Whose dog is that?

From today's Globe:

Correction: Because of incorrect information provided by a watchdog organization, a front-page article on May 3 incorrectly reported Oregon's status on allowing 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections if they will turn 18 by Election Day in November. Oregon lets 17-year-olds register, but they must be 18 when they cast a ballot in any election.

What’s the difference between a watchdog organization and a special interest group?

Is it perhaps that (in the journalist's opinion) watchdog organizations are trying to do good? Perhaps even doing it for the children?

As of now I am declaring this lowly blog to be a watchdog organization.

BTW the May 3 article referred to is here.