Reality TV show seeks America's best dog

It's not exactly "Canine Idol" or "So You Think Your Pet Can Dance?", but this summer, dog lovers can follow the journey of 10 dogs pawing their way to win a reality show prize of $250,000 and title of "Greatest American Dog." The Washington Post reports:

[All 10 dogs and owners] are vying for the title of "Greatest American Dog," CBS' new unscripted series hosted by pet expert-zoologist Jarod Miller.

With weekly challenges and a three-judge panel, the program offers a grand prize of $250,000 for the winning dog-and-human team. It premieres at 8 p.m. Thursday.

"Leroy has been getting ready for a show like this since he was a baby," said Teresa Hanula of Fairfax, Va., whose border collie is poised for his close-up in the photo above with her. Leroy, a 5-year-old with mismatched ears, is "obsessed with Frisbee and loves swimming," said Hanula, a former high school Latin teacher.

To prep Leroy for life on camera, she said she held a puppy shower "with people, piñatas, kids, music and noise, everything he would find remotely distracting. And he loved it. He knows when it's showtime."

Like some human reality shows, "Greatest American Dog" requires the participants -- dogs and owners -- to live together during the competition.  The weekly challenges go beyond high-flying tricks and standard obedience commands, said the show's executive producer, R.J. Cutler. Each episode tests a specific quality, such as loyalty, courage or intelligence, with a focus on how humans and animals cooperate, Cutler said.

-- Francisco Vara-Orta

Photo: Cliff Lipson/CBS

Comments

[Lisa]

I don't know if I can bear to watch the rest of the shows.
After tonight's elimination, my heart is broken.
That was not a just decision at all.
I am so terribly disappointed.

[Mary Jo Lutz]

Making a huge mistake like voting off the Boston Terrier was more than bad, it was a death sentence for the show. It's a shame. I was looking forward to watching "America's Best Dog." The judges are obviously out of touch with what America likes. Did they miss the Boston coming in second out of all the dogs playing "musical chairs? It's hard to believe they thought "Ezzie" performed worse than, for instance, the dog whose owner had to physically push him into doing tricks like "sit." Tonight was the first show, and it will be the last show I'll ever watch. Hopefully, the show will be canceled before the judges make fools of themselves and the show again.

[Mona Andres]

Thought production and editing excellent. I loved the show!.

[Evelyn]

My mom wants to know how to go about entering her almost human dog. What does she need to do? She says her dog blows all the ones on the show out of the water!

[cindy]

love the show, my dog can do it all and better as a licensed therapy dog.

[Elizabeth]

My husband and I are SO sad that the Dr. and his Jack Russell Terrier went home. BOO HOO!!! He made the show. We wish them the best and loves the interaction between the two.

We will miss you Elvis!!!!

[Kayla]

My dad and I are very upset that Tillman was sent home and we wont be watching the rest of the show. If you want the best american dog he was it. You can train a dog to jump, roll over, stay etc but a dog that pretty much farts on command, what more could you ask for lol. But really what dog teaches themselves to skate board and loves doing it? The owner was very laid back and not demanding of his dog or physically forcing his dog to do things like the other lady that should have been sent home, Leroy I think was her dogs name. The other dogs are cute and some talented but they arent the best american dog by far!!!

[Sherry]

I think voting Ron & Tillman off was a "HUGE" mistake by the Judges.... They may not have been the Greatest American Dog, but at least they don't cheat using snarl bands when their dog can't perform. Teresa and Leroy should have been tonights Pair that left..... This makes me wonder what the judges are looking at. Tillman at least looked a little lazy with his head draped over the chair.

[Mary]

Where is the SPCA for this show? Poor dog with an elastic band in the mouth to make it snarl....and it gets to go on to the next round! Even one of the judges said it was inhumane...........

[fan]

i love dogs so im going to try it, to see if i like it

[Cam]

I agree with Kayla, I was schocked that Leroy's owner was not dismissed from the show after her abusive treatment of him. I too will no longer be watching, any show that allows the mistreatment of animals for any reason with no consequence to the owner loses my vote! Perhaps PETA needs to investigate the practices of what goes on behind the scenes. Tillman with his owner demonstrated a wonderful caring relationship and they were punished for a black and white photo-poor judgement judges. Cam

[deanna]

Love the show. Where is it filmed?

