WASHINGTON – New White House dog Bo took a bow before a paparazzi-style pack of cameras on Tuesday, prompting President Barack Obama to proclaim the new First Pet had "star quality."

US President Barack Obama runs with his new pet dog Bo, a six-month old male Portuguese water dog, on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, April 14, 2009. [Agencies]

The pooch was promised by Obama to his daughters Malia 10, and Sasha seven, to make up for his long absences while running for president.

"Not in my bed," he joked and said that the breathless news coverage of the dogs imminent arrival was "spectacular" and said Bo had "star quality."

Obama also said he had heard that Portuguese water dogs were partial to tomatoes, adding: "Michelle's garden is in danger."

Asked about former president Harry S Truman's remark that the only way to have a friend in Washington was to get a dog, Obama said "I finally got a friend -- it took some time."

After showing off their new pet to the cameras, the Obama family took a long walk around the White House grounds, with the tail-wagging pooch in tow.

At one stage, in what might be the most photographed dog walk in history, the president broke into a run as the dog yanked on the leash and nearly pulled him over.

For a White House that likes to keep the media on a tight leash, the saga of the Obama dog has been a source of favorable stories for months -- barely a presidential news interview has gone by without a canine question.

The dog is a gift to the Obama family from veteran Senator Edward Kennedy, who owns several Portuguese water dogs.