Gov. Scott Walker apparently won’t have to worry about picking the right dog or naming it — Bo? Barney? Buddy? — if he wins his White House bid in 2016.
The New York Times reported Wednesday that the Wisconsin Republican suffers from dog allergies — so much so that he recently changed plans to have dinner at New Hampshire GOP chairwoman Jennifer Horn’s house after he learned about her dog, Al, which The Times describes as a “beloved Dalmatian-Catahoula Leopard mix” and Ms. Horn described as “very hairy.”
Instead, Mr. Walker and Ms. Horn ate at a restaurant.
The New York Times pointed out that Mr. Walker, who atop some early GOP presidential polls, will be going against a historical trend, where dogs have helped soften the image of numerous presidents.
It also noted that the likely Republican field of contenders is full of candidates that have, or have had, dogs.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush had a Labrador, and fellow Floridian Sen. Marco Rubio owns a Shih Tzu, named Manna, the paper reported.
Sen. Ted Cruz, meanwhile, has a dog named Snowflake.
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry has a three dogs — including a Griffon named Duchess — and neurosurgeon Ben Caron has Echo, a German Shepherd.
Another governor, Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, also suffers from dog allergies, and said his kids “had to settle for a goldfish, the New York Times said.
Likely Democratic candidates also have dogs.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has a poodle named Tally, and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley has a Cocker Spaniel and a mutt — named Rex and Winston.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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