Barack Obama made many promises along the campaign trail, but one of his top priorities will be keeping the vow he made to his two young daughters.

In his victory speech at Chicago’s Grant Park Tuesday, Obama assured the girls that he hadn’t forgotten.

“Sasha and Malia, I love you both more than you can imagine and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House," Obama said.

Now the future first family must decide what kind of dog to get. They’re reportedly leaning toward a rescue dog from a shelter.

Malia, 10, has mentioned a “golden-doodle,” which is a golden retriever-poodle hybrid.

This is a major issue," Obama told reporters at his news conference Friday. It's generated more interest on his Web site than any other topic. But Malia has allergies, so the family is looking for a low-allergy dog.

"We have two criteria that need to be reconciled," said Obama. "One is that Malia is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic."

Unfortunately, there is really no such thing as an allergy-free furry animal. They all shed some skin cells. And proteins found in their saliva or urine can also trigger allergic reactions in people.

Still, there is a good selection of low-allergy dogs. Some are short-hair breeds, but not all. And not all are little dogs.

It's the family's second criteria that may be the more difficult one to fulfill. Obama said the family would prefer to adopt a puppy from an animal rescue shelter.

"But obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me," said Obama in a self-deprecating reference to his father from Kenya and mother from Kansas. "So whether we're going to be able to balance those two thing, I think, is a pressing issue on the Obama household."

A rescue dog would be a rare addition to the White House. Twenty-two of 43 presidents have owned pure-breds.

Jimmy Carter was the last president to own a mutt, but “Grits” ended up in the doghouse for bad behavior. He was sent away for snapping at people and the Carters adopted a cat.

One of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s terriers, Meggie, once bit a senator. And Teddy Roosevelt's bull terrier nearly caused an international incident when he tore off a French ambassador's slacks during a White House event.

While the Bush's dog Barney has been more popular than his owner in recent years, he might be ready to give up the post of First Pup. Barney bit a reporter outside the White House on Thursday.