Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mature canine inheritance story has innuendo, cursing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Gunther’s Millions
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
GUNTHER'S MILLIONS is a four-part documentary series about the richest dog in the world and the people who care for him. In 1992, Countess Carlotta Von Liebenstein died and left her entire $400 million fortune to her German Shepherd, Gunther III, in order to support and maintain the dog's bloodline. Today Maurizio Mian, an heir to a pioneering pharmaceutical company, is responsible for handling Gunther III's grandson, Gunther VI, after taking over the position from his mother. Mian lives a luxurious lifestyle designed to keep the privileged German Shepard happy, and is surrounded by a company of attendants hired to grant the dog his every whim. But not everything is what it seems, and eventually the Gunther backstory reveals a legacy of secrets that are sometimes stranger than fiction.
Is It Any Good?
This bizarre documentary presents an odd and colorful tale about an alleged millionaire dog and those who enjoy the perks of his lifestyle. The peculiar cast of characters, including the series' director Lee Dahlberg (who is also Gunther's spokesperson), describes a life filled with money, excess, and sexual escapades made possible by Gunther VI's money. It also reveals some of the the publicity stunts used to create hype about the dog and his now infamous narrative, like putting together music groups that performed in Gunther VI's name, and announcing that the dog had purchased Madonna's Miami estate. It's hard to take seriously, but eventually Gunther's Millions ultimately reveals itself to be a pathetic story about corporate greed, and a man who who has sought ways to satisfy his hedonistic lifestyle with the help of some tall tales. Some folks will find it worth watching, while others will have little patience for it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether or not a dog can legally inherit from their owners. Is it possible to leave an estate to a pet in the United States?
Gunther's Millions spends more time talking about the dog's legacy rather than telling audiences about Maurizio's life. Would this be a more interesting documentary if it had been told the other way around? Why or why not?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 1, 2023
- Cast : Maurizio Mian , Lee Dahlberg
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : Animals
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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