[Tracee rae]

Not Tillman! I am really sad that they left, but I will keep watching. However, what I can't stand are the judges. Especially Wendy Dimond...big deal she is am editor and an author. I just hopw that if there is another season they find some new judges...a Vet, an animal behaviorist, more trainers. I can really care less on the advice given by some editor.

[Jennifer Stefani]

You made a mistake taking Tilman down !! He was great ...I just love how him and his owner were just so relaxed !

[TERRY LATHAM]

I watched your show and was disappointed in the level of talent of the dogs. Are you guys familiar with the famous dog "Skidboot". Skidboot has passed away, but his owner David Hartwig has new dogs that can out perform any of the dogs on your show. How come we don't see David and his dog on your show? I had the pleasure of watching David's dogs perform in Florida last year. The dogs are great and David is a "HOOT"!

[Bridgett]

How and when can anyone get on the show? Where can you sign up, or adution.
Thank you
Bridgett

[Sue O'Brian]

Tonight was bad your judges don't know dogs, boxes
are happy, and border dogs bark that means there happy. Letting Star go was just wrong, last week you
bitched because he pushed the dog this week you bitch
because he didn't push enough. I will not watch again,
did you ever think about all could have passed one week
and they asked to much of a dog to jump off into space
I think the two who didn't jump were the one with the brains. And you call your selfs dog people, you judges
should be ashamed.

[Rosemary]

I hated watching Bill and Star going Coming Home To TEXAS, not just because I'm a Texas but because he is just a great guy and truly loves that Orange Dog!!!

[sandy orr]

I would just like to add my comment to the people commenting on how much we loved Tillman, he is just a super dog that loves what he does....also, I'm surprised any dog would have anything to do with those judges, they are the snootiest and coldest people I have ever seen!! I would think doing a show with animals would have happy, loving people doing the judging....they are going to drown if they don't bring their noses down a notch!!
Watching the show, but we wee very disappointed in the way it has been presented and the things the dogs have been asked to do...not very practical at all.
Maybe someone will come out with a better more dog friendly format next time.
Disappointed

[Jill Del Rio]

I am with Sue and Rosemary! The judges scold Bill for pushing too hard one week and the scold and kick off because he didn't push. I also did not like the elephant. You never know what animals are going to do and I was nervous for those dogs the whole time! I am not watching anymore.

[gail utz]

i was so disappointed last night with the deletion of bill and star. i thought the judging was unfair. i thought the dog that did not jump was the smart dog. i wouldn't want my dog to jump off a high location because someone said to jump and could possibility injuring herself as it looked like galaxy did. i don't know if i will continue watching the show.

[Woodrow Shaffer]

How can i get my dog, to partipate in this show,

[Cynthia and Gary Stallings]

We love this show. We think it should be on daily or at least weekly instead of some of the other programs on TV. We have 3 poms and at first I was for the little white pom (although I did not like his cut). Gary loved Bill and Star. After my pom got expelled, I started wanting Bill and Star to win. I cried this week when they got expelled. This is such a great show. Really do appreciate all of the owners and their dogs. Andrew, you are the bravest little dog I have ever seen. I would not have stayed in that circle like you did.
Thanks for such heartwarming Wednesday evenings.

Cynthia and Gary Stallings, Johnston City, IL

[Gloria Depew]

I have absolutely loved this show until last week. I will not be watching it any more. I am appalled that the show would subject dogs to a wild animal. Even trained animals can go off (remember Siegfried and Roy's tiger?). Having the dogs jump into the air, eventhough harnessed, was just plain cruel and Galaxy got hurt because of it. I am totally disappointed with the owners for going along with both of these tests. They all should have said no, i will not put my dog through that. I can't imagine what they'll do next, and don't want to know.

[Red]

They need to expel all those STUPID judges and have Cesar Millan as the judge, he KNOWS dogs, unlike those other idiots. And Cesar Millan wouldn't make the dogs perfom idiotic stunts, it would be more stunts that are for dogs! Not stupid dog painting for example!!

