Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Predictable romcom has some mild cursing, drug reference.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Who Gets the Dog?
What's the Story?
Olive (Alicia Silverstone) and Clay (Ryan Kwanten) must decide WHO GETS THE DOG? when their marriage comes to an end. The only trouble is, each one thinks they're the best parent for their lovable pet, Wesley. When the court grants custody to Olive, Clay tries to prove that he's the best dad for his dog. Will they learn that Wesley needs his dad and his mom, too?
Is It Any Good?
Good intentions, a solid cast, and an adorable dog aren't quite enough to make this predictable romantic comedy stand out from the crowd. Who Gets the Dog? has its heart in the right place, and it's a pretty safe, mildly entertaining choice for family viewing. The actors didn't seem to bring their A game to the project, though, so it lacks any kind of real spark, chemistry, or genuine laughs. Doggy shenanigans are few and far between, too, making it unlikely to hold little kids' interest for very long.
It's not a top-tier romcom, and not a hilarious family dog movie, but just a little bit of both. It's one of those movies that just kind of gets lost in the middle somewhere.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Who Gets the Dog? shows divorce. Have you, or someone you know, been through it? Does the movie seem realistic?
Clay gets to play for an NHL hockey team. Is hockey popular in your area? What do you think being a pro is really like? Does Clay's life seem realistic?
How could Olive and Clay have avoided going to court? When you have to share something, how do you decide what's fair?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 27, 2016
- Cast : Alicia Silverstone , Ryan Kwanten
- Director : Huck Botko
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : 2DS Productions
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Animals , Friendship
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : Language including a brief drug reference
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate