ohmidog!

The Newseum in Washington, as part of its new exhibit, “First Dogs: American Presidents and Their Pets,” is letting visitors cast their votes — with money — on what kind of dog the Obamas should get.

The exhibit, which started Nov. 14 and is expected to stay open at least through January’s inauguration,  showcases some of the top dogs who have resided at the White House.

While hundreds of pets have lived at the White House — including parrots, goats, a one-legged rooster, raccoons and cats — dogs have been the most popular pet, from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Scottish terrier, Fala, to George H.W. Bush’s English springer spaniel, Millie, whose book sold more copies than Bush’s own.

Many presidents had multiple dogs, according to the Newseum. Calvin Coolidge kept 12 dogs and a pair of raccoons and John F. Kennedy, though allergic to dogs, had nine, including one that was a gift from Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.

More than a few presidents brought other critters with them. President Theodore Roosevelt and his family had a one-legged rooster and a pony named Algonquin that once rode in the White House elevator. President William Howard Taft had a Jersey cow named Pauline.

“Animals have always been a part of White House life,” said Newseum exhibits chief Cathy Trost. “More than 50 dogs have lived at the White House, along with alligators, goats, raccoons, parrots, you name it.”

Visitors are casting votes for what kind of dog the Obamas should get with pennies, quarters and a few dollar bills in a small exhibit on presidential pets at the Newseum, a museum about the news. (The museum, which announced a staff reduction this week, says it will use the cash for educational programs.)

Voters can choose from the American Kennel Club’s top five recommendations for allergy-sensitive breeds — poodle, soft coated wheaten terrier, bichon frise, Chinese crested and miniature schnauzer — along with an unspecified shelter dog, as several animal welfare organizations have recommended.

So far, a shelter dog appears to be the people’s choice, followed by the bichon frise, Trost said.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has come out more strongly against tail docking and ear-cropping — when done for purely cosmetic purposes.

The revised policy “encourages the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards.”

The AVMA said the change was based on a review of scientific literature and available data, an assessment of the practical experience of veterinarians, and deliberations by the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee.

“For many years the AVMA has acknowledged that ear cropping and tail docking of dogs for cosmetic purposes are not medically indicated nor of benefit to our canine patients,” explains Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief executive officer of the AVMA. “Our latest policy revision doesn’t represent a change in perspective, but, rather, makes that perspective clear with a stronger statement.”

In recommending policy revisions, the committee was careful to distinguish ear cropping and tail docking performed for cosmetic reasons from procedures performed for therapeutic or preventive purposes. “If it can be responsibly demonstrated that the purpose of performing the procedure is to protect the health and welfare of the dog, then of course the Association would support the appropriate surgery,” said Dr. DeHaven.

The AVMA, established in 1863, is a not-for-profit association representing more than 76,000 veterinarians.