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Parents' Guide to

The Shaggy Dog (1959)

By Polly M. Robertus, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

A lovable mutt of a classic comedy.

Movie G 1959 104 minutes
The Shaggy Dog (1959) Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 7+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Erik 1012
Erik 1012 Adult
December 20, 2018
age 10+

Erik’s rating

After watching this movie it’s really funny, I can’t stop laughing over the fact that Willbe stole his best friend Buzz’s car as a dog, drove off in it.
Hendo H. U.
Hendo H. U. Parent of 10, 12 and 15-year-old
December 27, 2017
age 7+
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Disney's first live-action comedy follows the hairy adventures of young Wilby (Tommy Kirk), who stumbles upon an enchanted ring with an inscription. When Wilby reads the inscription, he turns into a large shaggy dog and the only way he can put a stop to the uncontrollable canine transformations is to do a good deed. But Wilby faces a major problem in the form of two Soviet spies, and things really get complicated when he accidentally sets off a rocket in the basement. Like any good Disney feature, there is plenty of comic misunderstanding and wild Keystone Cop-like chases.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (4 ):

Although the pace lags at times, THE SHAGGY DOG remains entertaining. Fine performances by several of the Mouseketeers and Fred McMurray as a dog-phobic father will charm school-age kids and their nostalgic parents. The movie offers a fascinating peek at how 1950s Americans saw the world.

Eleven- and 7-year-old viewers were almost equally amused by The Shaggy Dog, though both grew restless at times as the many plot-wheels gradually meshed. But Wilby's antics as Chiffon, the "Bratislavian Sheepdog," will genuinely entertain young viewers. Parents can have little objection to this well-behaved, clean-cut feature.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the idealized 1950s --- a world deep in the Cold War, and completely unaware that the role of women was about to change dramatically. This film is a fun way to bring up the way women's roles have changed over time. Families can also talk about what they think women's roles will be like 50 years from now, compared to how they were almost 50 years ago when this film was produced.

Movie Details

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