It was the question millions of Americans wanted to ask the Obamas: what's happening on the dog front, guys?

The answer? Nothing yet.

Barack Obama was probed not just about the big issues of the day in his first network TV interview since his election as president. Other subjects raised included having his hair cut, washing the dishes and whether his mother-in-law was going to move with them to Washington.

But it was the dog question that hung most pregnantly in the air as Mr Obama gave his views on national security and the problems of the US car industry to CBS's 60 Minutes.

On election night in Chicago, the President-elect made a very public promise to his daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, telling them that they had "earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House".

Dog-lovers around the world immediately weighed in with suggestions for a future First Dog, only for Mr Obama to announce that they needed a hypo-allergenic dog because Malia was allergic to most breeds.

In last night's interview, the future First Lady, Michelle Obama, delivered an update. “We’re on call-mode on the dog front because the deal with the dog was that we would get the dog after we got settled," she said.

"As responsible owners we - I don’t think it would be good to get a dog in the midst of transition.. We cut that deal with the kids before...America knew about it. So they’re - they’re good with it.”

"We’re getting a lot of suggestions though,” Mr Obama added. “Boy, I mean the people are sending suggestions. And we’re taking it all under advisement.”

The President-elect spoke of how he dreads the "loss of anonymity" that will come with his new life. He also worries about ensuring that his daughters can grow up in a normal way.

“There’s still some things we’re not adjusted to ... like ... not being able to take a walk,”he said. “That’s something that I don’t think I’ll ever get used to. I mean, the loss of anonymity ... and this is not a complaint, this is part of what you sign up for.

“I can’t go to my old barber shop now. I’ve gotta have my barber come - to some undisclosed location to cut my hair."

Inevitably, Mr Obama's life as a normal citizen has come to an end. For the next four years, he will travel only in armoured vehicles trailed by counter-assault teams. He will not be able to drive himself and many days will not venture beyond the gates of the White House compound.

He said that he had spoken to some former presidents "and all of them recognised that there's a certain loneliness to the job".

Mr Obama told how on election night he could see the emotional impact of the United States electing its first black president on the face of his mother-in-law, 71-year-old Marian Robinson, who was sitting next to him as they watched the election returns on television.

“Suddenly she just kind of reached out and she started holding my hand, you know, kind of squeezing it," he recalled.

“For a black woman who grew up in the 50s, you know, in a segregated Chicago - to watch her daughter become First Lady of the United States. I think there was that sense across the country. And not unique to African-Americans."

Asked if Mrs Robinson would be moving into the White House with his family, Mr Obama was at his diplomatic best.

“Well - I don’t tell my mother-in-law what to do. I’m not stupid - that’s why I got elected president, man,” he said. "But, she sure can if she wants."

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