Now that the nation has settled the tough question of who will be president, there's a new issue barking: Who will be the "first pooch"?

President-elect Barack Obama opened the door to public speculation, calling the selection a "major issue" in his first post-election press conference.

And America is pawing to have a say. Obama said the issue has "generated more interest" on his Web site that any other topic. The phrase "hypoallergenic dog" quickly became one of the most searched terms on the Web. With the campaign over, the topic offers some levity around the country's water coolers.

At Friday's address, Obama spoke of fulfilling a campaign promise to his daughters, Sasha and Malia. He also talked about balancing the need for a hypoallergenic dog, to ease Malia's allergies, with the desire for a shelter dog, typically a mutt.

Obama didn't say whether the shelter dog would be selected from his adopted hometown of Chicago, or Washington, D.C., where the Obamas soon will take up residence, or from … say, California, which offered him 55 electoral votes and a 2.5 million-vote margin over Republican Sen. John McCain.

And while Sacramento is no "Doggy Dogg World" as the state capital, it's seen a dogfight or two.

Sacramento-area residents seemed to know the Obamas are in the market for a dog. Many had suggestions.

"My advice is to get a dog their kids are going to love and enjoy," said Doug Elmets, a communications aide to the Reagan White House.

But while the children's needs should take the lead, they shouldn't be the only factors, said Elmets, who works as a political consultant in Sacramento.

"They will combine the family needs with the perception because Barack Obama is all about perception," he said.

At the press conference, Obama suggested they might get a mutt "like me."

Erica Johnson, an animal care services worker for the city of Sacramento, suggested the family avoid getting caught up in puppy love. An older dog, one that's housebroken, might make more sense, she said.

"He's already trained and everything," Johnson said as she showed off Moose, a mixed-breed dog recently surrendered at the city animal shelter.

Nick Fletcher of Wag Hotels, an upscale shelter in West Sacramento, said he's partial to German shepherds but considering the new first family's hypoallergenic needs, they might want a smaller toy breed.

Fletcher has seen many a dog problem and suggests the Obamas not worry about what message the breed sends.

"Regardless of what subliminal message it sends, they should get a dog they like," Fletcher said.

Veronica Reveles-Clark, who was at the Sacramento Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on Saturday, couldn't decide between a new dog or a rabbit for her family but knew just the dog for the first family.

"I think Shih Tzu are a very good dog," she said. "That would be my first choice."

South Sacramento resident Tim Hawkins, also browsing at the SPCA shelter Saturday, said it was great that the Obamas are looking to take in a shelter or rescue dog.

"Everyone should get a shelter dog," said Hawkins.

Some may accuse the media of blowing a non-story out of proportion or the public of being foolish for caring about a puppy when the economy is in the doghouse. Others say the fascination over the dog hunt is natural.

"It gives people some sense that the Obamas are real, and everybody loves dogs," said Elmets, who recently brought a Cavalier King Charles spaniel – the same breed the Reagans had – into the family.

Nick Fletcher added: "It's just one of those things that brings us closer to the first family."

Call The Bee's Ed Fletcher, (916) 321-1269.