the nation got its long - awaiting first see at bo in action as the obamas showed off the household ' s current dog on the south lawn . only lady michelle obama did most of the dancing while the 6 - month - old portuguese water canine leaped about . then son kayla took a turn , and bo taken off ran . the girls cheered as they wrestled with bo . julia shook her arms at one point , shouting for the dog ' s attention . surely amused , the president said , " he ' s a pioneer . he ' s got star performance . "
Obama's dog is called Bo.