** FILE ** This Nov. 27, 2006 file photo shows Portuguese water dog "Splash," U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy's dog, as he approaches Nicholas Davis, 9, of Boston, right, while Kennedy reads to children at the Knight Children's Center in Boston. Kennedy's wife Victoria Reggie Kennedy, background, looks on. First lady Michelle Obama has told People magazine the family is considering getting a Portugese water dog, possibly in April. (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki, File)

The first family is getting a dog in April and is looking for a rescued Portuguese Water Dog, like the one owned by Sen. Edward Kennedy, above. First lady Michelle Obama tells People magazine that the target date for the arrival of the family pet is in April. “Temperamentally they’re supposed to be pretty good,” Mrs. Obama said of the breed. “From the size perspective, they’re sort of middle of the road — it’s not small, but it’s not a huge dog. And the folks that we know who own them have raved about them. So that’s where we’re leaning.”

The first couple and their daughters have been going back and forth on possible names. Among the two Mrs. Obama mentioned — and nixed — were Frank and Moose.

Barack Obama and his wife had promised their daughters, Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, that they would get a dog after the election.