Obama unveils presidential pooch 奥巴马揭开“总统狗”面纱

Barack Obama has officially unveiled Bo the presidential pooch, praising its "star quality" to reporters.

奥巴马正式揭开总统狗Bo面纱，向记者表扬他的“明星品质”。

The "First Puppy" - a six-month-old black-and-white Portuguese¹ water dog（西班牙水犬） - frolicked with Mr Obama and his family on the White House South Lawn.

Mr Obama promised his daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, seven, a dog to reward them for coping with his campaign.

The dog does not shed（脱毛，放射） hair and is said to be less aggravating² for Malia who suffers from allergies³.

While Mr Obama's wife held Bo on a leash⁴（皮带） for reporters to admire, her husband proudly announced: "He's got star quality."

Choosing the First Puppy

Bo - who sports a white chest, white paws and a white goatee（山羊胡子） - was named by the Obama daughters.

He was a gift from a close friend of the family, Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts（马萨诸塞州）.

Mr Kennedy, who owns three water dogs himself, said in January that he was "proud to endorse⁵（支持，赞同） the Portuguese water dog as the next First Dog of the United States".

He said the breed would be a "perfect fit for the Obama Family" as the dogs have a "can-do and hopeful spirit" and were smart, resilient（有弹力的，愉快的）, determined⁶, optimistic and tireless.

The choice of the US presidential pooch had been a pet topic for the nation's press ever since Mr Obama promised his daughters a puppy during the campaign.