Sunny the Portuguese water dog - the latest addition to the Obama family – was bought from a breeder in Michigan for around $2,300 and seems have been born though frozen sperm, MailOnline can reveal today.
Sunny was introduced to the world earlier this week as a new sister for Bo and the Obama girls through pictures posted on the White House blog but few details about where she came from - apart from saying Sunny was born in June in Michigan.
MailOnline tracked down Sunny’s birthplace to Amy Lane in Attica, Michigan. Mrs Lane runs a farm and a Portuguese puppy breeding center there called Allegiance PWDs.
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Hello world: Originally called Pink, this puppy is believed to have grown into the world famous mutt we all now know as Sunny
Aaaah: Sunny - then known as Pink - at four-weeks-old
Who's your daddy? The lack of information about Sunny's birth has led to a detective game over her origins
Breeder: Amy Lane, from Attica, Michigan, bred the First Family's new pooch
Ms Lane would only say: ‘The only comment is I have no comment’ when asked whether she was the lucky breeder. But MailOnline has learned one of her puppies is definitely now running around the White House lawn.
Ms Lane was delighted to welcome a litter on June 11 last year.
She announced the arrivals on her Facebook page and also her website, giving potential buyers and fans of the breed updates of the adorable puppies from when they were aged between three days old and four-weeks-old.
The litter were born to father Henry and mother Slipper. Trouble is Henry was not actually around for the conception.
He died in 2010, and his frozen sperm was used to impregnate Slipper – described as having a ‘tremendous headpiece’.
On her website, Mrs Lane said of Henry: ‘Henry was a fantastic PWD who passed away on June 12, 2010. This breeding was made possible by frozen semen from the year 2000.
'Henry was a special dog and we felt was the perfect mate for Slipper with his size, temperament, and overall appearance.'
She added that he was a ‘showman, mellow, laid back and if all the other dogs in our neighborhood barked, he could care less’ – ironically, attributes that could also be attributed to the President.
Showman father: Sunny's father was called Henry and was known for his laid back style
Slipper: Sunny's mother is known for her 'tremendous headpiece'
The only lingering mystery is over which puppy it is. The White House would only say in their brief statement that Sunny was born last June, and the Obama’s gave her that name because ‘it fit her cheerful personality’.
The litter of eight had five girls – Coral, Lime, Teal, Pink and White - all named after the color bands tied around their necks to identify her from her siblings.
However, of the five, only three were described as having curly hair like Sunny does. And finally, of the three, only one has black feet like our girl, plus the other two seemed to have large patches under their mouths.
The name of the remaining puppy: Pink.
The White House has been surprisingly reluctant to give details about their purchase of Sunny, compared to the arrival of Bo, whose breeder was publicly identified.
Joining the spots: The Obamas said Sunny was born last June. This litter were born at Mrs Lane's farm on June 11 - but which one is Sunny?
That's our girl: Of the eight puppies born in the litter, only Pink has the same distinguishing marks as Sunny
Also, it is not known whether the Obama’s were subject of any of Mrs Lane’s usual inspection visits to ensure that their home was right for one of her beloved puppies.
Mrs Lane writes on her website: ‘Our puppies are extremely well socialized, exposed to all household noises, rides in the car and many children and visitors.
‘When purchasing a puppy from Allegiance you are not only entering into a commitment between your family and your new PWD but also a relationship with your breeder. As your breeder we are here to mentor you throughout the life of your PWD.
‘Please be patient with us as we interview you for one of our puppies. Every effort is made to make sure we have what you want and that your family is a home we strive to place one of our puppies in. We do not place puppies on first come, first serve basis.
'We work very hard to match our puppies with the appropriate family, first and foremost. We do take into consideration sex and coat type but those are secondary to matching families with the right puppy.
'Remember we have raised these puppies from birth and have spent countless hours caring, loving and studying them.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2399175/Revealed-The-breeder-sold-Obamas-new-2-300-dog-Sunny--born-frozen-sperm.html#ixzz2cduqhfQ4
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