk to when thing get difficult.