[janice spill]

Bill and Star should still be on there. Star is the best dog ever! The judges do not know what they are doing. They are also rude!!

Good Luck Bill and Star - we love you!!!

[Kirk P. Shelley]

Whoever hired the three idiots judging this should be fired right along with them. They do not know dogs, good grief I was embarassed for them they show so little knowledge . Different breeds exibit different distinct traits, this is NOT something the general public should have to be pointing out to so-called judges, it's a shame that a show that could have been great is going to fail miserably due to self absorbed individuals. Sorry but I won't be watching again till things change.

[Dina]

I am so glad to read everybody's comments on here. I thought I was just overreacting when I decided to stop watching this show. It's good to see that a lot of people share the idea that this show has nothing to do with dog lovers. The judges are so arrogant and rude. The male judge is praised for being an editor of Dog Fancy. I read a copy of his magazine and at least 10 pages in the back were dedicated to breeders! It's all about how you can profit off of your dog. Breeders make me sick, There are so many unwanted animals in shelters that die everyday because people are taught (by breeders) that pedigree is everthing! ...uuggg ok sorry to get off on a rant over breeding, this is about the show......I love the dog owners and hope they continue to show love WIN or LOSE...but this show is a total dissapointment!

[Lisa]

Overall, I have enjoyed the show; however do have a few comments similar to others. I too, wasn't pleased to see the elephant or the dogs being urged to "fly." Though the judges talk of "stressing" the dogs, seems to me that having an elephant come at you while being asked to "stay," and being urged to "fly" would be highly stressful for the dogs. I have also been baffled over the choice of judges. One would hope the judges are a warmer lot off the show; the coldness of these people doesn't work with this show's content. The love these owners have for their dogs has been the best part of the show. It was nice too, to see there are still old-fashioned caring people like Bill (with his Star).

[Dog Lover]

I am very disappointed with the end of this show. Laurie and Andrew should have won. All hurtles are so much harder for a little dog. Her dog went under the elephant and returned with the toy. What more do you want this little dog to do??? They should have won. I feel this show is very racist and if Laurie was white she would have won. The other dog's owner went under the elephant to show a big dog what to do and they won. Boy is racism riding high. If they could not decide they should have split the award between the two dogs. The dog that won was not the best dog.

[Leeann burgess]

Enjoyed watching this show every week. At times I did not agree with the stunts the dogs had to preform and the dog expelled, but I totally agree that Presley was the best dog on the show. He was in my opinion the most improved. Presley and his owner are perfect matches and are both so cute! Congratulations Presley, my boston terrier loved watching you.

[Jean Tideman]

I watched every episode wondering what would happen next. I've had Borzois so wouldn't have participated with them but I love all dogs. It's very difficult to judge different breeds, various ages of dogs and dog owners with varied experiences training dogs. In the end though I was equally for both teams, it was a thoughtful decision. Laurie who was great and Andrew was out of this world but I liked the final choice of Presley and his owner who really showed what good, humane and happy training can be done in a short time. Every team was good. I'm still in love with Bill and Star, too,
Congratulations to all the participants on the show.

[Dog lver Diane]

Poor judging! Either JD and Galaxy or Laurie and Andrew should have won. I believe Victoria bullied the other judges to give it to her favorite, Travis and Presley. Travis and Presley had personality...but didn't complete most of the tasks. At lease Andrew and Galaxy did. I thought the elephant tasks were dangerous and put the dogs in danger. What were they thinking?????

I'm not sure I would watch again

[Maila Hedin]

I agree with other writers that the best dog did not win.n. Tillman and Star were the two best dogs as far as I am concerned. They also were lucky enough to have great relationships with their owners who truly cared about them and their well-being and not just about winning a competition..

[Adria]

Is America's Best Dog on this year? 2009

[Tami Phillips]

I can't believe the other idiotic veiwers of 2008 wouldn't watch this AMAZING show again just because their favorite dogs didn't win!!!!!!! I'd be absolutely CRUSHED if they didn't continue this show into 2009!!!!! I'd be extremely surprised if the producers of this show could be so stupid that they wouldn't make another season. !!!!!!!!! IT ROCKED!!!!!!!!! =D