Turbo Dogs - TV-Y7

Cruising canines share social values with kids.

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
3
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-Y7
  • Cast: Lyon Smith, Stacey DePass, Dan Petronijevic
  • Genre: Children, Cartoons, & Animation

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this CGI animated series incorporates lessons about friendship, self-confidence, teamwork, and perseverance in its fun-filled stories. Kids will relate to the issues that arise in the canine characters' lives (helping a friend who's feeling blue, for instance) and may pick up some tips from the endearing pups on navigating their own relationships with others. Although one character often breaks rules to better his chances of winning, his underhanded methods are always foiled in the end, and the sticky situations remind kids that cheating really doesn't pay off.

Families can talk about good sportsmanship. How do the Turbo Dogs react to winning a race? Do they gloat over their victory or accept congratulations respectfully? How do they act when they lose? Are there any characters who aren't good sports? Have you ever known someone who didn't play fair? How does it change your enjoyment of the game? How important is winning to you? How do you define being a winner?

Message

Social Behavior:

The Turbo Dogs deal with interpersonal issues their young viewers will relate to -- like having your feelings hurt, being tempted to cheat, and helping a friend feel better when he's sad. The series promotes positive messages about sportsmanship, loyalty, self-confidence, and hard work. The show only includes one main female character, but she holds her own with the guys on the track, and her level-headedness and dedication to her friends set her apart from the crowd.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Racecars occasionally spin out or crash on the track, but the canine drivers are never hurt.

Sex

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Emily Ashby

TURBO DOGS follows the antics of a group of fun-loving canines with a passion for racing. Based on the picture book Racer Dogs by Bob Kolar, the series is set in the colorful burg of Racerville and centers on the town's speediest group of dogs: Dash (voiced by Lyon Smith), Mags (Stacey DePass), GT (Dan Petronijevic), Strut (Joris Jarsky), Clutch (Peter Cugno), and Stinkbert (Hadley Kay). Though the pooches are competitors on the track, they're always fast friends in the end, showing kids that no matter what the problem, cooperation, hard work, and good sportsmanship are the keys to overcoming life's little pitfalls.

Is it any good?

3
Turbo Dogs has all the qualities of a sure-fire kid pleaser: zany characters, funny stories, and fast-paced action. Young viewers will get a kick out of sneaky Strut's creative but ill-fated attempts to weasel his way to racing victory (think giant magnets on extendable car appendages), Stinkbert's deep love of all things trash, and, of course, the high-octane races.

Meanwhile, parents will be pleased that the series wins on another level, promoting valuable messages about teamwork, friendship, and fair play through its well-crafted stories. If a flaw can be found, it's in the noticeable shortage of female characters (there's only one), which seemingly promotes the stereotype that cars are a "guy thing." But girls who do tune in will find a positive role model in Mags, whose skill on the track is matched by her level-headedness and loyalty to her friends.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

Age 15+
4

Posted on 12/01/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

what a creative show, it is really wonderful for all ages!

When I first saw this show on television, I was quite impressed on how well made it was, and the lessons you learn. * Don't be lazy when your team relies on you. Struts learned this from Clutch #7. * Don't take advantage of your team, ever. Struts #5 - was the one who learned about this the hard way. * Even you when you get older in age, you can still be quite special, with a little no how. Dash #1 learned about this from his grandmother. * Movie stars are actors, not people who do their own skits in movies. Doubles do the actual stunts. Dash #1 - was the one who learned about this on his own. So, whenever you make a mistake, try to do what is right, and dont ignore a problem when one exist. Talk about with your friends or family. You'll feel a lot better if you do. Just a thought: They should have these Turbo Dogs wear something other than their racing suits all the time, like basic clothes, or even be themselves - dogs, when not racing. It makes more sense - doesn't it?! And remember, you're human from the inside out. Thank you for your time, Brian Johnson jhnsn20@hotmail.com)

Adult Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

Age 15+
4

Posted on 12/01/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

what a creative show, it is really wonderful for all ages!

When I first saw this show on television, I was quite impressed on how well made it was, and the lessons you learn. * Don't be lazy when your team relies on you. Struts learned this from Clutch #7. * Don't take advantage of your team, ever. Struts #5 - was the one who learned about this the hard way. * Even you when you get older in age, you can still be quite special, with a little no how. Dash #1 learned about this from his grandmother. * Movie stars are actors, not people who do their own skits in movies. Doubles do the actual stunts. Dash #1 - was the one who learned about this on his own. So, whenever you make a mistake, try to do what is right, and dont ignore a problem when one exist. Talk about with your friends or family. You'll feel a lot better if you do. Just a thought: They should have these Turbo Dogs wear something other than their racing suits all the time, like basic clothes, or even be themselves - dogs, when not racing. It makes more sense - doesn't it?! And remember, you're human from the inside out. Thank you for your time, Brian Johnson jhnsn20@hotmail.com)

Kids Reviews

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