The 12 Dogs of Christmas
By Sandie Angulo Chen,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Sentimental Depression-era Christmas story is fine for kids.
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The 12 Dogs of Christmas
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Based on 3 parent reviews
Best Dog Christmas /Movie ever
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What's the Story?
Set during the Great Depression, THE 12 DOGS OF CHRISTMAS tells the story of Emma (Jordan-Claire Green) who is sent from her hometown of Pittsburgh all the way north to Maine. When Emma arrives in Doverville, she is struck by the town's strange no-dogs law, which is enforced by Mayor Nobel Doyle (Richard Riehle) and his brother, the creepy, cat-loving, dog-hating Dogcatcher Doyle (John Billingsley). While at her new school, Emma saves a small dog from being caught, befriends Mike (Adam Hicks) -- a boy whose widowed mother runs a dog orphanage right outside town limits -- and eventually comes up with a plan to use the annual school Christmas pageant to show the town that their no-dogs law is barking mad.
Is It Any Good?
Adults who've seen their share of Christmas specials and films will probably find this one overly sentimental. But kids who love animals won't be disappointed by The 12 Dogs of Christmas, particularly with its climactic pageant scene that features an entire stage full of dogs. Yet if kids + Christmas + dogs isn't a winning formula for your family, there are plenty of much better holiday films to check out instead.
It's worth noting that the entire movie could be perceived as a feature-length reason to showcase the The 12 Dogs of Christmas song, which the film producer's daughter wrote when she was seven, and which her father subsequently had published into a popular book and CD. That's why we're treated to the entire Christmas pageant instead of cutting in and out (like most movies would do with such a scene). So if you're wondering why you have to hear the adorable little girl sing "And a poodle in a dog house" for the twelfth time, there you have it. Kids will sing along, as will some parents, but other grown-ups may feel their teeth ache from all the saccharine cuteness.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the portrayal of Emma in The 12 Dogs of Christmas. How is she different than the other girls in the movie? What troubles does she have to face and overcome at her new school? Why do you think she came up with the idea to rescue the dogs?
Why didn't Emma tell the truth about her father and how she found her dog? What difference would it have made if Emma had been honest from the start?
There's an old saying that kids and animals always make for easy entertainment. Does seeing little children and cute puppies and dogs pull on the heartstrings? Do they make up for what's lacking in this movie? What are some of your favorite animal movies?
What did you learn about the Great Depression? How were times tough for some but still easy for others?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: November 1, 2005
- Cast: Jordan-Claire Green, Adam Hicks, John Billingsley
- Director: Kieth Merrill
- Studio: Screen Media Films
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Cats, Dogs, and Mice, Friendship, Holidays
- Run time: 107 minutes
- MPAA rating: G
- Last updated: January 10, 2023
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