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Greatest American Dog (CBS)

common sense media says

Competition shows off talented and pampered pups.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this dog competition has none of the usual catty reality show behavior, making it age-appropriate viewing for younger audiences. But there's still a lot of excess on display: The competition takes place at a mansion, and one of the rewards is a lavish suite filled with dog toys and other items. Also, the line between spoiling a dog (as in treating it like a human being) and appropriately rewarding good behavior gets mighty fuzzy at times.

Positive messages: Clearly advocates the love of dogs and responsible pet ownership, including discipline.
Violence & scariness: One of the dogs swipes another's skateboard, but there's no biting of people or other aggressive behavior.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: A few brand names, including Corona beer. Plus so many dog toys and accessories that younger viewers with dogs might get the "gimmies" on the next trip to the pet store.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The competitors toast the beginning of the competition with champagne, and there's beer and wine drinking (the glasses and bottles are visible, but actual drinking isn't often seen).
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Greatest American Dog

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why competition shows seem to follow the same format: competitors living together, elimination, three judges, big cash prizes. Ask kids why they think people go on these kinds of shows and what they think the producers are doing to make the competition seem more intense than it is. Also, who's your favorite dog? Do you think he or she will win?

What's the story?

What's the story?
GREATEST AMERICAN DOG is basically Survivor with dogs. OK, instead of a buggy beach, everyone is camped out in a luxury mansion -- except for one unlucky pair that will get stuck in the Dog House each week (a nice but small cabin that only a New Yorker would call roughing it). But it's still your standard competition show with folks trying to prove something -- in this case that they've got great dogs -- while vying for money by engaging in a variety of stunts that should show off their dogs' skills but mostly just look silly.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
As these kinds of shows go, this ain't bad. The competing dogs make up for a lot -- especially the skateboarding bull dog, Tillman. Even the foo-foo doggies have more to show for themselves than mere cuteness. But the owners will probably make you nuts -- seriously, matching shoes for a dog?! A Bark-Mitzvah?! In fact, the dogs that generally do the best are the ones whose owners remember that these are dogs. And certainly the dogs are the best reason to watch the show. Actually, they're the only reason to watch the show.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: CBS
Cast: Jarod Miller
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: CBS
This review was written by Anne Louise Bannon
 
 

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What parents & educators say

5

Most useful reviews by all members

Rey0399
kid, 12 years old
7
 
i LoVE ThiS shoW
I LOVE THIS SHOW,i hope they make Greatest American Dog 2.And i miss it so much.
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kid, 12 years old
16
 
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teen, 14 years old
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kid, 11 years old
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gospurs57
adult
 
I hope they don't pull this show
Thursday nights on CBS are now home for a wholesome reality show all about dogs. There's nothing highly objectionable in the show, except for drinking. Watch out for commercials for CBS shows which may not be suitable for children. This may be the cause of the TV-PG L rating. I personally didn't see any language in the show itself. I would've rated the show TV-PG for the brief drinking scenes and objectionable commercials for CBS shows.
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The JP Show
adult
5
 
Good Show
This should be like TV-Y instead of TV-PG.
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kid, 12 years old
9
 
Rated TV-Y7-FV for fantasy violence
CHILDREN UNDER 11 MAY NOT SEE THIS SHOW THE WORD (B*TT) IS USED.
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teen, 14 years old
9
 
Rated TV-Y7-FV for fantasy violence
CHILDREN UNDER 11 MAY NOT SEE THIS SHOW THE WORD (B*TT) IS USED.
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kid, 11 years old
9
 
Rated TV-Y7-FV for fantasy violence
CHILDREN UNDER 11 MAY NOT SEE THIS SHOW THE WORD (B*TT) IS USED.
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bettycarole
adult
 
Change the channel
I was really looking forward to this show, but it's just another abysmal reality show. The "tricks" were stupid; the owners, for the most part, vapid; and the judges awful. The pets were cute, though I think pet clothing and hair dying are silly. I'd rather see dogs doing things they enjoy, things like chasing Frisbees, fetching, swimming, and even skateboarding. Similar dogs should compete against one another. This show is a complete waste of time and will hopefully disappear after this season, if not before. Too bad.
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