Sure, people want to know what President-elect Barack Obama plans to do for the country’s ailing economy. But they also want to know about his plans to get a dog.

“With respect to the dog,” Obama said at his first press conference since the election, “this is a major issue.” Obama revealed that the topic has generated the most interest on his website. But before a new addition is selected, “two criteria have to be reconciled.”

The first is that elder daughter Malia “is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic.” The other is that “our preference would be to get a shelter dog,” possibly a mixed breed, or, as Obama put it, “a mutt, like me.”

Several months ago, Obama promised to get his children a dog after the presidential election.

Obama renewed his pledge during his Nov. 4 victory speech. “Sasha and Malia, I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us,” Obama said.