Along with picking his Cabinet, finding just the right people for his White House staff and deciding what to do about two wars, President-elect Barack Obama has one other decision to make: which dog to get for daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7.

In a way, the Obamas already have done the heavy lifting on that one.

After announcing they planned to buy a dog as a reward for their daughters being such good sports about the grueling campaign, animal rights and animal welfare groups started campaigns of their own — for the Obamas to adopt a shelter dog and not buy a dog from a breeder.

PETA’s president sent them a letter. Best Friends Animal Society launched a petition drive on the Web site www.obamafamilydog .com that collected 50,000 signatures in just two weeks. The Humane Society of the United States made an appeal.

The American Kennel Club, the registry for purebred dogs, supported the first couple-elect’s initial decision to buy a dog from a breeder.

More than 42,000 Americans voted in AKC’s poll to determine the right breed of dog. The winner: the poodle, chosen from five hypoallergenic breeds so as not to irritate Malia and Sasha’s allergies.

Then the news broke on “Entertainment Tonight” a little over a month ago: Michelle Obama announced the family would, indeed, adopt a rescue dog. The Obama campaign did not return a phone call Wednesday regarding the first pet, but Obama confirmed in his acceptance speech that his girls would get their dog.

The first family-elect has millions of shelter dogs to choose from. Between 6 million and 8 million dogs and cats end up in shelters every year; about half of them have to be euthanized, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

“We are very pleased to hear that President-elect Obama has decided to adopt a puppy from an animal shelter,” said Jon Cicirelli, deputy director of the San Jose Animal Care Center. “Our residents can follow his lead and ask themselves if they, too, can make a difference in the life of a homeless animal. We say, ‘Yes, you can!’ “

Contact Linda Goldston at lgoldston@mercurynews.com or (408) 920-5862.